The sun. [volume] (Morris, Stevens County, Minn.) 1882-1895, 1886-07-08
LADY BIS BUTLER.

matist who fancies he has every chance
of becoming an Ambassador before
the last OF his short -cropped locks has
deserted him. Mr.. r. has heard of Miss
Nj. as being the owner of a wonderful
ly beautiful diamond necklace and al
so Us possessing more personal at
fractions than are supposed to belong
to any but interesting paupers. Miss
NJ, on the other hand, has been III
formed that Mr.. r. was a very decent
sort OF fellow, with the smallest
amount possible of Foreign Office
swagser. They met for the first time
under Lady BIS roof, and surveyed
each other with mutual interest from
opposite sides OF an elaborately deco
| rated dinner table The necklace came
up to Mr.. RS expectations, but their
owner surpassed them. Not only was
she pretty, but also vivacious and
evidently amusing-not a painted,
dressed up doll like the women beside
him. cot up for admiration, and inca
| pable OF conversation. Not being ac-
customed to admire without some
| sort OF return, he lett the doll
TO the tender mercies of her left
| hand neishbor, and devoted his atten-
ton to Miss Nj. They had grown quite
| friendly over five o'clock tea, and now
exchanged Geographic signs across the
| table about any small episodes that
arose during dinner. Mr.. r. thought
he was getting on, and became so en-
| crossed that hs neglected his favorte
entree, and had scarcely time to do
Justice to the saddle OF mutton. But
when the regulation lce-cream had
| made its round he noticed sudden
| change in the girl opposite to him.
| She turned as white as her own hand
! kerchiei, and leaned back in her chair,
| silent and abstracted with wlde-opeIn
ewes and parted lips. For the rest OF
the time she scarcely talked at all,
and seemed incapable OF rallying; but
she shook her head when he made a
sign that he was ready to assist her
ont of the room, and kept her seat till
the ladies rose and filed slowly through
| the door. He would have given much
to follow them at once, because his
| curiosity was wildly reused. He
was sure there was some mystery be-
| hind the scenes, for she looked as II
| she had received siiock-seen q ghost,
| or discovered an unwlshed Tor frlena:
As soon as he could get away he look
ed around the drawing room, and see
ing Miss M. sitting apart from the otllT
er ladies and turning over the leaves
of a photograph book IN evident pre-
occupation, he made his way to her,
and standing before her, so as to shield
| her from observation. asked In low
voice if he could dc anything for her.
Shelookcd upin surprise. ''lhanKs,
don't want anything
"But you are annoyed or ill, one Oh
the other. | shall never forget yonr
look at dinner"
'Did any onenotice it," eagerly.
"Not q soul, except myself. u
| course, don't wish to force your con
fdence, but if l can be OF any service
to you-
mo one can do me any good" bur
riedly. "Only ! wish to heaven hac
never comen'
passion, for he saw that she was shlver
Ing from head to foot.
"Shall fetch Lady B--?'
"Not for the world. ] would tel
YOU. only you would think me so fool
ish,' looking round to besure that nc
one could overhthr.
~ promise you 1 WON'T" earnestly
as he took a chair and sat dowr
lust in front of her, so that she should
not have to raise her voice. "Pray tel
me-"
cit was only Dream" with thu
ghost OF smile. Last night
thought was being murdered for tn
sake of this necklace" playing nerv
ously with the diamonds round be-
white throat, "and | woke up strug
Cling with a mana man with a ion'
chin and reddish hair. / felt SHOULD
know him anywhere, and / saw hin
to day at dinner with a shudder
"handing the liquors"
"Why that was Bird, the butler
.. You couldn't be afraid of him."
81 am" looking at him with terro
in her pretty eyes. 81 am sure he will
try and murder me tonight. can
20 to bed. ! should never close m.
eyes," and she shivered again.
"You can 60 to bed and sleep in per
feet confidence. / tell you what II
do for you," and Mr.. R. smiled, feelin
that he was making a noble effort
"Our rooms lie on the same corridor
have heaps of letters to write-wors
luck-so that l must sit up, I'll kee]
nv door ajar, which won't benoticed
as there is light in the passage, an
my ears are so sharp that l woul'
| defy any to pass it without my know
ing it. Will that content your"
aYou are very kind; but he nigh
wait till your letters are finished"
"That will make no difference.
promise to sit up till my hot water
brought, Will that satisfy you?
ooh, but that's too much"
"Not at all. Hycu tell me in tn
morning that you've had goo
night" with a pleasant smile. ~ sha
feel amply rewarded; besides l can q
with iers sleep than most people, an
I'm sure to take it out before lunch
con-"
Miss M. expostulated, but he woul
| not listen, being quite excite
} at the idea OF rendering sel
vice to such pretty girl; and whe
the guests separated for the night, an
. he whispered, II haven't forgotten,
! she gave him so charming look
| gratitude that his heart fiuttered hk
! a schoolboy's.
\
Two o'clock A. M, with aecayin
! fire and without the solace OF q pipl
He had written two or three letter
Just to save his conscience, but the e
tort had been SO great that b
wouldn't have begun another to say
his life. In order to reassure Miss NJ
who might be on the lookout, he lei
the smookingroom on pretext OF
headache, and established himself
his room about midnight. Smokir
and sleeping were both out Of the eue'