The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1914-05-10

in coming here to put her dinicuity
before you
Il am giving my daughter a hunter
for a birthday present" unused the old
gentleman.
Charles emitted a harsh and admir-
able laugh.
Take Goals to Newcastle" exclaim-
ed he, "and deny it breadr'
His gesture of almost contempt was
dramatic, but not too much so.
]. B. Luton stood up. put the palms
of his hands fat upon the library
table, and addressing Charles Captain.
told him what he thought of money
lending sharks who cajoled ignorant
women into parting with their furs
and Jewels. The old gentleman's
thoughts, as expressed without reser-
walton, were extremely vigorous. When
he was exhausted, however, he saw.
sadly enough. the inevitable end, and
he took out his check book.
Mr.. Captain departed shortly after
ward, a very well satisfied young
man. Travelling swiftly back to Eus-
ton. he thought upon Anna Stuart.
and his thoughts ran somewhat thus:
Il wonder what you are doing now?
You are having tea out of the gold and
white china. in your sitting-room
a
have on a snaky white frock that looks
ripping against the green background.
NO woman but you can look pretty
eating mullins. The butter is apt to run.
but not the butter on your muffin.
Il wonder il you are thinking of me at
all? believe you do. sometimes.
My angel. -
''Will you come out to lunch with me
tomorrow?
Il wonder what you are doing now?'
Duchess of Portion. while Charles Captain
travelled from Derby to Euston, and this
is what she was doing:
She told her grace that yesterday she
had consulted Bob. Bob was doubtful
This morning as IL confirming Bob's
doubts. came a letter from a well-known
Paris dressmaking house. offering her a
splendid post. Would not her grace con-
graduate her?
A little soured by the disappointment.
1t was after o'clock, and a dark winter
afternoon. Tea had been served in the
duchess back upstairs sitting-room that
overlooked the news. and which commu-
nicated with her bed. dressing, and bath
rooms.
Now. when they had finished tea-eat-
ing great deal as most women do at
this time when no male is present-and
before the duchess had said good-by to
Anna-for the while Rosy Phillips-and
wished her good luck, a message came
from the duke asking his wife to speak
to him in his study. The duchess prom
ised her old playfeIlow that she would
return shortly and left the room
Miss Anna Stuart rose. softly opened
the adjoining door leading into the Dress
ing-room, and peeped through. No maid
was there. Miss Stuart switched on light
and darted in.
The key was in the lock Of the huge
wardrobe.
The beautiful person, looking as wicked
as sin. her devils and her dimples romp-
ing together. turned that key and beheld
the ermine coat
She took the coat. rolled it into a bun
die. lining outward: she locked the ward
robe again and dropped the key into her
coat pocket. Ut should. of course. have
been in the pocket of the duchess maid.
and that is where they afterward looked
for II. not believing her protestD Opening
the window. Anna Stuart then looked
down into the news. All was dark and
quiet there save for light dimly shining
in one stable window, across which a
shadow now and again moved-a groom
cleaning a horse. A loud kissing sound
came from him through the stable door
which was ajar. and this sound made the
young woman. culpable as she was. shake
with uncomfortable laughter. She dropped
the coat from the window. closed II, and
returned to the sitting-room.
Five minutes later the duchess charm
ing former playmate left the house. her
beautiful brown eyes shining with graf
itude for the kind parting words of the
duchess. and her curiously small, soft.
and feminine hands cuddled in her great
white mum.
The square was very quiet at that hour.
afternoon life having ebbed. and evening
life not yet flowing!
Mr.. Charles Captain called the follow
ing morning about IL o'clock. on Miss
Anna Stuart at Emperor's Gate.
He was shown into the green sitting
room. where that splendid young woman.
in a white satin blouse and a slim serge
skirt. was just placing the lid upon a
large cardboard box. a pair OF scissors
and a furrier's knife lay upon the table.
Good morning. Charles. my dear" said
she with an air of modest citation. Were
you very busy yesterday
Il was" said Mr.. Captain. laying his
hat and stick down upon the table with
the scissors and knife. and contemplating
Anna in a slightly apologize manner.
Il hope" she murmured. attending to
the cardboard box. that you have ar
ranged that distressing affair of the
duchess"
II have" he replied. "she will hear
nothing more of the matter, think. Or.
IL she does. Cadells cannot hold her lia-
BILE on an agreement which he cannot
produce"
Cannot producer
He has in his possession the most pal
pahle forgery. which. as a man of busi-
ness. he will certainly not put forward"
II am 81 glad" said Anna like an angel.
My heart achec for that poor woman
am 50 glad"
Nv, have delivered her from the
sharks added Charles with yet more
apology In his manner. las to the real
agreement-the deed Of mortgage as one
may call it" Mr.. Captain paused.
"Yes7" replied Anna.
AS a matter OF fact" said Charles.
apologizing extremely. IT can hardly
imagine how the thing occurred Force
of habit. strongly suspect. Or absence
of mind in a most malignant form. But
in short-to tell you the truth. disinterest-
ed as We were. we have cleared eleven
hundred
He produced J. r. Lufton's check and
displayed IL to Anna.
''well. wellr' said she.
She lifted off the lid of the cardboard
box. and there lay a countless mass OF
ermine skins. the coat having been taken
to pieces with all a furrier's skill.
Am I not clever with fur" said Anna.
regarding the treasure in pardonabls
pride ITO tell you the truth. Charles,
as We We're. I picked this
LOT I'm from the yard of the news behind