The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1914-05-17
what is it," inquired she.


well, Charles, my dear, | was quite
Brindisi The task of keeping NJ. Henri
Duciere and his letter apart was becom-
ing a little wearisome When | had
that my efforts were no longer neces-
sary, so l have INDUCED myself by
beautifully idle two DAYS. Dear Nice!
love Nice, do not your"
i Il did not come here to talk about
Nice" replied Mr. Captain, but to"
| Dine with me-" said Anna, and so
you shall If you are not rude NJ Du-
ciere IS dining with me, too"
rs he staying here?" asked Charles
coldly.
Anna looked her most imperial and
also her most mischievous.
Staying here?" said she, staying
here? We are travelling together, be-
cause his car makes this convenient, but
NJ. Duciere is staying at the Hotel de
France"
Travelling together exclaimed Mr..
Captain. making superhuman effort to
repress his fury.
| Anna began her simple relation of the
facts in a modest manner, like the nice
young woman that she was, her mis-
chief, however, saucing all: Having
traced NJ. Duciere to Orleans, where he
was staying quietly for a day or two, l
went to look at that beautiful and his
toric place, and 1unched at the hotel
where NJ. Duciere was stopping. Some
how | missed the train | intended to
catch after lunch; he heard my distress
full inquiries about the railway time ia
bic, and, after the necessary prelim-
inaries for such an advance, offered the
services of his car"
Accommodating more dignity and more
mischief yet, Anna proceeded:
| This offer naturally accepted. Dur
ing the drive from Orleans to St
Etienne where he learned that wished
to go, We became good friends | told
him that | was an English actress on
the American stage wishing to see
France incognito. He offered his SER
vices to make my holiday easy and pleas
ant. / was alone and he is so chivalrous
| that it really hurt him to think of this.
So. accepting the offer which had in
stigated, my dear Charles, l kept this
young man moving from place to place,
while the letter, suppose, followed him
everywhere, but never quite reached
him. 1t has involved a most careful
study of postal arrangements can tell
you, my dear Charles, but l have not
minded the trouble on your behalf"
Charles gazed. fascinated, at Anna,
who looked unutterably sweet and kind
as she said this.
Il am only a silly woman thing" said
she, signing, land l could think of no
better scheme-nothing brilliantly bold
as man would arrange | am not bold
and brilliant. l could only keep him
moving.
Mr.. Captain attempted to 9ke Annals
hand, wishing to kiss it, bu1 she imne-
diately moved to another chsir and sat
down gracefully in the middle OF the
nineteenth century, whose propriety, as
every one knows, is like arnor plating.
Needless TO say" observed she that
| insisted on the observance of all pro-
prieties. When we reached the place
where we were going to stay. | took
rooms at one hotel, NJ. Duciere at an
other"
Charles sat and looked at Anna, so
kind, so simple. so Partisan.
Lady" said he, 1T is some days since
| last saw you. Can we not dine with
out him.
Certainly notT cried Anna. as kind
as an angel 81 intend this to be pleas
ant evening. When he returns to his
hotel. the letter will no doubt be there"
The door was opened and servant
ushered in NJ Henri Duciere.
M. Duciere," said Anna, rising. here
is my brother. who, as l told YOU. is
passing through Nice. You will notice
the likeness OF which spoke TO you?"
The young woman looked from one
man to the other.
You are extraordinarily like NJ Du-
ciere, dear" she cried, patting Mr. Cap
tain's hand
Your charming sister," said the Jew
cler to Charles. has given me the great
delight of her company during motor
tour; | shall be desolate when she has
no further use for me"
Dinner commenced but was not half
way through when servant brought i'll
letter.
Your valet. sir. has brought this
from the Hotel de France" said he to
Duciere, 'as If is marked immediate
Both Anna and Charles could see the
envelope. 1t was crammcd and crisis
crossed with many addresses. which
crowded even the Immediate in the
left-hand top corner
You may open it," said Anna. gra-
ciously.
With many apologies NJ. Duciere did
so. As he read his face changed: he
dropped his napkin; half rose; concen-
trated all his faculties, as it were, on
some calculation; then looked at his
hostess