Springfield globe-republic. (Springfield, Ohio) 1884-1887, 1885-05-24
WHAT SHE SAID TO HIM.

|
streaming over her white rObe-de-chd,n-
bye. enjoying herself In the most femi-
nine manner In the world.
The closed vcnetans, through which
came the scent of stocks and migno-
nctte, blooming outside the open win
dow. were just beginning to darken
the room little rs 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 waitingP'
"Yes, ma am! said you were en-
gagged but he wouldn't take an an
or, so | showed him into the draw
| ing-room."
VERY good! Say will be down di-
rectly. Kaymond!' to her maid, ''you
must fastcn up my hair. or stay; get
out my dress. and will do it myself" "
without curling it again, ma'amp"
in n tone of dismay.
Yes! any way; what does il signifyp"
She commenced hurriedly to twist
the fair coils about her head, but made
| mess of II.
"Oh! pardon me, ma'am, but that
will never do" exclaimed the Mortified
Raymond as she took the task into her
own hands. you're not doing justice
to yourself. ma'am; and as for the gen.
| tlrman, I'm sure l don't know what
| he'd think"
ut is of little matter!" She said,
openly; and then She thought to her.
self '.is it possible that can be such
n fool as to permit my hands to
trcmblep"
"The heat of the day is too much for
you. ma a'am," remarked the abigail as
she glanced inquisitively at the reflec-
ton of her mistress in the glass. Dear
me! how white you do look"
'Green venetians are not generally
supposed TO improve ones complexion.
Raise the blinds, Raymond, and give
me the dress l wore yesterday after
noon"
1.-The old black one, ma'amP'
"Yes! l 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 old
black dress over her head and shoul-
ders.
"Now for the cuffs and collar" cried
the maid briskly, thinking her mistress
must be in hurry to be off. But she
had sunk down into the chair again, as
If no one were waiting her presence
below.
"Will you wear them plain or en-
broidered, ma'am?"
Anything that comes first, Ray
mond."
Here's lovely point lace tie, or
| perhaps the Valenciennes set with the
ribbons will brighten you up Bit"
Still no answer came from where
she sat, although when she had knot
ted the point lace carelessly about her
throat, she dragged herself to her feet
and went slowly downstairs.
II never knew lady take SO little
care of her looks in my life BEFORE"
remarked Raymond coniidcntially to
the first listener she could procure.
tleman with her things thrown on her
anyhow. Who is he. JaneP A stran-
ger?"
IL never saw him BEFORE" said Jane
"Well! you've been here over two
years, so ] suppose he must be! What's
his namcp"
II didn't caech it. He mumbled SO;
but it's on the card"
They found the card cast carelessly
upon the toilet table, and examined it
with their heads close together
Lord Vincent Prendergast."
"a lord! Lor'P" exclaimed Ray.
mond, "he must be a stranger, or we
should have been sure to hear the
name. And fancy her going to sec him
in that old black dress! l could cry to
think of it. And after keeping him
such time too. Well, person as can
do that don't deserve to know lords;
that's my opinion!
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. as though she
knew her courage was about to be
tried. She did not stand there long.
One moment more. and tho handle Of
the drawing-room door was turned
sharply and energetically, and she
stood in the presence of her visitor.
He was fine soldier-like man in ap-
pearance, standing with his back to-
ward her, looking out of the window,
and much disposed to chafe at his
heightened solitude. At the sound Of
her entrance, he turned and came for
ward to meet her, with u confident
In "a ,kokr NOD ksr
'Marion" he exclaimed, with
warmth which he evidently expected
her to initiate. But she did not smile,
nor quicken her pace to meet him, aud
the hand she placed in his was cold
and pulselcss.
chow do you dop" she said, in tho
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 q moment rs
though uncertain what to do. then, fol-
lowing her example. took the chair op.
posite to her own.
II suppose" he said presently, with
wistful glance, THAT you heard OF
my return from Malta."
II knew your regiment was ordered
home. did not know till your card
was brought to me that 1t had arrived"
THAT Is because we only landed last
Monday. Yours is the first house ]
have called at, Marion"
"Indeedr'
"Yes! You know, perhaps-you must
have read In the papers--sll that hap.
pened to me in Malta"
"Do You allude TO the death Of your
wifep"
Eyes! poor Agnes! 1t happened eight
months ago and more. concluded you
vunulA aon b1 o.uo.oouu,o..