The Washington times., 1913-09-18

ever, an exceedingly attractive young
woman, was above all dispute.
OF course, there was absolutely moth
ing wrong in the situation. 1t il no
grave offense l take it, for a gentle
man to take a lady to lunch, parttcu-
larry when he makes not the least
attempt to conceal the fact. And when
Jeanette Fenwick knew the reason in
this particular instance. there could be
no possible room for misunderstanding.
Jeanette's face. She did not meet my
eyes at all, and l confess that I made
no effort to intercept a glance from her.
One Of the women with her was her
mother; the other did not know. Mrs.
Fenwick was lady Of some social i'm
manner and somewhat restricted
viewpoint. II there was to be any de-
liberate misunderstanding Of my atti-
tude toward the young woman In brown
velvet, knew that II would take deep
and firm root in the mind Of Mrs. Fen
wick.
1t would be easier to explain things to
Jeanette than to her mother. But even
Jesnnette. in the swift glance that
gave her, did not seem to be in a mood
receptive to explanations.
Once or twice / looked again toward
the other table, so that I might not sub
sequently be accused of TRYING to avoid
a recognition; but Jeanette was rather
obviously engaged in animated conger-
sation with her mother. Her failure to
made me vaguely uncomfortable.
The only person whose eye l caught
was the woman who was stranger to
me, and she gave me frank. ex-
presSionless stare. finally turning her
eyes upon my. companion and fayorins
Then l was convinced that I was an
object Of conversation at the other ta-
BILE Fortunately, thought. the girl
in brown was seated with her back
toward Mrs. Fenwick and her party.
and would be spared the embarrass-
II Jeanette had looked at me as they
left their table, would have welcomed
the opportunity to speak to her. but
the trio went from the dining-room
without turning their heads In our d.
rection. 1t was easy enough to read
meaning into their meanner.
blushed again, and the girl in brown
saw it. This time she turned in her
chair to learn the cause. Her eye dwelt
for moment upon the three retreating
figures. When she looked at me again
/ was quite certain that she had sensed
something Of the situation.
"Friends?" she remarked.
"Oh. yes-friends," I replied. care
lessly.
You did not bow to them" she sug-
gested, after pause.
"Why-er-no, i didn't The fact is,
they didn't bow to me-"
"Oh!"
I thought there was the flicker Of a
smile on her lips. Certainly there was
a CLINT Of amusement In her eyes. But
she did not allude to the matter
further.
/ was moody and irritated over the
incident for some time. The mere con-
duct Of Jeanette and her mother, the
marked way in which they ignored my
presence, conveyed an accusation that /
thought. and knew. was unjust. 1t was
not until my companion began to talk
of a recent experience In balky auto
mobile that ! reused myself from un-
pleasant preoccupation AND gave my
mind once more to the problem In hand.
Luncheon had brought US no nearer to
the object Of her errand. so far as I
could see, and again ! was becoming
impatient. She never came
to the point at all; nor did she, SO far
as / could interpret her conversation.
even hint at ii. She asked no questions
myself or nay business, and
no information about her
self.
She never spoke Of the tall man, and
in such persons as she did mention I
could recognize none whosseemed to ht
his description. From time to time I
kept a lookout for him. to see II he, IN
turn, were following the pair Of US; but
ne had evidently left the matter entirely
to her after his final instructions on the
west front Of the Capitol.
As the afternoon grew late. the nerv-
Gus uncertainty Of manner that I had