The Penn's Grove record., 1886-04-17

OINceES ron hlueISuOJ iOWl l. HIusl
find ma, and tell her to send her up
stairs"
please don't. 1 introduced Major
Fullerton"
"Ah, 1 had forgotten your Radical
tendencies % remarks Miss Smith,
with Il slight sheer. 81 believe you
would take off your hat to anursemald
if you met her in the park"
Every likely-if she CHANGED to be
pretty" responds Mr.. Cole carelessly.
1t is half-past two O'Clock a. M, and
the guests, with the exception of two
or three gentlemen still lingering about
tho billiard.room door, have taken their
departure. In the deserted dancing
room sits Mrs. Smith, arrayed in gorge
Gus robes of trailing ruby velvet. Be
fore her, with her hands loosely clasped
and her figure drawn to its full height,
stands a girl in shimering white silk.
Their attitudes are those of judge and
criminal; but the girl appears the more
self-pOssessed Of the two.
"By the very earliest train tomorrow
morning you underestimate" Mrs.
Smith is saying. .
"Or rather this morning." corrects
Flo calmly.
Eyes, of course, this morning." as
sents Mrs. Smith augrily; 'and remember
that l consider your conduct has been
most outrageous and unprecedented"
81 am sorry that you don't approve
of my conduct" says Flo, raising her
eyebrows slightly; ''but 1 feel no cause
for self reproach."
mo cause for self-reproachl" ex-
claims Mrs. Smith. in a voice rendered
almost Shrill by excitement. "Ihen
allow me to tell you thatyou have been
the laughing-stock of the whole room,
behaving in such a bold and forward
manner.
Mrs. Smith rises majestlcally and
to sail across the room.
lone moment, Mrs. Smith, if you
says Flo quietly,
"Well?" demands that lady, paustng
on her way to the door.
Il should have resented the words |
been listening to from a lady; as
it is, | let them pass. Good evening""
"a lady? l I'm a ladyl l don't know
what you meanl'; exclaims Mrs. Smith,
flushing angrily to the roots of her
hair.
Flo sinks into the chair lately occu.
pied by her employer, and falls to think
sadly.
A servant comes into the room to eX-
the lights; so, with asigh, half
relief that her freedom is so ear
half Of regret at the unsatisfactory
to her engagement, she prepare
to seek her room. She has Just reach
ed the foot of the stairs when a hand
IS placed restrainingly on her arm; and,
turning, she meets two earnest eyes.
81 am 50 sorry. 1t is l who have
brought you into all this trouble" says
Mr.. Cole ~apologetically.
"Oh, no; pray don't distress yourself
about thatl" answers Flo, smiling back
at him. 81 should have been leaving
soon In any case"
"yvhy did you not hit that great vul-
gar woman, instead of standing there
meekly to be abusedP" he continues
hurriedly.
IBID you hear her horrid remarks
inquiries Flo, aghast, and color
ing violently,
YES; and 1 should have come to the
rescue, only | thought l might make
matters worse for you"
"TelI me-" says Flo, and then stops
for a moment, but decides to risk the
Question-''tell me-dld [ behave in an
extraordinary way?"
DECIDEDLY not" he answers eagerly;
then, noting a look of anxiety still ling
on her features, he continues
quietly, Had l been your brother even
l could have found no fault with you"
"Oh, thank your she eXclaims a r
nestly. "And now-good night"
Good night" ne answers, retaining
her hand for a moment. your train
leaves at 7.45-remember, and be in
Flo thinks he is merely satirising his
hostess, so she answers, laughing
"Never fear-I shall be in time.
Thanks for your kindness this evening.
Mr.. Cole; and now goodbye"
"Good-bye!" he responds, with Il
mrthful glance which Flo either does
not or VIII not see,
"Well, Louie, | mnst say that l
think you played your cards very bad
~" remarks Mrs. Smith III III agrieve1
tone, as she complacently settles her
broad bracelets over her many-buttoned
gloves. "Grass meadow is one of the
finest seats in the county; and, if you
let things slip through your fingers like
that, how am l ever to get you settled?"
"Well, it is of no use scolding,
mamma - replies Louie, with Il m
scornful laugh. "Mr. Cole is
certainly not IN q position to marry me
present, since it seems he has found
4 wife. Grass-meadOw is a pleasant
house to visit, so there is no sense in
luarrelling with its new mistress"
"Of course" answers Mrs. Smith,
DettishIy. "IIage L not put on my
attest costume in honor of the bride?"
For some moments there is silence
between mother aud daughter. Then
the sound OF wheels is heard.
SIS that the c%arriage?' asks Mrs.
smith, making a languid effort to rise.
NO" answers Louie, with a quick
shake Of her head. SIT is only Il fly
with the new governess"--this same
new BONtItSSo bOlhS IhO iouLbh tChbNlS
since the summary dismissal Of Flo.
81 do hope she may SUIT remarks
Mrs. Smith plaintively,
81 wonder how long she will stop?',,
lueries Louie, with moditative satire.
ait is a great shame of Trotter TO be
80 late" continues Mrs. Smith, II
her watch. 81 shall insist on
hls being dismissed because of his
unpunctuality.'
THAT will make the seventh coach
nan this year," muses. Louie.
II don't car If 1t makes the seven
answers Mrs. Smith holly.
sYour father gives good wages, and
why shouldn't we be well served?"
s'Here comes the carriage at lastl'
exclaims Louie eagerly. 81 feel quite
keen to see Mr.. Coles choice"
In the hall they encounter the now
a sallow little woman with
curls, who looks meak, linched, and
tlmId. Mrs. Smith stops just long
enough to frighten the new arrival,
and then proceeds TO utter some sharp
words to her astonioheI coachman,
steps into her elegant ~barouche. and is
driven to her destination.