The Washington times., 1918-06-23
CHAPTER ".
Face to Face Again.

-HEoDoRA did not wonder why she
felt in no exalted state Of spirits as
= she dressed for dinner. She seldom
thought of herself at all, or what her
emotions were, but the fact remained there
was none Of the excitement there had been
over the prospect Of breakfast. Her hus-
hand, on the contrary, seemed quite fussy.
"A devilish fine woman" he had de-
scribed Mrs. Mcbride. ACTS like tonic
upon me; does me more good than pint
Of champagnei"
lis she not delightful" agreed Theodore;
$50 very kind and gay"
And so they arrived at Armenonville. 1t
was a divine night, quite warm. and a soft
three-Quarter moon
Mrs Mcbride had everything arranged
to perfection. Their table was Just where
it should be, the menu was all that heart
Of gourmet could desire, and the company
sparkling.
Theodore found herself seated beside
Mr.. Herryman Hoggenwater and an elderly
Austrian, and before the hors doeuvres
we're cleared away both gentlemen had de-
cided to make love to her
It was when the bisque Of crawflsh was
being handed she became conscious that
not two tables on there was an empty one
simply arranged with flowers, and almost
at the same instant Lord Bracondale and
his party arrived upon the scene.
All Theodora's perceptions seemed to
be sharpened. She knew without turning
her head the table was for them and that
they were advancing toward it. She had
felt their arrival almost before their auto
mobile stopped; and now she would not
look up.
strange sensation, as of excitement,
tingled through her. She longed to ascer-
tain IL the woman was good-looking who
made the third in this party of three. She
peeped eventually-with the corner Of her
eye. Lord Bracondale had so placed his
guests that he himself faced Theodore, and
the lady had her back turned to her.
Thus Theodora's curiosity could not be
gratifed.
"She is English" she decided; that
round shaped back always is-and very
well-bred looking and not much taste in
dress l wonder II she is old or young
and If that is the husband. Yes, he is unat-
tractiTe-it must be the hus0and-and, oh,
I wonder what they are talking about!
Lord Bracondale seems so Interested"
And If she had known 1t was
Really, Monica, how fortunate to have
secured you at short notice like this" Lord
Bracondale was saying Il only found
had free evening at breakfast, and met
Jack on my way to the polo ground just
In the nick Of time"
I'VE love coming" Mrs. Fleetwood re-
piled. For unsophisticated English peo-
pie it is a great treat. We go back on
Saturday-every one win be asking what
Is keeping yea here so long"
my plans are vague" Lord Bracondale
said, casually. Il might come back any
day, or I may stay until well into June
1t quite depends upon how amused am.
{ rather love Paris"
And to himself he was thinking
How wish that atrocious woman over
there with the paradise plume would keep
her hat out Of the way. All, that is bet
ter! How lovely she looks tonight! What
an exquisite pose Of head! And what are
those two cursed foreigners saying to
her, | wonder. Underbred brute, the
American, Herryman Hoggenwater! What
a name! She is laughing-she evidently
finds him amusing Abominably catfish Of
the widow not to ask me. ! wonder IL she
has seen me yet. / want to make her bow
to me. Ait" For just then magnetism
was too strong for Theodore, and, in spite
Of her determination, their eyes met
A thrill, little short OF passion, ran
through Lord Bracondale as he saw the
Wild roses flushing her white cheeks-the
exquisite hattery to his vanity. Yes, she