Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1912-06-25
BOOK u.
BOOK II.
CHAPTER VII.
LADY ANNE DECLINES.
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LADY ANNE DECLINES.
MY dear Julien
The duchess was very impressive in
deed. From. the depths Of an easy chair
in her sitting room at the Ritz hotter
she held out both her hands, and In
her eyes was that peculiar strained
look which Julien had been privileged
life II indicated. or rather il was the
Duchess substitute for. emotion In
lien at once perceived. therefore, that
this was an occasion.
First OF all she went on. motionins
him 70 a chair. first OF all, before
say single word about this strange
Ting which has brought me TO Paris,
let me congratulate 20. I always knew.
dear Julien, that you would do some
thing. that you would not allow your
self TO be altogether crushed by the
Vaccinations OF that hateful woman"
Really" Julian began. Il am hot
quite sure
7 mean your letters. OF course.
she interrupted. The Duke, when
ne finished the first one. said only one
thing-'wonderfulr That is just how
we all feel about them. Julien. met
Lord Cardington only a few hours BE-
fore I left, London. and he was abso-
lutely enthusiastic. II one thing he
said. viii save the country. IL is this
splendid attack upon the new --s'ao-
macyr-as you so cleverly called IL.
The Duke tells me that that first ar
ticle OF yours is to be printed as leaf
let and distributed throughout The
country"
4 am very glad" Julien said. "to
hear all this. Tell me what brings You
10 Paris? Is the Duke with your?
The Duchess smiled at him reproacn-
fully.
You ask me what brings me to Paris
JULIEN Come. GOMEZ You and
mustn't begin like that want you 10
ten me at once where she is"
Where who isl
Anne. OF course. Please don't play
with me. Consider what terrible time
We have all been through"
Julien did not at once reply. HIS
very hesitation seemed to AFFORD the
Duchess a lively satisfaction
There she declared You are nor
SONG TO pretend. then. that you don't
know7 That is excellent. Julien; tell
me at once where to find her Take ne
to her"
7 am afraid I can't do that" Julien
objected.
NY dear-my dear Julien" .he
Duchess protested This is all so fool
ish. Why should there be any mystery
about Anne's whereabouts? 1 am ,;
angry. I ought 10 be. perhaps. but you
see I have guessed my dear girls -
cret I've felt for her terribly during
the last few weeks. but IL was so hard
20 know what to do. II seemed shock-
ing at the time. but perhaps, after I'll.
the course which she adopted was. the
wisest-"
I am very glad TO hear that you aye
taking II ike that" Julien remarke1.
and I am sure Anne will be. 1 think
the best thing I can do is to so ana
see her and tell her that you are
here"
she does not know. them" the duchess
interrupted
why. OF course not" julien replied.
Il received your note early this morn
tng-hefore I was up. in fact-and you
begged me so earnestly to come. round
ut once that I came straight here with
out calling anywhere"
The duchess coughed.
VERY well, Julien. I Will leave you to
20 and fetch Anne whenever you like. I
shall await you here impatiently. Tell
me how IL was that you both managed
TO deceive Us so completely
Julien shook his head.
7 haven't the slightest notion what
you mean
The duchess shrugged her shoulders.
FOR my part" she said. 4 always
looked upon dear Anne as the most un-
emotional. unsentimental person. Natur-
ally I thought that she was a little at
tracted toward you. but. on the other
hand. I had no idea that she looked
upon marriage as anything but a rea-
eonabIe and necessary part of life 1
had no idea. even. that she had any real
affection for you"
'AnectiOn for me-
Julien loOked-up- The duchess was
regarding him as a mother might look
at a naughty child whom she intended
20 pardon
I did notice" she continued. that
Anne seemed very silent for some time
after your departure. and there was a
curious lack of enthusiasm about her
preparations for the wedding with bTr.
samuel Harbord- She scarcely looked.
even at the pearls he gave her You
know that I found them on the floor OF
her bedroom after she had gone away?
Well. well. never mind that the duchess
went on When I got her hurried note
and understood the whole IL was a relief
70 me. Dear Anne-she is only like
what was ar her age. before I married
the duke You ought to be very proud
and happy. Julien
/ should lie very happy" Julien de-
clared. ITO understand in the least what
you are talking about"
The duchess stared at him.
My good man." she cried. my own
daughter runs away on the eve OF her
marriage. throws all society into a COM
motion. comes to Paris TO join the man
whom she cares for-you-you. Julien
and then you affect TO misunderstand!"
Julien was speechless for severa mo-