Ladysmith news-budget. [volume] (Ladysmith, Rusk County, Wis.) 1907-1927, 1917-08-03
LoU15JOSEpH
VANCE
Continued from Page -

rev pOncerOus copper pennies, barely
enough for the inevitable tips at the end
of the voyage. She would land in New
York practically penniless. But that
would be on day the seventh distant:
sufficient unto it its potential mischief.
She was very tired: the last few
nights had brought her little sleep,
thanks to the excitement engendered
by contemplation of a step whose bold
ness was unprecedented in her history.
But now, with that step successfully
taken, excitement yielded place to IA
hgue. Unlocking and in part unpack-
ing both bag and trunk, she apprOpri-
ated a fair half of the wardrobe ac-
q dressing gown and lay down on one
of the beds. Transient, odd visions
painted the ruddy gloom within her
closed eyelids-Of the life she had dis
missed; of the temerarious adventure
that engaged her; Of the life to which
she looked forward.
In time knocking sounded on the
door. The girl stirred and moved her
head impatiently. The knocking grew
Imperative, and the deeps Of sleep
were disturbed by other sounds as we'll,
by voices
Miss Carteret came fully to her
senses in the act of unfastening the
door. But of sudden she paused with
fingers resting nerveless upon half
drawn bolt. eyes wide with apprehen-
sion, and her face robbed Of all that
gracious color with which sleep had
imbued it. For an instant she stood
so, in doubt and hesitation, listening;
then. as if treasured, she drew the bolt
clear and opened the door.
This act disclosed two figures wait
ing beyond the Threshold luggage
laden stewarAand lady of abundant
person and pOst-mature years, in
gown not thee days out of the Rue de
Ia PaiX
I'm sorry" the girl apolOgized,
standing aside. ~ was quite sound
asleep. and couldn't seem to wake up"
"But it is 1 who am sorry to have
disturbed you" With a nod and a
smile of acknowledgment, the speaker
sailed grandly into the staterOOm, q
somewhat OverpOwering Presence.
Submitting perforce to the necessity
Of travelling without privacy, Miss Car
leret hadn't bargained for the company
of dOwager duchess; and this Pres
ence bodied forth every redOubtable
tnch of that high estate. Her sixty
years were quick with the spirit OF
forty. She wore her nose with the
high, patrician bridge. A makeup Of
most excellent discretion supplemented
charms by no means hOpelessly passee.
An impeccable taste in dress achieved
sObriety to suit her age, while escap-
ing gloom and stiffness. There were
evidences of vigorous temper, domi-
mated by a lively appreciation of ~the
humorous, an invincible self-cOnfidence,
seasoned acquaintance with the
world, and a devastating curiOsity-a
handsome figure, q personality to be
reckOned with.
By accent and mode of speech q
true American, this was no duchess un-
less through accident of matrimOny.
But individually she was dragon.
Miss Carteret was quick to endue
the lady with mental nickname, "the
DOwager Dragon" term whose as
perity she modified by the admission
that, If dragonish, she was most prob
ably a dear. Then she seemed con.
sciOus that she had been staring stead.
lastly, and for q time far too long, at
the subject of her reverie.
81 beg your pardon" she murmured
Gverting her eyes.
I'D rather you didn't" said the
Dowager Dragon brusquely. eff you
apologize, I'll have to-Tve been star
ing every whit as hard as you, my
dear--and / never apologize" The CON