The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1914-04-26
Copyright, NLl


HE tall young man, fastening at a
run down Piccadilly, failed to
clear the respectable young wom-
an who, with handful of letters, ap-
preached the nearest pillar box, but
catching her shoulder, brought her by
the velocity of his going, to the pave
ment, and came himself to standstill,
with an earnest apology.
The letters were scattered upon the
ground. The respectable young woman
gave tongue, even before she was help
ed from her recumbent position, and
what she was saying was sharp, short,
and to the point; she had the sympathy
of other passers-by, but more especially
of a very charming person in furs, who
had gathered up the scattered letters,
and wiped them on her own handker-
chief.
81 am so sorry" said the charming
person, who had the air of an empress
very piquant in conjunction with the
most simple, though expensive, of
clothes. Il do hope you are not hurt.
The gentleman" she looked coldly at
the tall young man, was very rough.
People should not run in the streets.
You were going to post these letters!
Let me put them in for you"
The charming person in furs ap-
preached the post box just at hand,
dropped in a handful of letters, and,
tucking her small hands into her large
muff. turned back to the wounded.
This gentleman" said she, should
drive you to-wherever you were
Thank you. miss" replied the re-
spectacle young woman, who had just
received a sovereign from the discom-
fitted young man, but | have only to
walk few doors up"
She indicated one of the smaller, but
expensive hotels.
Il am glad you were not hurt more
badly" said the charming person kind
ly. Your letters are safely posted, and
no harm was done"
The charming person waved to taxi
cab. entered, and drove away. The
young woman-probably a lady's maid
walked toward the hotel. The poor
young man, anxious, no doubt, to avoid
further disparaging remarks from any
found refuge in another taxicab, which
drove away in the same direction as the
first. He alighted at the large Green
Park gates, and went into the park.
Here was already strolling the charm
ing person in furs.
The young man reached her, took off
his hat with flourish, and smiled.
Very good, Charles" said the charm
ing person, also smiling.
They walked on together.
Merely private correspondence again,
| expect" remarked Mr. Charles Cap
tain presently.
Miss Anna Stuart returned: Per
haps-perhaps not" and drew from her
large muff the mud-stained letters drop
ped by the young woman in Piccadilly.
She indicated seat, afar off on the
grass. under a tree. They went to the
seat, and sat down. One by one Miss
Anna Stuart opened the letters. When
she had read the first in a very serious
silence she handed it to Charles Cap
tain. He found nothing illuminating in:
''Maximilian's Hotel.
"Piccadilly, w.
TO Messrs. Wall: :
Dear Sirs-With reference to the nego-
tlellOnS 1Or the mouse, 1Onl
the agreement for which you forwarded
for my signature today. have suddenly
been obliged to alter my plans, and can
not take the house. 1 return agreement
form. Your faithfully,
"(Mrs). MARIA VANDERDECKEN."
Neither did the second letter interest
Mr.. Captain:
'Maximilians Hotel.
"Piccadilly. W.
ITO Caple & Co, Oxford street, W.
Dear Sirs-I hereby cancel the order
for furnishing 1000 Pont street by Novem-
Der 7th, my plans being now altered.
Yours faithfully,
"CMrs). MARIA VANDERDECKEN."
'Maximilian's Hotel.
-'Piccadilly. W.
ITO Mrs Chase:
Dear Madam-Kindly cancel the en-
Gagement of cook, housemaid, parlor
maid, and boy which 1 made through
your agency yesterday. Yours faithfully,
MRS. MARIA VANDERDECKEN."
Anna pored over the fourth letter,
and handed it in silence to Charles, who
also studied II in silence. The envelope
was addressed, in Mrs. Maria Wander
DICKENS handwriting, TO William Ros-
rown, Esq, the Blue Club, W., but the
enclosure was written in code.
Charles" said Anna, SIS there fish
in Our net at LAST"
"How do ] know" said Mr.. Captain
I'VE can neither of US read it"
She thought for three minutes, then
replied:
1--WE must get William to read it to
us"
WHAT cried Mr.. Captain.
Anna amended: We'll to one
of u.s." and looking at him demurely,
yet with devils in her eyes, left him in
no doubt as to who that one would be.
Captain fell into a thoughtful silence,
during which Anna dropped out little
remarks such as:
We have torn the flap of Williams
envelope. Never mind. The letter will
be delivered to him cautiously by hand,
and in the interests of caution a blank
envelope will look we'll Another way
would be to write the message in code
for William, after committing it to
memory oneself; in which case William
might, on pretext, be induced to read
il aloud If there is anything in the af-
fair, l foresee a busy time. While /
go to the Blue Club, Charles, you may
put the tradesmen's letters into new
envelopes and sign the agreement for
the house after a sufficient study of
Maria's signature Today is the
4th."
sEINbat did WIN cav va, ,pere oo;,,,r a.,