The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1886-09-24

There he was on the wide lawn
amongst them all, on this beautiful
morning, at the very time that the
Denham Company, in the Loden Thea
tire, were busy rehearsing "Arrah-na-
| Pogue."
"Well and what are we all going to
do to-day ?" said Lord Mountfane. paus-
! ing by a group under a wide-Spreading
tree. gu ladies look so charming
this morning. that wonder you are for
| five minutes minus cavalier. thought
I saw my cousin Ravenswood here.
Erratic fellow, where is he, 1 wonder,
Mrs. Ponsonby?"
81 think he is over near the terrace,
my dear Viscount," answered the lady,
sweeping the lawn with her eye-glass.
"He was with us five minutes ago
suggesting boating until luncheon"
"Ah, just the thing!' rejoined the
Viscount. "What do you say to it,
ladies?"
Rather hot, isn't it, my lord?"
suggested Miss Courtney, the lovely
heiress; except for such Salamanders
as Sir Austin. Here he comes back
again"
GAS the magnet to the lodestar, fair
daughter of Devon" said a mellow
voice; and very handsome aristocratic-
looking man, apparently about three or
four-and-thirty, came up. care you
going to shed the sunlight of your
presence on our boating?"
"Well, since you ask so prettily,"
laughed Helen, II suppose we ought to
honor you; and this evening, Lord
Mountfane, think you suggested our
patronizing the Loden Theatre?"
Cali who like" answered the host,
bowling. at is Denham's company,
always good. I've sent down messen-
ger to take enough boxes and stalls.
He ought to be back by now"
"That is one of the grooms just dis
mounted at the Hail." said Austin
Ravenswood, glancing round.
"That is the very man," exclaimed
Mountfane, beckoning; and as the
groom quickly obeyed, several more
guests joined the group.
"Well, Weldon, have you taken the
places?"
Eyes, my lord; only hope I have
not done wrong" said Weldon, touching
his hat again; "but there are posters
and sandwiches all about, announcing
that Miss Catesby is very ill at York,
and her place is taken by another lady
at an instant's notice. brought bill,
my lord"
And the groom held wide open a
large poster, announcing the serious
illness of Miss Catesby, and that her
place had kindly been taken last night
by Miss Viola VALERIE.
"Iknow the name," said the Viscount,
land think saw her play in Manches-
ter few years ago. A very pretty
creature, and a very clever actress. am
rather glad of the change"
"1ou will make one of the party,
Sir Austin ?" said Helen Courtnay, lift
ing languishing eyes she well knew how
to use, to his handsome face, as he stood
carelessly, even absently, playing with
his soft, silky mustache.
His thoughts must have been very
far away, for he started slightly as she
spoke, but answered her in his gallant
way, that made it hard for any woman
to say that he paid her more attention
than another.
"After the honor of such a request
from Miss Courtney, how could l be
absent? Meanwhile, you surely will
not be so cruel as to condemn us to
a mornings boating without yo,r
presence?"
"Flatterer!" said she. "Well, sup
pose we must. Go and get the boats
out while we ladies DRESS"
He bowed, and turned away with
Lord Mountfane, while the rest dis
persed to dress-sOme to boat, others to
drive, or walk, or ride.
Helen remarked to the dashing
widow, as they sauntered towards the
hall, =" do wonder how it is Sir Austin
does not marry. He is thirty-eight, 1
believe, though he doesn't look it,"
my dear, you must teach him to
better his condition; only take care.
remember some years ago hearing
someone say there had been a story
at one time of a marriage"
absurd" interrupted the heiress,
with scornful toss of her head. "My
maid heard something of that gossip
somewhere about here. Some girl he
had down at little place near Loden,
all! seven years ago, at least and she
| left him in two MONTHS
Mrs. Ponsonby shook her head
ats not that story, then, my dear,
for l never heard of it. "But. of
] oil al. HcV