The Washington herald., 1907-10-17
By FOXCROFT DAVIS
PARTX

ambassador and amhaSSadreSS, but he
noted the extreme simplicity OF Lady
Carlyon's gown, and thought her the
handsomer for it. Nevertheless it puz-
Zled him, but as soon as his eyes fell
on his hostess a light dawned upon him.
There was some rivalry between these
two women. With that first thread to
go on. he observed his hostess and her
guests more closely.
When the ladies TOes Mrs. March led
the way into the picture gallery. Lady
CaTlyon did not. as Mrs. March sup
posed she would sUbtly avoid her hostess.
on the contrary. she remained close TO
Alicia. whom she asked 10 tell her the
names of the artists whose pictures were
on the wall Lady Carlyon listening with
smiling attention. Presently il daWned
upon Alicia March's mind that Lady
CarlyOn was making her exhibit her pos
sessions and give a list OF them-it was
Lady Carlyon now who had the upper
hand, and not Alicia. Mrs. March. how
ever, went around the gallery with Lady
CaTlyon and by that time the men ap-
peared and a few other guests invited
for the after-dinner music COlegrOve
was now watching with all his eyes
Senator March in his hearty. outspOken
way. had mentioned the friendship of
Gen. Talbot and Sir Percy Carlyon in
those early days on the Afghan frontier,
and Celegrove knew that Alicia had been
with her father at that time. Sir Percy
SHE'D OF from the subject very obviously.
and this was not lost on Colegrove All of
this made COlegrOve suspect that there
had been an affair between Sir FeTcy
CarlyOn and Mrs. March. He reCOllected
that she had never mentioned Sir Percy
10 him, although she had spoken freely
of persons and events ia her life. He sat
turning these things over in his mind
with the interest with which everything
concerning Alicia awakened in him, at
the tine he was listening 10 the great
tenor whose every note was worth a
bank note.
When the evening was over, and most
Of the guests had taken their departure,
TWO or three guests still fingered, Cole
grove, going up to Mrs. March. said to
her smilingly:
You look quite superb tonight Lady
Carlyon evidently didn't wish 70 be In
the competition. When woman wears
a simple white gown and bunch of vio-
lets she means something BY IT,"
Alicia smiled family.
Perhaps Lady CarlyOn thought the OC-
casion not important enough for jewels,
she said.
''She won't find a more important oc-
casiOn." replied COlegrove laughing, not
even at the White House. as that is
purely perfunctory, you know, when she
goes in on the same footing as the Chi
nese Ambassador and the Korean Min
ister- I am afraid Lady CaTlyOn is slightly
unappreciative. Good night, and thank
you for a charming evening"
After accepting the Marches dinner
invitation it was inevitable that they
should be placed upon the dinner list OF
the British Embassy, so Lady Carlyon
told Sir Percy, as they drove back
through the January night to the en-
bassy, and IL must be done at once: for
Senator March was a man who could
not be ignored either socially or politi-
caliy, Lady Carlyon reminded Sir Percy, I
urging him at the same time TO be more
cordial TO Senator March
I never saw a man I liked better than
March, replied Sir Percy; "he was the
hrst friend I made in Washington, but l
admit that II staggeTs me 10 look at him !
IN the light OF Alicia Vernons husband"
I am afraid answered Lady Carlyon, /
that II VIII be observed in spite of all (
that I can do to smooth things over"
i don't think / could have managed il |
at all without you" replied Sir Percy, /
you are the better diplomatist Of the 1
two"
oh. you may always expect something /
great from Bardstown, KY" replied Lady
Carlyon, and was Lucy Armytage again.
looking with sweet, laughing eyes into I
her husbands sombre face.
Within fortnight an invitation to dine |
at the British Embassy came for Sen |
Gtor March and his wife. and il was ac- 4
eepted. It was not to be supposed how /
ever. that the Marches and the Carlvons 4
had not met many times during that fort /
night They moved in the same orbit 4
and were continually within sight Of each
other Sir Percy, bearing in mind Lady
Carlyon's caution. was more cordial in
his manner to Senator March. He found /
no difficulty in being so, for the two men
met as they often did in the society of /
men alone, at mems dinners at the club, /
and like places. Sir Percy, following the /
example Of Lord Baudesert. was an in
defatigable student of American affairs. /
and Senator March was a mine of in
formation.
1t was a source Of some surprise 10
Senator March that there was nothing
Ike Intimacy between the Carlyons and
his wife and himself He could see that
his wife and Sir Percy Carlyon did not
stand 10 each other in the relation Of old
friends, although they were old aceuaint-
ances- And there was something guarded
in the attitude Of Lady Carlyon and
Alicia March toward each other He
would have liked very much to have re-
newed his old friendship and even fond
ness for Lady CarlyOn, but although she
met him with unvarying sweetness. she
aid not take UP the thread Of intimacy
which had existed between them from
the days when she was schoolgirl and
he was a Senator. Senator March had
lived long enough to know that there are
strange convolutions in personal reIa-
tons, especially between women. It soon
became plain that Alicia March and LADY
Cariyon were not drawn together. Sen
ator March's confidence in his wife was
such that ne felt sure that her course
was regulated by good taste and good
sense, and that was enough for him.
The dinner at the embassy was bril-
liant and Lady Carlyon did the honors
With extraordinary grace. This time she
wore very handsome jewels. although
nothing to compare with those Of Alicia
March.
Senator March had intended TO sig
yest to Alicia that she should invite the
IarlyOns to spend the weekend AZ the
country place where their romance had
but, seeing the futiIitv OF ,
his plan. did not mention il even to his ,
wife Meanwhile. great affairs pressed
lpon him. The big railways had been
lnally brought to bay, and Senator
March. as chairman OF the committee ,
# investigation. had his hands full. Cole
srove was in town continuously and !
pent many days explaining the mex
,lieable before the committee.
Senator March, listening. tabulatine
md making notes, began to have a verv ,
ligb admiration for COlegrove's abili- !
les and even a belief in the man. Great !
corporations, Senator March knew. are I
lot associations Of archangels for the ,