St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1910-07-27


den in her box. He's been there every
Bight Tins week. ! wonder if she is
going to marry him"
IF she does she'll lose her social
hold 1he Van Vechtens haven't
money enough to do what they please
in society,"" said the descendant of
brewer. who sat beside her.
where did be come from anyway"
asked the first speaker.
Australia or Canada or New Zea-
land. He's British. you know"
whats he doing here?''
But the orchestra drowned the reply
While Miss Van Vechten's taking up
Mr.. Royden had originally sprung from
a natural feeling of a refined woman
to take the part of a stranger against
upstairs. there was that in the man
which soon caused her to forget her
motive in the interest he inspired in
her. A fairly intelligent young woman.
she was able to appreciate his knowl-
edge of many subjects which go to
make up the intellectual world. He
had made a study of history. philo-
sophically considered. the formation of
deed. such information as might be
beneficial to one who aims to follow
public political life. International law
seemed to be his hobby. Miss Van
Vechten was disposed to draw him
out on these subjects. which he pre-
sented TO her in a way to insure her
understanding of them, She did not
wonder that a man who possessed
such treasures within himself should
be Indifferent to the gilded circle.
1t was in this way that Mr. Royden
won his way. if not to Miss Van Vech-
tens heart. at least to a feeling that
she would like just such d man for
husband. She encoura ged him to ask
for her. not that she would or would
not accept him. but that she might
have the choice of doing either one or
the other.
Now. all this happened within the
short space of few weeks. Mr.. Roy
den's stay in Gotham was coming to
an end. No one knew it except himself.
but he knew it very well. One day he
Miss Van Vechten.
Mr.. Royden had been very uncom-
municative. even to Miss Van Vechten.
When he said he was going she knew
no more about where he would go than
where he had come from. But she
was too well bred to ask him. Never
theless. he told her the story. More
over. he asked her to be his wife.
The day before Royden left New
York he was sitting in the lounging
room of the U club reading newspa-
per. Near him at table. partaking of
refres hments. were several of the men,
bers of that party who had discussed
him when he had entered the building
several weeks before. Among them
was Skinner. the cotillion leader
There's that fellow Royden over
there remarked Skinner. He doesn't
seem to have made much Roadway in
society. l seldom meet him any
where"
How do you%know he cares to be
metz" asked another.
Il don't"
Nobody seems to know anything
about him" remarked another. Mrs
Tracey can't foist these people on So
ciety as she once did. She's failed at
that
At that moment a stranger entered
the room and. catching sight of Roy
den. rushed up to him with extended
hand.
Hello Bob" he cried. II haven't
seen you since we left Oxford. I'm
mighty glad to meet you. old man. and
f11Ia no
have attained. Why are you not in
Washington
Going tomorrow; have been waiting
for the minister
The man who had entered. seeing a
friend in Skinner. nodded to him and
after brief talk with Royden beckoned
him to join them. Skinner did so and |
was introduced to Royden. y |
This is my friend the Marquis of |
He Is on a diplomatic
mission to settle some matters about |
or something"
Mr.. Skinner bowed obseQuiously.
II have heard of the marquis as Mr.. |
Royden." he remarked.
whats that?' said the introducer |
Been going incog.. Bob? Using your |
own name instead of your titlew
Il have been obliged to do so for !
reasons connected with the diplomatic
service
IL see."
Then Mr.. Skinner asked the marquis |
if he could not be of some service to
him during the rest of his stay in New
York. to which the marquis replied |
that he was leaving the next day.
That evening the news spread among
the gilded circle that the Oldest son of |
a British duke and a prominent diplo-
mat had been in New York incog., and
no one except Mrs. Tracey. who alone
knew who he was. and Miss Van Vech-
ten. who didn't. had had the honor of |
entertaining him. Everybody blamed |
the former for not making known the |