The Washington herald., 1911-01-29

after an absence Of several years In
South Africa. was q woman. 1t was
Inconsistent that he. being fond Of the
society of women. should have volun-
tarily deprived himself Of 1t for 30 long.
Forbes had had many good women
chums-Lady Middleton being chief
among them. There had also been a
woman who had been bound to him by .
tie much closer: but who had not been
a chum. and who had gone out Of his
life.
When Charlie Forbes was announced.
Ipady Middleton rose from her couch In
her pretty drawing-room-dim by reason
Of sun-blinds-with a little joyous ex-
clamation.
..Charlie!" she cried rs it possible!
Oh! but 1 am glad to see you! thought
you were in Africa"
Il am here-very much here" replied
Charlie, grasping the two hands she held
out to him. Il was sure of welcome
from you. Isabel" he went on; you are
one OF the few people who never give
one unpleasant surprises"
She drew her brows together quizzi-
caIly, as she looked up at hini-not quite
understanding.
He was a big man, and his bronzed
face told of exposure to the elements
Just as his firm mouth. large chin, and
watchful. keen gray eyes indicated power.
There was something else In his face
which Lady Middleton's quick instinct
detected, which had not been there when
she last saw him, and that she was sorry
to see. Tactfully she said nothing about
this. but freeing her hands from his
grip. touched the electric bell. I'VE will
have tea, Charlie she said. gayly: land
won't worry you with questions till
you are refreshed. How dreadfully hot
it is-and only the beginning Of June!
But 1 suppose You think nothing Of the
heat here?'
Forbes looked at her. in her flowing
white muslin tea-gown. and thought how
oeliciously cool she looked. She gave
him the kind Of sensation he remembered
70 have experienced when coming out
Of tropical sunlight into a cool, marble
courtyard, where fountains played
among palms and tree ferns.
A footman came in with the heavy
silver tray. on which were the fragile
blue and white cups which Forbes so
we'll remembered.
This feels like civilization" he said,
as he placed Lady Middleton's favorite
chair near the tea table.
He noted that she remembered, after
all these years, exactly how many Jumps
OF sugar he liked. and dropped them into
his tea-cup: and for some reason this
small indication that she had not for
gotten gave him exquisite pleasure.
do you know. Charlie she remarked,
as she heaped Strawberries on a plate
for him. Il don't think you deserve that
should be so very glad to see you! Never
a letter, and never a word all these
years.
NO. I don't deserve it." he acknowl-
edged. humbly; land when the taxi stop
ped opposite these mansions, my heart
nearly came to a standstill. too. for I
suddenly bethought myself that you might
be no longer in the familiar fiat-that you
might have remarked and gone away
A pink flush mounted to her cheek as
she answered, with a forced little laugh.
'Remarriage has never entered into my
And. Charlie. have you mar
ried?"
He looked at her straightly, meeting
her clear. honest eyes with eyes as true;
and he answered. as was his way, with
direct truth:
Yes" he told her. IT married years
aso-and We separated-very soon. 1t was
probably my fault We did not quite hit
it on 1 am, as you know. a born bohe-
mian: we'll. she cared only for the social
side Of life. She was very ambitious, and
she had. as now realize. a right to be
so: gifted as she was with superb beauty.
and brilliant social qualities
And you were very much in love?"
Lady Middleton asked; with a slight hesi-
tation in her speech.
Yes" he answered, monosyllabically.
And she-did she love you?''
AT first, 1 think" he said But, poor
girl. it was a temptation for her to-oh, l
won't sneak OF IL -
And now you have come back to Eng
land. what are you going to dor she next
asked.
Il am going to Ireland to see her. and
try to bring about a reconciliation" he
answered.
II am so glad" said Lady Middleton,
with little catch in her voice. (She re-
filed Forbes cup) "Yes. 1 am so glad"
she repeated
Il shall tell her that I am now going to
try to give her the life she cares for. 1
have-do you know 1t. Isabel?-come into
a big fortune. 1t was that that decided
me to come back. I settled most Of what
then had on her, when We decided to
separate. Wandering in Africa is not ex-
pensive; any way. not as did it BY the
way. have brought you some skins.
Isabel
She did not thank him. but just looked
passion. To think that Charlie Forbes,
with his big. affectionate heart. should
count for so little in this unknown
eyes. that extra money might
buy her back!
.'who is she. Charlie?" she asked.
Il will tell you. dear. il my appeal is
he made answer. IT not.
then I shall keep my secret"
She knew him too well to press the
point and. noting that the discussion was
a strain, she began to speak Of mutual
friends. and give him news.
All at once a look of CONSERVATION
came into her face. "Oh" she cried, II
I'm SO sorry. but have just remembered
IN engagement for tonight that I can't
put of. I promised to chaperon Muriel
to the Princess Polenouski's re-
nave you dine here quietly with me! But
you remember Muriel.-she
vas in the schoofroom when you went
lway-she would be so dreadfully disap-
pointed! Every one Is fighting to get an
invitation from the princess She gives
luite the most sought-after dinners and
'eceptions and dances in London. They
Ire fabulously rich. He is Pole, but she |
8 beautiful English woman. But.
Charlie, won't you come, too? I can
,asily arrange 1t. as my brother, Lord |
Sxmouth, was to have gone with us, and |
las written me that he is not well, and !
ant go. But have you any clothes?'
She laughed softly as she glanced at
lis rough, unconventional suit
MY dear Isabel. visited a tailor to. |
lay and got measured for various suits" |
a told fAr sand I I,.rhf1x, <o,,nA S->.,