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

/ "Well SIR" said Janet, respectful,
though there was smile of amusement O
her lips that she vainly endeavored
banish,-''well, sir, what can do for you?
''Do for me?" echoed the Baronet, liftin
his hat. 'Pon my word, Miss Lane, you
appearance has so surprised me, that hay
almost forgotten my message p
"I hope not, SIR" said Janet, quietly.
"Positive fact" replied Sir Wilfred. dis
mounting positive fact, 1 do believe
However, had better make an attempt t
deliver it before it quite slips my memory
Let me see. My mother, Lady Pearson
wished to know whea poor Lady Maud i
to be buried. She has wreath Or some
thing of that sort to send"
"On Saturday, at three O'clock" salt
Janet.
"Ah!'' murmured the young man, refec
lively, eve shall miss her as much as
neighbor, as the poor will her as friend.
81 have no doubt you WILL" said ths
bereaved lady y's-maid, with the tears start
| ing into her eyes; ''but'no one will regret
her loss more than shall. She was very
kind to me-"
'1m sure she would ber' exclaimed Sil
Wilfred, enthusiastically. "She could moi
help it,
Janet gazed at him through her tears,
with wondering expression in her eye.
which made her look more interesting.
You see, you are 80 pretty, Miss Lane,''
explained Sir Wilsred. "AIls. Lane must
be proud to have such a little beauty for a
daughter. By Jove! she must.''
''Sirv' replied Janet, in an Indignant
tone, with blush spreading over her face.
"Lor', sir!" cried Mrs. Lane, who that
moment appeared upon the scene; "she amt
my daughter. amt got no daughter, only
sons-two of them-and a fine couple of
pickles they are, to be sure! only wish as
how Miss Mason were my daughter"
'sMiss Mason? repeated the Baronet.
81 beg your pardon, Miss Mason. I sup
pose you are visiting Mrs. Lanef''
'Just now I am," answered Janet, recov-
ering her usual serenity.
'For long" asked the Baronet, caress-
ing the arched neck of his horse, and pre-
tending not to be the least interested in the
matter
Mrs. Lane was about to reply, but Janet
put her hand on the good woman's arm in
such way that she could not mistake the
meaning of the action.
Il am sure,'' said she, quite coolly, "Sir
Wilfred Pearson only asks all these ques-
tions out of affability; and while we are an
swering him, his horse is getting fidgety.-
Will Lady Pearson send the wreath here,
sir, or up to the house ?''
''Oh, here, of course" replied Sir Will
fred, a little nettled. 'I'll bring it myself. %
every well, sir,'' said Janet, putting her
arm into astonished Mrs. Lanes, and draw
ing her backward, with low courtesy; I'VE
will see that it is taken care of, and placed
on the poor lady's coffin.''
"Umph," growled Sir Wilfred, feeling
that he was dismissed.
sGood afternoon, sir" said Janet.
Good afternoon" he answered not very
amiably, as he rode off at full speed.
'Lor' a-mercy !' said Mrs. Lane, when
the Baronet had disappeared show dare
you do that, Miss Janet?''
81 dare do much more, Mrs. Lane" re-
piled Janet, ''if man is rude"
''But he's a gentleman-one Of the real
old country sort-not a man." demonstrated
the lodge-keeper's wife.
ssAll the same" answered Janet laugh
ing'"we must teach him not to be inquisi-
tive about what does not concern him.
"Well, I'll bet new fardin that he'll be
more inquisitive yet," asserted Mrs. Lane.
81 observed it in his eye. Why, Janet, ]
could see all that was going on, though was
in the kitchen and when he rode up could
see that he was struck all of heap by your
ginteel face. You may laugh, my dear, but
Sir Wilfred got a smack from love, and no
mistake. He'll bring the wreath himself
ha, ha las if there weren't no servant in
Dalemore Place.
81 don't think his mother would like him
to run after a lady y's-maid, if all I hear about
her pride is true," said Janet.
'1m sure she wouldn't" replied Mrs.
Lane, confidently ''but young men don't
consult their mothers about such things.
specially when they are their own masters. -
With a auttering heart, John, the foot
man, called for Janet Mason punctually at
ten o'clock, and Mrs. Lane could not tinduce
him to step inside even for few minutes,
though he certainly could offer no good ex-
cuse for his refusal.
'1 wish you would come in, John," said
Janet two or three times.
But John was deaf even to the voice of
the charmer while it sounded within the
lodge. 1t was SO much more romantic to
listen for her footsteps; and besides, if the
footman went in, that delightful walk which
he expected would be curtailed.
Janet did not keep her escort waiting
long.
Very soon she tripped forth, and placed
herself by his side.
"What a beautiful night p' she remarked,
as she started.
'sBeautifulr' responded John.
Janet's succeeding remarks were received
only with monosylables.
"What are you thinking about, John ?'
inquired the lady s-maid, at last, for she had
never suspected her companion was capable
of meditation.
thinking about, miss?" repeated the
footman, turning his light blue eyes with a
gaze that was meant to be fascinating upon
the object of his admiration-"th thinking
about? Well, since you have been SO good
as to take the trouble to ask, I will make
bold to reply was thinking that walking
with you was great honor"
'Indeed ~ replied Janet, amused. "You
are very kind to say so, John"
"Thank you," murmured the footman
~ have been looking forward to such an
event fort a long time.'
sfReallvF' said Janet