The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1908-09-11

II am wholly agreeable" laugneu
Armitage. 1.-THE sooner the better and
be done with it,"
Don't be so frivolous There, you
can look safely now. She's stopped to
speak to that bald and pink justice of
the supreme court-the girl with the
brown eyes and hair. Have a care"
Shirley and Chauvenet left the ven
cradle justice, and Mrs. Sanderson In
tercepted them at once.
"To think of all these beautiful
things in our own American exclaimed
Shirley. "And you, Mr. Armitage"-
Among the other curios, Miss Clai-
borne" laughed John, taking her hand.
But l haven't introduced you yet"
began Mrs Sanderson, puzzled.
mo; the King Edward did that. We
crossed together. Oh, NJ. Chauvenet,
let me present Mr.. Armitage," said
Shirley. seeing that the men had not
spoken.
The situation amused Armitage, and
he smiled rather more broadly than
was necessary in expressing his pleas
ure at meeting M. Chauvenet. They
regarded each other with the swift in
tentness Of men who are used to the
sharp exercise of their eyes, and when
Armitage turned toward Shirley and
Mrs. Sanderson he was aware that
Chauvenet continued to regard him
with fixed gaze.
miss Claiborne is wonderful sail
or. The Atlantic is little tumultuous
at times in the spring, but she reported
to the captain every day."
Miss Claiborne is nothing If not ex-
traordinary," reclared Mrs. Sanderson
with frank admiration.
1.-THE word seems to have been coin
ed for her," said Chauvenet, his white
teeth showing under his thin black
mustache.
"And still leaves the language dis
tinguished chiefly for its poverty"
added Armitage, and the men bowed
to Shirley and then to Mrs. Sanderson
and again to each other. 1t was like
a rehearsal Of some trif1e in a comedy.
"How charmingr' laughed Mrs. San
derson. "And this lovely room is just
the place for it."
They were still talking together as
Framed, with whom Armitage had
spoken below, entered hurriedly. He
held crumpled note. whose contents
1t seemed had shaken him out Of his
habitual melancholy composure.
"Is Baron Won Marhof in the room
he asked Of Armitage, fumbling nerv-
ously at his monocle.
The Austrian ambassador, with sew
eral ladies and led by Senator Sander
son, was approaching.
The attache hurried to his chief and
addressed him in low tone. The am
bassador stopped. grew very white
and stared at the messenger for a mo-
ment in blank unbelief.
The young man now repeated in
English, In tone that could be heard
in all parts Of the hushed room:
"His majesty the Emperor Johann
Wilhelm died suddenly tonight in Vi
enna," he said and gave his arm to his
chief.
1t was strange place for the deliv-
ness of it was intensified to Shirley by
the curious glance that passed between
John Armitage and Jules Chauvenet.
Shirley remembered afterward that as
the attaches words rang out in the
room Armitage started, clinched his
hands and caught his breath in man.
ner very uncommon in men unless they
are greatly moved. The ambassador
walked directly from the room with
bowed head, and every one waited in
silent sympathy until he had gone.
The word passed swiftly through the
great house, and through the open win
dows the servants were heard crying
loudly for Baron Won Marhof's car
riage in the court below.
"The king is dead. Long live the
king!' murmured Shirley.
Long live the kingw repeated
Chauvenet and Mrs. Sanderson in uni
son. And then Armitage. as though
mastering q phrase they were teaching
him, raised his head and said. with an
JUNCTION that surprised them: Long
live the emperor and king! God save
Austrian
Then he turned to Shirley with a
smile.
"It is very pleasant to see you on
your own ground. l hope your family
are we'll"
'Thank you; yes. My father and
mother are here somewhere"
"And Captain Claiborne?"
Hes probably sitting up all night
' to defend Fort Myer from the crafts
and assaults of the enemy. hope you
will come to see Us. Mr.. Armitage."
THANK you. You are very kind" he
said gravely. Il shall certainly give
myself the pleasure very soon"
AS Shirley passed on with Chauve-
net Mrs. Sandp;%on launched upon the
girls praises. bit she found him sud
denly preoccup.ed.
THE girl has gone to your head.
Why didn't you tell me you knew the
Claiborncs?''
81 don't remember that you gave INC
n chance. but I'll say now that intend
to know them better"
She babe him take her TO the draw
ing room. AZ they went down through
the house they found that the an
nOuncpmput Of .hr EmDprOr Johann