Springfield globe-republic. (Springfield, Ohio) 1884-1887, 1885-02-08

should have been afraid to get myself tied
up at the registry office to a woman who'd
a broken the law and married her head aunt's
e husband, - that she might get the better
chance OF poisoning him, and working on
him t. leave her all his money. No. I'm no
coward, Lily-don't you fancy l am one
Why, you've murder in your face now,
woman! Can't you take joker
He finished with an uneasy laugh, and
: , edged further away from her, as with a con-
rulSive violent movement she sprang from
her seat. His words recalled her to herself,
She clasped her hands tightly over her head,
and murmurnS:
"Murderl Is it murder!" got herself away
out of the room before he could goad her
further.
A few days after this Mrs Kesterton sent
out invitations for an evening at home"
Sue had come to the end of her list and
heaved a sigh Of satisfaction with a sense Of
duty done, when she suddenly remembered
that she had forgotten the pleasant, elderly
woman who had been introduced to her at
Mrs Hale'S luncheon.
There were two of them; I didn't catch
their names did youf she asked her hus-
band
Twas Hardy, or Halton, or some name
OF that sort, he answered carelessly.
80, failing to get the requisite Information
from him, the hospitabIe mistress Of the
Lake hou q iuclossd blank invitation card
| 10 MIS- hale, with the request that she
| would ill it in with the names of the two
agreeable maiden ladies-sisters-whom she
| Nlrs. kestcrton) had had such great pleas-
ure in meeting, but whose names had un-
fortunately escaped her memory.
In due time the invitation reached the
! Miss Earyeys, and the elder sister was duly
delighted at the receipt of it But Miss
! Cynthia manifested an unaccountable aver
| sion to going to tbs Lake house under any
| circumstances
Don't try and persuade me- for your per-
suaSions will all be thrown away" she said,
with what appeared to her sister 20 be un-
necessary vehemence Il only hope NAV
never set eyes on that woman again,
why" Miss Harvey questioned
That am not going to tell you"
Then consider you most weakly not to |
say wickedly, prejudiced," Miss Harvey
said, with greater air of severity than she |
had ever before assumed toward her sister
Its cruel Of you to say that" Miss Cynthia |
said emotionally; but though her tones were |
wavering her intention apparently was not,
for she held to it stoutly for several DAYS.
But on the morning of the day the close of
which was 10 witness the festivities at the
Lake house, Mrs Hale-privately instructed
by Miss Harvey-brought her forces to bear
upon the contumacious lady. To stay away,
when she had not the plea to urge of either
illhealth CT previous engagement, would,
the doctors wife affirmed, have a very
strange, not to say uncharitable and suspi-
cious, appearance in the eyes of all those who
knew she had been invited Besides, what
was there-what could there be about y 70 |
keSterton to make Miss Cynthia shrink from
her.
Briefly and emphatically Miss Cynthia re-
piled:
Heaven knowsn
You will spoil your sisters pleasure en-
tirely by remaining away; it's not like YOU
TO indulge a selfish caprice at the cost Of her
happiness" Mr.. Hale urged
oh If you could let me alone in this
natter Miss Cynthia cried rather wildly:
"im frightened and miserable enough al. |
ready" She checked herself, and added
more calmly: Think me selfshly capri
cious my dear old friend, if you will, only
don't drag me to do what my very soul re- ,
volts at.n
Dear Miss Cynthia, you alarm me-" Mrs
Hale cried with genuine concern "Do YOU
Knows it p Jssible that you can suspect
anything against that charming woman's
Character
Il pray to heaven may never set eyes on
that charming woman again." Miss Cynthia
said fervently. ,
"Really, you make me uneasy in spite Of ,
my own conviction that everything Is gu ite !
right about the kestertonS," said Mrs Hale ,
IN vexed tone. TO be sure, he is not very ,
polished In conversation. but he looks well,
md one can't have everything However, t
1ou have made me uncomfortable, Miss c
Cynthia, and l can't help feeling that you J
ire not acting with your sual kindly tact
md consideration"
"lf Cynthia is so obstinate / shall not 90 S
,ither, and have looked forward 90 this a
ven'ng with greater pleasure that ever t
ooked forward TO any party since my girl 4
hood" Miss Harvey said resignedly, and at n
his Miss Cynthia gave way and piteously d
nnounced that she would do as they pleased. n
After making this concession she strove to v
ut a cheerful face on 1t, and took as much 4
rouble III arranging her toilet for the even
ng as even her sister could desire
w rs II any thought OF its being the anni- =
-erSary of poor, old Uncle Edwards death b
hat made you so unwilling to go to Mrs. a
AeSterton's tonight, Cynthia" Miss Harvey b
skei when they were dressed and awaiting h
he fly which was to take them to the Lake :,
ouse.
Dear me, no! 1t is the 14th of January. n
had quite forgotten it," Miss Cynthia re- s'
lied simply. b
And then with sinking of the tone and a a
eating OF the heart that was entirely un- N
Inspected by her sister, she got into the car II
iage and to the the Lake house II
-
Mrs. kesterton was in splendid FORM
nat night All the men assembled vowed p
nat she was so, and all the women COM tc
tented upon the matchless taste with which NJ
er dress was devised to display her beauty. ia
A perfect hostess, robly planned" they all q
eclared her to be, and in the general salts W
action no one noticed how i'll Miss Cynthia =,
Iaryey looked, or how uncontrollably nerv- -
Us she seemed. In
Refreshments at l27 had been the unas- W
Inning notification on the invitation cards, oc
} that the many were surprised to find an
ordered banquet served at IN
'ore Of small tables that would seat four per- nv
ms each, IN the large dining-room =
Its a custom learned in France where '"
'ent my whole life till | came to the Lake
Ouse" Mrs keStertoh said unblushingly to 81
lose who compliment,d her on the arrange nc
tent; -four people mrst be stupid indeed if nc
ley can't get genial and amusing when | M
rouglt together at dear, little round | a.
'ell-spread table. DR.. Hale. will you COM -
etc tn party at nv tablef' We
Undoubtedly will. FL fetch the lady nc
hose interests Eve promised to attend TO Wi
lring the solemn hour of supper" he said, Sc.
he walked away in search of Miss Gym ia
lia. ra
1t was in vain, when she found what was yo
be her destination, and who was to be her -,
SAWS that she protested she did not w
ant any supper, and would rather stay oi
one in the de,erted drawing room. Dr. tu
ale blithely disregaried her reluctance, his
4 her to and planted her in a chair opposite ia
their brilliant hostess, and proceeded TO
Joy that lady conversation, together with
e good things she had provided -,
As he sat between the two ladies at the 'u
und table he had full view of their
ces, and looking up suddenly, he was stag VIC
red to see that Mrs. kesterton had look trr
terror in her face, while Miss Cynthia's no
Dre an expression of uncomfortable horror exi
fore he could speak however, the latter .
tn a cry that was almost a shrek flew
Dm the room. my
With haSty apology to his hostess, DR. ed
ale followed his old friend, Miss Cynthia lio
found her in the ladies' cloak-room hud. des