Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1883-05-31
MY LORD DOUGLAS.

NV NLiON YOU " dCScPt Dclttlt cs-
cort.n
Douglas Allston's grave, quiet tones
brough flash into Barbara ,Tyrrelli's
eyes.
''Not having the honor to claim rela-
tionship with My Lord Douglas, pre-
sumo my actions are of no interest to
him." she said.
The man smiled ever so slightly. a
faint amusement making itself visible in
his dark eyes, while he went on measur-
ing the window-sashes and jotting down
certain numbers i'm his notebook.
Ever since he had been at work re-
modelling hisadnt's old-fashioned house
Barbara had been at war with him.
In Mrs. TyrTels eyes Douglas Ais
ton was as near perfection as man
could be. She had known him from a
boy; had watched him with increasing
interest as he worked himself up until
he became master of his trade; and
when her pretty, orphaned niece came
to live with her, she had secretly hoped
that the two young people would fancy
each other.
Much TO the good lady's perplexity,
they did not get on well together
Douglas was boarding there while the
work went on, and hardly a day or an
evening passed during which Barbara
did not contriye to quarrel with him.
For truth compels me TO state that
Barbara was generally the aggressor.
1t was the mperurbability OF the
young man which aggravated her; and
his self-possession, and certain au-
thoritatiye manner won from her the
sarcastic title Of MY Lord Douglass
II am sure,H persisted Barbara.
plucking at the heart of red rose
which swung toward her from the
trellis, "Mr. Bettelle is gentlemanly
and agreeable. and | quite anticipate
the excursion to Rocky Point in such
pleasant company"
just then Bettcllc passed the gate
on his way down town, where he was
employed as salesman in Dunlap's great
dry goods emporium.
Allston nodded carelessy. but Bar
bara gave him bright smile as he lifted
his hat and passed on.
Bettelle was pale and rather aristo-
cratlc-looking, and dressed almost fop-
pishly.
Allston, in blouse and oyeralls, with
an old felt hat pushed back from his
brow, his checks brown, his dark ewes
clear and steady and intent upon his
work, was by far the more manly of the
two.
Barbara realized this with an mex
plicable feeling Of resentment
The girl was something Of a cOquett
She was not suited with Alston's indif-
fercnt manner. Other men of her ae-
quaintance made pretty speeches to hel
The young carpenter never did; on the
contrary he did not hesitate to criticise
her movements whenever an opporiun-
ity presented itself.
On the morning Of the excursion to
Rocky Point, Barbara missed Allston
from the breakfast-table and inquired
for him.
"Why, don't you kuow?" said Mrs
Tyrrel. ale is going to the cxcur-
sion to-day. He left the house over
half an hour ago. wished you were
going with him, dear!''
II don't, auntie-I shouldn't have a
bit Of funr' returned Barbara finishing
her coffee hastily and jumped up from |
the table rs George Bettelle, resplend- |
cnt in q white linen suit, opened the |
gate and came up the path.
Barbara had been conscious of look |
III NtIN Ntll Ntltll SUE ltii Iilt tUuSE /
that morning; the pretty Scotch-gin9- |
ham with its broad, bright plaids was
belted about her slender waist with a
cardinal-colored ribbon, and the broad !
straw hat, faced with cardinal and
trimmed with muslin and daisies, |
shaded a piquant brunette face, with
smiling lips and bright, dark eyes.
But when she entered the great
waiting-room at the Union Depot, and
saw Douglas Allston talking and laugh
ing pleasantly with tall, fair girl
shcfclt insignificant all in moment
and afaiut sense Of disappointment
thrilled her.
Who was this girl? How graceful
and ladylike she looked in her plain, |
eXquisitey.litting gray suit, with q knot
of white #lace mt her throat. Her fair
hair was twisted in great. shining
mass under the broad, black hat, and
she carried q big sun-umbrella and q
little wicker basket.
1t must be that Douglas Allston was
her lover. Barbara had never thought
of him in this light before and she ex-
perieneed an angry surprise that it
should cause her any uneasiness
When Bettelle left her in order to
procure their tickets, Allston brought
his companion across the room and in
troduced her TO Barbara as his cousin
Then she recalled something that her
aunt had told her about Alston' uncle
paying his expenses to the old country
several years ago, in order that Dora =
this same fair-haired cousin--mi@ht
have suitable company and protection.
Allston scarcely ever. spoke OF this
trip abroad, but Barbara could imagine
what delightful times they had-he and
this cousin, with whom he seemed 50
happy.
Somehow the day to which Barbara
lad SO looked forward did not seem
half 50 delightful ai She mad expected
Notwithstanding the fact that her escort
was quite interchangeable in his devotion
to her. and she knew that dozen girls
of her acquaintance would have given
good deal to be in her place.
Up in the long dance-hall She found
Allston Waiting with her cousin to one
of Straus divine compositions. She bad
not known before that he could waltz.
Later in the day little boat went
dancing by the point of land whore she
and Bettellc were standing. and in t1e
boat We're Allstou and his companion,
while ringing over the waves came the
tripping melody of "Danube River"
II know not why that Lander rang
Through all my soul, but never never
CHu forget the songs sang
Upon the Danube River.
Foolish Barbara, She could scarcely
have told the reason OF the strange new
pain in her heart.
Surely she cared nothing tor the
dark-cyed young carpenter yet a pas
sionatc mist rushed to her eyes as his
voice. mingling SO musieally with his
cousins. came floating in to her.
She experienced a sensation Of relief
rs The day drew to a close. and her ac-
quaEtances began TO talk of adjourning
to the pier.
Bettelle had excused himself few
moments before. and leaving her with
number OF herfriends, had not returned
His devotion through the day had been
a little wearisome TO Barbara but now
she looked about for him rather anX-
iously. He was not TO be seen.
The five o'clock boat was already
steaming up TO the wharf. Another
boat left at six, but she wanted 70 90
in this.
Allston, with Dora Clyne ON his arm,