The Washington times., 1923-11-16
Novel Tells How
Beauty Returned
To Old Woman


blonde hair coiled low on her
graceful neck and wearing loose
gown OF pale green crepe with a
silver girdle.
Disturbed.
Ny Godl'' exclaimed Mrs.
0glethorpe in q loud irnperious
voice, as IL commanding the Al
mighty to leap from his throne
and fly to her assistance. Then
she leaned heavily on her cane.
The lady came quietly down the
stairs and made q peremptory
signal to the butler. AS he dis
appeared she walked forward more
slowly and paused within a few
feet Of her agitated guest. Her
eyebrows were slightly raised. her
face impassive. Not even those
sharp old eyes staring at her
guessed that she had been COM
pletely taken by surprise and was
tnwardly qualxing.
Mrs. ogiethorpe could not speak
Tor a moment. The years had
dropped from her. She was once
more . young woman come TO
spend the day with her favorite
friend -. or to attend re.
caption in the stately formal
house on Murray Hin high
rooms filled with women wearing
tight basQues. bustles, full sweep
ing skirts, small hats or bonnets
pcrched on puffs and braids.
Mary. the most radiant and beau
fif1l and enchanting girl in the
world. coming forward with hands
outstretched, while her more
formal mother frowned a little at
her enthusiasm or were
they both risen to haunt the old
house7
But confusion could reign for
only q few seconds in Mrs. ogle-
thorpe's ifadpmitable soul. She
drew herself UP to her imposing
height. and her voice was lnarsher
than usual as she addressed the
vision that had COMPOUNDED her.
Pardon me. Your likeness to
my old friend. Countess Zattiany.
startied me. Who are you, may
ask?''
Does it really matter? And
once more Mrs. Oglethorpe started.
although the accent was foreign
Yes. it does matter, she said
grimiy. THAT Is what I have
come to find out. .
'sOhg' Again there was slight
lift of the eyebrows. II had al
ways heard that Americans were
unconventional. but hardly that
they carried their independence Of
the conventions 30 far as to I'm
wade the house Of stranger"
I'm not be put off. Are you
Mary Zattiany's daughter?"
For a second there was an ex-
preston Of broad amusement on
the beautiful cold face opposite.
but It passed with a slight shrug
Of the shoulders. ..No,'' she said
evenly.
Then who are your"
IT do not choose to say-at
present" Her tone was as arro-
CANT as her interloc6tor's and Mrs.
Oglethorpe bristled.
EsWhat does Trent mean by
lying about your presence in this
house?"
Judge Trent respects my
wishes"
ssYour wishes! You've made a
fool OF him. But I am Countess
Zattiany's oldest friend, and If she
has been imposed upon, If she has
come to any harm. II you are after
her fortune by pretending on the
strength Of your singular likeness
70 be her heir, shall know how
TO puta stop to it in spite Of Judge
Trent. I suppose you have never
heard of me. My name is Ogle-
thorpe"
sI have heard of Mrs. Ogle-
thorpe-from Countess Zattiany.
But she failed to prepare me for
your excessively bad manners"
An Intimate Friend
Manners be damned. use
shat ,,nornara ohooaa and I've
never done anything else. I re.
peat to you that Countess Zattiany
was the most intimate friend Of
my youth and for many years
after. II she has no one to pro.
fect her interests in this country,
shall protect them myself. Don't
you suppose am well aware that
e you were in her confidence she
would have sent you direct to NOR
Il q Tie first thing she would have
thought OF. II you are not an i'm
postor and an adventures present
your credentials and will ask
your pardon"
Judge Trent has my credentials.
Now, IL you will excuse me-"
81 will excuse you. I viii get
TO the depth of all this mystery.
/ abominate mystery. It IL vulgar
and stupid. You viii tell me who
you are, or viii set the news.
papers on your track They'll
soon ferret It out. I've only to