The Opelousas courier., 1886-12-25

anu uQutQ eyes, Sue nau q d lult oA
character and determination. To look
at Mrs. Lennox was to know that she
was a woman who rapidly made up her
mind, and who, once having done SO,
was not likely to alter it. But two
years had passed away since her hus-
bands death, and this nineteenth century
sappho had not consoled herself. And
then had come the Dick Irton episode.
It was a bright morning in June when
Capt. Irton arrived at Charing Cross
Station, thoroughly tagged and wearied
with his long journey. He had come as
fast as P. and O. steamers and mail
trains can bring a man from Bombay to
the Strand. Butin a couple of hours he
hoped to have rid himself of all signs OF
travel, to have got inside a decent coat,
and to be in the shady drawing room in
Park street, with Dorothy Lennox's soft
arms round his neck. He felt very
sleepy and somewhat aggrieyed, for he
had nursed the unreasoning hope OF
seeing her at the station, although she
could not possibly know exactly when
he would arrive. He had started by the
very next mail from Bombay, so that
waiting would have been useless. He
felt, indeed, that he had answered her
telegram in a very practical fashion.
How overjoyed she would be to have
him back! He hoped it would not be
too much for her-seeing him suddenly
again like this. So, throwing himself
on the bed in his room at the Grant
Hotel, he fell asleep.
When Dick awoke it was three in the
afternoon. Tubing and unpack1ng
took an hour, and then he had to go out
and buy q tall hat. After this he di-
rected the cabman to the house in Park
street.
The shady Mayfair street looked bright
and pleasant as his hanson ratified
along, the houses smartening up for the
season with new blinds and window
boxes full of daisies and spirea. A light
breeze blew in his face, and a couple of
girls in pink cotton made a
bright patch against the gray-toned
houses. By Jove! how awfully nice it
was, after Indiai A man might be very
happy in London, with a charming wife
who would know how to give little din
ners, and the club, and the theatres and
the park.
Pulling up at the house, Dicks jaw
fell. There was an awning from tie
door to the curbstone, with a crowd of
nursemaids and urchins gaping on each
side. The street was full of carriages,
too. What did it mean2 Then Dick
remembered that Mrs. Lennox Gave a
great many afternoon parties. Well, it
was duced disappointing, he said to him
'elf, when you had come all the way
India to see woman, to find she
giving one Of those kettledrums the
very day you arrive.
Inside the house there was the usual
allowing, well-dressed crowd that you
zee any afternoon in the season in May
lair. Boys in gray coats with pink car
nations in their buttonholes, logged old
elub-men in brown coats and white gar
In the dining room hook-nosed
1owagers were foragirg for ices, while
IN the landing frisky matrons loitered
with their temporary SWANS.
On the stairs Dick met a woman he
knew, an enthusiastic girl of forty three,
who was dressed in moro juvenile grab
han when he had last seen her. MUIR
Charmed to see you back
happy occasionl" she tripped past
him.
Happy occasion, was ito" said Dick
to himself, wishing his gushing acquaint-
and the rest of the guests at the
bottom of the sea. It would have been
. happier occasion still if he could have
found bis Dorothy alone in her amber
rooss
When Capt. Irton reached the door,
be could see Mrs. Lennox standing Id
the midst of a small crowd of people,
who all seemed to be talking at once.
BY Joyel how fetching" she looked in
silyer-gray gown, with a huge
of orchids, and that gray tulle
thing she had on her head! Was that a
new fashion Dick wondered, for women
10 wear bonnets at their '.at homesas
And there wasthat ass Shorthorn close be-
side her, with a particular fatuous express
sion on his facet It was high time he had
Dick thought; it was high time
he had come. Why, the fellow has gone
lover head and ears; Dick could see
hat by the way he appropriated Mrs.
Lennox with his eyes.
Then il Of the circle moved away,
md Dorothy turned and saw Capt. Irton
It the door. She looked rs if she had
Ieen . ghost. Coming forward he took
hand, and then he saw that some
hing was wrong. Without a word she
aotioned him into an adjoining room,
which for the moment was empty.
Good Heavensln she whispered, :
why have you com now2 I wired that
you were not to come, that it was too