The Washington herald., 1920-08-22
CONTINUED FROM PAGE ONE.

his favorite inn.
The young man-not to ques-
tion the veracity of the register
was Harold Harrington. He drift
ed into the exclusive and calm
current OF life in the Lotus so
tactfully and silently that not a
ripple alarmed his feIlow-seekers
after rest. He ate in the Lotus
and of it's patIonym, and was
lulled into blissful peace with the
other fortunate mariners. In one
day he acquired his table and his
waiter and the fear lest the pant
ing chasers after repose that kept
Broadway warm should pounce
upon and destroy this contiguous
but covert haven.
After dinner on the next day
after the arrival of Harold Far
rington Madame Beaumont drop-
ped her handkerchief in passing
out. Mr.. Harrington recovered and
returned it without the effusive-
ness Of a seeker after acquain-
tanCe.
Perhaps there was a mystic free ,
masonry between the discriminat-
ing guests Of the Lotus. Perhaps
they were drawn one to another
by the fact of their common good
fortune in discovering the acme |
Of summer resorts in a Broadway !
hotel. Words delicate in courtesy ,
and tentative in departure from /.
fOrmality passed between the two. !
And, as IL in the expedient atmos- |
phere of real summer resort. an
acquaintance grew, owered and .
fruCtified on the spot as does the !
mystic plant OF the conjuror For .
few moments they stood on a I
balcony upon which the corridor .
ended. and tossed the feathery !
ball Of conversation.
One tires of the old resorts"
said Madame Beaumont, with a
faint but sweet smile. what is
the use to fly to the mountains or
the seashore to escape noise and /
dust when the very people that
make both follow US there"
Even on the ocean" remarked !
harrington, sadly, the Philis-
istines be upon you. The most ex-
elusive steamers are getting to be
scarcely more than ferryboats
Heaven help US when the summer
resorter discovers that the Lotu,
is farther away from Broadway
than Thousand Islands or Mack
mac"
Il hope our secret will be
safe for a week, anyhow" said
MADAM me, with a sigh and a smile.
4 do not know where l would GO
If they should descend upon the
dear Lotus. l know Of but one
place so delightful in summer, and
that is the castle of Count Polin-
ski. IN the Ural Mountains"
I hear that Baden Baden and
Cannes are almost deserted this
season" said harrington. Year
by year the old resorts fall in
disrepute. Perhaps many others.
like ourselves. are seeking out the
quiet hooks that are overlooked
by the majority"
Il promise myself three davs
more of this delicious rest" said
Madame Beaumont. "On Monday
the Cedric sails"
Harold Farrington's eyes pro-
claimed his regret II too must
leave on Monday" he said, but 1
do not go abroad"
Madame Beaumont shrugged
one round shoulder in a foreign
gesture.
Once cannot hide here forever,
:harmtng though it may be. The
chateau has been in preparation
Tor me longer than month.
rhose house parties that one
must give-what a nuisance! But (
snail never forget my week in
the Hotel Lotus"
Nor shall l." said Farrington
n low voice, "and l shall never
forgive the Cedric" 7
On sunday evening, three days n
afterward. the two sat at a little v
,aole on the same balcony. A dis $
rect wafer brought ices and T
small glasses Of claret cup.
Madame Beaumont wore the h
anne beautiful evening gown tina, fl
me mad worn each day at dinner r
'he seemed thoughtful. Near her s
lshd on table lay a small u
'hatelaine purse. After she had
'aten her ice she opened the purse c
Ind took out a one-dollar bill y
Mr.. harrington" she said. with
ne smile that had won the Hot.I
.otus' want to tell you some
hing. I'm going to leave before
'reakfast in the morning, be- 4
ause I've got to go back to NV a
'ork. I'm behind the hosiery y
ounter at Casey's Mamnoth >,
tore and my vacations up AZ "
clock tomorrow. That paner n
5ilar is the last cent I'll see TN Il
draw my eight dollars salary
ext Saturday night. You're A a
eal gentleman, and you've been "A