Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-01-27
Cubon
eFouthofa Se1sof TrnDte

shops in London, was known to Louisa,
but only as Buckingham Palace was
known to her.
Very WE'LL" said Lord Willoughby,
make list of the clothes you need
at once Let me SEE"
| Louisa's eyes took in the list he was
making out dressing her from head to
foot. Opposite. each item he put down
how much she should spend for it. The
total came to els los. To Louisa the
sum seemed indeed lordly to spend on
but one change of clothing.
7 ORD WILLOUGHBY then wrote out
~ a check for f13 los, made out to
the London Bank, No. - Lombard
street.
There. my dear" he said, giving her
the check. You'd better hurry to
Lombard street and get it cashed before
the bank closes. Then you can go over
to Howell 6, James and get yourself
clothed"
He seemed about to leave when his
eyes took in the plain gold marriage
ring. The earrings she wore were
cheaper still and, obviously, not related
to geld.
will you think me presumptuous If
I ask you to put away your jeWelry
while in my house?" he asked gently
Louisa blushed for her jewelry He
seemed touched at her embarrassment
Look here, do let ME get other things
in place of these, won't you? 1t so hap
pens that / am on my way to my jew
eler now. I should be only too happy to
get you new rings and<other earrings"
Louisa was overwhelmed with his
generosity; what could she do but
stammer out thanks?
do you know the size ring you
wear?" he asked.
Louisa did not know. Lord Will
loughby looked disappointed and for the
first time bit embarrassed.
Il have my heart set on seeing you
in my villa at once. You can get the
dresses, but I should want to get the
rings and earrings myself"
A heavy pause ensued. Louisa could
almost read his thought Were she al
ready dressed in Howell g. James garb
he would have no hesitation in taking
her to the jewelers.: as it was, he pre-
ferred to go there alone.
Perhaps we can get your size with
bit of string or slip of paper" he
suggested finally.
They tried it, but without much sue
cess. If ring doesn't fit exactly it
becomes a nuisance" Lord Willoughby
finally said. And I can't trust these
crude measurements of ours. But I
have an idea, Does the ring you have
fit you well?"
Yes"
Then would you care to lend it to
me-or rather to my jeWeler? It's per-
fectiy safe with him. you know!"
Louisa was so dazZled with it all. the
glamour and munifcence which had de-
Scended upon her, that it was an actual
relief to be able to do something for the
charming prince. if only to make it
easier to order the proper size of ring
for her.
She gave him her wedding ring and
he put it into pocket of that magnifi-
cent white silk doubie-breasted waist
coat of his.
And your earrings are-not gold, are
they?" he asked.
Again Louisa blushed.
mo. but I like en-
Then you shall have. their exact
replicas in gold! I'll have old Pen
ders himself copy them. Will you in
Louisa took them from her ears and
gave them to him.
DO you know the one-armed COM
missionaire who delivers messages for
the Army and Navy CLUB" he went
on. He will return your ring and
earrings tomorrow morning at 10
O'Clock. BY then you should have
the clothing from Howell g. James. I
will send my carriage around for you
by II o'clock. Will you be ready then,
all packed?"
Louisa was sure she would be ready
Thank you. And now we must all
hurry, you to the bank, to the jew
eler."
Lord Willoughby escorted Louisa and
her friend to the street. Here a look
of annoyance came into his face
How stupid of my men! They must
have misunderstood me. I told them
distinctly should want my car. Now
I shall have to travel in some shabby
public taxi"
He felt in his pockets, with a smile
of amused dismay.
Bless my soul. if I'm not actually
without penny in my pockets" The
situation seemed to strike him as a
good joke on himself. Then he looked
at his impressive gold watch. But
we must hurry! I say, Mrs. Leonard,
have you any change with you, enough
for my cab?"
Louisa showed him her purse with
Is shillings in it,
May I take it?" he asked. you
can pay your cab when you cash your
check at Lombard street."
Louisa gave him all she had and they
parted.