The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1879-10-13

sational abyss into which she felt she had
descended by talking loquaciously con-
corning the would-be wisdom of South
bay on matters that did not concern its
interest in the least, and its inconceiva-
BILE ignorance on points that were really
important to it; by laughing at the dense
stupidity of the little town, and her own
stupidity, as an inhabitant; telling Mrs.
Arkley she was sly puss, though she
looked as innocent as her own baby;
winding up by an assurance that the first
time she saw Captain Arkley she would
complain of having been so mystified and
perplexed by his pretty wife as never a
saber spinster was mystifed and per-
picked before.
And so covering what she felt had
been social defeat complete rout from
stranger she had rather thought to pat
ronize with bold front and an abun-
dance of badinage-Miss LIE Deene took
her leave, and wended her way back to
jSouthbay, marveling greatly as she
walked along.
Just before she reached the Parade she
met that Mr.. Albyn, who ought, Southbay
had decided, to have been agent instead
of Mr.. Arkley. He was clever young
man, possessed of manners even more de-
cided than those which rendered Miss LIE
Deene remarkable, and given to direct
ness of speech which stood him perhaps
in better stead in the London courts
than in the drawing-room of his native
Southbay.
He did not come often to Southbay
now, and it was long time-nearly
twelve months-since Miss LIE Deene had
seen him.
Going to the dinner? he asked, when
the first salutations were over.
Are you? said Miss LIE Deene, who
was impervious to his raillery.
Yes he answered, 4 intend doing SO
presently; and you
Have been drinking tea with the
agents wife.
Did you see the agentT
No, and l do so want to see him, for
fancy there must be something odd about
him.
Your fancy has as usual served its
mistress faithfully remarked Mr.. AL
byn.
What is it that is wrongY asked the
lady, eagerly. None of us have evel
been able to know what to make of then
since they took up their quarters al
Southclife.'
And what did you make of them ovel
the dish Of tea? suggested the youne
man, as leader.
We'll, am as much in the dark a.
ever. | do not think Mrs. Arkley's
could have been a love match, for hel
face clouds whenever her husband il
mentioned; and though she speaks quit.
pleasantly about her sisters marriage
still you must remember that they wer,
not at the wedding, and I concluded sh,
felt the difference as wife to mere agent
and contrasted with the much more suit
able alliance Miss Millicent Yarrell ha
contracted
And do you think she wishes she hat
done as well?
4 do, naturally
Hearing this, Mr.. Albyn burst int
what Miss LIE Deene in her precise mo
ments called 'one of his great horse
laughs
That is too goodp he exclaimed. =
beg your pardon, but can nothelp laugh
ing. Why, Forrest wanted To MARI,
Mrs. Arkley herself. He followed he
about like her shadow; and it is said sh
actually accepted him about quarter o
an hour before she met her present hus
band, just back from the wars. Sh'
married Captain Arkley against tn,
wishes Of all her people, for Sir Huber
counts a mere nobody; and the lovin!
pair would not have had shilling upor
which to start to housekeeping if it hae
not been for Forrest. And now l mus
say good-by, Miss LIE Deene.'
And so, likewise, we must say good-b,
to Miss LIE Deene, and go back NOR
than dozen years, into the sixties.
TO BE Continued