The Benton weekly record. [volume] (Benton, Mont.) 1880-1885, 1880-07-30


d majestic sweep of her white satin tTai
to the chair OH which | sat. rose
once for politeness was not among Il
extras at our Blackheath Seminary, az
made room for her, She took the profile
ed seat rather co6lly, as thought Gbnt
was totally unacquainted With the MAI
ners Of fine ladies', and without even Il
! acknowledgment Of a bow. What W.
still strange, she took no notice of ii
Iredgolds nor they of her. They retalhe
their seats and gaZed on the stage just :
though there had been no increase IN til
number Of the occupants Of the boz
With regard to those III the front row,
/ thought it quite possible that they Wel
unaware Of her presence. though the trai
Of 1ler dress upon the carpet lad bee
quite distinct to nh ear; bur the Wonde
was that Lucy herself seemed nnconsciou
of having new companion beside her
She knew, however, | had risen, for 81
inquired softly, 50 as not to interfere witt
the tones Of the actors
ssWIlat,s the matter, Frank; Can'fyol
see:''
s She seemed to imagine that was stand
ing up merely to obtain Il better view 0
the stage.
1t is the lady," whispered I, pointins
to the newcomer, who, Of course, li;tt
her back to me.
"The lady:n replied Lucy, staring \
her neighbor, as it appeared 70 me, very
rudely; II see no lady"
This thought rullcr still. Perhaps tElt
individual in the white satin had il quar-.
rel with the female members of the Tired,
gold family, ana this was their mode o
showing it. But, if SO. why should sht
have thus thrust her company upon them
Probably my establishment, and even dis
gust, showed themselves on my countc-
nance, for Lucy added, severely:
do not glare at the wall like that, MI.
G:trraid. You will arouse attention.
ID wish you would sit down.
t'SiG down:o replied /, i'll my turn 4
little annoyed; II can't sit down on the
lady's lap, and there is no other chair.
Then Lucy reached out her fan and
touched her brother Oh the shoulder, and
he left his chair and bent his head down
while she whispered in his eaS. | knew
that she was talking about me, and not
very pleasantly, but my whole attention
was absorbed by the lady in white satin.
She did not take the least notice Of the
ers on the stage, but ga2ed straight before
her into vacancy with !, most sad, and, as
it seemed to me, most sclf-reproacItul
face. had heard Of the impassiye frigidi-
ty OF the ai'istocracy, bat, if that was their
[ preferred that Of the middle
classes: her mute indifference seemed to
freeze my very blood. Then some one
took nle by the ann, and whispered rough
Iy:
.:What the deuce is the matter with sou,
Frank? Yon have quite frightened my
sister, ~@@
It was Gilbert lredgolu, who had lYuen
:ivil enough up to tbs time, though |
5ancied lie had once Of twice given him
self airs over me on the strength Of his
four years seniority. He spoke to me
low as man would speak to a foolish
BOY who had been playing some prank,
md felt very indignant.
II have frightened nobody replied,
but | think it strange-and rather rude
hat no one has introduced me to this
ady though, indeed, she has much more
. complain Of, if it comes to that, than
awe
sslyhaf Ia,lr =ssl'' arc t1rA,.,., r7.-'
tsilere, i no one here except ourselves.
..EIush," said /; ''slc mlst hear every
word we say, though size appears so ab-
t1acted.'
Just step with me into the back rooIn,"
ait! Gilbert.
/ followed him mechanically, my eyes
till lingering on the silent lady in white
ATTN.
Hc shut the door behind him Look
lcrc, Frank; you must not go into tllat
>oS again, nor into the society Of ny
sisters. Yon are not in a fit state. 4
do YOU mean to say I'm drunk
Yes, do. Lucy thinks t1lat it il the
excitement Of the play, and it is we'll she
loes: don't wish to un1cceive her He
lad his back against the door, and was
7ery angry: so was / :; but was not drunk,
Is he imagined. should have been very
Wiling to try conclusions with him in q
rough and tumble" but called to mind
hat was his fathers guest, and that any
disturbance 5iil the theatre would he very
distressing q his family.
You are very rude / said, .'and an
lot surprised at since you can treat 4
ady AZ you have done. But DON'T want
row. will 60 home to your father
md state exactly what has happened. :
;.You couldn't do a wiser thing. he
-eplied, gravely; the fresh air will re-
yiye you. You can find your way ont,
/ did not reply to that sarcasm, but
stalked liaushtilg from the room, like
Hamlet fathers ghost when ha was Of
tended.
went straight back II Mr Iledgoltl,
and found the Old gentleman still over his