The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1878-07-13
COLIN AND THE COUNTESS.

Lady Yarlett got into terrible mud
die on her way down to stay with her
friends, the Montjoys, of Hever Castle.
First her luggage went all astray, then
she was separated from her maid, last
of all she was sent across country and
landed at Pyking Pycherly, the small
station of Hever, at the wrong time.
No one had come for Lady Yarlett, and
she was naturally very cross.
"Going to the castle? A lady going
to the castle?" she heard some one say,
and the next moment tall, straight
limbed young fellow came up to her.
He was dressed in suit of gray dit
toes, had leather CATERS on, and car
ried bundle of whips under his arm.
Come along, I'll cart you over"
he said.
Lady Yarlett looked little askance
at the conveyance. Still this was bet
ter than waiting for hours at the sta
ton alone, and she suffered herself to
be hoisted up beside the driver, pre-
pared to do her penance with the best
temper she could command.
you're not bad sort, said her new
friend, with an abruptness that nearly
knocked her off her perch; worth
dozen of the other one"
"The other oner' Lady Yarlett was
in amaZement.
'The other maid, of course. You're
Mrs. Montioy's new maid, aren't you?
l could see that with half an eye"
And pray who Nigh you be?'' Lady
Yarlett asked, in return.
"Anybody, if | choose. But don't
choose. I'm satisfied to be bailiff and
man of business to Mr.. Montjoy."
"Then dare say we shall sometimes
meet in the housekeepers ROOM said
her ladyship, rather amused.
They did meet that evening, but it
was not in the servants hall. Lady
Yarlett was sitting, statuesque and
queenly, a calm, regal beauty, magnifi
Gently arrayed, by the drawing-room
fire, when Mrs. Montjoy brought a
young man to be introduced to her. A
widow, rich, feted, admired on every
side, Lady Yarlett received homage as
matter of right, and she only bowed
now in stately, self-constrained fashion.
''Mr. Herbert Lloyd-Lady Yarlett."
She looked at him and started. 1t
was the young bailiff.
"We're still alone, you know,
Esther" went on Mrs. Montjoy. "The
rest of the guests do not come for a
day or two. Mr.. Lloyd is one of our
selves. You must make no stranger of
him.
Il have already had the pleasure of
meeting Mr.. Lloyd he drove me over
from the station"
Really. understood you to say it
was one of the men,"
$50 Mr.. Lloyd gave me to under
stand-He told me he was the bailitf."
(Which he is; very much the bailiff,"
interposed Mr.. Montjoy, with a laugh
-" bailiff, general factotum, and right
handed man. Lloyds as sharp as a
needle.'
81 can bear testimony to his acute
ness" said Lady Yarlett, adding quick
ly, seeing Herbert was rather discon-
certed, "he paid me the compliment to
discover who l was to-day-he was
good enough to mistake me for the new
lady's maid"
There was shout of laughter, while
poor Herbert muttered something about
appearances being so deceitful, and felt
rather aggrieved. She was disagree
able woman, high and.mighty, self-sat-
flied, vain; he would have as little as
possible to say to her during her stay.
They saw nothing more of each other
that night or the next day; but late in
the afternoon Herbert came to her.
Lady Yarlett have been commits
stoned to convey to you dire piece of
news. Illness of an alarming not to
say dangerous and infecuous, descrip-
ton has broken out in the house. Dear
little Poppy has it, and Mr.. Montjoy.
We have to 60 to quarantine. The ex-
pected party has been stopped, and it
is right you should know at once, so as
to use your own discretion about leav-
ing"
Dear, dear, how terrible! Of course
/ should prefer not to stop. But how
tiresome and vexatious! Where can i
goP Who would receive me! l can
not go home. Yarlett is let; the work
man are in the town house. hate
lodgings or hotel. What am | tc
doP'
." really cannot presume to advise
Herbert said, stifly What were hel
troubles compared to those which haC
fallen upon her friendsP
In the evening he heard she had re-