The Elbert County tribune., 1907-02-14


look of astonishment and dismay pass
over it like a flash, and then recover
ing herself, as / verify believe only
Isabel can, she turned to greet Mrs.
Leamington-Smythe
How are you, dear? So glad you
could come, after all; how very. very
sweet of you, and what a pretty
gown"
I've only just returned to town"
said Mrs. Leamlngton-Smythe. I'VE
motored straight up from Nottingham
to you, Lady Lascelles and /. and /
went to her club to tidy up, and-oh.
by the way, she told me to tell you
she's SO sorry she couldn't come,
but"
l lost the rest of the sentence in a
friends greeting. but presently Isabel
pulled me on one side.
MY dear Marjorie, it's a tragedy"
she whispered; "and now whatever
shall do?"
Il don't see that it matters" I said;
you can't force her on the princess.
Can't you explain to her-delicately,
you know"
Lady Isabel groaned. MY dear girl,
If you only knew how much there is to
explain. and what tenterhooks 1 am
on"
You, Isabel; why should you be on
tenterhooks. What do you mean? I
thought you had devised a plan by
which"
The princess, interrupting us, said
good-by, adding that she had enjoyed
herself so much, but she hadn't an
other moment to wait; and she left
the room in rather a hurry. She had
been standing close to Mrs. Smythe,
who was obviously all expectancy, aud
who looked deeply disappointed as she
saw hse say good-by to us.
"The4s now, you are safely out of
it," l whispered cheerily. You can't
introduce person who isn't there,
and the princess has saved the situa-
ton by running away"
Has she?" said Lady Isabel, with
a grimace; you would not say so If
you realized what the situation is"
"Good-by, dear Lady Isabel" said
Mrs. Smythe little later on, with q
rather sour smile. I've enjoyed my
self so much. It's been a perfectly
delightful party. Was that the prin-
cess? Isn't she lovely?"
Yes; I'm so sorry couldn't intro
duce you to her," said Lady Isabel,
but, as you saw. she was Obliged to
run away"
Some other time, perhaps" mur,
INJURED Mrs. Smythe, with another wry
smile.
Yes. dear" answered Lady Isabel.
BY the way. we shall see you to-mor-
row afternoon at the Stauntons'.
shan't WEI"
"Oh, yes"
"She may be there" said Lady lisa,
bel, who knew the Princess was going
out of town. 81 believe she said she
was going to be there Good-by. then,
dear. till tomorrow then; be sure to
come, and don't be late"
1t was the following afternoon, and
we were making our way laboriously
down Mrs. Ernest Staunton's crowded
staircase. AS we reached the hall we
came face to face with Mrs. Leaning.
ton Smythe, who had just arrived
Lady Isabel went towards her.
How are you, dear?-how late YOU
are; the princess hasn't come yet, and
alas! here we are, obliged to run
away"
Mrs. Smythe's answer was to re-
gard her with glaring and icy stare
and then, bowling coldly to me, swept
past us across the hall and UP the
stairs.
MY dear Isabel. whatever is the
matter?"
Isabel answered me with her usual
radiant smile, but her face had grown
a little pale. 81 rather believe that
have just been cut. Marjorie. What"
1t seems So" l agreed half doubt
ingly; but why?"
Yesterday" answered Isabel lacon.
ically.
Yesterday" I repeated; but you
could not Introduce her to a woman
who would not wait; besides. she was
quite friendly to you yesterday"
"Ah. but you see, had written her
little note" explained Lady Isabel,
looking pathetically at me, "and when
l heard her say she had not been
home, knew at once she had not
seen it."
But she came, so why did that
matter? What had you said you want
ed her to see before she came?"
Lady Isabel laughed. and then she
sighed.
Nothing much-only | had said 7
was very sorry to put her off, as
was Ill and going out of town"
Later Particulars.