Lewiston evening teller. [volume] (Lewiston, Idaho) 1903-1911, 1908-07-21
ChaPterK N
THIS Is AMERICA. MR.. ARMIrAGE.


II = N and gold banners on old
Virginia battleields
Ill T1TrN crossed the Potomac and
~O occupied Washington.
49, Shirley Claiborne
called for her horse and rode forth to
greet the conqueror. The afternoon
was keen and sunny, and she had turn
ed impatiently from tea to which
she was committed to seek the open.
The call OF the outdoor gods sang In
her blood. Daffodls and crocuses lift
ed yellow flames and ruddy torches
from every dooryard. She had pinned
spray OF arbutus to the lapel Of her
tan riding coat. 1t spoke to her OF
the blue horizons of the Virginia hills.
The young buds in the naples lowered
like mist in the treetops. Towering
over all. the Incompatible gray obelisk
climbed to the blue arch and brought
ter Of mans hope, is also in spring the
capital Of the land Of hearts desire.
With groom trailing after her, Shir
ley rode toward Rock creek--that rip
ping, murmuring, singing trifle Of wa
ter that laughs day and night at the
margin Of the beautiful city, as though
politics and craftsmanship were the
hugest joke In the world. The flag on
the Austro- Hungarian embassy hung
at half mast and symbols Of mourning
Suffered from the entire front Of the
house. Shirley lifted her eyes gravely
as she passed. Her thoughts few at
once to the scene at the house Of the
secretary Of state q week before. when
Baron Won Marhof had learned of the
death Of his sovereign, and by associa
ton she thought, too, OF Armitage and
Of his look and voice as he said:
'Long live the emperor and king!
God save AUSTRIA
Emperors and kings!, They were ~
impossible today a. q snowstorm. The
grave ambassadors - they appeared At
great Washington functions, wearing
their decorations. always struck her .
being particularly distinguished. II
just now occurred to her that they
Nere all linked to the crown and sep
~. but she dismissed the whole mat
eer and bowed to two dark ladies' In q
1assing Victoria with the quick little
1cd and bright smile that were the
Oame for these titled members Of the
spanish ambassadors household 40 for
~ young daughters Of Z western sen
atof. who Economically waved their
.Aends to her from 4 doorstep.
Armitage came again to her mind.
1e had called at the Claiborne house
4wace since the secretary's ball, and she
~ been surprised to find how fully
~ accepted him 40 an American now
1Aat hs was on her own sou. He d.
.19ved. too. . certain stability from The
6et that the Sandersons knew him;
- was. indeed, an entirely di1erent
1efeon since the Montana senator def
anlfeay connected him with an Amer
IAN landscape. She had kept her own
Aounsel touching the scene on the dark
6eck Of the King Edward, but It was
aof thing lightly to be forgotten. She
Nas half angry with herself this mel
NV afternoon to md how persistently
Armitage came into her thoughts and
now the knife thrust on the steamer
LACK kept recurring In her mind and
Quickening her sympathy for a man
- whom she knew 10 little, and she
feuched her horse impatiently with the
crop and rode into the park at a gait
that reused the groom to attention.
AZ bend OF the read Chauvenet and
1fanzel. the attache. swung into view,
mounted. and as they met Chauvenet
turned his horse and rode beside her.
"Ah. these American airs! Thu
spring! IL 1t not good to be alive, Miss
Claiborner
ut is all of that" she replied. 1t
seemed to her that the day had not
needed Chauvenet's praise.
II had hoped to see you later at the
Wallfngford tea" he continued.
mo teas for me on a day like this!
The thought Of being indoors Is tragic"
She wished that he would leave her.
for she had ridden out into the spring
sunshine to be alone. He somehow
ala not appear to advantage In his
riding coat-his belongings were too
perfect She had really enjoyed his
talk when they had met here and there
abroad. but she was In no mood for
AAAAu INV, uuu size wondered what he |
had lost by the transfer to America.
lie ran on airily In French, speaking |
OF the rush Of great and small social |
Affairs that marked the end Of the sea-
son.
Poor Framed is indeed triste. He |
- taking the death Of Johann Wilhelm
quite hard. But here in America the |
death Of an emperor seems less i'm
p0rtant A king or peasant. what |
does 1t matter?"
BETTER ask the robin In yonder bud.
ding chestnut tree. monsieur This is
not an hour for hard Questionsr
Ah. you are very cruel! You drive |
ne back to poor melancholy Frnnzel.
who Is indeed funeral In himself"
That is very sad. monsieur" and
he smiled at him with mischief In her
pes. my heart goes out to any one
Who 10 left to mourn-alone."
) 3A 0nfhARnA HE rain. ana l