The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1913-04-27

come because / had to, because
couldn't deceive you," she blurted. miss
Wing, ii isn't $50. I let Miss Parker
think so, but I'm not engaged to him. I"
! sit down, dear" said Miss Wing. The
soft cadence of her voice did not rough
en-. She sat down when her guest sal
and leaned back in her desk chair, fold
ing her slim. white hands. There Were
] flashing rings on her hands, and the
! girls used to wonder which ring Max"
had given her. They favored the sap
| phre, set between two diamonds, be-
| cause of its beauty "a real Cashmere
you know'), and because, whether she
| wore other rings or not, this always
kept its place!
Now tell me-" said Miss Wing.
al had a letter from him this morning,
| ii was just a note in one of Helen
| Grier's"-the girls 1.-THE form was erect
in the chair, every muscle tense; she
looked past Miss Wing to the wall, and
| spoke in toneless voice; no one could
see that she was driving straight on to
her purpose over her own writing
nerves-''all he said was that he had
been called back to Germany
rs he a German Miss Parker said
his name was Cutler"
1T is Butler" the girl said, flinging
her head back, while a spark crept into
her liquid troubled. dark eyes, but he
is a German. Don't you know the But
lers in 'Wallensten?' You know he
was a real man; and he founded fam
lily. He-my-my friend, is the Count
Won Butler" Miss Wings chair, like
other desk chairs, was set on a pivot:
she turned very slightly and slowly,
at the same time resting her elbow on
the desk. The girl ventured a timid
glance at her, and thought that she
looked sterner. wherefore her heart sank
but she only continued the faster: He
isn't in An A-sSa just to travel; he was
sent by h:a government to watch the
Cuban war. He's very brave: and he
isn't bit like a foreigner and hasn't
any nasty supercilliohs notions about
women. Mr.. Grier says he has future.
And really, Miss Wing. he is just like
a-a-a kind of knight"
Where did You meet him."
"At Helen's last summer. And he was
going out to Minneapolis TO see papa,
7 think. But he got a cable of his
uncle's death. And his two little cousins
died last year; so now he is the head
Of the family and he must go TO Ger
many at once. For his father is dead,
you know So he wrote lin Helen's let
ter because he is $3.50 awfully
properD, asking to let him come here
and take me to DRIVEN the American
fashion. I know who put him up to
that scheme; il was Helen. I had to ask
Miss Parker. because YOU were out and
she said If he wasn't a relation or the
man I was going to marry I couldn't
go. OF course, if he were the man you
expect to marry she said, and-and l.
said But he is Just like that.
can't fancy how ] came to say such 4
thing, but when IL was said l didn't
know how to explain; and I was so aw-
fully ashamed: and, hesides"-she lifted
her eyes i'm the frank and direct gaze
that Miss Wing always liked-''besides,
do want to see him"
And do you expect him to ask you
to marry him." said Miss Wing with
a deepening of the color on her cheek.
which went out suddenly like the flame
Of a lamp in the wind.
Florence Raimund hlushed again. but
this time she laughed. Il don't know
He is so awfully proper" said She land
he hasn't had a chance to ask papa;
butt think he wants to-"
In that case, isn't he the man whom
YOU expect to marry?" asked Miss Wing
dryly. But it was deceiving her Just
the same. L am glad you came, Flor
enCe.'
Here the girl looked up: and something
in Miss Wings eyes made her dash
across the room to fling herself on her
knees before that lady with an inarticu-
late gasp between "A sob and a laugh,
and the sentences came in rush.: Il
had to come, I couldn't deceive you If I
never saw him again. And besides, /
hoped you would think Of some way"
And You escape quite unpunished?"
said Miss Wing gently.
At which the black head sank lower. |
while A Smothered voice mur1bled: DO
you think Liked it, coming to tell?"
Miss Wing smoothed her hair. at
would have panied me very much il you !
had not come. Tell me, whether he
sees you or not. Kill he not write 10
your f;ther? Do you think his feeling |
is so slight shat a disappointment will |
turn it,
The hack head threw itself up bravely !
and the fearless Young eyes met Miss |
Wings pensiv brown ones. mo, Miss \
Wing l know it will make no differ |
ence.''
Miss Wing stifed sigh; it may he
taat she was not so sure IF the firm
purpose of a lover: she spoke more |
gently: 1T is only the disappointment, |
then, if you can't see him?"
The girls face qLivered little.
Perhaps | am foolish" said Miss
Wing, "but ] think ii would he a dis |
appointment very hard to bear. Still, |
you must admit that parents do not
send their children to school expecting |
them to become engaged to he married; |
on the contrary, there is a tacit pledge /
that we shall protect our wards from
any ENHANCEMENT. But this did not |
happen at school: the only question is,
ought TO prevent it going any farther?
My dear, do you have confidence in
me?"
Eyes. Miss Wing" said the girl.
''Of course, | do not think that I
ought to consent to your driving alone
together"
The girl drew a long sigh. Il suppose
not" she breathed. in dismal resigna-
ion.
But I should like him to come here,
o see me; and then, if I find him to be
what your father would approve. you
nay see him here; and We shall all have
o explain things together, L fancy, to
-our father"
The girl drew another. A very differ
mt, sigh, and impulsively kissed Miss
Wings hand. She tried to speak, and
ould only murmur, ooh, do love you,'
And so, if you will tell Graf Won But
er-What is his Christian name, Flor
nce?"
Max" said the girl. very low, for
The felt the presence of the picture, on
which she had not once turned her
yes. Before she spoke, under pre-
ense of pull at her skirt. she slipped
Ter hand out of the hand with the sap
hire ring. Yet her excited young
nerves vibrated at the slight cough
: i