The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1884-09-12
HERVEY DAVBNANT.

Brother Hervey, ! expect visitor, !"
Miss Jane Davenant sold nervously one
morning. as she handed her brother his
third cup of tea. II hope you won't
mind, dear"
"Now, Jane, what's tho use of hoping
any such thing when you know perfect.
ly we'll that / shall mind? ?" Mr.. Daven.
ant answered, with q grim amile and
a shrug of his broad shoulders,
I'm very sorry, dear"
"Very sorry!" Mr.. Davenant exclaim.
ed. "That's SO woman like Jane. Why
do you invite people here? If you
didn't, you would have no occasion to
he sorry, and so escape q very unpleas.
ant mental condition" he added, in on
argumentative tone which his sister
dreaded more than anything else in the
world; for if she were once beguiled
into controversy with Hervey, hel
point, whatever it might happen to be-
was lost.
Il don't like doing anything that
dlspleases you, brother; but in this in.
stance I don't really see how I car
help myself. had q letttr from an ole
schoolfellow, requesting me to give
her"
"There, Jane-pray do not go into ex
plantations. You've had letters from old
schooi-fellows, requesting the same
thing. about every six months for th.
last fifteen years. Have her here by al
means. Illeliminate myself!" Mr.. Dav'
enant said with q certain air. of resigna.
tion. "I'll go to Wales, or Scotland
or anywhere out of reach of your ole
schoolfellowsl"
''Now, brother, that's scarcely kint
of you," Miss Jane declared, with the
faintest semi-tone of Indignation in hel
gentle voice, and something suspicious
ly like tear in her soft gray eyes. 81
do not often have any one come, anG
Miss Treherne will stay only q few
| weeks"
"Oh, only a few weeks" Mr. Daven
ant reioined sarcastically. ttAnt
what is to become Of mo during tha1
time? OF course I shall be neglected
I always am when there's company"
"That's not very often, Hervey."
"No, fortunately. A few weeks, in
deed! No rest. no quiet, no study, lats
breakfast, late luncheon, late dinner
late everything! No, no, Jane! EMO,
your friends society, by all means; b.
happy, my dear, over your Afternoon
tea and mutual "reminiscences of by
gone days; but I'll vanish"
That's just what you must not do
Hervey," Miss Jane replied, with an un'
usual amount of energy. "You must
remain here, brother, and help me Il
entertain Miss Trellerne."
"Help you entertain Miss Treherne
Jane! Well, upon my word, that's the
coolest request I've heard for fifteen
years!" Mr.. Davenant cried, in comic
al amazement.
"It's the only request of the kind I've
made, brother, during fifteen years.
I have respected your wish for seclusion
and fallen into all your habits, and ]
think you might give way to me in this
small matter, Miss Jane said, quietly.
"True, true, sister! I'm very selfish
| "a perfect bear, I know; but then
hate women. You're the only endur-
able one I ever met, my dear; and, in
consideration of your general good be-
havior, I'll make martyr of myself
just this once. I'll stay, and endeavor
to the best of my poor ability to
entertain this Miss Treherne-that's
what you want, is it not? devoutly
hoping that she will not he vivacious,
or intellectual, or philosophical, OF
strong minded, or have missionary
sympathies or agricultural tendencies,
though, after all, as boredom is newt
able, one might 81 we'll be bored one
way or another. When does your friend
arrive, Jane?"
"This evening"" Miss Jane replied,
after consulting letter. II should
like to send the carriage to Hailsham to
meet her."
Certainly, my dear. What time dc
we dine?"
''Tbe same time as usual, of course
brother. Miss Trehernes presence
will make no difference in our arrange
ments, except that we shall use the
large drawing-room instead of the
small"
"Where am I to present myself in
penetential costume at o quarter-past
six, he introduced to your friend, and
hand her into dinner" Hervey said,
with his grim smile. "Ill be there,
Jane, though I would Just as
soon go to the dentist and have my
premolar extracted. You may rely up
on me, sister. And now go and com
mence those mysterious preparation,
which I have witnessed from time Il
time. Harass the cook. worry the but
Ter, torment your maid, fidget yourself
into fit or fever, simply because there
9 woman coming to stay for . few days
Go, my dear, and leave me- to quie
contemplation Of the great event.
Miss Jane, in mute obedience, tool
up her key basket and left the breakfas
room, while her brother threw dow
the Times axd ma1Uhsd - and dow,
the apartaasat j. 8 ~ III soaic con