McCook weekly tribune. (McCook, Neb.) 188?-1886, 1884-01-10

sceud to notice any one. Ills neau Is
usually in the clouds"
"He looks out of place here, and he
feels it. See he is 'sloping off, as you
say. Grahame-I remember the name,
a V. c., is he notP'
"Just 80. A great hero in his way.
but not very amusing companion in
ordinary life. / only know him by
sight, however. But tell me once more,
when and where am ] to see you
againP"
.iis> Elliot was playing with her fan,
and contrives with it to hide the color
that for moment overspreads her face
at this question.
AS she remains silent he repeats 1t
more eagerly.
"You know my hours-I always ride
in the evening this hot weather. to 8
Il shall probably do so Tomorrow"
"To-morrow?" Vane's handsome
face betrays evident disturbance. 81
am afraid | shall be ont Of town. Very
provoking-an old engagement with a
relation"
"Why stoop to prevarication. Sir
Reginaldp" Blanche has risen now, and
her dark eyes are flashing. "You are
your own master. See, mamma is
reckoning to me. Goodnight. You
will find 1t cool and pleasant on the
river tomorrow. And with this part
ing shot she is gone; leaving Vane
looking decidedly foolish, and, what is
worse, unpleasantly conscious that he
is looking so.
"By George!" he soliloquized, as he
lit cigar during his walk to the club.
"How savage she can look when she
pleases! Yet 1 don't know but that L
admire her all the more-a fare-up
, shows off those magnificent eyes and
the very fact of jealousy betrays an in
terest In my movements. Still, the
widow is decidedly pretty-and | have
been down on my luck lately and sadly
need a windfall. And really believe
she is fond of me, dear little soul!'
And Sir Reginald Vane's reflections
not leading him to any satisfactory con-
clusion, the next afternoon finds him at
Waterloo, taking a return ticket to
| Twickenham.
Five minutes walk from the railroad
station brings him to- a charming little
villa, with green lawn sloping down to
the river, while from beneath weep
ing ash 81 dainty little figure, emerging
from the depth of a chaiSe lounge,
comes with hand extended to meet him.
In her cool, white, summer draper
les, and with the Pickering sunbeams
lighting up her great childish blue eyes
and waves of pale golden hair, Mrs.
Fairfax is as pleasant an object as any
man s eye could rest upon. So Reggie
Vane thinks, as, with a sigl. and muir
muir of satisfaction, he sinks upon q
seat by her side, takes off his hat and
helps himself unlimited from the fra
grant pile of strawberries in the basket
near at hand.
"Frightfully hot in London, is it
not?" asks his hostess alphabetically.
s'Even here Queenie and | have been
able to do nothing but lounge about in
the shade and eat strawberries. Where
is the child, by-the-byP"
A tiny counterpart of herself, giving
promise of even greater beauty, here
comes up and presents q tiny hand to
Vane; but when he attempts to kiss
her she shakes her yellow curls over
her face and struggled away.
"Why, Queenie. what have doneP"
he asks, half offended, yet too languid
to go in pursuit of the baby coquette.
The mothers silvery laugh rang out
merrily.
"You forgot to take away the rose
she gave you when you were last here.
Never mind, Queenie, you must for
give him now"
"And WON'T you bring me another
in token of pardonp" as the rosebud
mouth meets his half reluctantly.
Queenie hesitates, but finally conquered
by that winning voice and smile, goes
off in pursuit of the desired gift.
'sAnd now, Monsieur" says the little
woman, leaning back on her cushions,
and surveying the visitor through the
large innocent blue eyes, chow has the
world been using you since last we met?
Come. give an account of yourself.
Where were you last night?"
''Dined at the St. Elmos'. Stupid |
affair, and intolerably hot-and no one |
worth speaking to-"
''Miss Elliot was rot theree" this in
a careless little tone of inquiry.
"No. took in one of the girls of
the house, who had not two words to !
say for herself"
.'And who left the field open for your
eloquence! Come. Reggie, don't be !
cross; take some more strawberries. I !,
want you to amuse me now you are |
here. Where did you 60 afterwards?"
"To couple of stupid brushes
really a harbarous institution IN this
weather. Lady Hetherington' rooms
were tolerably cool, however.
ssAnd you enjoyed yourself thereP
It is. hardly like you to honor an even
ing rout when there is no dancing-un-
less some special attraction tempted
you"
Sand how could that be when you |
were at Twickenham?
lfNLoll fr;ond hut he rdlu |