Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1884-11-26

sequences of rash act, am sure, and
will will There is no secret; my lady
only shrinks from an exhibition. | have
made no promises; shall be doing M
wrong"
; Having arrived at this decision, Janet,
nez consideration was how to convey the
information to Roland Cavel.
She had left him il the small drawing
room, but he might not be there now; and
if he was, she could not summon courage
to visit him again so soon, lest she should
set the servants gossipping.
In this dilemma, an idea occurred to her,
she would go out into the village foI
awhile, and send word to Roland Cavel
that she had altered her mind, and was go
ing to do his errand, instead of entrusting
it to some one else.
He would surely understand what she
meant by the first sentence, and the con-
cluding words would serve to disarm
any suspicion which she might uncon-
sciously raise in the mind of the messen-
ger.
i Accordingly, she hurriedly put on her
hat and jacket, and ran downstairs, intend
ing to give her message to the first person
she met
i And that person happened to be John,
the footman.
"Hallo, Miss Janetp' cried he in sur
prise; ''you did give me a start, to be sure!
I thought you were shut up from our gaze
until after the poor lady was buried. and
here you are dressed for walk, and look
ing as spry, as spry!'
eyes, john" answered Janet, blushing;
81 am obliged to go out, though not in a
mood to do so. Mr.. Cayel wants something
done.''
"Ohp' ejaculatad the footman. '1n the
village, if I may presume to ask?"
Janet nodded, for she did not like to say
yes.
'tDear me! And why did he not send
one Of the men, I wonder?' remarked
John.
81 cannot say" replied the lady y's-maid.
s1 certainly thought he might have chosen
some other messenger, when I showed my
disclination to go; but now I think breath
of fresh air will do me good; and I want
you to tell him that have altered my mind
and will do his errand, so that he need not
take the trouble to instruct any one else.
Will you carry this message, John?''
Certainly, Miss Janet" replied John,
-"certainly."
"And, John,' continued Janet. 81
shall look into the lodge on my way back,
and perhaps take bit of supper with the
keepers wife; in which case I shall not be
home until after DARK
"Then may I have the honor of escort
ing you home, miss?" said John.
eff you like, John, replied Janet, hurry
ing away.
She would rather have dispensed with
his company but by accepting his offer she
thought he would the more readily carry
her message.
| And she had not miscalculated. John,
pleased by her assent, immediately sought
Roland Cavel, and repeated Janet's words
with an accuracy which served the rur
pose she intended.
| Although Janet had led the inquisitive
footman to infer that she was going into
the village, she did not venture beyond the
park gates. Naturally she felt she would
not like to do 80 until after the funeral; so
she loitered hither and thither, in the drives
and the foot-paths, gathering wild flowers
for memorial wreath.
| Janet's thoughts we're very sad as she
thus employed herself, for the lovely girl
could not help dwelling upon the future.
Even though Lady Maud had assured her
| that she would not have to seek another
mistress, she could not refrain from won
dering how she was going to live, and
where she would find a new home.
Many tears dropped like dew upon the
flowers as she made her reflections; and
with many sighs did she murmur again and
again the wish that the thread of her old
life had not been broken.
| al hOul Ps@oOSo III eAAAo V6JS fshA e'iSh
she sauntered towards the lodge, where
she found Mrs. Lane in the midst of pre-
parations for the mournful ceremony which
was approaching.
ssOnly few tarts, my DEAR" said Mrs.
Lane, in case anyone should drop in. Of
course there'll be sight of people to see
the procession, for it's not every day that a
peeress is buried, and belike some of my ac-
quaintances may take. the opportunity of
coming to see me. Not that am the least
Indifferent to my lady's goodness" added
che dame wiping her eyes with her foury
hands. "I'm sure do regret her so sim
cerely that she's never been out of my mind
since she drew her last breath; but all the
same we can't starve when we're in sorrow,
and what's to be done must be done, even if
| there's corpse in the house; so go and
make yourself comfortable and at home in
the front room until I'm finished. shan't
be long. You'll find 'Baxter's Saints
Rest and Bible, and Bow Bells Nov
elette' on the little table, SO you can take
your choice. I dare say you are fond Of
reading, as my lady gave you such good
education; and, dear, if you don't mind an
swering the gate-bell for me, Pd be much
obliged. There's been a lot of gentry send
ing or coming to know when the funeral is
to be, and I've been good deal hindered
by their curiosity. You won't have any
objection to tell the next inquirer it's on
Saturday, at 8 o'clock, will you?''
"Certainly not" said Janet; and she went
into the front room and sat down in the
pleasant window seat to watch for the next
inquirer.
She did not watch long. In a few minutes
a handsome young man on horseback rode
up to the lodge gate and Janet Immediately
recognized the owner Of the next estate,
Sir Wilfred Pearson.
She had often seen the young Baronet
from her window when he came to visit
Lady Maud or Roland Cavel, but he had
never had an opportunity of looking at her.