The Washington herald., 1912-07-07
CHAPTER XIV.
An Afterroon's SHOPPING.

~ ZANE found singular interest
an interest which amounte'
- almost to fascination, in watch
ing the demeanor and general deport
ment of his Companion. Her adapta
bility was little short of marvellous
She smiled at the right moment at tn
obsequious maitre d'hotel, and exhib
tied just the proper amount of interes
in the luncheon which Deane ordered
The restaurant was somewhat crowded
but there was no one who attracted
more notice than Deane and the CIR
who sat opposite hini-slim, and ele,
gantiy dressed-looking around hel
with a certain partly yelled interest
which was all the time in piquant con.
trast to the languor of her eyes ano
manner She was by no means a silen,
companion, although her conversation
consisted for the most part of ques-
tons. She had an unerring gift fol
discovering the most noteworthy of the
little crowd by whom they were sur
rounded, and she was continually ask
ing questions about them, with a per
sistence which clearly indicated an in
terest scarcely suggested by her gen.
eral department.
Il wonder" Deane said, toward the
end of their meal, whether social pre-
eminence is amongst your carefully
yelled ambitions"
I am not at all sure" she answered
"Of course, one develops according to
circumstances. In the Office of Messrs
Rubicon & Moore / naturally cared
nothing for the world which l could
only read about in the columns of Mod
with things, one appreciates. 1t is al
ways INTERESTING to know people"
Il am afraid" Deane said, with
covert satire, that my friends are
scarcely what you would call fashion
able"
"Your friends," she remarked, look
ing up at him. But that doesn't mat
ter, does it? / shall make my own
friends later on"
Deane looked across the table She
was patting the head of her little span
iel, and watching, with self-possession
which amounted almost to insolence,
the exodus of party from the neigh
boring table.
Young lady," he said, what sort of
life did you lead before you went to
Messrs. Rubicon & Moore'ss / al
ways understood that your people were
very poor, and only respectfully con-
you understood the TRUTH" she an
swered, with composure
will you tell me, then" he asked,
how you learned to wear your clothess
nov you picked up all the little tricks
of social life?"
The very faintest of smiles parted
her lips, smile that wrinkled at the
corners of her eyes, and suddenly al
tered her appearance so that Deane was
forced to recognize the charm which
even to himself he had denied
my dear Mr.. Deane." she said, at
is the natural heritage of woman to
assinilate quickly. especially" she add
ed, after moments pause, amongst
surroundings for which she has had
great desire. Many time when / was
tipping price lists-in that wretched little
Office, in black alpaca gown, with my
hat hanging up opposite me-a black
straw with faded flowers. which had
cost me three or four shillings, with
darned stockings and patched boots
many time l have left off tipping for
a few minutes, and thought and won-
dered what this must be like / sup
pose l have what you would call nat
ural aptitude for it. 1t is because l
have thought of II, pondered over it,
desired It"
Deane looked at her wonderingly.
We'll" he said, let me congratulate
you. You play. the game to perfection
If were in position to make
terms"
you are not" she interrupted short
ly. please to pay the bill. / am going
TO take you shopping"
They left the brougham at the corner
of Bond Street Winifred had signihed
her desire to walk for a. little time
Deane found himself becoming thor
oughly interested-not, as he told him.
self, in his companion herself, but in his
study of her The women they passed
she subjected, nearly every one of them,
to a close comprehensive scrutiny At
the men she scarcely glanced. She
found, perhaps, her greatest interest in
the shop windows. She led him across
the road to the establishment of great
jeweller
you have not given me an engage
ment ring" she said, a little abruptly
'We will go in and choose one"
He followed her obediently into the
shop, and stood by her side while she
described infinitely the sort of ring she
required. Her manner inspired instant
respect. She knew exactly what she |
wanted, and what she wanted was the !
rarest and most beautiful stones, set in |
the newest fashion. She showed very
little enthusiasm-hesitated, even-over
the ring which was produced at last, |
after little hesitation, and shown al |
most with reverence 1t had been made |
for a queen, but something had gone
matter of poiitics-and they |
had not dared to part with it. Even |
Deane stared when the man at his el- |
bow whispered the price, but Winifred |
never moved muscle.
II think it will do she said, turning !
10 him. ut is very nearly what / want
ed. And ! want few pins-emeralds
and diamonds prefer"
Tie shopman was already producing
! tray from the window. She spoke of
pearls. and examined those that were
shown her with the air of connois- |
seur
IT shall want rope of pearls very
SOON" she told the man, but not Just 1
ret Perhaps you will let Mr. Deane
fnow when you have enough of the
ones the color and size l like"
1T will give Us very great pleasure,
madam, to colleci them, the man said,
,owing.