The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1879-07-11
CHAPTER Ill
LADY TEMPLE AND MISS DAYREII.

widow. Her sweet low voice seemed still
in his ears, her lovely face before his eyes,
till with start, he sprang to his feet, ex-
claiming:
"By Jove, 1 believe my brain is softening
So much for solitude! believe a man
might do anything that is mad or idiotic if
he were only left alone long enough Here
am 1 incoming and dreaming over pretty
face as if l were d sentimental youasster OF
eighteen. It is all owing to my not having
spoken to man for three weeks. III so
aud hunt up Temple this very day 1t is
pretty face though the sweetest | have ever
seen and such iGurel There go again
GeoArey Chetwynd, you're bigger ass than
took you for, and that's saying good
deal. Come step out" and, suiting the
action 10 the word, he strobe along the fast
lessening sands at the rate of six miles an
hour. Mrs Elton and Cecil were not in
sight, though Geotfrey, man-like looked
right and left for them.
Entering his lodgings, he brushed himself
up, put on a tidy coat and hat, and walked
of toward Newland Abbey, his friend Sir
Henry Temples seat.
4he August sun shone hot and strong on
the yellow fields of grain; the sea, lying far
below Geoffrey for his way lay along the
top of the cliff ghttered with painful bril-
lancy and lie was not sorry to strike OIL
presently into shady green lanes, where the
elms in the hedgerows met overhead and
the sloping, sandy banks were rich with
dropping ferns and ripening blackberries.
'Just in time for luncheon" he thought,
as the great bell over the stables rang out at
the very moment he laid his hand on the
latch of the gates; land l sha'n't be sorry
to see it. All there are Lady Temple and
Harry little ahead"
A few steps more brought him to the
ladys side, and she turned with start as
his han was stretched out before her.
Mr. Chetwynd, ] am SO glad to see you!
Jennings told us you were here, and we
were going to look you up this very after
noon. Are you better?"
"Yes, thank you" answered Godfrey
"quite recovered, and beginning to fall i'll
the other way, for want of something to do
Do you know | have not spoken to a man,
except q casual sailor or fisherman, for three
whole weeks? Yesterday l made friends
with a snail boy and his mother; and that
was the first bit of relief from unvarying
silence"
II wonder if you mean my lovely young
widow, Mrs. Eltonw said Lady Temple
quickly
That is exactly whom I do mean. Mas
ter Cecil and fraternized over a boat, and
to-day followed it up by making acquaint-
ance with his pretty mother. | wish l had
done so three weeks ago"
isn't she 10, ely? l was attracted by her
sweet face in church, when we were down
at Easter, and, though 1 could find out
81, I lad bap n
asked her to dinner. But she would not
come. She is very reserved, and will not
now ANYBODY, for several people have tried
to make friends with hel but she told me
that her father had been a cler ymdn hold
ing some foreign cEaplaincy she did not
say where-and that he was dead, and that
she had no near relatives. / tried to tind
out who her husband was, but, though |
made several illusions to him, she did not
respond, and could not ask. l think 1t is
Iuite the loveliest lace | have ever seen.
What hunlbug it is TO say women never
admire each otler!" remarked GeoGrey,
smiling pleased smile, and thinking what
/ thoroughly amiable woman Lady Temple
was. Il think they are tar more good-na-
tured about their own sex than we men are.
II we do admire a man, it is sure to be one
that ladies do not, By Joye this is pretty
place !"
They had emerged from the cool shade OF
the avenue, and the house stood before
them, old and gray, with mullioned win
dows overshadowed by creepers, with gables
and quaint projections in every part, and
deep porch, beneath which coach and four
horses could stand with ease, and the grass
plot before the house as gay as the most
brilliant hOwer-beds could make it. Te the
right of the house smooth lawn sloped
down to shallow but wide stream, eyond
which spreading beeches and stately elms
made deep shadows, leaving the greater
part of the garden to the Imagination; to
tie left, the ground sloped upwards, and
magnificent bank Of magnolias and rhodo-
dcndrons left only the quaint gabled roof OF
the stables in view.
A tall, thin man of thirty-fve or forty,
with handsome but rather worn face, was
standing near the house, attended by three
settlers, and talking to gamekeeper. He
came forward with pleasant smile as Lady
Temple and Geoffrey approached.
'Well, Geoffrey. my boy, where have you
sprung from? We were coming to unearth
you this afternoon, but this is better still.
Addie, the luncheon bell has rung, and
nurse has been loo ing for Harry. Run in,
my little man. Then, as the boy disap-
peared, followed by his mother, he passed
his arm within Geotfrey 8 and led him up to
his dressing-roo "You are in luck, Geof-
frey, my boy" he said, as the door closed
behind them. "Your old fame, Eva Day
rell, is here, and her sister Blilly, and Jack
Digby, and Tom Lee-a very jolly party.
I'm afraid you'll find yourself somewhat
supplanted in the fair Eyas affections by
Tom. He has been making close running
there lately, and that young matchmaker
Addie asked them hore to finish it of. "
He is heartily welcome to her, returned
Godfrey, brushing his hair vigorously. 81
have no intention of spelling sport. l was
faithful to her for six whole weeks, but I'm
afraid / had nearly forgotten her existence
ill you spoke. She has money and Tom
has none, SO / think it will do very well.
"You abominablo firt-you cold-hearted
ruhian" laughed Sir Henry. shes very
pretty and very nice, and hope sincerely
she'll knock you over worse than ever, and
then marry Tom, to punish you. May l
ask if her place is occupied yet by new
love?"
Geofrrey laughed and opened the door to
go down.
'It is not very likely in this deadliest Of
places" he answered lightly, as he went
down the wide oak staircase. 'Temple, my
boy, / like your little cottage Let me
know if Newland Abbey is likely to be il
the market How do you do, Miss Day
rell pas dark, handsome girl met then
in the hall GLOW kind Of you to come ss
far to see me p
II expect that is your secret belief, an
swered the girl, laughing and shaking
hands, whilst the crimson in her cheek
deepened considerably. "You are vail
enough for anything. Of course you cam.