New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-12-06
CHAPTER VII

IERAYN entered the smoking room half an hour later
and found Lakenham installed in one easy chair with
his feet upon another. large brandy and soda by his
side, and pipe of bulldog pattern in his mouth from
which he emitting columns OF smoke with air of
great satisfaction.
81 say, Jermyn is Miss Clulcy BETTER" he asked
anxously.
Jcrmyn nodded. He brought himself a whisky and
soda from the sideboard and drew up an easy chair
toward his guest Yes, she seems all right now. he
announced 1T just ordinary fainting fit.
suppose she came down here really rather strung up
That acting night after night must be a strain
Cant how they do it, Laicnham confessed.
~Nlus be working their nerves all the time. Queer
thing when YOU TO think Of it, though, to 90 off in
a faint ike that without a moments notice
Jcrmyn was looking grave and worried 1T fright
ened me, he admitted However, she quite all
right now suppose it has been rather an exciting day
for her, and just were leaving the study asked
her question that seemed TO upset her little ought
to have left that sort Of thing alone-for today at any
rate"
Lakenham looked thoughtfuly at his pipe ~Ycs,
dare say she's found it a bit exciting he remarked.
NO doubt she gets plenty Of offers Of marriage: but
guess the kind OF people they come from a
-stagc-struck boys, actors and hangcrs-on at the
theater. anyone who comes within the glamour; not TO
speak Of the adventures. who'ye got an eye on her
salary ! was a bit Of a fool that way myself in my
fortunately. It's certainly great day for Miss Culcy
Jcrmyn turned his head slightly and regarded his
guest with level eyebrows. Il consider also he said
slowly, "a great day for have the utmost respect
and admiration for Miss Cluley, apart from the feelings
that have prompted 20 ask her 70 become my wife.
7 AKENHANl knocked the ashes from his pipe slowly
- you're a bit high-hown in your notions for me- Ter
myn, he declared. I've no doubt YOU know a good
deal more about the young lady than do; but if
were 20 become engaged 10 a young lady from tie
thcatcrs who has had as much admiration as Miss
Cluley, shouldn't start by expecting too much. What
| do say, he went on, his ewes becoming a shade
brighter us that she's the most fascinating little crca
turc saw in all my days. Just the sort Of girl 10
turn a inside out Tonight at dinnertmc she was
irresistible, simply irresistible"
He seemed 20 have forgotten that his pipe already
empty He went tapping it against the ashtray by
his side with his eyes fixed upon the carpet
Il have knocked about bit in Paris and Vienna, and
! know New York be- continued, talking as though
half to himself; but | never in the course Of all my
days a more charming, a more fascinating little
object than she was tonight, with her quaint little
graces and that smile and her exquisite figure. She has
all the Eve tricks. YOU know Jcrmyn.'
Jermyn stiGcncd pcrccpubly. Il find Miss Clulcy
exceedingly natural, he said. THAT, TO my mind is
one Of her chief charms. BY the by, Aynesworth YOU
are about so much in London and YOU make such
point Of being figure in theatrical society that rather
wonder YOU never met her.
81 rather wonder at II myself, Lakenham assented.
If had only known-but there, its too late now.
You see she was never be met with at the musical
comedy dances or that sort Of shows | think she
knows her value, that young lady"
Lucille talking 20 me for a moment, Icrmvn
continued. after we had taken Miss Culcy upstairs.
She seemed 20 think that YOU were puzzled about her.
that YOU had a Of idea that YOU had met her