New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1881-03-13

glad enough to go back upon hlsr own tnonHntA
While this going on at che Rectory, anne LOT
her part was submitting to still more severe course
of interrogation. Mrs MOuntford bad discussed tne
question with herself at some length, whether sne
should take any notice or not OF the domestic con-
Vulaon which had occurred under her very eYe
without having been brought openly to her coenI,
sance. Her husband had OF course told ner All
about 1t; but Anne had not SAIL anythlnS-nao
neither consulted her stePmother nor Songnt bef
sympathy After while however MIS- nosnSiS ORC
pOrt8nce or to make believe that sue was not az
auainted with it, would be equally absurd. Accord
Ipgy she arranged that Rose should De sent I ZOE
after dinner to have o dress tried on; which was
done, to that young lady's great annoyance ana
wrath. But Mrs. Worth. Mrs. MounttorPs
maid, was not o person who could pc uenSn
with impunity She was the goddess Of FASH ion,
La Mode impersOnifed at Mount. Under her ORDERS
she had niece VINO served as mao 20 A sSsss Of
the family. 1t was great economy Mrs. MOUNT
ford said and all the county knew how completely
successful it was. But to tho girls IT was trouble,
If an advantage Mrs. Worth studied their figures,
their complications and what she called their hidious.
incrases-but she did not study the hours that
were convenient for them, or make allowance ior
their other occupations And she was tyrant; II
benefeent one. SO Rose had to go, however loth:
Lady MeadOwands was about to give tete' a great
be assembled. And new dress was absolutely
necessary. Wouldn't it do in the morning she
pleaded Bnt Mrs Worth was memorable. And 50
II hammered that her mother had quiet half-hour IN
which to nterrogate Anne.
The drawing-room was on the side Of the house
row of them flush with the wall outside aud 80 pos
sessing each little recess OF its own wltnn were
all open. admitting more damp than air. and cniny
freshness and smell of the earth Instead OF tne
scents of tie miguonette. There were two lamps az
different ends Of the room, which did not llgn5 Y
very well; but Mrs. MOuntfOrd was economical.
Anne had lit the candles on the writing table for her
own use and she was a long way on the sofa OF
which her stepmother sat- with her nsuhI
tidy basket OF neatly-arranged woods beside her. a
little time passed IN unbroken quiet, disturbed by
nothing but the soft steady downfall Of the rain
through the great open space outside, ana tine noIe
distant sound Of pattering upon the trees: When
Mrs. MOuntford said Anne, her stepdauSnter ulu
not bear hor at first. But there was slight nfrac,
ton of the air, aud she knew that something had
been said.
Did you speak, mammal
Il want to speak TO you, Anne. Yes, think did
say your name. Would you mind coming here Tor
Httlei | want to say something to you While Rose
GhuG OWNED at once what it must be. And she
was not uureasonable-it was right that MIS-
Mouuttord should know; how could she help but
know being the wife of Of the people most con.
cerbedY And the thing which Anne chiefly objected
to was that her stepmother knew everything about
her by a sort of back way, thus arriving at can
dcstIne knowledge not honestly gained. 1t was not
the stepmother that was to blame, but the father
and fate. She rose and went forward slowly
through the partial light-reluctant 70 pc ques-
toned yet not denying that to ask was Mis-. Mount
forts right. -
! sent her away on purpose. Anne She is toe
young. don't want her to know any more than
fom your father that you had got into that kind of
i don't think have got into any trouble said
No. of course suppose you don't think so; but
have had more experience than yOu have ana am
sorry your mind shend have beeu disturbed 50
SOON -,
DO you call il so very sOonT said Anne. 4 am
So You arc forgot. Well but it is always too
soon when IL is not suitable, my dear
1t remains to be seen whether 1t is not suitable
mamma MI .e. ,..L..,,
opinion That ought to count above everything
else Anne. a gentleman IS far better able TO form
an opinion Of another gentleman than we are. MI
Douglas. J allow Is good-loOklpg and wen Dred;,
Ike hun well enough myself; but that 10 not all
you must acknowledge that is not half enough; ii
MY father seems to want great deal less, SAID
Anne; all that he asks Is about his family ana Ills
Most important particulars, Anne however ro'
mantle You must De, YOU may see that
L am not romantic said Anne, growing red; and
resenting the imputatOn, IA was nat uralj and 90
not deny they arc important details: but not surely
caring for-whIoh is what my father does.
" hat 10 you consider things the worth caring
i.r dSaIi b. reasonable ; Look bsr T sa1G
on, Anne, my dcar child at your ago we ARE are
believe it, Aud am not ono that would say very
much in that respect. like handsome people my
s-li-but dear, dear, as IltS goes on II you nave
nothing but looks to trust to!
i assure yOu.' SAID Anne. Vehemently, succeeding
after two or three attempts TO break I'D, 1 should
dcspiso myself # Thought that beauty, was any
thing IL Is almost AZ bad rs money Neither the
one nor the other Is YOURSELF
'Oh. / would not 90 SO far as that said Mrs.
Monutford, with Indulgence Beauty is a great
deal in my opinion, though perhaps II ~ gentlemen
that think most about IT, But, my qear Anne yon
are Rrl thai has always thought OF duty. VIII
do YOU the Justice to say that. You may nave liked
yonr own way, but even 10 me, that have not the
first claim upon You, you nave always Deen very
good hope you not going TO be rebelllous now.
You must remember that your fathers Judgment Is
far more mature than yours. tie Knows the world.
He knows what men are - .,
So long as no does not knOw-one thing said
Anne, Indignantly, what can all that other intorna-
ton matter 10 meF ,,,e,
SAID. e,.A.
nearest window and closed It, for sheer necessity OF
doing something; then fingered, looking out upon
the rain and the darkness of the night
Thank you, that Is quite right, said her step
mother did not know that the window was open,
How damp it is aud how 1t rains. Anne, what !!
the one thingf Perhaps might be OF some use II
YOU would tell me. What lsit your father does not
Me; said Anne, coming slowly back 80 the light
Her slight white figure had the pose OF tall
hly 40 light 50 firm. that its very frsglty looked
like strength. And her face was full OF tte con-
stancy upon which, perhaps. she prided herself t-
tS-the loyalty that would not give up dog as she
had said Mrs MountfOrd called 1t obslinaey, OF
conlSe But what does that NATTER she added
with some VehOmence, when 10 every particular
we are at varancei do not think as he does IN
ANYTHING. What he prizes DO not care iOr-"nu
INV dear, it Is your father YOU arc speaking of;
or course he must know better than young gri
like YOU .,,
Mamma, it is not his happiness that is involved
il is mine! and am not such young GIRL am OF
age. How he judge Tor mo III what Is 70 DC tue
chief thing in my llteP - =, 49,.
Anne said Mrs MOuntford kindly. this young
man is almost 8 stranger TO you-yOu bad never seen
him wear ago Is it really true, and are yOu quite
sure that this involves the happiness of your lifop
Anne made no reply. How otherwise she SAID
Indemnify in her heart Was she girl to deceive
herself in such q master-was she one to make pro-
testatOnsl She held her head highly, erecting her
white throat more like lily than ever. But sne
said nothing What was there to sayt She could
not speak or tell anyone but herself what Cosno was