The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1937-09-02

The man hurried off. In the
hall below there was already q
small gathering of servants re
Spectfully greeting the new ar
rival. The latter, a darkroom
! pleXioned, slim young man. who
was being relieved of his motor
ing attire, NODDED and turned to-
wards the broad staircase. With
his hana already upon the banis
tiers, however, he fingered to ask
just one question.
ANY VISITORS?
ANY unexpected visitors today
Burrows?" he enquired Of the but
Ter.
mo one unexpected that have
heard Of, your lordship," the man
replied. Mr.. Hennerley is here
with Lady Alice, and we are ex.
pecting a few people to dinner,
Only a very small party"
Il was not thinking so much
about guests" Matresser admitted.
'Mr. Yates is here, ! Suppose?"
Certainly, Milford. He has been
very busy in his room all day"
THE messenger I was expecting
would probably have reported to
him."
mo one has arrived who has
asked either for your lordship or
for Mr.. Yates" the butler pro.
nounced.
Matresser nodded.
IF anyone should arrive see
that I am informed" he said. THE
weather is bad enough to stop any
one if they were coming by road"
Il believe, your lordShip," Bur.
rows confided, that Humphreys
would like to see you about tomor-
rows shooting for minute or
two, or he will come up after din
ner if that Is more convenient"
Il will see him in the gunroom
before I change" Matresser prom
ised. mo, you need not announce
me, Burrows. I am sure her lady.
ship must have heard the car"
SINKS TO KNEES
He mounted the stairs with
swift, 1.-the movements, passed
through two very beautiful rooms,
one hung with rare tapestry, the
other decorated by a famous
Frenchman of the period Of Wat
teau. In few moments he passed
into the Sanctuary Chamber, as it
had been called for generations.
With a slight gesture, half for
eign, perhaps, but entirely natural,
he sank on one knee by the side
of the woman whose arms were
outstretched towards him and
drew her into his embrace.
Ronald" she murmured.
Dearest"
There were no other words. A
moment or two later, still with
her fingers upon his cheeks, he
leaned a little back.
"You are the most wonderful
woman in the world" he declared
as he looked into her deep-set but
still brilliant eyes. "Yours is the
complexion of a child. You grow
more beautiful with the years"
GIFT OF FLATTERY
She laughed softly.
You will never lose your mar.
velous gift of flattery, dear Ron
ald," she said. "Of course, love
you to say so, but what do my
looks matter now?"
"You have a family tradition to
uphold" he reminded her. Every
Matresser has married not only a
beautiful woman but a woman
who has remained beautiful"
when are you prepared to
carry on the family record?" she
asked.
He saw the slight anxiety with
which she was regarding him,
rose to his feet and touched bell.
May ~" he begged. Just one
glass of sherry together, mother,
before I go to change. Am I more
Of a skeleton than ever? 1t was
nothing but a touch Of fever
which left me long before we
passed Gibraltar"
She shook her head.
"ThoSe lines have bitten little
deeper into your face, my son."
she told him. Isn't it time you
left off these restless bouts Of
travelling? Are you not weary Of
shooting rare animals and discoV.
ering hidden cities?"
"Sick to death, he assured her
cheerfully.
He strolled over to the small
Chippendale ST e ard upon
which servant had set out de-
canters. a silver bowl of ice and
a cocktail shaker.
Il will Ink you the latest con-
coction in the way of aperitifS-
straight from RaffleS' Bar at
Singapore. he told her. II should
have liked a lime but lemon must
do There. How's that?" he
asked a moment or two later.
Delicious. When were you at
Singapore, Ronald?"
"A few months ago." he an
swered careleSSly, land only for a
few hours then. I must tell you
all about my travels later on"
She set down her glass for
moment.
TO WRITE A BOOK
do you ever tell anyone in the
world all about your travels, Ron
ald?" she asked.
He looked at her with a faint
but discerning smile.
There are some things am