The National tribune., 1882-07-01


that his eyes are fixed upon Miss Wardom's
face, with evident, undisguised admiration.
She rises abruptly from the piano, and no
entreaties prevail upon her to sing again.
"Thanks. am not in voice, tonight"
she says. coldly, to Sir Walter. But / am
sure Miss Wardom will sing for you"
'Do you sing Miss Wardom?" asks Sir
Walter, eagerly.
Jean bushes her pretty wiId-rose blush as
she answers, unwiilingly, " l used to sing a
little, at home. But it was only songs and
ballads. No one could care for them after
Miss Fanshawe's lovely singing"
'Oh, but we do care. We all love old
songs. l adore ballads" Blanche protests,
eagerly. She plainly sees that Miss War
dom's attempt to sing will cover her with
ridicule, and she is determined she shall sing
She entreats, and makes other people, until
Jean yields; and going to the piano, softly
touches a chord or two and begins to sing.
1t is indeed an old-fashioned song she has
chosen: the song about "My Mamie, o."
that nobody sings in these days She sings
Az ii'iPiNI SiNs'i III d o"CClJ
voice that touches the heart.
The men, at least, like it. They draw
around the piano, and listen eagerly, Ifher
voice trembles a little at first, it is full and
steady long before she reaches the last verse
MY Nanics simple, fair, and young,
Nea artful wiles to win We, o.
May i'll befa' the fiatterng tongue,
That wad beguile my Mamie, OF
Her face is fair her heart is true,
AS spotlcss as she's bonny, o.
The opening gowan, wet Wi dew,
Nae purer Is than Mamie OF"
My child, that is charming" exclaims
old Lady Wynne, her bright, dark eyes look
ing suspiciously dewy. mo, no, you shall
not stop. Sing again for u.s."
There is chorus of entreaties for more.
The gentlemen are so enthusiastic in their
admiration of the sang and the singer that
Blanche could almost bite out her tongue in
her vexation. She had brought it on herself
She had meant TO make the girl ridicu-
lous, and she has given her a triumph.
The days 90 by. Jean Warden has been
two weeks at Shelton Hall. She is very
happy. Lady shelton and Sir Peter pet her
Lady Wynne unbends to her more than to
anyone else and the gentlemen unanimously
admire her. If some of the ladies dislike,
scorn, or envy her, she does not seem to be
aware of it; but goes on her way, bright and
sunny, and sweet as the summer weather
itself
Who are going to walk, this lovely morn
ing?" Jean asks, as she stands by the draw
ing-room window, and looks out on the
emerald lawn, and the cool shadows of the
park beyond it.
"YOu and l are" answers Lord ElIerby,
so very promptly that everyone laughs.
Everyone but Jean, who colors little, and
parts her lips as if to speak, but closes them
again. She is undeniably vexed at this cool
appropriation Of her, and it is not the first
time, either. At least Sir Walter thinks this
Of her.
II beg your pardon, EIIerby," he says,
coOlly. Hate to disappoint you, but Miss
Wardom is going to ride with me. Are you
not, Miss Wardom ?"
Oh, I should like it very much" Jean
replies, eagerly, giving him quick, grateful
glance.
do understand that you have previous
engagement with Sir Walter, Miss Wardon ?''
Lord Ellerby says, with wrath and indigna-
tion in his tone.
Miss Wardom can surely do as she
pleases, Ellerby," Sir Walter says, carelessly.
Has it previous engagement, Miss
Wardom?" Otherwise Wynne had no
right"
Lord Ellerby is speaking hotly; but Jean
stops him, with little smile and gesture.
Il had no engagement with either" she
says, very gently, but l prefer to ride"
And then she quietly leaves the room.
Sir Walter looks out of the window, and
whistles softly to conceal a smile, while Lord
Ellerby .frowns darllly, and filings himself
down in chair beside Miss Fanshawe.
"Oh, am so much obliged to you for talk
ing me to ride, this morning." Jean exclaims,
as she and Sir Walter go.
"The obligation is entirely on my side,
Miss Wardom," laughs Sir Walter.
! les, KNOW, jean answers, lausS5HlllS Ill
turn. ".But if you knew how much did
not want to walk with Lord Ellerby. And
really saw no way out oft, till you so nobly
came to the rescue"
"Then it is Ellerby am indebted to, after
all you only ride with me to escape worse
fate" Sir Walter suggests, mischievously.
! Jean laughs, and flashes dcmure little
glance at him; but she does not speak. He
| leans forward to see her face for sudden
doubt comes over him, at this, like dash
of cold water. Perhaps she is only riding
with him, to escape a worse fate The
decided discomfort which this idea occasions
! him, opens his eyes to the knowledge that
he cares very much to ride with her to talk
with her; and that he would like this sum-
mer day, and this ride with Jean Wardom,
| to go on and on, indefinitely.
"YOu don't answer me" he exclaims, rather
vehemently. "YOu are too honest to dis
claim, and you cannot say you would have
| cared if"
But he never gets any further; for Jean
lifts her lovely eyes to his face, in utter I'M
| disguised astonishment, and interrupts him.
"Why, of course / wanted to come, any
way" she says. "YOu and 1 have always
/ been friends. You are always good to me.
!