Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1885-06-04
WHAT SHE SAID TO HIM.

1t was at the close of a sultry day in
the height of the London season, and
She was sitting in her dressing-room,
with her feet perched upon another
chair in front of her, and her hair
streaming over her white roJe-de-cham-
6re, enjoying herself in the most femi-
nine manner in the world.
The closed yenetians, through which
came the scent Of stocks and nigno-
nette, blooming outside the open Win
dow. were just beginning to darken
The room little as maid entered to
present her mistress with card She
took it and glanced at the superscrip-
ton, changed color ever so slightly, and
said between her teeth, AT last. "
Then She turned to the servant.
is this gentleman waiting?n
Yes, ma ami l said you were en-
gagged, but he wouldn't take an an
swer, so | showed him into the draw
ing-room.
VERY good! Say will be down di-
rcctly. Raymond to her maid, ''you
must fasten up my hair, or stay; get
out my dress, and | will do it myself -
Without curling it again, ma amp"
in tone Of dismay.
Yes! any way; what does it signify?"
She commenced hurriedly TO twist
the fair coils about her head but made
q mess Of it,
oh! pardon me, ma am, but that
will never do exclaimed the Mortified
Raymond as She took the task into her
own hands. re not doing Justice
TO yourself, a'am; and rs for the GEN
tleman, I'm sure | don't know what
hc'd think
at IS of little matter!" She said,
openly; and then She thought to her
SELF is it possible that | can be such
fool as to permit my hands to
tremble?"
The heat of the day is too much for
you, ma am, remarked the abigail as
She glanced inquisitivcly at the rehec-
ton of her mistress in the glass. Dear
me! how white. you do look"
Green yenetians are not generally
supposed TO improve ones complexion.
Raise the blinds. Raymond, and give
me the dress | wore yesterday alter
noon.
The old black one, ma'am?''
Yes! | must change directly for
dinner"
Your new blue silk would do nicely
for both, and save you the trouble of
dressing twice" suggested the lady's
maid.
But She made no answer, unless it
were conveyed by throwing the cd
black dress over her head and Shout
ders.
Now for the cuffs and collar" cried
the maid briskly, thinking her mistress
must be in hurry to be of. But she
had sunk down into the chair again, as
il no one were waiting her presence
below.
''Wiil you wear them plain or en-
broidcred, ma'am?"
Anything that comes first, Ray
mond
Heres lovely point lace tie, or
perhaps the Nalencicnnes set with the
ribbons will brighten you mp Bit"
Still no answer came from where
she sat, although when She had knot
ted the point lace carc!essly about her
throat, she dragged herself to her feet
and went slowly downstairs.
~ never knew lady take so little
care OF her looks in my life before,
remarked Raymond conlidentially to
the first listener she could procure.
"She has gone down to meet that gem
tleman with her things thrown on her
anyhow. Who is he, Jane? a stran-
gcr?'
IL never saw him before, said Jane.
'.Wcll! You've been here over two
years, SO J suppose he must be- What's
his namc?'
II didn't catch it. lie mumblcd so;
but it's OH the card. "
They found the card cast carclessly
upon the toilet table, and examined it
with their heads close together.
Lord Vincent Prendergast.
''.S lord! Lor'?' exclaimed Ray
mond, INC must be q stranger, or we
should have been SUR TO hear the
name. And fancy her going to see him
in that old black dress! could cry to
think of it. And after keeping him
such time too. Wei, person rs can
DO that don't deserve to know lords;
that's my opnioun'
Meanwhile she had descended the
staircase, and stood outside the draw
ing-rOom door. Her face was very
pale and still-only her eyes glowed
with inward excitement and her
mouth. usually SO mobile, bore look
of fixed determination. rs though she
knew her courage was about to be
tried. She did nor stand there long.
One moment more, and the handle of
the drawing-room door was turned
sharply and euc-gctically, and she
stood in the presence of her visitor
He was u fine soldier-like man in APP
pearancc. standing with his back to-
ward her, looking out of the window,
and much disposed TO chafc at his
heightened solitude. At the sound of
her entrance, he turned and came for
ward to meet her, with a confident
smile and outstretehed hands.
.'Mariou!' he exclaimed. with Il
warmth which he evidently expected
her to initiate. But she did not smile.
nor quicken her pace to meet him, and
the hand She placed in his was cold
and pulseless.
Chow do you do?' she said, in the
most commonplace manner possible.
And then she seated herself, and waited
fer him to open the conversation. He,
looking disappointed and somewhat
perpleXed, stood for n moment as
though uncertain what TO do, then, fol-
lowing her example, took the chair OPP
posite to her own.
81 suppose" he said presently, with
n wistful glance, ''that you heard of
my return from Malta.
Il knew your regiment was ordered
home. did not know till your card
was brought to me thatit had arrived. "
That is because we only landed last
Monday. Yours is the first house |
have called at, Marion
"lndeed!'
"YeSl You know, perhaps must
have read in the papers-all that hap
pened to me in Malta.
do you allude TO the death of your
wife,"
''Yes! poor AZ. es! 1t happened eight
months ago and more. l concluded YOU
would see the announcement, or |
should have sent you word.
There was no need.
"She faded very slowly, poor thing!
She was an excellent wife to me.
"a most excellent wife. You have
every reason TO regret her.
"And yet Marion, YOU must know
YOU must feel-what my life has been
to me.
At that she raised her eyes. and
looked him steadily in the face, al
though her lip trembled.
.'Ilow long is it since we parted,
Lord Vincent?" she said
.Tcn years! ten lengthy miserable