Waterbury evening Democrat., 1907-08-02

> late, and her entrance created NJ almost sensation. Duncombe only knew that she wore a black gown and looked divine. Lady Runton murmured ''Paquin" with a sigh and frowned.
 "These girls might at least leave us black" she murmured to her neighbor What pearls!"
 Duncombe stepped forward to meet her. He could not keep the admiration from his eyes. Her shoulders and slim, graceful neck were as white as alabaster, her hair was gorgeous brown kissed into fine gold, glimmer- ing as though with the touch of some hidden fire. She moved with the de lightful freedom of absolute natural ness He murmured something which sounded ridiculously commonplace, and she laughed at him.
 Do you know that you are going to take me in?" she said. T hope that you are prepared to be very amusing. Do tell me which is your | friend"
 | Then Duncombe remembered An drew, who was standing by his side. He turned toward him, and the words suddenly died away upon his lips. An drcw's tall frame was shaking as though with some powerful emotion. He was standing with his head thrust forward as though listening intently. Duncombe set his teeth.
 "Will you allow me to present my friend, Miss Fieldingy' he said. An drew, this is Miss Fielding. Mir. Pel- ham, Miss Fielding!"
 She held out her hand and took his passive fingers.
 q am so glad to know you, MT. Pel- ham," she said pleasantly. "Sir George gave me quite a shock today when he spoke of you. was once very nearly engaged to an Andrew Pelham in Bal timore, and I had most distressing vi- sions of all my old sweethearts turn Ing up to spoil my good time here"
 Andrews voice sounded odd and re- strained.
 q have never been in America" he said.
 She laughed.
 "You need not be afraid that I am going to claim you" she declared. You are at least foot taller than my Andrew. You don't even inspire me with any tender recollections of him. Baron, do hope that you have not taken too much exercise"
 My dear young lady" he answered, lowing. T never felt better in my life. Be thankful that it Is not your hard fate to be my dinner companion. am so hungry that should have no time for conversation"
 "0n the contrary" she declared, q almost regret it. I much prefer to do some of the talking myself. but I sell dom get a chance Will you promise to give me a show tonight, Sir George?'
 "As long as you permit me to say two or three things which are in my mind" he answered, lowering his voice a little. you may do all the rest of the talking"
 Dear me. I am curious already" she exclaimed. What are the two or three things, Sir George? Why. do you see. nearly every one has gOner' she added suddenly. Come alongr'
 She laid her hand upon his arm and led him away Soon he was by her side at the table. Their companions were uninteresting Andrew was out of sight. DuncOmbe forgot everything else in the world except that he was with her.
 Their conversation was of trifes. yet intimate trifies. The general talk buzz cd all round them. Neither made any effort to arrest it To Duncombe she seemed simply the image he had creat- cd and worshiped suddenly come to life. That 1t was not in fact her pic ture went for nothing. There was no infidelity. The girl who had existed in his dreams was here. It was for her that he had departed from the even tenor of his ways. for her he had searched In Paris. for her he had braved the horrors of that unhappy week. Already he felt that she be- longed to him. and in a vague sort of way she. too. seemed to be letting her self drift to be giving color to his un- conscious assumption by her lowered tone. by the light In her eyes. which answered his by all those little name less trifes which go to the sealing of unvritfen co1pacts.
 Once her manner changed Her fa- ther. vho vss on the opposite side of the table. a little var of. leaned for