Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-03-26
CHAPTER XII,-Continued.


twice since l went down from Cambridge.
One time was at a viceregal reception in
Calcutta, and the other was in Mont
martre-under less formal conditions. I'll
tell you what-you and your house party
go to the ball and enjoy yourselves. and
your husband and I will keep each other
company here-eh?'
Capt. Leroy put down his paper and
said, Good scheme!' in the loyal but
mournful tones of one who realizes that
it is forlorn hope. but that one might
as we'll have shot for it. I'm fact, dear"
he continued, desperately, II was thinkin'
Of takin' Marrable out that very night to
lie out for poachers. Old Cannot was
telln' me that the North wood-that
is
He observed his wifes whitening eye.
and became suddenly interested in the ad-
vertisements on the back page of his
periodical.
jack said Mrs. Leroy, in a tone of
finalty, ION Tuesday night you put on
your best bib and tucker and come with
us-that's fat
"All right, m dear replied her hus-
band, in voice which said to Hughie, Il
was afraid it wouldn't work, old man."
And why don't you want to come,
Hughie?" continued Mrs. Leroy, suddenly
turning on her guest.
well, am not cut out for balls,' said
Hughie. Prefer the open air, somehow"
IF open air is all you want" remarked
Mrs. Leroy. grimly, "the town hall at
Midfield is the draughtiest building in the
county"
full but misguided Leroy, compared with
the excitement and-er-SuspenSe-
IF you want excitement and suspense"
replied the memorable Mrs. Leroy, dance
the lancers with Lady Fludyer-fifteen
stone of imperfectly balanced blanc
| mange!"
And just spice Of risk"
Risk? My dear boy, try the ball COM
mittee's champagne!'
Capt. Leroy, defeated at all points, once
more subsidized. but Darcy took up the
argument.
Joking apart. Mrs. Leroy" he said.
cts an awful thing to be a supernumer-
airy man at dance in the country. You
crawl in at the tail of your party, and
shake hands with the governess, under
the impression that she Is your hostess.
You are introduced to a girl and book a
dance. You don't catch her name, so you
write down Red hair and bird of para
disc on your program and leave her. Or
course you know nobody; SO, after book
ing a few more wallf1OwerS, you still find
good deal of time at your disposal. You
can always tell a male wallfower. Wom-
en- can usually brazen it out-they put on
an air which implies that they have re-
fused countless offers and are sitting on
a. hard bench because they like it"
"They can't deceive the other women,
| though" said Mrs. Leroy.
STILL agreed Hughie. they impose on
men. all right. But, as Darcy says. a
male wallfiOwer is hopeless. He looks
miserable, and either mopes in a corner
like a new boy at school, or else reads
away at his program and peers about for
a partner who isn't on it,
Why not try the smoking room?'
THE smokin' ROOM" interpolated Le-
roy, lis all right for the regular Philis-
tine. But If go there / find it in posses
sion of a bilious octogenarian and a re-
tired major general. They are sittin' in
front of the fire with cigar apiece. They
glare at me when l come in, and then go
on buckin' to each other. Presently they
stop, and one says: Il suppose you are
not dancin' man, sir, in way which
implies that he doesn't know what the
devil young men are comm to nowadays
And by this time I'm so ashamed of my
self that 1 simply bolt out of the room,
with some yarn about a brief rest be-
tween two dances, and go and sit among
the hats and coats in the cloakroom
until it is time to go and hunt up the
next freak on my program. Rotten job
call it!'
Mrs. Leroy surveyed the three orators
with an air of serene amusement.
Il have reused Storm" she said. But
gu dTe COHiluS Oil 1uCSudS-dlt liICc
Now, Hughie, 1 know Jack is dying to
take you round the stables and planta-
tons. When you have smacked all the
horses backs and taken the pheasants'
temperatures, come in. l want TO intro
duce you to my offspring You are fond
of children, I know"
Il know l shall be fond of yours, Mil
dred.' said Hughie.
Thank you-thats nicely put. But they
really are rather pets, though I say IT
who shouldn't.
Rum little beggars," unused the male
parent. Bite your head off if they see
you havin' sherry and bitters before
dinner. Got a sort of religious maniac
and all that Save you for tuppence.
Marrable!
She's a queer old thing" said Mrs.
Leroy, but such good nurse that her
weaknesses don't matter much. The chill
dren are never sick or sorry-wait till l
tap wood! your head will do, Jack--and
simply love her
IT was pleased to learn from their own
lips remarked d Arcy, that they have
been enthusiastic teetotalers from birth
and are both ardent supporters of foreign
missions"
and the baby?" inquired Hughie.
Too young" replied Leroy: but that
doesn't excuse the poor little sinner from
havin' to wear a blue ribbon"
"How does the nurse regard you, Le-
roy?" asked D. Arcy.
Lost sheep-hard case-bad egg gen.
orally" replied that gentleman. resigned
ly. shes given me up, I'm glad to say:
but she'll be on Hughes track in no time
Come along"
In the joy of roaming round the familiar
plantations and stables Hughie allowed
the existence of Mildred Leroy's offspring
to fade from his memory. and it was not
until the party gathered for luncheon
that he was reminded of the Introduction
in store for him.
The assembled company consisted of the
host and hostess. Darcy, Hughie, Joan
and the young gentleman previously re-
ferred to as "Cherub." The others had
departed a sailing expedition. Joan
had declined to go. alleging that she must
stay at home and entertain her keeper"
as she had now christened Hughie; and
Cherub had speciously pleaded a tend
home to steal march his rivals.
The party was completed by two chubby
infants of seven and five, in large pima
fores and short white socks, who were
presented to Brevet-Unce Hughie as
Theodore and Hidegard. though Hughie
discovered. after a brief experience Of
their society. that they answered without
resentment and much more spontaneity
to the appellations of buckles and
"Stodger," respectively.
They were deposited-it seems the right
word-in the dining room by an austere
and elderly female, who groaned heavily
at the sight of Capt. Leroy, and eyed
Hughie with unconcealed distrust before
withdrawing. The small girls took their
places one each side of their mother
and sat, like two we'll bred little owlets
taking stock of their rev uncle. Pres
emily their vigilance relaxed. 1t is a
fr,,jSm that teetOtalerS are hearty eaferc