The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1886-03-26
A PASSIVE CRIME.
BY THF DUCHESS.
CHAPTER Nv.
IN THE ROW.

=
its busy round, and casting his warm
beams on rich and poor, simple and
wise, alike. - =
The Row is crowded-filled to over
flowing with the gayly-dresSed thrOng
that has come out to bask in the glad
warmth of the sunshine, and revel in
the sense of wen-being engendered by
the softness and sweetness of the rush
ing breeze.
The heaven shows lively art and hue,
OF sundry shapes and colors new,
And laughs upon the earthv'
a faint languor, born of the increas-
ing heat, pervades the air.
But for the gentle wind that dances
gayly hither and thither, wooing with
its tender touch each thing il passes
the heat would be almost tinsuppOrtable.
The occupants of the chairs seem
drowsily inclined, and answer in soft
monosyllableS those with energy suffi-
cient left to question them.
One old lady, unmindful of the car
rlageS that pass and repass incessantly,
has fallen into sound and refreshing
slumber, made musical by snores low
but deep.
The very loungers on the ratings
nave grown silent, as though speech is
irksome, and conversation not to be
borne, and content themselves with
gazing upon the beauty that is carried
by them as the tide of fashion ebbs and
flows.
y dark green Victoria. exquisitely ap-
pointed, and drawn by two bright bay
ponies, claims, and not at all unjustly,
the very largest share of attention.
Not so much the Victoria perhaps as
Mrs. Neville, to whom it belongs, and
who is now seated in it, with her adopt
ed daughter beside her.
Miss Neville. as usual is faultleSSly
attired i'll some pale fabric, untouched
by color of any sort, and is looking
more than ordinarily lovely.
Her large dark eyes, blue as the deep
car violet, and tinged with melancholy,
are in perfect harmony with the cream
colOred hat she wears.
y little suspicion of crimson adOTns
each cheek. Her lips are parted.
She seems indeed a very phantom of
delight.
"A lovely appaTitiOn sent"
not so much tobe amoment's s ornament
as q lasting JOY.
There is Dick Penruddock," said
Mrs. Neville, suddenly. Il want to
speak to him."
Leaning forward, she says something
to her coachman, and presently the
carriage is drawn up beside the railings,
and, with smile and nod, Mrs. Ne
vile beckons the young man to her
side.
1t is quite a month since that night
at the opera. where Penruddock first
saw Maud Neville month full of
growing hopes and disheartening fears.
At first. Mrs. Neville had been averSe
Ito the acquaintance altogether, bearing
a strange grudge to the very name of
PenruddOck, as she held it responsible
for all the ills that had befallen her be-
loved sister.
She had scOlded Wilding in her harm
less fashion as severely as she could
scold any one for having brought one
of those people" as she termed them
within her doors, more especially the
boy who had succeeded to the property
that should by right have belonged TO
the little Hilda, her dead sisters only
child.
But time and Dick Penruddock' S
charm of manner had conquered pre-
judice and vague suspicion; and Mrs.
Neville, after many days. acknowledged
even to herself that she liked the young
man-nay, almost lOUed him, in spite of
his name and parentage.
Just now he comes gladly up to the
side of the Victoria and takes her hand,
= and beams upon her, and then glances
past her to accept with gratitude the
milton that Miss Neville is so cOnde-
scending as to bestow upon him.
"Such a chance to see you in this con-
fusion!" saws Mrs. Neville, kindly
"And can you come and dine tO-nighti
1t is short notice, of course, for such a
fashionable boy as you are; but L really
want you. and you must come"
"If you really want me, | shall OF
course cOme-your wishes are com
mands not to be disputed says Pen
ruddock after a seconds hesitation
wherein he has decided on telling a
great fib to the other people with whom
he is in duty bound to pass his evening
"3ut your dance
"Is later on-yes. But | have two Ol
three old friends coming to dine, anC
they are very charming. of course, ant
quite love them, you VIII understand
but old friends, as rule, are Just tht
least little bit tedious sometimes. don
: Won think? And | want you to help ms
with them. l may depend upon you?
"Y ON may. indeed"
@Ah. so Maud said, said Mrs. Neville
with a faint sigh of relief.
To know that this pleasant boy VII
/ be on the spot to make conversation
and carry it on when her own power
fail is an ineXpressible comfort TO her
did Miss Neville say that? | die
not dare to believe that she had so goOC
an oDinion of me. To be considered
worthy of trust is very great compli
ment indeed" says Dick. glancing pas
Mrs. Neville again, to gaze SomeWha
wistfully at the owner OF the cream
colored hat.
Rut She. beyond the first slight recog
milton and somewhat naughty lncllna
tion of her small head. has taken no
the slightest notice of him.
She has even turned her head away
and is apparently lost III contemplation
of the brilliant and constantly lncreas
ing crowd around her ~
RUave Won seen the princess, Mis-
Neyille?" asks Penruddock at length
in despair, filled with sudden deter
mination to make her speak, and Z
compel her large, thoughtful eyes q
meet his own. if only for n single in
stant. Rather nice, her ponies, don
you thlnkT ..
Not so highly bred as Mrs. Cable
nor so perfect in any way" returns Mis-
Neville. unsympathetically. letting he
ewes rest on him for a very brief mo
ment. and making him present OF
grave. pleasant. but cold little smile.
After which she turns her head ava,
again. as though deSlrouS OF uropplhi
out of the conversation.
Penruddock is piqued. almost angry
Already he has learned the value
nosition. money. the world S adulatIon
vet this Girl alone treats him W tl ope
GOODNESS and something that borders o
positive avoidance, though she heTsel
is utterly without position. and onl
1IfdeDted 10 Tue poPulAii - = - ~, :.
ENJOYS with both sexes Tor her admit
tance into society.
Two ar three men coming up to tn
Victoria at this moment stay to Spea
To it's occupants, and to all Miss Ne
vile gives the same cold greeting. tn
same frigid, but mdeniably entracint
smile.
PerlaT,s her somewhat nsolent in
difference is her chief charm; or IT ma
be that it lies in the half-mournful dlt
! ,,it,- eVDressive of an everlasting if 5