Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1882-09-29
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Time went on, brin ging no changes into
that quiet house at Freshfield. Atlength,
after couple of years of this peaceful
monotony II small event was in prospect
which promised 10 vary the order of
things This was the return home, after
ten years absence in India, of Mr.. Tai
bot North. Mrs MontaGu's only brother
and that little lady grown, since her in
troductory struggle, younger and plump
er, thanks to Miss Lockhart's care, was
in happy hutterof expectation.
1t was Sunday night, n fair moonlit
Sabbath evening, and Mr.. and Mrs Mon
tagu had gone to church, leaving Miss
Lockhart at home imparting little the
illogical instruction to their numerous
offspring. As Miss Lockhart was thus
engaged, her attention was caught by
the sound of Il footstep on the gravel
walk without the next moment the hall
bell was sharply pulled. 1t was followed
by a brief Dialogue between some new
conner and the only maid servant at home /;
which terminated simultaneously with
the appearance Of the stranger in the
drawing-room. This unexpected and I'M
known visitor was tall handsome man of
about thirty or thirty-tive years of age !;
and, ms he stood within the doorway sur
veying the wondering group about the
table, he smiled in an amused fashion.
At once it rushed across Miss Lock
harris mind who was the unreasonable ill.,
truder and meanwhile the newcomer
had not all the gazing to himself, for the
children's six pairs of eyes were riveted
upon him in unmitigated astonishment.
Finally the gentleman spoke. "Do
You not know me?' asked he, laughing
delightedly.
81 think you must be Mr.. North" an
swered Miss Lockhart, half rising from
her seat.
''And You, am sure, are Miss Lock
hart, said Mr.. North, for it was no other
than Mrs. Montagus brother who had
returned at this inopportuno moment.
by name, at least, You are exceedingly
well known to me, continued the young
man, as he came forward with frankly
outstretchcd hand.
you Uncle Talbot y exclaimed Guy,
in tones of manifest disapproval and dis
appointment, for their Indian uncle had
been specie of hero to them. "Come
back like that Why, you might be any
body!"
Miss Lockhart, looking at the young
man standing before her in his splendid
strength, with his engaging debonair ex-
preston of countenance, could not in
dorse Master Guys discerning judg-
ment.
"Havc you dined, Mr. North ?" inquir-
cd she, MS it occurred to her that she
ought to play hostess in Mrs. Montagu's
absence. "What will you take?"
Nothing ut present, thank you, ex-
cept n cup of tea, if l can have one"
So Miss Lockhart mindful of her re-
sponsibilities, made the ten and brought
him cup with her own hands, North
watching the process and admiring her
dainty grace while she was Mt work. She
was dressed tonight only in plain dark
wooden gown, but it fell about her slender
form in soft, undulnting folds MS she
moved across the room, while about her
neck was drawn white handkerchief of
iilmy lace, the quaint style of which set
OFF her peculiar beauty. Talbot North
found himself noting all these details
with extreme interest. Every pulse of
Talbot North's being would long beat to
the slightest incidents of that evening
every word spoken was engraven upon his
heart in letters of enduring stone.
Mr.. North had Just finished drinking
his tea when slight connection in the
hall announced the return of the church.
gocrs. Miss Lockhart rose in haste. 81
Ind better 60 and tell Mrs. Montagu,"
she said ard left the room.
In moment Mrs. Montagu had reach
ed the drawing-room, and her plump lit
tie form was clasped in her brothers
arms.
"Oh, Talbot you promised to write
or telegraph. Imagine our being gone to
church and everything What have you
had ?"
Miss Lockhart very kindly gave me
cup of tea, answered North.
"a cup Of tea !" exclaimed Mrs. Mon
tagu with shrek Of horror. "a cup of
tea after coming from Bombay Good
gracious we must have supper at once.
Aud for me to ne out when you arrived
] conld cry, Where are your belongings
Shall we send to the station for them ?"
81 have nothing but handbag. An
accident detained me in Paris, and they
left by previous train, suppose they
will turn up all in good time"
III.
1t was only very few days later that |
Mr.. Montagu, talking alone with his wife. |
started novel idea in an in.
Jury he made and although the ques-
ion was put in joking form, it was none
he less suggestive.
IN dear, are you prepared to lose
'our Invaluable governess. and to receive
Ter in the new relation of n sister-in-
aw !"
"What do you mean Roberto
docs nothing strike you with regard
o Talbot and Miss Lockhart ?"
talbot likes Miss Lockhart, anu re-
poets her, as we all do, but there is moth
ng more between them that l see"
sHNa1hot liLao Nf;aa UooI,bo,t 800. .---- |