The Penn's Grove record., 1886-01-23

come to see u.s." returned Ninette,
softly.
"Stern duty took me away" he ex-
planned. "Walter, too, was Ill and had
to be taken abroad. You must let me
tell you all about it after our dance.
Does this remind you of the dance at
Nugent?" he asked, as they took a few
turns.
"a little"
''Only a little! Ah, we could do moth
ing as grand as this out of London"
81 did not mean that" said Ninette,
Indignantly; then, "What a lot OF dis
agreeable people there are here tonight
l do so detest foreigners"
Most young ladies adore them, !"
observed the captain laughing. They
tell me you are quite a fashionable
belle, and have refused inuumer2ble
grand offers. 1t is poor news for a
baronet's son."
"Why?" asked Ninette, opening her
bright eyes widely.
II see society has not spoiled you,"
he said, thinking of the ''why?" she had
asked him once before.
81 think people must get very tired
of society; l do. l wish we were back
at dear old Sumner"
"Or Nugent," he suggested"
Eyes, L should like to see Nugent
again, E" she SAID, simply; "but that is
not likely, you know, now that grand
papa has sold Abbot's Home and come
to live at Sumner Hail."
THAT is news to me. l have not
been down to NugenU yet. 1 arrived
from Italy only two days ago."
81 wanted so much to hear all about
yourjourney and Lady bingham; but r
see Aunt Adelaide looking for n ,,
Please take me to her." so.,
"You scarcely deserve recognition,
SAID Lady Sumner, shaking hands with
Captain Nugent. "Why have you never
been to see us2'
81 have been in England only two
days: but tomorrow, if l may, | will
repair my negligence"
"Yes come to dinner; Sir March has
a few friends, and will be delighted to
see you. Now, Ninette, we must be
going"
'tAdieu till tomorrow, Miss Bel
lalrs,r said Archer taking her hand. 81
did not expect such good fortune when
| accepted Madame's invitation yester-
day, he added, softly.
Good night-Gu reu0ir!" said Min
cite, turning away with a happy face.
1t was a very fine September. and
Ninette thought the sun had
shone so brightly before. There were
a great many people staying at Sumner,
principally Sir March's old sporting
friends and their wives, the exceptions
being Ninette's particular friend Maud
Kingston, the Misses Evelyn, their
brother. and Captain Nugent.
The four young ladies were out on
the lawn awaiting the return of the
gentlemen from shooting, Ninette with
a broad brimmed straw hat secured
under her chin with muslin strings,
and adorned coquettishly at the side
with a Villede Bruxellesrose. She had
a watering-pot in her hand, with which
she was refreshing a stand Of flowers;
Constance Evelyn was assisting her,
while Miss Evelyn and Miss Kingston
were chatting together on a garden
lounge close by.
Are they not later" said Ninette
removing a dead leaf from one of the
plants.
sit is only your impotence, my dear"
answered Constance, lightly.
Are you ready to say obey yetP"
asked Miss Evelyn, who had overheard
her sisters remark.
"What do you mean?"
Miss Evelyn laughed at the bushes
she had raised.
"Why, Ninette, don't you remember
our chat the night before KitIe's wed
ding, and how warmly you took part
in itp"
ooh, yes" replied Ninette, with APP
parent indifference; ''but l cannot see
what it has to do with me-"
"a great deal, l should say obsery-
ed COMFY, looking a'kance at her friend.
''unless you have altered your mind,
and voted obedience an unnecessary
item in the marriage service"
Don't, COMFY. You know | object
to Jokes of that sort," said Ninette,
quietly. ''If the time ver comes that
shall be required to speak those VOWS,
you will find me ready 10 subscribe to
all of them"
"Why, here comes Captain Nugent,"
cried Constance. suddenly. "What
brings you home before the rest OF your
tribe, Captain" she demanded. saucily.
"a strong desire to know what you
were saying about me-" he answered,
laughing.
"What could have led you to Imagine
that we were talking of your" Miss
Evelyn inquired, with raised eyebrows.
The tingling of my ears, which,
they say, betokens scandal"
you must follow another route,
them" said Miss Kingston; you will
fail to discover a trace here"
"What sport have you had?" asked
Ninette coming forward.
individually, bad; collectively good.
| am afraid TO say the number of brace
| heard Sir March count over"
''It has been a lovely day for you"
said Ninette.
"Nonsence," laughed Constance,
merrily. "Don't you know gentlemen
of a sporting turn are Impervious to
weather."
"Our suns were at kome," Captain
Archer said, giving the ladies a sweep
ing bow.
II always understood that luminary
to be of the masculine gender, "remark-
ed Miss Kingston, with a little play OF
the lips.
"Who V e heard Of more than ons
Dan Phebus?" cried Constance, merri-
ly. Fancy the ravages OF the green
eyed monster if there wereP'
81 dreamed Of the sun last night"
said BERTHE Evelyn, who had Joined the
group, looking ardently at Nlnette.
THAT is a sign of riches only" ln-
terpreted Miss Kingston. at is only
Luna who is favorable to lovers" she
added cruelty.
"Ah, WELL" he said awkwardly, re-
turning her shot; "Luna's is a borrow
ed light, you know"
"But we are only stars, Bertle,"
said his sister, gaily, as he retreated.
pray what star are you, Miss Bel
lairsP" inquired Captain Nugent, laugh
lngly. 'As we are going in for astron-
Omy, we had better get our lesson per-
feet"