Mexico weekly ledger. (Mexico, Mo.) 1855-1956, 1885-09-03
''That is my loss, "he said, smiling,

"That is my loss, "he said, smiling,
as he opened the door for her.
''Not if it teach you to take better
care of yourself" she replied with an
implied meaning in her tone which /
failed to understand as she swept out
of the room.
I was delighted with the badinage,
trivial though it had been. 1t at least
proved that Glare was not wholly in
sensible to the attentions of other
men, and the circumstance gave me
hope for the success of my little
scheme.
1 had not visited Wiltshire for
many years, but I still retained vivid
recollection of Its beauties, the quaint
old city of Salisbury, the breezy
downs and that wonderful collection
known as Stonehenge. 1t was natur-
al, therefore, that as Panton and I
sat over our wine the conversation
should revert to the principal features
OF that country, and the producing
powers of its soil, this latter being q
subject in which I take consider
able interest. I was pleased to find
in my companion kindred spirit,
who, recognizing my desire for in
formation on agricultural topics,
1eadily cited the returns yielded to
him by his own property. In his
manner of stating these details, which
to others would probably have appear
ed dry and uninteresting, I discover
ed singular charm and fascination :;
but after little I felt that would
be selfish to keep him altogether to
myself, and accordingly proposed an
adjournment to the drawlng-room.
On entering we found Glare seated
at the piano, where Mr.. Panton at
once begged that she would remain.
AS my daughter was finished musl-
clan, l fastened to second the re.
quest. For my own part, whether
from the excitement of the days ad-
ventures or the excellence of the din
ner l knew not, but no sooner had ]
relapsed into my easy chair than ]
dropped into pleasant slumber.
When 1 awoke Clare was still al
the piano, playing softly, while Pan
ton stood near to her talking in low
voice. As l had no desire to act the
part of eavesdropping-indeed, tht
distance at which I was rendered
such thing impossible-I gave {
preliminary syawn and commenced te
stretch myself ostentatiously. ''Bles'
me-" 1 remarked, looking at my
watch, ''it's getting on to II. How
quickly the evening has passed."
Clare rose and began to put away
her music. Panton crossed to th,
fire place.
''Time goes swiftly in the land o
Nod" he said to me, "but we coul'
have given you long start tonight
and even then have won"
"Mr. Panton must speak for him
SELF" Clare interrupted with sligh
frown.
"Have 1 not done so?" he rejoinet
rapidly. Then he laughed pleasant
ly, and, after an instant's pause, re
sumed: POSSIBLY Miss DENLY find
my views too comprehensive"
"When they make her an involun
tary party to their meaning she Ger
tainly does," Clare answered.
"Ah!" he cried, "it would b
against my own interest to do so,els
1 should be robbed of the pleaslr
of convincing her that they are true.
'Then you must take an oppor
tunity of telling that tomorrow
said, getting up from my place, "fo
I cannot afford to lose my beaut
sleep for the sake of listening to tw
young people talking nonsense"
The next morning passed,as usua
in the study, and in the afternoon, a
the weather continued fine, it occul
red to me that I had not seen my oil
friend the squire for some time.
proposed, therefore, to ride over t
the grange and pay him a visit, an
as Panton suggested that he had lei
ters to write, 1 suggested his maxim
use of the library during my absenc'
, In this he readily concurred, and b.
fore starting l saw him comfortabl
, installed in my place, Clare havin
stated her intention Of going to th
village in order to make some nece'
, sary purchases.
\ 1t was close upon the dinner hot
when I returned, and hastily dres
r ing, I hurried down stairs. tt
lyoung people were already waitin
. for me, and we at once passed int
the dining-room.
The evening was spent much in Il
= same way as the previous one, but
;, thought 7 detected sensible increa
of warmth in Clare's manner towal
Mr.. Panton. As for him, it SCENE
q impossible that anything should stt
his flow of spirits. He talked ince
), sanity, and, I am afraid, great de
!, of nonsense.
ri Next day, as sat reading in n
!. room, he entered in his usual uncer
=, momous fashion. 81 hope / don
disturb you, sir" he said.
'Not at ALL" answered, layil
down my book. 'sTake q seat"