Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1908-08-15
N Chapter XII
TINS Is AArEmcA. Mr.. AnnnrAc

ME occupied Washington
>-~ Shirley Claiborne
called for her horse and rode forth TO
greet the conqueror. The afternoon
was keen and sunny. and she had turn
ed impatienuy from tea 20 which
she was committed TO seek the open.
The call OF the outdoor gods sang in
her blood. DaGodus and crocuses lift
ed yellow flames and ruddy torches
from every dooryard She had pinned
a spray OF arhutus 70 the lapel OF her
tan riding coat 10 spoke 60 her OF
the blue horizons Of the Virginia hills
The young buds 90 the naples lowered
like a mist in the trcetops Towering
over an. the Incompatible gray obeiisk
climbed 20 the blue arch and brought
Il nearer earth. Washington. the CEN
ter OF mans hope. is also I'm spring the
capital Of the land OF hearts desire.
With groom trailing after her. Shir-
ley rode toward Rock crcek-that rip
plinc. murmurinc. singing triae OF wa
ter that laughs day and night at the
margin OF the beautiful city. as though
politics and craftsmanship were the
hugcst Joke In the world. The Gag on
the Austro-Huug0rian embassy hung
az hair mast and symbols OF mourning
huttercd from the entire front OF the
house. shirley lifted her ewes gravcly
as she passed. Her thoughts few 40
once 60 the scene M the house OF the
secretary OF state week before when
Baron Won Marhof had learned 90 the
death OF HIS sovereign. and by associa-
ton she thought too. OF Armitare and
OF his look and voice as he said.
Long live the emperor and king,
God save Austrian
Empcrors and kin-si They were "a
impossible today as snowstcrru. The
grave ambassadors as they appeared az
great Washington functions. wearing
their decorations. always struck her as
being particularly distinguished II
Just now occurred 20 her that they
were all linked 10 the crown and sccp-
ter, but she dismissed the whole mat
ter and bowed 10 two dark ladies IN a
passing victoria with the quick little
nod and bright smile that were the
same FOR these titled members OF the
Spanish ambassadors household as Tor
the young daughters OF western SEN
aANAf N liW MfAANWHl a lANaIIN MAAGu AuILE
hands 20 her from a doorstep.
Armitage came again Co her mind
He had called at the Claiborne house
twice since the sccrctary's ball. and she
had been surprised 20 find how fully
she accepted him as an American now
that he was on her own soil lie de-
rived, too. certain stability from the
fact that the Sandersons knew him:
he was, indeed. an entirely different
PERSON since the Montana senator def
initely connected him with an Amer
lean landscape. She had kept her own
counsel touching the scene on the dark
deck az the King Edward but 10 was
not thing lightly 10 be forgotten. She
was half angry with herself this mel
low afternoon 10 find how persistcutlv
Armitage came into her thoughts and
how the knife thrust on the steamer
deck Kept recurring IN her mind and
quickening her sympathy for a man
OF whom she knew so little. aud she
touched her horse impatlently with the
crop and rode into the park at a gait
that reused the groom TO attention.
At bend OF the road Chauvenet and
Franzel. the attache. swung into view.
mounted. and as they met Chauyenet
turned his horse and rode beside her.
"Ah, these American airs! This
spring. Is IL not good 10 be alive. Miss
ClaiborneT"
1t is all OF that" she replied. II
seemed 10 her that the day had not
needed Chauvenets praise.
Il had hoped 10 see you later at the
WallingfOrd tea" be continued.
''No 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 10 be alone. He somehow
did 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
him now. and she wondered what he
had lost by the transfer 10 America
He 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
is taking the death OF Johann Wilhelm !
quite hard. But here in America the
death OF an emperor seems less i'm.
portant \ king or a peasant. what |
does IL matterT
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 |
me back 10 poor. melancholy Framed |
who is indeed a funeral in himself"
THAT is very sad. monsieur" and /
she smiled at him with mischief in her |
eyes. my heart goes out to any one /
who Is left 10 mOurn-alOne."
He gathered his reins and drew up
his horse. lifting his hat with a perfect
gesture.
There are sadder blows than losing
ones sovereign, mademoiselleg' and he
shook his barred head mournfully and
rode back 10 find his friend
She sought now her fayorite bride
paths. and her heart was light with
the sweetness and peace OF the spring