The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1918-06-30
CHAPTER VIII.
The Perfect Day.

-HEODORA hummed to herself glad
little song as she changed her
l breakfast negligee for the freshest
and Ioveliest of her Spring frocks. She
did not know why she was so happy.
There had been, no word of any one else
being of the party, only she and Mrs. Nc
Bride. but Versailles would be exquisite
on such a day, and something whispered
to her that she might not yawn.
The most radiant vision awaited the
widow, when, with unusual punctuality.
her automobile stopped at the hotel door.
She was voluble She flattered Josiah. So
good of him to take Mr.. Tubbs-and she
hoped it would not tire him. Theodore
should be well looked after. They might
be late and even dine at Versailles. she
said, and Mr.. Brown was not to be anx-
ious. She would be responsible for the
safe return of his beautiful little wife.
CTheodora was five foot seven at least,
but her small head and extreme slender
ness gave people the feeling she was little
something to be protected and guarded
always)
Josiah was affable. Mrs. McBride's
words were so smooth and so many. he
to dine out without him, or that anything
had been arranged for ultimate ends.
The automobile had almos. reached
Suresnes before the widow said to her
guest:
Your father and Lord Bracondale have
promised to meet US at the Reservoirs
Captain Fitzgerald told me how you want
ed to go to Versailles, and how your hus-
band is not strong enough to take these
excursions, so i thought we might have
this little day out there. while he is en-
gagged with Mr. Clutterbuck Tubbs"
How sweet of you!" said Theodore.
AS they rushed through the smiling coun-
try, both women's spirits rose, and Mrs.
McBride's were the spirits of experience
and did not mount without due cause
Since she had been girl in Dakota and
passionately in love with her first husband
the defunct Mcbride was a second ven
ture-she had not met a man who could
quicken her pulse like Captain Fitzgerald.
1t was curious coincidence that they both
had already two partners to regret. 1t
was an extra link between them. and Jane
Mcbride. who was superstitious. read the
omen to mean that this time each had met
his true mate.
IF he is irresistible to-day ! think |
shall clinch matters" she was saying to
herself
While Theodora's musings ran:
How beautiful Versailles will look and
| dare say he will know all about its his
tory, and be able to tell me- interesting
things; and, oh, | am so glad | put on
this frock, and, oh. ! am so happy"
And aloud they spoke of paradise plumes
and the new gray, and the merits and de-
merits of Cabot and Doucet and Jeanne
-
American things about husbands and the
world in general that conveyed some
crisp truths.
The drive seemed all too short, and there
were their two cavaliers in the courtyard
awaiting them at the Reservoirs, having
arrived just before them.
To the end of her life Theodore will re-
member that glorious May day. Its even
minutest detail. the color OF the chestnut
trees, the tint of the sky, the scent in the
air. every line of his figure and turn of his
head, every look in his eyes-and they
were many and varied-and also and alas
every growing emotion in her own heart
But at the moment all was gladness and
exquisite, young. irresponsible joy. With
out a regret or disquieting reflection.
She wondered which Of the two men was
the handsomer as she got out Of the auto
moblIe-dear, darling papa or Lord Bra
cOndale; both were quite show creatures
OF their age, and both were OF the same
class and knowledge OF life. Every one
said such polite and gracious things. II was
all so smooth and gay, and it seemed so
natural that they should take a turn up
the chateau while breakfast was being
prepared.
Halfpast one o'clock was time enough
TO eat the widow said
Il wan. to show you a number Of spots
/ love-" Hector announced, choosing a diff
ferent path to the other pair. And II is
a day we can be happy in, can't WEI"
Il want to be happy" said Theodore.
Then We shall 90 no farther now; we
shall sit on this seat and admire the view
See, we are quite alone and undisturbed
all the world has gone home to breakfast
Then he looked at her, and though he
really did try at this stage to be reason
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