The Washington herald., 1907-10-13
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Copyright, 1907, by The Washington Herald Company
CHAPTER V-Continued.

tell you the truth, these matters are il
the hands Of our young people entirely
II is the part Of parents-and Mrs. Army
tage end / stand in that relation TO oul
niece-to advise and take precautions
but not 10 coerce. However" he con
tnued, smiling, and showing fine white
teeth between his gray mustache and
beard. i don't think there is any coer-
oion in this case."
Il believe not. said S:r Percy, with
an answering smile. these things are
somewhat differently managed in the
States than with Us. but the result is the
same Miss Armytage is doing me the
honor of marrying me without the con-
sideration Of certain matters which must
be mentioned between you and me IS
regards settlements. 1 shall be as liberal
as possibly can, but I must frankly tell
you that my fortune is modest All OF it,
however, shall be settled upon the future
Ladg CaTlyoa ard her children"
Il beg TO differ with YOU there. 4"
promptly replied Col. Armytage. Il
think children are not to be considered
IN these matters: I don't believe in put
ting woman in the power OF her chill
dren. Every penny / have is settled upon
my wife and she is my sole eNecutriX
without bond That is what I require
Of any man who marries my niece. and
also that he insuTes his life for her bene-
1T, and that her money-for my niece
has some money of her own-shaiI be set
lied upon her irrevoc3bIy"
Sir Percy Carlyon longed both 10 laugh
and TO swear, but he controlled his in
clinations and said calmly.
FrslT
but you must remember certain oblga-
uons which We, in England acknofyledge
10 our successors Ny baronetcy viii
descend 10 my eldest son. if 1 be blessed
with son. and there are moral obliga-
tons in such case 10 give a child some
thing 10 maintain the rank TO which he
IS born. With regard to the future Lady
tarlyon-What is hers / desire TO re-
main hers. II / were a richer man. 1
think 1 could convince YOU of my disin-
terestedness"
Col Armytage. like Lucy, had mind
open TO conviction. and, after consid-
eFlng this speech for q moment or two.
acknowledged that Sir Percy was right
Ihus the dangerous question of settle
mentS was got over without friction Aft
er few minutes more of converse non.
Sir Percy asked to see Mrs Armytace
Ihat excellent woman, in best0wing her
approval upon his suit told him earn
estly that 10 be related by marriage 10
such man as Col Armytage was in il
sell a nigh privilege and carried special
blessing with it. Sir Percy inwardlv
agreed with this. He was glad that his
future wife was brought up in the at
mosphere of love and kindliness. which
surrounded the Armytages. lie had a
rapturous half hour alsne with Lucy.
ana then went away feeling that the
gates Of paradise had been opened before
him.
In order TO escape comment, it had been
arranged that Sir Percys visits should
be on one or two evenings in the week
when he would not be likely to meet auv
or his acquaintance as he passed in and
out OF the hotel. or might be supposed
TO be going 10 see a man. Evening visits.
although long since abandoned by the
smart set still prevail among the old
fashioned people and the Congressional
circle, IN which were most Of the Arn1y-
AtaSes acqUaintances Never had Sir
Percy imagined that such delicious hours
in life awaited him as those ba snant
during the next fortnight in the Army /
tases' little sitting room. Col. and Mrs
Armytage. according 10 the Bardstown /
custom, felt il their duty 10 leave their /
modest sitting-rOOm entirely 10 the low I
ers; but Lucy who was making close /
study of Sir Percy Carlyon-s class pre- /
judices, insisted that Mrs. Armvtaee /
should remain. Mrs. Armytage. feeling /
guilty would establish herself with her
knitting before the fire and dutifullv fail /
asleep within ten minutes of Sir Percv's
arrival The lovers, sitting in an en-
brasure OF a window and looking down
upon quiet eide street. Were almost as
much alone as they had been in the win
ter woods on that February afternoon
when they had first known each others
heaIls- Sir Percy had a satisfaction which
IS often denied lOveTs-the satisfaction of
seeing his flancee adapting bersaIf vi+b
grace and intelligence TO his tastes and
wishes. Lucy Armytage was far too
clever to have that deadly obstfracv
which is the bane Of provinciaIs. and
which makes them carry their Bards-
towns into every company and associa-
uon IN which they may find themselves
II occurred TO Sir Percy, a very snort
time after his engagement, that the sac
rlhces which be was prepared TO make
Tor the sake Of marrying the woman he
loved might not be so great after ali Z
Whenever he saw Lucy he found that sba {
had learned something She had pickad
up new phrase, or abandoned an old
one which Was not in perfect taste. she j
had learned 10 curb her wit and 10 he d
on her guard against those indiscraet q
words and actions which are harmless 7
enough IN young girl. but highly dan I
gerous IN the wife Of a diplomat. Sir
Percy had begun to believe ali he hoard I
Of the adaptability of the American G
woman after studying Lucy Armvtaps Il
and he saw, with profound pride MAJ j
Lucy was forming herself to be his vv;fa s
One thing only troubled him: shoI5ld bs / {
confess to her then or after their rnar- t
riage the story of Alicia Vernon # f
was difncult thing to tell TO a girl So a
Young as Lucy Armytage, and so ciIila 5
eSs, ana so little familiar with wicked u
ness. II penltence could avail the, be q
lad atoned for that early vrongdojnr f
He concluded it would be kinder fo, 80, h
10 wait until after their mar~iape ,,,tl,,,, b
he could tell her the whole painful stor,- "
One afternoon. three weeks after 7 no., b
Armytage had promised to become T,a7y s.
1ariyon, letter was delivered at tba
British Embassy for Sir Percy CarIvon n
me look at the clear, strong Handwriting d
made hm turn pale-it was Alicia YER
oh mana ana the poStmark was Wash h
ngton. He thrust the letter into hf- !,
'ocket and declining Lord Baudeserts
uggestion TO come in TO tea. went back b.
o his own chambers. With hatred and ir
epugnance pulsating all through hin, q
e opened the letter and read n Tbs y
ate was of that day, and it was written r,
rom fashionable uptown hotel. \,
We arrived yesterday, my father and II
It was quite unexpected, for WASH "
lgton has always seemed as far avav IN :,
le and as unreal as Bagdad. but bera D.
'e are. We shall call at the embaSsv n
4 a day or two. and meanwhile NV fotL .,
r asks me 10 say that we shall he ~ ?,
ONE at O'Clock every day. and he p
opes 70 see you soon A. v" W