The Washington herald., 1914-05-24
Copyright, lslA)

ruQc enough TO read while Mr.. Saptai1
PAID an afternoon call 1t her Emperor
Gate fiat, "is costly affair, is it not?"
She handed the newspaper to Charles
an indication being thus made that h
was to read the column to which sh'
referred. He found that it spoke o
the important wedding to take place il
the following week between Miss Myr:
Conn-Stewart. daughter of, etc, and th'
Honorable George Conn-Stewart, hel
cousin, and only son of, etc.
The wedding presents already re-
ceived and to be received were dwell
upon and prophesied about in no meas
ured terms. information being added
that Mrs. Conn-Stewart would hold a
reception for their display, two days be-
fore the wedding, at No. 5000 Hans
Place.
"It does, indeed, seem very costly af-
fair" the young man replied.
Anna, looking her most beautiful in a
Partisan gown Of dead white, said:
well, Charles, l remembered when
/ read that at breakfast that you have
many times professed toto love mt" !"
The young woman's splendid brown
head dropped and her mouth pursed into
melancholy, utterly refuted by the dim
pies breaking in her cheek.
Il do love you," cried he, "and if you
would only listen to me-if you would
marry me-"
'If these were pagan times" con-
tinued Anna
1--WE have both made enough money"
urged the young man.
Il should fling glove into the arena
where lions were eating poor Christians,
and you would fetch it for me-"
In such case" cried Mr.. Captain,
marrying you when I had passed the
test?"
an such case" said Anna, asking
no reward save my smile, which 1 will
at all times be happy to give you, there
being nothing compromising in smile"
The young woman bestowed upon him
the sight of fash of white teeth and
many dimples.
Gas, however, we live in modern Lon
don, why, we must find other and more
suitable tests" she said.
Anna looked thoughtfully and with en-
trancing occurrences at the Morning
Post
q am," said Mr.. Captain, realizing
what was required of him, bored to
death with civil robberies. However-"
Engineer the thing" replied Anna,
waving aside Charles boredom as a
thing of no moment, "and I will, of !
course, lend my help as required.
have no doubt that you will produce the
whole of the wedding presents for my
satisfaction quite shortly after the cere-
mony."
Mr.. Captain took his leave, went to
his Piccadilly chambers, and thought till
his head ached, but clarity of plan
evolved from chaos.
1t was still fairly early in a frosty
winter afternoon. Mr.. Captain sorted
out his varied stock of visiting cards, Sc
lected those engraved with his own
name over the name of a certain news
paper, and called at several press-agency
Offices where, after presenting these
cards, he furnished himself with many
details regarding the Conn-Stewarts.
Besides house in Hans Place, they
have small estate in Huntingdon
shire, where they usually spend the win
Ter. Their presence in town at this
uncture was due to, the Forthcoming
Wedding. Mr.. Captain snatched a cup ,
If tea, and, being already in a suit
which, though nobby, was of quiet
weed, he took the next train down for
he small village where is situated the ,
family seat.
The young man put up at the local
ublic house, and in the bar that even
ng heard much gossip of the Conn
stewards, inviting the same by posing
S an architect who had executed work
or the family in town. The landlord
1entioned, with some affection, a Mr..
higgins in connection with the family.
Who was Mr.. Biggins? A relative :;
Ir. Biggins was the butler, now, of
purse, in town with the family. q
Mr.. Captain gathered a great deal
bout the popularity of Mr.. Biggins, and,
fter a careful resume of the position,
E CLEANED further by methods as subtle
5 industrious, much about the landlords
wn family tree, circumstances, and re-
tions, even to an absent cousin, Henry, :. =
bout whom the landlord had often
liked to his friend, Mr.. Biggins, and
hom he had promised to introduce to u
le illustrious butler when Henry re- .
Irned to the old country. al
At the Conn-Stewarts' Hans Place al
,use the following afternoon young
E$H,: :::i6jrS