Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-02-11

the result of toothache, the result of cold,
the result of his exposure in the icy water the
other day. His mama evidently does not be-
grudge full account of the symptoms. But
no! must not laugh at her. she is so sincere,
poor thing! And, after all, Victor is her own
son, as Henry is Harriet's; so l mustn't Won
der, suppose, if she really thinks him mar
vel of brains and grace, and believes the
long tales he has told her about his heroism
the other day in saving my life. 1t is anus
ing to see Victor arrogant head come down,
regard me sidewise and imploringly. He is
so afraid, you see, that l will tell his mama
the real facts of his conduct on the over
turned boat! AS though l would do any
thing so ill bred! But it is amusing to see
him shake, just the same.
"And so Victor saved his little brides life!'
says his fond mama over and over again.
"Ah! it makes me turn pale when | think of
it. What heroism! What coolness! What
romance! All! how proud l am of my darling
bo-oy!"
And Nurse declares me to be perfect type
of a French Marquise, which is the highest
praise she can give. And as for Henry
"Ah! if it were this Monsieur here that was
to be the husband of Mademoiselle, instead
of that other!" Nurse says, until it seems as
though should 60 wild.
FOR the moment, however, it was quite
another idea that set her pirouetting
around me with her ancient air of mystery.
"Wel1, Genevieve what is it?"
"Mademoiselle, wait till the automobile
of Madame Stuart has surely left the gate;
for she told me to wait till Madame Stuart
and Monsieur her son had surely gone out,
before | announced her."
"But who, Genevieve?"
"But the young person who desires to
speak with Mademoiselle, to be sure"
"There is a lady who desires to speak with
me? Then why didn't you say so?'
"A lady!" Genevieve screwed up her face.
"a lady, not quite-a lady of the half
world, perhaps. Well-a person that the
footman of Madame wished to put to the
door; but she pleaded SO earnestly to be al
lowed to see Mademoiselle-'
This was growing interesting! Ladies l
knew in plenty since my introduction at Bar
Harbor; but half-ladies! Whether in Amer
lea or in France, my acquaintance among
these was limited, and l felt natural curl
osity-
"But her name, Genevieve-did she
give it?"
ooh, l forgot! Here is her card"
With patronlzing gesture Genevleve
produced large visiting card, violently per-
fumed and bearing these engraved char
aCterS:
Miss Fay Martin.
Sixth Avenue.
In a flash I understood. "Show her up
Immediately, Genevieve!"
@But if the ladies should come to your
room, Mademoiselle?"
"But you said they have all gone out in
the auto, and Mrs. Vanhuyses1 told me they
would not be back till teatime. And, any
way, hasn't Mrs Stuart given me full liberty
to feel myself at home? Show the lady up
stairs, Genevieve!"
A moment later little person, elegantly
dressed in white and with meshes of red
hair showing under her closely wrapped
toque, was shown into the room. Though
l am by no means in love, as you may fancy,
with my future husband still, will own to
a throb of curiosity as l surveyed her.
What was the type of woman that could
pierce that egotism, rouse that sluggish in
terest? My first impression was that of
disappointment; for, in spite of her en-
broidered Empire frock and the long chain
on her gold bag, Miss Fay was at first sight
far from seductive in her appearance
plain and pale, was what said to myself.
But her eyes, as they were lifted to me- gave
a new impressions these eyes she had were
1,arx, 1orOa odd opI IN, much