The Washington times., 1919-09-07

claimed = should tighten Miss
GOodge's duties-lt Is rather cold
and tedious to stand sentry on the
bank" with a charming smile at
that iady-"and give myself e
pleasure at the same time. Can
you put up with met"
Il shall be delighted. I want to
learn outside edge and cut figures
and do all kinds Of things. Per
haps you can help me? It is so
monotonous when you can only
run up and down like a train"
I'm afraid you VIII not hnd
much room for learning here" he
said, looking at the crowded Ser
pentine. Il have it," as a sudden
thought flashed through his mind.
why not go down to wimbledon,
you and and Miss Go0dge? We
should find plenty Of room there
and I could give you a good lesson.
It's a beautiful piece Of water and
you would enjoy the run out into
the country this fine afternoon.
1T would be lovely" her eyes
lighting up. -buF'-she looked
dOubtfully at her chaperon-"do
you think / Ought?"
Miss Goodge and / win take the
responsibility" Delacour said, gay
" ct may be a little unconven-
tional, sbut there is no harm in It.
Let us throw care to the winds and
enjoy ourselves Tor once.
Il don't know whether Lady Est
court would approve, Miss Goodgs
said. weakly. Il think we had bet
ter wait until another day She
did not like to disappoint this
handsome, charming man, who paid
her so much more Difference than
most people did. and she had a
constitutional objection to argue.
She was plump, not only in body
but in mind. and could always Be
swept away BY the strongest cur
rent.
"But there may not be another
day. at least, not for skating. In
this variable climate, who can rely
on tomorrow Gather ye roses
while ye may is excellent advice.
Don't let Us waste any more time.
It is not a very serious affair, after
all In less than an hour we can
be at Wimbledon, and undertake
to bring you back in plenty Of time
for dinner
Delacour was eager and persua-
sive. He oyerbore all objections
and hesitation. and before Felicity
and her companion hardly knew
than they had agreed they were
seated in a cab, driving to Waterloo.
"of course, it isn't quite the right
thing for me to do, Delacour said
to himself, but who knows what a
day may bring forth? must
snatch q little happiness while
can" And he did not intend to
spoil his enjoyment with uncom-
Portable reflections.
Felicity was not troubled with a
morbid COINCIDENCE and had already
ceased to wonder whether she was
right IN coming. It was curious
how Well DelacouF understood her.
considering by how much they
were divided. He had put her at
her ease in a few minutes. She
talked away to him as she would
have done to an elder brother or
some dear, familiar companion.
~This issdelicious." she said, as
they SKINNED over the beautiful
lake, set in the midst Of the high,
undulating common land. The cold
Winter sun shone redly through the
leafess trees on the white frosty
scene, and scarcely a twig moved
in the still air.
TITS like a Christmas card,
Felicity exclaimed. cit only wants
a church, spire in the distance.
What good air it Is." drawing a
long breath. "I feel as If I ought
to open my mouth and take in as
much of it as can. I wouldn't
say a word against London for the
world, but Pm afraid you can't call
its air invigorating.
81 suppose you would not like to
live abroad?" Delacour said "You
are too fond Of your own country"
They were as much alone as
though they had the lake to them
selves and could talk as freely as
they pleased. The other flying fig
ures interferred with them as little
as a bird skimming past, though