The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1907-09-01

| sucl, moods. co,ild have screamed
for her, as I sat there helplessly look
| ing through the open doors; and then.
| at last, saw her, as Ii my wish had
been call which had reached her
earssover the music In the ballroom.
She had stopped dancing, and with
her partner tLord Robert, AGAIN. en-
tered the room which lay between our
den" and the ballroom. Probably
they would have gone on to the con-
| servatory, which can be reached in
| that way. but / cried her name, as
| loudly az could, and she heard. Only
a moment she paused--long enough to
send Lord Robert away--and then she
came straight to me. He must have
been furious; hut I didn't care for
that.
/ had been wanting her badly. but
when I saw her, 80 bright and Beau
tlful.. looking as IL she were the JOY
OF life made incarnate. should have
liked to strike her hard. irstton one
cheek and then the other. deepening
the rose to crimson, and leaving an
ugly red mark for each finger.
"Haye you headache, dear?" she
asked. in that velvet voice she keeps
for pity and protection.
IT'S my heart" said 1. 1T feels like
a clock running down. Oh. / wish
could die, and end 1t all. What's the
good OF me-to myself or any one"
Don't talk like that. my poor one"
she said. Shall / take you upstairs
to your own room?"
mo. l think l should faint II had
to go upstairs" answered. yet ]
~ ~. oi o1t an
What about Uncle Eric's study?"
Di asked She always calls Lord
Mountstuart Uncle Eric though he
isn't her uncle. Her mother and his
wife were sisters, that's all; and then
there was the other sister who married
the Secretary for Foreign Affairs, "A
cousin OF Lord Mountstuart's. That
family seemed to have craze for
American girls; but Lord .Mountstuart
| makes an exception Of me. He's civil,
OF course. because he's an abject slave
pay "a visit In England without me: but
give him the shivers. know very
well: and Il take an inpish Joy in
making him jump.
I'm sure he won't be there this
evening" Di went on, when hes
itated. Hes playing bridge with
lot OF dear old boys in the library. or
was, half an hour ago. Come, let me
help you there. It's only a step"
She put her pretty arm around my
waist, and leaning on her I walked
across the room. out into a corridor,
through a tiny 'bookroom." where
odd volumes and old magazines are
kept. into Lord Mountstuarts etudy.
1t Is a nice room. which he uses
much as his wife uses her boudoir.
The library next door Is rather a show
place, but the study has only Lord
Mountstuart's favorite books in 1t. He
writes there Che has written novel
or two. and thinks himself literary,
and some pictures he has painted in
differentSparts of the world hang on
the walls; for he also thinks himself
artistic.
In one corner is a particularly COM
Portable. cushiony lounge where. I sup
pose, the distinguished author lies and
thinks out his subjects. or dreams them
out And It was to this that Di led
me.
She settled me among some fat pill
lows Of old purple and gold brocade.
and asked IL she should ring and get
little brandy.
NO" / said, IT shall feel better in
a few minutes. It's so nice and cool
here"
You look better already" exclaimed
Di. Soon, when you've lain and rest
, ed little you'll be different girl"
"Ah. how wish could be differ
emit girl" sighed. IA strong, we'll
girl, and tall and beautiful. and adj
mired by every one-like you-or Max
Inc de Renzie."
what makes you think of her?"
asked d. quickly.
'Ivor was just talking to me Of her.
You know he calls me his pal ana
tells me things he doesn't tell every
body. He thinks a great deal about
Maxine, STILL
Shed be a difficult woman to for
get, II she's as attractive off the stage
as she Is on
r what a pity we didn't come In time
to meet here when she was playing
In London with George Allendale.
Everybody used to invite her to their
houses, 1t seems. Ivor was telling me
that he first met her here. and that
it's such a pleasant memory, whenever
he comes to this house. I suppose
that's one reason he likes to come so
much.
mo doubt" said Di sharply.
"He got so fascinated talking Of
her." went on. Gle almost forgot
that he had dance with Mrs. Allen
dale. OF course Maxine had made a
great hit. and all that. even then; but
she didn't stand quite as high as she
does now, since she's become the
fashion in Paris. Perhaps she had
nothing except her salary then. where
.