The Iowa plain dealer. [volume] (New Oregon, Howard County, Iowa) 1867-1895, 1886-11-04

les, and of all the crueltics Of tone, and
of the strange uncanny whispers while
| was recovering from the shock. and
Of the curious scene in Mr.. Bcaufcy's
little room. to bring back to my mind
the assurance that was not the COM
panion merely Of stately and grac-
ious woman. but dangerously enthrall-
ed by . mysterious and decidedly
unwhOlesome influence. Still, The
situation had its charms. not the least
Of which was the notion that in this
strange fashion had actually met at
last the woman who had been SO Curl
ously and 50 disastrously impressed
upon my youthful imagination.
The music and the conversation were
interrupted at last by the opening OF
one of the French-windovs.
Here is Mary said Miss Beaufoy.
still playing, but striking into less
dreamy and poetical vein than she had
previously been pursuing.
rose, and took one look at the girl.
who was fastening the window. It
was very much what had seen before
She seemed to be slender, golden
haired girl, with face as sweet - the
voice that had struck with such COM
fort TO my heart.
She came to me and shook hands.
Il am SO glad you are able to como
down, Mr.. CoplestOne,' she said. We
were afraid you might be seriously in
jured."
Il think 1 ought to have been," /
said; ''and / ought to have apologised
before coming up to the door in flash
of lightning. It's fortunate the cab
did not come up the drive, perhaps"
''My uncle is so particular about
having the gravel kept neat. We have
SO few visitors that Hardy did not use
his discretion about your cab. Unjust
have seemed dreadfully rude"
/ was about to defy all the claims
of veracity, and protest that thought
it the most natural and proper thing
in the world, when Miss Beaufoy broke
in:
Hardy was perfectly right, Mary"
she said, in the manner of an exasper-
ating governess to . naughty child,
HE was obeying orders. There is no
place for discretion in the Natter
Mary was standing close to me.
looked at her, and saw bright spot
burning in either cheek. But she
said nothing.
1 felt angry. Why should she take
this kind of reproof SO tamelyp The
situation was little strained. / en-
deavored to put matters on pleasant
footing by reyerting to the music. The
ladies sang few duets, and Miss For
tesque, at my earnest request played q
little. But there was no pleasure for
me now. Miss BeaufOy was singular
" exasperating, and took and made
opportunities for saying unkind and
unpleasant things in q way which
aroused every feeling Of chivalry with
in me to stand by the patient, gentle
girl. who seemed under some sort of
terrorism which prevented her resent
ing these verbal cruelties and Sights.
Once or twice Miss Beaufoy threw
out very broad hints that Miss For
tescue should betake herself TO the gar
den to cut fresh flowers for the vases.
But when she was about to meekly
adopt the suggestion. l struck in with
some musical proposal which kept her
with us, till at last Miss Beaufoy, APP
parently vexed at the presence of q
third person, moved away from the
piano, saying that she had had enough
Of the instrument for that morning.
II can 60 and cut flowers now. if
you like. Giulia,' said Mary Fortescue
apologetically.
Yes, it ought to have been done be-
fore. was all the answer she received.
MAY come with you. Miss For
tescue?' / asked. IF it will not be
troubling you too much to be my guide
once more"
Il shall be very glad if you will, !"
she said, SO kindly and sisterly.
.Oh, Mr.. Coplestone," said Giulia,
II want to show you the harmonium in
the drawing-room. It's o very fine
toned harmonlum, and we must have
some pianoforte and harmonium
duets"
Il am afraid must beg you to let
me postpone the harmonium," said.
l was thoroughly ANNOYED by her DOM
ineering tone towards her cousin. Il
have Just asked Miss Fortescue to let
me accompany her into the garden. !"
The Basilisk evidently had . temper.
/ saw her flash look of fury upon her
cousin who seemed quite overwhelmed
ct being pitted against her.
.Oh. never mind.' she said timidly,
it doesn't matter at ALL
IF you will excuse me-" said, Il
would rather 90 into the garden; the
air will do me good.
All my distrust came back hundred.
fold. for at this very sensible and
moderate request Miss Beaufoy, l OBJ
served, became as hard and fierce as a
| Gorgon.
''You are making a very uncompl;-
mentary choice" she half whispered to
mo. ''rhat is because you are blind
and Oh, how cruelty she said it!
TO BE CONTINUED.