The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1870-09-13

NHtAltAN p tNak h1A"A AiNAHA AtI
shoulders. came down the stairs; this
my nephew, Capt Kenneth Gorug
your nephew too now
Kenneth only bowed a cold, slight
bow ior ths was De 3ets noirr of Frs.
tone; tho Iangnid. bad-tempered beau
". Aud she looked the character, too,
Der mouth aud eyebrows both painfully
arched, cold aud sinister despite her
ocauty, and beautiful despite her Ian.
guor For ten years the opinion kou-
meth formed Of her at that moment ney.
er changed, bat when her wavering
health failed altogether, Kenneth never
spoke of that opinion more
Half an hour afterwards Kenneth en-
tered the drawing-room; stnkingly big
and handsome as he stood in his even
ing dress beside the little mas er OF the
house
Why do you wait ? drawled Mrs Ber-
eaford from her cushions; ring for din
uer, Edward it is half an hour late
as il Is
This implied rebuke did not however
nterfear with Kennoth's couposure IN
the least.
/ thought you were waiting for Mar
ion, my dear, said Mr. Beresford, ring
ing as he SPOKE; it is SO very unpleas
ant to 20 to dianer in installments
| was not aware that Marion arrang
ed the meal hours, said the mistress Of
the house, taking the arm Kenneth
coldly offered
This cold but perfect politeness he
maintained through all their inter.
courseunmoyed by any and every pro-
vocation.
As they crossed the hall Kenneth
was aware that young lady joined
them hastily, linking her arm in his
uncIes, and SO following them into the
dining-room, where the plate and glass
in rich abundance shone and glittered
in the evening sunshine.
Ny daughter, Miss Ardale, Kenneth;
my nephew, Captain Goring, Marion
my dear
kenneth's inquisitive blue eyes took
her in at a glance, as be told his moth,
or next day in letter Of Ave lines
rather tall and pretty; proud and satir-
ical, with an intensely repellant man
ner. That was all--and certainly
enough, such as it was, he said.
Miss Ardale bowed to him rather
slighdngly, and teakher place, giving
him no second glance.
Where were you to make you so late,
my dear ? asked her step p.father.
Different places, she answered, care
lessly, setting the seal to Kenneth's
unAattering opinion Of her.
She was not pretty enough to excuse
this evident pride, he said, glancing al
her once more, No, certainly not
She had not any perfect feature in hel
face. A pair Of big brown eyes, and {
bright complexion; he did not see any
thing else to admire. Yes, her teetl
we're good white indeed, JUS
the teeth and complexion that belong
to perfect heplthi pnthing more. Blu
Kenneth, as he followed his uncle int
the drawing-room after their wine, ,sait
to himself, / must be polite to he
while | am here; perhaps she is loneG
bit. being the only young persol
about ana the parent being such
shrew. So be advanced to Miss Ardal
in his natural courteous manner, an,
) sat beside her and made small talk
the rather small talk which he had al
ways found irresistible hitherto; bu
she did not attempt to hide that sb
was bored excessively, and Of cours
that was no stimulant TO his exertion.
May / hope for little music, tc
night? be asked, really longing for th
relief
If you like, she answered, tappin
her foot on her stool, and leaning bac
in her low chair
Thank you, said Kenneth.
There was long pause; and then,f
she did not attempt to move, Kennel
bent and offered his ann
What for2 she asked, looking u
with lazy surprise.
TO lead You 10 tho piano, said Kei
meth, flushing little bit AWKWARD
and feeling painfully tall as she kel
9 him standing so,
Thank You, said she; but am yei
I comfortable here
e But you promised me some music, i
& went on, looking at her with an N
j wonted anger growing IN bis eyes.
Not at al, she replied You aske
! i you might hope, and Of course
a have no objections g your hoping
Why should II
j They you will not play or dng5 AS
{ Cd Kenneth still standing, d nd the nj
2 ger aarkening his blue eyes now
{ No neither, she answered curtly, Il
. small foot suddenly ceasing It's tappin
e 1it..sI 80. -. IL ,.ss-ft.r, 80 -, So.