Weekly Chillicothe crisis. (Chillicothe, Livingston Co., Mo.) 1878-19??, 1883-03-15
THE EVE OF ST. PARTRIDGE.
BY JEAN MIDDLEMASS,

BY JEAN MIDDLEMASs.
There is much talk of guns, and
bags, and birds, and keepers among
the men assembled in the smoking
room at Fotherington Manor on the
last evening in August, but expectant
though they all are, and excited about
he morrow's sport, the name of Mrs.
Bulmer wanders in among their sport
ing conversation very frequently.
Who is Mrs. Bulmer? is query that
passes from lip to lip. Yet no one in
the room can answer the question, un-
less it is grave dark, man who sits
smoking by the window and has not
vouchsaGed remark.
That Mrs Bulmer is beautiful, very
beautiful, no one seems to gainsay. and
that she is u widow thcyall seem to be
agreed, since their hostess has told
them so; but where she has come from,
and why none of thcm-mcn about
town though most of them are-haye
ever seen her before, is mystery
which perpleXes them not a little.
She does not look more than nine
teen, has fair hair, the softcst blue
eyes, a smile that has already driven
AIgy Morrick, of the Life Guards, so
crazy that, crack shot though he is, it
will be strange if he does not miss more
than few birds tomorrow, and she is
dressed with perfection that pro-
claims her a woman of many resources.
After Who is she? comes the ques-
tion, What has she?
But satisfactory reply was rs far of
as ever. The dak, grave man smiled
as if his own thoughts amused him,
but he did not speak. Algy Mcrrick,
however, observed the smile, stcalthv,
though it was.
Come, come, Arthur, you know all
about her. Give us, without further
delay. the history of this charming
Mrs. Bulmer.n
Arthur shook his head. "You fel-
lows have been amusing me for the last
half hour, trying to make u mystery
where none exists. Julia Anson, one of
the prettiest girls in Cumberland, was
married at seventeen to old Bulmer,
of Bulmer Court. 1t is the old story
she married him to save her father.
who was terrible spendthrift. from
him, and the old fellow rewarded her
by dying at the end of six months ard
leaving her widow with five thousand
Il year"
Give thousand ayear!" The words
acted as an electric shock.
cay, clear" went on Arthur, taking
II long whit at his mGerschaum. "She
has no children, and having mourned
in privacy for the last six months, she
has been induced to accept our hostess,
Mrs. Taunton's, invitation, and visit
Fotherington Manor for the Feast of
st. Partridge"
"And you have known her for long
time"
Eyes, of and on. knew her when
she was Julia Anson."
"She is charming; positively, abso-
lutely charmingW exclaimed Algy
Merrick enthusiastically. His strong
encomium, however, only called forth
a quick, sharp flash from Arthur's
dark eyes, then he half closed them
again and knocking the ashes out of
his pipe he Stalked off to bed without
vouchsaiing another word.
"Queer fellow, Arthur Seymour
said one of the party when he had
closed the door. He is so spasmodic."
"Got something on his mind" re-
marked another man; she is MS mys-
terious as Mrs. Bulmer, for say what
he likes | feel sure there is mystery
about her. and am not so certain that
Master Arthur is not mixed up in it,"
"Arthur Seymour is not TO be al
lowed to carry off that fair young
beauty as prize for silence, if that is
what you mean" cried Agly Merrick.
"Why, he has not got a rap"
"And you, AglyP" laughed the form
er speaker. "Yet | shrewdly suspect
you have intentions"
"Oh! I-well, l have not much
money certainly, but l have oxpccta-
lions, and
"Come, I'll bet you fifty pounds
that Arthur has a better chance than
you have"
"Done!" and Agly Merrick threw up
his head, twirled his mustache and
tried to look the thorough lady killer
he believed himself to be. And very |
good looking he certainly was in his
blue velvet smoking suit, with its
rutfles of oldpoint.
There was a good deal of laughing
over the wager, which was duly |
booked, and the lockers on strolled oil |
20 bed in full expectation of having
some sport that Partridgctide, which
would come within the range of their
louble- -barrelled Mantons.
Before the clock had struck twelve
Ill the male inmates of the house had
been told of the wager, which was of
course to be carefully guarded from
he ladies and Arthur. The host
naturally was also excluded, but then
le was old, and a cipher-merely the
iost.
Meantime the fair object of all this
intrigue had taken off the gauzy white
lress in which she had played such
lavoc with Agly Merrick's heart, and
Ittired in pale gray dressing gown,
Ter fair hair forming a natural veil
bout her shoulders, was sitting by the
window gazing for the most part on
ho starry armament, though every
low and then she turned the page of a
'ook which was lying on her knee.
Mrs. Bulmer had evidently no in
ention of seeking repose. Her own
thoughts seemed to keep her very
vakeful, and her face, though bright
nd joyous one, had obviously tor
ime been touched by some sorrow
which rendered her pensive, almost
ad.
One o'clock struck by the little clock
N the mantle niacp of bar roo,,, Eo,