The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1886-05-21
GLOW can prevent the catastrophe? ?"

by clutch1nS at me when you see me dis
appearing from view"
IF have your forgiveness beforehand for
such unceremonious behaviour"
Zone cannot mind ceremony when it
comes to be matter of life and death"
eff you look at the expedition in that
light, l would strongly advise you to stay a:
home"
Would you, indeed ?" Miss Middleton re-
peats suspiciously. ''Am 1 to understand
that as Il Lint that you do not ardently desire
my company?
''Do you not? If there is anything I hate
III the world, it is those people who say they
tell the trurh ut any cost Il gives them an
opportunity OF saying all kind OF rude things,
and that is WHY thcy do it. Gladys, will you
wait for me =
Most assuredly Bat don't be too long,
dear Tie san So soon disappears, and then
the cold is intense"
Hercwari is allowed to carry basket, and
Miss Middleton, III her gray no1nespun, de-
Ties the snow and it's unbecoulin5 properties,
and laughs merrl.y when she sinks into the
snowlrifGs. AMI holds ont her Lands to Here
ward to be exrracilted therefrom. He has
only one hand ut liberty to assist her, but it
is ii strong determined hand, able to pull
against any superlncuIuOenC weight of SNOW.
Lady Gladys in her fur cap walks a little
in front, not talking much, but turning her
head now and then to reply to her friends
gay chatter. Her bright cheeks, her bright
hair, her beautiful cold eyes, her velvet dress,
are thrown out pictmesquely by the dazzling
background Of the snow. Hereward is NOT
too much engrossed by his companion to
watch her-to admire her, perhaps.
The village is some five minutes walk
even through the snow-frOm kingscourt,
and it is reached by sharp descent through
the plantations above the lake. Here Here
ward leaves the two ladies, and betakes him
self to the post office. He has written to
wish his friend merry Christmas, and to
tell him any news he thinks may interest
him. He does not tell him that Miss Mid
dleton is beguiling her tediousness at his
Hereward's -expeuse, but he does tell him
what he has heard concerning himself, and
also tells him for his consolation-that IL
certain prophetic saying OF his is coming true,
and that he ought to practice the wisdom he
preached.
Hereward does not wait the return of his
companions in the village. He goes home
through the woods. He meets the new game
keeper near the stile lea ling out of the woods
ON to the lawn. He is "a surly looking young
fellow, handsome enough i'll Il rather highly
colored way, with black eyes and eyebrows
n fresh complexion, and curly black hair.
He carries gun in the hollow of his arm,
and five or six half-trained dogs follow at his
heels AS Hereward passes him, he touches
his cap with searching, suspicious glance
from under his shaggy brows-a glance which
rather puzzles the recipient.
Hereward finds another invitation to din
I.
makes people condescending he supposes
else surely the Countess would not request
the pleasure of his company to dinner on two
consecutive evening": He goes upstairs
rather unwillingly to dress for this second
dinner party. He would much rather sit in
the library with his book. But he. cannot
very well refuse the Countessis invitation.
He supposes he is asked to amuse Miss Mid
dleton.
He feels more at home at dinner this even
ing though at no time had he been overpow-
cred in any way by the-to him-unusual
state at Kingscourt. He conformed himself to
circumstances with consummate tact always
Blount had often told him that, laughingly.
Probably it was rather his careless indiffer-
ence than any taking thought which made
him appear always so thoroughly self-pos-
sessed.
He does not take Lady Gladys in to dinner,
Mr.. Cartwright has that honor. But he can
see her, between two tall frosted silver eperg-
nes whenever he raises his eyes she sits di-
rectly opposite him, beside Mr.. Cartwright.
Evening dress is terribly trying to that gen.
tleman, it makes him look so exactly like a
waiter Lord Heriot looks to disadvantage
also in it, but with difference.
81 saw the prettiest little girl to-day that
I have ever seen in my life, Lord Heriot re-
marks, while Purcell fills his glass.
Didn't I tell you sol" exclaims Doctor
Jones, rubbing his hands, as is his wont in
moments of excitement. Didn't l tell you
so? You've been down to the mill p
eyes Cartwright and 1 walked home
that way, and called in to hear old Tratha-
ways grievance The roof is certainly in a
bad way"
''But is she so very pretty 2" Miss Middle
ton inquiries.
stunning, assure you? A regular
beauty there is no mistake about that. And
she knows it us we'll as 1 do"
81 am dying with curiosity to see her.
How did you manage to have an interview"
Every easily. We walked straight into the
kitchen, and there she was, peeling apples,
or something of the kind.
''Is she dark or fair ?"
81 really can't say, but she's awfully pref
ty."
''She has red hair" Mr. Cartwright re-
marks, delicately disposing of two or three
grapes.
''And do you admire her ?" Miss Middleton
turns to him, laughing.
''No she's too prononcee to suit my taste.