The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1886-06-04
SUSPECT ID.
FROM THIRD PAGE.

Countess, and that he would not do
Lady Gladys wears. the black velvet dress
she generally wears in the evening. 1t is ex-
ceedingly becoming to her white arms and
neck, and to her very far soft hair. Tonight
she wears ivory earrin IS and al ivory chain
and lochet round her throat Miss Middleton
wears her favorite colors, white and scarlet.
This little lady looks rather dts'ytite also,
but it Is not because Lord II riot is not pres
ent. 1t Is because she is fam to confess her
self beaten for once in her life, and that by
a poor p2nnless sizar, without a second coat!
She has III last given up all hope of subduino
Herewards stubborn heart Horfascinations
had never taken effect after So long period
as has intcrpo5ei since she first brought them
to bear on this errint knight. There was q
good deal OF pque consequent on this dis
coVery, at first, but it has since worn avay
and she Is content to be his friend, if more
than her friend he will not be- Bat the next
feeling consequent on the discovery is II too
late remorse for the lover who had succumb-
ed without any conditions of surrender
The red drawing-room is more brilliantly
lighted than usual tonight. This is another
fancy of the Countcsss. She has aclnowl
edged hope that Lord Heriot will arrive be-
fore the evening is over.
Miss Middleton asks Hereward to SING.
The Countess likes to hear him sing, and
they think it will divert her thought a little.
Mr.. Cartwright hates to see Hereward seat
himself at the piano. and for that verv rea
son perhaps Hereward likes to do it. And
Lady Gladys comes to the ottoman near the
piano to lis,cn
This enrlges Cartwright, and he follows
her sulkily. But it gives Hereward an i'm
petus which astonishes himself He sings
the ''Stirrup Cup" and as he sings he raises
his eyes to meet those of Lady Gladys Paili-
ser. She is looking at him. and Mr.. Cart
wright is looking at her. Hereward holds
her gaze with his till the verse is finished
and then, striking the last notes of the ac-
compartment, he rises from the piano and
walks away to the window. The curtains
have not yet been dawn, and without lies
black and silver moonlight picture of the
lake and distant woods.
Miss Middleton takes takes possession Of
the piano when Hereward leaves it. and sings
through her repertoire. The music prevents
the Countess from hearing and being excited
by every sound in the house. But while she
is singing the door OF the drawiny-room
opens quietly, and a man in gray comes into
the ROOM
'.Blount!" cries the Doctor. and Hereward
turns from the window with very glad sur
prise to meet his frienL
After shaking hands with Hereward. Blount
turns to the Countess.
II came down from the north this morn
ing, he explains, land thought 1 should get
out at klngsleigh just to wish Heriot many
happy returns. Where is hep"
He has glanced round the room in search of |
his cousin to no purpose.
''He is i'll town, the Countess saws. turn. |
ing anxious eyes on the mantelpiece clock, I
81 had hoped he would have been here to-
night, but 1t is too late to expect him now.
Have you had anything to eat? Then 90 !
down at once to Purcell. There is supper /
waiting in the little dining-room, by happy |
chance )" and the Countess smiles with her ,
old gracious sr4ue.
bsount does not want supper however, I
and, with laughing apology for his morn
ing coat, makes himself at nome in five min J
utes.
He looks very we'll, and as stout as ever
Hereward listens to his gay voice, and is glad
to hear it gay. Blount and Miss Middleton
have met without any very precep:ible emo
ton beyond an added color in Biounts face
She merely turned on her music stool and
returned his greeting with the careless indif-
ference of practiced coquette.
The singed moth is a great acquisition to
to the party. He and Lady Gladys have
been friends from childhood, and have plenty
to say to each other. He takes chair be-
4 side her ottoman and monopolises her en-
tirely Lady Gladys turns to him with an
cir of relief. and MIR. Cartwright finds that it
is late, and goes home to Nettlewood in O
particularly surly hurnor. Blount treats him
very coolly; but when he is gone he takes
Lady Gladyss diamond-decked hand in his
and stoops his head 70 whisper some laugh
ing words into her ear. Then great shadow
falls on her bright face, and she does NOS
smile or look happy again that night
The next day Hereward does not see much
Of his friend. After breakfast the Countess
sends for him, and keeps him with her all
the morning. And after luncheon the girls
make him go with them on a round OF Visits
in the pony carriage. Blount likes that kind
of thing leaning back lazily while Lady
Gladys stools" her pretty grays along the
shady roads. Perhaps he also likes to Look
ct the laughing dark eyes under the wreath
of dog-roses and gauzy net opposite AT All
events Horeward has no company that Gay
except his books.
At about three o'clock in the afternoon
Hereward grows very weary of this silent go
ciety, and betakes himself to the river. BE
often spends hours in the little boat on the
reach below the mill Sometimes Miss Md
dleton and EVE come down for row. and.
if Hereward does not greatly care for THIS M
terruption of his reveries, he is at leAst ga
liant enough to keep his feelings locked n hS
owr breast
The weather has been for some days pAH
almost summer-hke in its warmth ana SOFT