The Washington herald., 1914-11-01
BY RINIFRED VAN DUZER.

61 bIAIfhED VAN DUZEh.
THE Thames sliding through a
grey fog to a greyer sea. Fee
BILE street lamps blurring the
gloom, as though Night, when
sketching the picture, had allowed a care
less finger to drag on the crayoned land
scape. ghostly boat, creaking its cable
for freedom at the urging of the tide.
A crimson light, removed to an infinite
distance by the murk, caught and held
sCintillating in the river, like a ruby
gliGtening in drab satin. And a lonely
figure pacing up and down, up and down.
on the embankment.
A tall, well-pToportioned figure, pacing
with the bold tread of military training.
A dark, handsome face under the clouded
light. and eyes that held a smile; the
T~?dertul smile that is with Life when
Il laughs, and at Life when Life frowns
The lonely figure paused where the
shadow was deepest md fixed the smiling
eyes on the light that was like a ruby in
drab satin. The smile was in his rich,
pleasant voice when he spoke, though
there it darkened a bit; as though reck-
lessness translated to sound were cynicism.
will O. the wisp," said he, "just
cast your CLEAN backward over my life
and show me what's there, will you?
Nothing? Dross, all dross? Too long
at the DEVILS booth I've fingered; me
thinks, he's taking his pay! Now If
you'll turn your magic eye the other way
-adOwn the pathway of the years to
come-the tide runs out and you face
the sea! Lantern of Fortune, pointing
to the world. 'Tis an omen for good.
An army post lost in disgrace? All! I'll
be soldier again; l am soldier-For-
tune, swear allegiancel" Whimsically
he snatched of his hat and bowed to the
river. The ruby in the drab satin dipped
and glistened; a low. pleasant laugh
skinned the shadows.
Soldier of Fortune" said the man
there, youth and two hundred pounds
a year and the guiding ray of a ghost
lantern! Soldier of Fortune!"
TT might have been simply because
Mrs. George Gould was obliged to
= idle ten minutes while her groom
busted the carriage cushions that she
dashed OF the note inviting Nathalie
Schenck, to Georgian Court, Lakewood.
And it might have been simply because
the beautiful pet of New York and New
port society was finding existence dull
in a poverty-stricken household that she
accepted.
1t wasn't, however. Fortune, whose
lantern glowed red in the Thames on a
IogBy night, QelDerateIy arranged the
Gelay of the groom and the ennui of
Miss Schenck Therefore when she ar
rived at Georgian Court it was to meet
q man of tall, well-proportionsd figure
and military bearing, whose dark face
attracted and whose eyes held an in
scrutable smile.
She met him as Charles Glenn Collins,
captain Of the Cameron Highlanders,
crack British regiment; scion of a noble
Scotch family; heir TO an English estate
and q fortune; with brilliant record In
the Boer war and an interesting record
at Monte Carlo. He had been making
. shining reputation as a polo player in
New York.
The Soldier Of Fortune met the girl
- the most beautiful, popular, and
courted woman In America She was a
constant visitor at the homes of Mrs.
Reginald Vanderbilt. Mrs Arthur Scott
Burden, Mrs. Elsie French Vanderbilt.
Mrs. Amor Hollingsworth and Mrs. Gould:
Q first cousin to the Cuttings, Morgans,