The Washington herald., 1913-11-12
ENGAGED.
By ELLA RANDALL PEARCE.

" SbbN hAADAisL fEAhCE.s
1t was a week since Warden Bell had
returned from his trip abroad; or, as the
event figured In the mind of the young
man In question, week since he had
shaken hands with Miss Lola Minton
on the pier and assured her that they
would meet in the near future.
The trip abroad itself seemed of i'm
portance only because it had led to that
meeting on shipboard which instantly
turned the whole world upside down for
the erstwhile contented bachelor Var
den Bell thought he had never seen such
eyes in a girls face, as those which met
his own when he and Miss MInton first
exchanged gIances. And when the wind
whipped the loose curls OF deep gold
across the cream and rose OF her cheeks
young Bell became conscious Of a color
scheme beside which a Naples sunset
would have seemed commonplace.
There had been five wonderful days at
sea. not TO mention the enchanting even
ings, and yet, when the time came for
parting, Warden Bell realized that theirs
was but a conventional acquaintance,
after all The wonder and the enchant-
ment had all been in the way he had
felt about II. Their relations had been
formal, their conversation casual; there
was not a remembered glance or word
upon which he could hang the least hope.
Miss Minton had told him the reason
for her journey from London to New
York. She had been an orphan for some
time, and her guardian had recently died.
Relatives in New York had sent for her
to come and make her home with them.
q. fa aaht a
has two daughters who go much in So
ciety-Delphlne and Dotty De Mesa" she
had said.
Young Bell knew OF them; two precious
members of a lively set who made up
for their squat figures and ugly dark
faces, inherited from an unattractive
Cuban :ather. by eccentric and startling
modes In dress.
IF you are to be with the Carlos De
Mesas you will be around town a lot,
Miss Mfnton," he said, at parting. Il
shall be sure to meet you. l hope II
will be soon"
'I hope So" replied Lola, dazzling him
with her radiant smile.
AS she was going to a new home. and
as he was a comparative stranger TO her,
perhaps It was all that he had a right
to expect: but he had watched her cab
roll away with a curious depressed SEN
sation. After that he had passed the
week in thinking OF the violet and gold
and white and rose Of the English girls
comeliness.
Hang it all! was a fool to let all
my chances go like that" he fretted-
why didn't say something-do some
thing to make an impression? 1 just
thought we'd have to meet again, and
I let 1t go at that Now I'll have to look
UP the three graces-Delphine and Dotty
De Mesa and their pretty cousin I'll
run down and see Crawley. He knows
the De Mesa SET
Ralph Crawley, dramatic critic and
playwrights' agent. welcomed his visitor
both hands literally, for he seized upon
him and vigorously deposited him in the
easy desk chair.
Take my place. I've got to so out
for an hour-a sudden call. You're a
friend in need, Varian. 1 advertised for
a woman to look after my files and I've
got a dozen appointments. The process
sion will begin in five minutes. Look
them over and engage somebody for me,
won't you? And wait till 1 come back.
Wen lunch at the club"
"But-but what are the qualifications?
asked Warden.
Brains, ordinary brains, and a sense
of order. Somebody who won't mix up
the As and rs, and who'll understand
that Shakespeare isn't a modern author.
Here's my ad and the list OF appoint
ments- Good luck to you I'm on
Young Bell swung round in his seat
and prepared to attend 10 business. The
first applicant Srrived and departed with
out making a serious impression: the
next was a grammar school graduate
who had evidently forgotten her gram
mar lessons: the third was a spinster
with failing sight and an aversion to
fine type.
Warden drew a long breath and be-
gan to look worried Then the door
opened slowly. and a tall, slender fig
ure in black, with a silvery gray veil