Weekly expositor. (Brockway Centre, Mich.) 1882-1894, 1883-09-20
CHAPTER XIV.

What need to measure the delights OF
that happy week! How it began and how
it ended Gertrude could hardly tell. 1t
began by the carriage pulling up as it
passed tho post-officc for word with Mr..
Thomas Albright who lucIily-as Mrs.
Bascombc said-chanced to he passing. The
word must have been n curious one, for it
resulted in Tom jumping into the carriage
and taking his seat beside Gertrude and
relieving her of Carlos, who said he "onted
to 'ook oud de 'indow."
Mrs. Bascombe thought. as she looked
at them from the opposite seat, "what a
handsome couple they would make
Tom modern gladiator, so thoroughly
built, that his six feet two, looked little
more than five feet eleven, for the "boys'
in betting on Toms height were very I'M
even in their guesses.
ale was a mighty strong fellow" as his
little namesake Tommy-Mrs Bascombe's
handsome son-at that moment cooling
his heels in the high school ante-room for
some mischief of which he had been
guilty-used to say when Dragging among
the boys Of the base ball club. about his
uncle who had been stroke oar at Har-
ward; beside being mighty strong" he
was an exceeding fine fellow, high toned
and honorable in an eminent degree, and
thoroughly well worthy of any mans re-
spect or any woman's love.
Gertrude felt this MS she sat beside him
and listened to his conversation. He
spoke of his travels in Italy; of noble
galleries of art, for he soon found that
Miss Weldon appreciated all things apper-
tanning TO it, and so carried on the CONVEX
sation that the carriage rolled mp to Bell
1o,. a
ticipatcd.
In few moments Gertrude was shown
TO her room-a beautiful apartment over
looking the shining waters of the Merri-
mac. She was greatly pleased with her
ride. her reception, and the good kind
people with whom she had become so
strangely domicied.
A light lunch and then saunter
through the fine grounds of Bellville
Park, accompanied by Mrs. Bascombe and
Tom Albright, of course, the formerpour-
ing into her ears at every available OPP
portunity the praises Of her brother, to
which our heroine listened with keen de-
light.
1t took but little time for these people
10 accommodate themselves to each other,
and our heroine had been at the Park but
few hours before the formal "Miss" was
dropped, and "Gertrude" was the name
that fell musically from the lips OF Mrs.
Bascombe-a name that Tom Arkr1ght
turned under his tongue like n sweet MGR
sci, and longed to give utterance to HIM
self in the presence of the fair owner
and indeed it was long before he did so!
For Tom Albright was n very enteIprls-
ing fellow-very
The day following our heroine's arrival
Miss Langley Burton came, much to the
disgust of Tom, and he was almost Wild
when two or three other young ladies liv-
| ing but few miles away, called, and
| promised to remain few days. Tom
wanted Gertrude all to himself, and he
had not counted on visitors when 1T was
| arranged that Miss Weldon was to come
However he took advantage OF his OPP
portunities, and though Miss Langley
| Burton made love to him furiously. ne
managed to spend very many hours alone
| with our heroine.
| 1t would be impossible to picture hi
surprise and delight the first evening M
listened to the singing and playing O
Gertrude Weldon.
Mrs. Bascombe was amazed-Miss Lang
ley Burton was DISSATISFACTION heretofore
/
piano, and she hattered herself that sh
was an exceedingly fine performer; ant
now, to be excelled by Factory girl, a
what she imagined to be her strongest &C
complishment was source of deep cha
grin indeed.
Another thing that startled these younI
scions of the aristocracy, was not only he
excellent taste in dress, but the richnes
of their material and the stamp of Pari
so plainly evident in all she wore.
The wealthiest among them marveled q
her taste and the extraordinary beauty {
the various styles she donned.
These things united with many accom-
plishments were the cause of much hid
den jealousy on part OF the young ladie
who paid their visit simply to examin
ms well as overawe the factory girl, VIII
had SO heroically risked her life for tn
little child, Carlos Bascombe.
But one thing remained to put th
young ladies to fight entirely.
Miss Langley Burton had determine
To nut Gertrude Weldon "dolcn" as ST
said to herself; so, one evening, as the la
ter was leaving the piano, she began
conversation in French with Mr.. Arl
right. The poor fellow blushed, for
Immediately recognized this encroachmei
ON good manners; but what could he d'
Nothing. So he answered in the san
language, and, in moment, was surprise
by the impertinent inquiry, ''where was
possible that the factory girl could ha'
learned so many accomplishment
This conversation was listened to al
enjoyed by all in the room save M,
Bascombe and Tom, who, poor fellow, W
!. wild with anger, and was about to req
= with some vehemence, when the who
|, roomful was startled and dismayed by I
sweet voice of Gertrude Weldon answe
ing the question in the purest Parish
French, and then, with a low bow and
mischievous smile at Tom,passcd throul
u the window and out on to the lawnl
= II was not polite for Tom Albright, b
!. he could contain himself no longer
y burst into fit of joyous laughter. a
q with merry comment followed our hel
u inc in her walk through the park.
IL would be impossible TO describe
. modification of Miss Langley Burton
+ her friends, or the secret pleasure TINS
tie episode gave to Mrs. Bascombe. b
70 fee L to say that the visit Of these pol
y, young ladies concluded the next day.
II each and all ofthem had invitations WIN
= they could no longer delay in respond =
~ to, and, TO the great relief OF taeir i
. hostess, and the great delight OF tr. a. az
right, the perturbed damsels toox ~
departure strange to say, not oluo
adieu TO Gertrude who had so generou
amused them both in music, art' anu
" Ianpuagesr