Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1876-01-18

the door. a moment aiterWard slran
ger came In quietly and sat near me.
She was n tall, graceful girl, very
simply dressed, but looking, in her
black skirt and brown holland polonaise,
thoroughly like a high.bred lady. She
was rather pale. with dark hair in
simple coils, and long eyolashes, which
Gas saw when she turned to smile her
thanks for the offer Of n foots.ooDshaded
large, dark grey eyes, with an EXPIRES
sion so intelligent, sweet, and refined
that longed to know who she was.
She left the church quickly as soon as
the service was over, and walked away
toward the further end OF the village. ]
asked the clerk If he knew her "She1l
be the new lady that came 10 the Grange
last night to live with Mrs George
was the reply.
Mrs. George Lorraine was The widow
of q consin OF my Mrs. Lorraine. George
Lorraine had squandered all his own
fortune, and had been idle aud dissipated
but when, in failing health, he married
the widow Of very rich iron.msster,
his love for Helmsleigh (Which under his
uucle's guardianship had been his home
in his boyhood) showed itself by his ask.
ing Tor lease OF the grange for his own
life and bis wife's. lie added, and
improved, aud made 4 charming place
OF it, and his widow still lived there
Just outside the village. "Mrs. George"
was neither young nor handsome, but
she was rich, good natured. and "ioIly,n
and no one could dislike her, though she
,ras rather vulgar She always had
"companion," being too sOciable to ike
living alone; and she generally chose
pretty girls. as She enjoyed taking them
about with her aud trying to marry
them. They rarely stayed long, for she
invariably began by spelling them, and
then they took liberties and were dis
missed in disgrace; or else she iancied
that they had designs on Rupert, whom
she worshiped. like the rest OF tho
world, and they were sent away to be
on. OF his reach. But this girl looked
most unfit Tor such a position. That size
should be Mrs. Georges companion,
while Mona Herries was to be Rupert's
wife.
walked back to the manor with Mrs.
Lorraine, but we were silent except on
village topics. Just as We reached the
house. Rupert drove up in his dog cart,
which had gone to meet him at the
station Mrs. Lorraine kissed her hand
to him, but hurried into the house as if
she thought herself late. 1 saw tha. she
dreaded his questions.
Good morning, Job" he called out
cheeriIy, as he pulled up. $50 Mona
came all righi?"
Yes replied.
"And how did she and mother hit it
ofl?7 he asked, as we entered the hall.
Your mother was as kind as it was
possible to be- l said; you need not be
afraid of that l hurried mp stairs to
avoid further question.
4 few minutes later looked out Of
my window and saw Rupert and Miss
Herries standing on the lawn ontside OF
the dining room window %aTIis back was
toward me, so | could not see his ex
preston; but hers provoked me beyond
endurance. How could Rupert find any
attractions in such looks and manners,
even though the eyes were handsome3
Not long alterward, the sound of the
gong took me down to breakfast. Mrs.
Lorraine and met at the door; Rupert
and Miss Herries came in at the open
window. Mrs. Lorraine greeted the
young lady kindly, ard then turned to
Rupert and said something about being
glad he had got back so early.
Il was sure to come!" he said, as he
stopped to kiss his mother. "And now,
tell me, how have you and Mona been
getting on? l asked Job, but she was
not communicative"
Now, to be asked By your son, in the
presence OF a young lady who is to be
your daughterin law, how you have got
on with her can heuer be pleasanti but
when you are conscious of having taken
great dislike to her, it must be siDgu-
larly disagreeable.
Mrs Lorraine looked intensely annoyed,
but she tried 10 smile as she said, II
think must leave that question to Mona
herself to answer"
Miss Herries, who was standing by the
window looking out, neither turned
round nor showed any sign of interest.
when she appears, I'll ask her."
replied Rupert, carelessly. II wonder
what makes her so late?"
"My dear Rupert" demonstrated his
mother, nervously, "do not talk so
wildly"
81 am quite in earnest, mother" he
said. Il think she must be either very
tired, or not well. or not know her
way, or something she is always up
early. know. What on earth are you
staring at Job? am not al all ashamed
of being anxious about her.
Il don't understandr' began Mrs.
Lorraine, aud she looked at me to help