The Washington herald., 1907-10-11

offered her hand to Lord B5udesert he
said, smiling.
Il am glad 1 happened TO be here when
YOU called. and more glad that you were
here when our South American friends
called"
Lucy gave him a roguish glance which
brought smile TO his handsome, satur-
nine old face
When she was gone Lord Baudesert,
alone in the bosom of his family. re-
marked:
That might have been a deuced awk-
ward thing. Miss Armytage stood IN the
breach ana helped 20 save the situation.
She has a great deal OF natural tact
looks simple, but IS really very artfuI"
Sir Percy CarIyon sat soberly drinking
his tea ike a true-bOrn Britou, but iu-
Wardiy he was not at peace. Lucy Army
JaEe always moved and interested and
disturbed him. He glanced toward the
low chair In which she had sat and saw
her again as THE Lady of the Muff 30
He heard her voice, gentle yet ringing,
and the perfume Of the lilies Of the val
ley she had worn pinned upon her breast
stu pervaded the room. He remained
silent while Mrs. Vereker and the three
girls discussed Lucy. Mrs. Vereker and
Jane thought her very pretty; Sarah and
Isabella thought her not pretty at ALL
Lord Baudesert decided that she was ex-
tremely pretty; then they all agreed with
him. When the ladies of the family went
TO dress for dinner Lord Baudesert asked
Sir Percy:
Did you ever know three such idiots
as my nieces?'
They are not idiots at ALL" responded
his dutiful nephew; they are afraid Of
you-thats all
"Oh, yes, that's all, But that's enough.
However with ali their dullness. they are
better fitted to be the wives Of diplo-
mats than women like that sparkling lit
tie Armytage girl. She is clever enough
at getting people out of a tight place.
but, mark my words. the cIeverer women
are in getting out OF trouble the reader
they are to get into it. That's why they
are not suited 10 the iplomatic corps. .
I quite agree with you" answered
his nephew, with vigor.
Sir Percy found himself overwhelmed
with dinner invitations, which ne accept
ed partly as a duty and partly as a pleas
ure. He enjoyed the Washington dinners
hugely, and after awhile grew accus-
toned TO the shrill, and often unframed
voices of the American women. He liked
the naturalness and simplicity both of
the men and women he met and the alb
sence Of the young-lady-anx nxious-to-be-
married was pleasing 90 him He also
liked the wives and daughters Of his col
leagues, and often thought if dinners
were the sum Of mans existence on this
planet, Washington was the ideal spot
in which to live. Besides his work at the
embassy, which was not light, he was
making a thorough study Of American
public affairs-nO small undertaking.
Then Lord Baudesert was continually
clamOring for his nephew's company.
so that Sir Percy's days and evenings
were full So full, indeed, was his time
that he ought, In the natural cour=o o.
events. 10 have forgotten Lucy Army
tage of whom he only caught stray
glimpses during the next month.
Col, Armytage promptly returned Sir
Percys visit. and Sir Percy, by the exer-
else Of all his vii. power managed to
call al the hotel one day Just after hav-
ing seen Lucy drive off in a hanson. He
was rewarded-OT punished, as the case
might be-by meeting her face To face
at the White House reception-that night.
She was again talking with Stanley. the
handsome young naval man, dazzling in
his uniform. Lucy stood under the
branching leaves Of a huge palm. in the
East Room, which made a background
for her delicate and spirituelle head. She
wore the same black gown in which Sir
Percy had first seen her. and carried a
fan, which she used for the purpose for
which It was designed-to accentuate and
set on her own charms. Sir Percy passed
with bow and word which she re-
turned with one Of those brilliant smiles
that transformed her soft and elusive
beauty into something vivid, palpitating,
and starltke. Unc0nsciously TO himself,