Seattle daily post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, W.T. [Wash.]) 1881-1888, 1883-02-04
LEFT IN CMARG T..

Il am Sd glad papa and mamma
are going out. Are you not, Miss
Wadeg" exclaimed Nelly. ut Will
be SO jolly to sit and tell tales in the
freight"
And to stay up till nine O'Clock,
and have supper like grown-up peo-
pie" remarked Hugh.
"Oh, yes said Meta, Ginning in,
land To be all alone in this great big
house. Pm glad that cooks left, and
that we're not TO have another Till we
get to Rugby, and that Mary's gone
home to say goodbye to her friends,
because, somehow, it wouldn't have
been SO nice if they'd been here"
There's mamma coming down.
land Hugh sprang to open the door.
Mrs. Newstead smiled at her chill.
dren's delight as she entered, in he.
pale lavender silk dinner dress, and
she stopped to kiss them one after
another.
You're sure you don't mind being
left, Miss Nader" she interrogated,
turning to me. I'm very sorry
things should have turned out so I'M
fortunately; if this had not been a
bridal parry, and both bride and
bridegroom such very old friends
certainly should not have accepted
the invitation"
"Oh, l don't mind in the least; and
/ should have been very sorry for you
to remain ut home on my account.
Mr.. Newstead joined her and the
next minute the carriage came to the
door. Mrs. Newstead turned on the
step to kiss her little ones.
II feel as if | ought not to leave
you even now" sne said. Il wish
we had had cab, as at first propos-
ed, and had left Hewitt at home"
You need not trouble yourself
about me-" returned, smiling at the
idea of being afraid where there is
nothing to fear. Mrs. Newstead said
goodnight to us, and, when III the
carriage, called out:
BE sure you don't sit up. Miss
Wade, as don't suppose we shall be
home before two or three in the
morning, and have my latch-key."
and the children stood and saw
them drive away, and then. after Sc.
curing the door, we drew round the
fire to tell stories. Meta seated
herself on one side, and Hugh on the
other, while little Nelly nestled in my
arms.
Now, Miss Wade, dear, please to
begin--something about when you
were little girl, you know.
"And please to begin with Once
upon time,' because they sound
more like real stories when you do"
smiled at their eagerness and be-
gan, "Once upon time" when |
was interrupted by a knock at the
door.
Bother the door I" exclaimed
Hugh.
put Nelly down and answ cred it.
II proved to be lady.
II am sorry to intrude so late, y
she sale pleasantly, "5u. in passing
the house this afternoon saw 1t was
to let; will you kindly tell me the
rents"
"'l'm sorry / can't oblige you as ]
don't know what it is, and both MIR.
and Mrs. Newstead are out.
.Oh, dear-I wish had called
earlier. | should have done so, but
do not care to trouble people un-
necessarily, and did not know until
/ had spoken to my husband whether
he would like the location"
II am sorry also, as Mrs. New
stead could answer any question you
might ask; and know they are anx
ious to let it. as they leave in few
days"
.Ah, then, we could come at once
that is just what would suit rs
Would you kindly let me see over i
tonight! We are going up to Lon
don by the first train in the morning
and may not have another oppor
tunity. Ii / think 1t will do, al
money matters can be arranged BY
letter"
Gould you postpone your journey
for an hour or twos would SC
much rather you saw Mrs. New
stead"
.And would much rather SEE
her; but it is impossible to postpone
our Journey, as my husband has to
meet his solicitor on important bust
ness at eleven o'clock, aud do moi
care to travel alone"
Still / hesitated.
You surely do not fear to TAKE
me over the housef / am very anx
ious. as you perceive, and l will tel
YOU why. We are in lodgings; 1t
see the house and like II. ! dom
think my husband will mind wha'
rent he pays, and We can give ouI
landlady q months notice tomorrow
before leaving. We shall be away
fortnight, and that will give US fort
| night after our return 10 get the HOUSE
into habitable order before entering
it."
"But surely . fortnight would Lo'
make much difference to you! u
you might arrange to return . LITTLE
earlier from London; SO that 1t need
only make . difference OF . few
days"
/ felt an unaccountable reluctanc.
| TO take her further than the door
though she was evidently lady
| both her manners and dress proved
that
Il viii tell you another reason,
she said, after . moments pause. =
am expecting q baby, my frs. IN tht
beginning Of January. and ] am anx
ious that my darling should be boru
IN : house Of his own
| understood nov Why ohe va
Ianxious. and heoitated 20 IonRog.