Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1883-07-14


In the dining room? 1t seems such a wilder
ness Of place when there are only Miss Went
worth and IL
81 had thought Of laying in the morning.
room, sir. but didn't quite like to name it, Mas
ter ana mistress always dine there when they're
two"
Leagues better. The mornlng-roo then let
it be-"
And accordingly in that snuggery Captain
Curzon thoroughly enjoyed meal, which he
both partaken Of the evening before.
Never hadt fair Hatty looked more bewftch-
Ing. Captain Curzon decided that his friend
Cotton must have been a fool not to have Sc
cured her. Hatty. on her part, was saying eff
had been Flora Lyster, I'd have thrown over
fifty Moss GOldings for you!"
Already these two young people, equally ex-
pert at the game, had begun playing with the
fire. The question was, which would get burnt
he. she, both or neither.
Dinner ended, a whole evening was before
them to compare notes and to examine feelings,
SO that they might make sure how exactly con-
stituted alike they each were. Long ago they
had discovered that of all the people living they
alone possessed hearts which were capable OF
being broken. These hearts were shattered
never to be made whole again; but the delight
full luxury of dissecting the agony they had en-
dured was theirs STILL "Counterfeiting sweet
woes, they suffered them again."
The next morning both were down early, i'm
PEELED by certain sympathy, to taste the fresh
ness OF the morning air. From strOlling round
the garden they came In to breakfast together.
and learnt, with well-assumed pleasure, that
Mrs Rodney was feeling better, and had sent
word to say that she hoped to join them later in
the day.
''Tell her" said Captain Curzon, to whom the
message seemed principally addressed, ~ shall
be delighted to see her; but do hope she won't
make any effort that might try her In any
way"
Miss Wentworth wondered il Fanny would like
her to go up and sit with her. "Wil you ask
her, Davls?" she said
eyes, Miss; but I'm sure she'll say no. If mis-
tress Is down by the afternoon. it's quite as much
as she'll be able to do"
In that case Captain Curzon was tempted to
propose that he and Miss Wentworth should 90
as far as Abbott's Rest together. 1t was such a
lovely walk, and with the autumnal tints upon
the great trees around, the ruin would be
something worth seeing now. His offer was
accepted; and Davis had the satisfaction of re-
straning her mistress well-meant efforts by in
forming her that the captain and Miss Hatty
had gone for long walk, $50 that unless YOU
feel inclined ma'am, there's no necessity to
hurry"
Mrs. Rodney permitted herself to sink back
upon the pillow, and then reflection came, and
she told herself that Monty was go kind. no
doubt he considered it due to her to sacrifice
himself and be amiabie to Hatty, and she
by so doing. Davis, will get up" she said;
30 that when the truant couple returned they
found Mrs. Rodney waiting to receive them
Needless to relate the mystifcation, the
establishment. finally the indignation which
took possession of her. The two she had left
crossing swords had now taken up arms
together, and their weapons were smiles and
sighs, which they practiced regardless OF her.
The afternoon seemed very long. It was quite
relief when the tea was brought in, and Mrs
Rodney noticed that neither Monty nor Hatty
made any opposition when she proposed resting
little before dinner in her own ROOM
$50 you've had one of your bad headaches,
Fanny" Mrs. Rodney saw 1t was her husband
speaking; he had returned, had opened the door
softly. and was bending down to her. ''Poor
would not have gone"
ooh, you could not have done anything for
me, the pain was worse than usual; I had Just
to take draught and lie quietly curled up until
1t was over"
''And the Kilkenny cats, what did they do?
looked about, but there wasn't SO much as the
of them7"
ooh, ! don't know-gone out to look at the
moon, shouldn't wonder"
but not together3"
Mrs. Rodneys eyes were fixed on the IRE. her
husband stared at her incredulOusly
Shaking her head she said. II don't know
what people are coming to; at all events don't
uuucIStduu IAlGm.
''Why. what's the natter"
Nothing, only that I'm never going to mix
myself up in anyb0dy's love affairs any more
When people tell me they are broken-hearted.
believe them; and when they say they dislike
any one, think they do. don't expect every
thing to be changed and forgotten In q few
hours"
'sWhew!" calculated Mr.. Rodney; Sis It Cur
zon and Hatty you are meaning2"
Mrs. ROdney's head gave the reply; then
glancing at her husband, ~ see you, /" she said;
''of course you're laughing, as every one else
will do-you can call me stupid, and Isuppose
am One."
No, You are not anything Of the kind, only
you're romantic old goose, who thinks every
bOdy's heart is as soft as your own"
when was In love meant It." said Mrs.
Rodney, aggrievedly. "H you had deceived
me, or anything had come between us, should
have died, Stanhope, and believe you would
have died. too"
''oh, but We fell in love In . very old-fash-
Toned way"
"Weil, then, like old-fashioned ways best,
don't your"
az like old-fashioned wives best, n that ID the
same" Then seeing that she was beginning to
smile, he added, "Don't you bother your head
about those two; they can look after each other.
and take care Of themselves the rule Of good
deal Of what is called love In the present day.
Mrs. PQyf b LOu0sndns' M00usisna