The Penn's Grove record., 1886-01-23


ner In astonlshment.
"Only my school clothes, aunt; grand
mamma thought l had better wear
them out, stammered Ninette, through
her sobS.
"If they are all like what you have
on, dear, l don't think we shall be very
extrayagant if we indulge in a new
wardrobe said Lady Sumner, kindly
$50 you and l will start off to Holme
and have a long days shopping. Thanks
to the inventor of ready-made costume
dresses, we can speedily rig you out
as March would say"
Ninette's bright face was a picture.
"Oh, how kindI How nlcel Butt
with a graver expression-"but grand
mamma2"
81 will settle it with grandmamma
while you run away and don your very
best hat and dress"
81 must trust to fate that the child
does not make a fright of herself
thought her ladyshIp. "What a sweet
little thing it is! Any other girl would
have looked odlous in that shabby out.
grown frock. l shall certainly carry her
off when | return to London.
When Lady Sumner returned to
town, Ninette was visiting at Nugent
Park.
+ y
There were eight of them grouped on
the lawn-nine, If the figure standing
under the cedar tree was counted. This
figure no one had seen but Ninette.
Kate Nugent, the bride of tomorrow,
was sitting full in the bright DOL
light, with a scarlet wrapoyer her white
dress, holding high court; bending over
her chair, and toying with one of her
blonde ringlets, was her .tdnce. Two
elegant girls, with attendant cavaliers,
were seated near; whilst on a tiger
skin spread on the grass lay Walter
Stuart Nugent, at the feet Of Ninette,
"What a dreadful thing it would be
if Archer did not arrive in timel" ex-
claimed Miss Evelyn, rising from her
chair and approaching the bride-elect.
Don't suggest such a possibility,
H Millicent, answered Miss Nugent. at
would cause such a fuss to put off the
wedding, and [ won't be married with.
7 out Archer and she looked at the
expectant bridegroom with a saucy
smile.
81 hope to goodness he will comet"
exclaimed Walter. SIT will be a Jolly
nuisance if he doesn't"
"You will be merciful, will you not2"
whispered Lord Efingham. "My bust
ness in Rome must be my pleader, dear
one"
Your business must wait" answer
ed Kate aloud. 81 am determined not
to be married till Archer comes"
"You will have to obey after to-
morrow, Kate" remarked Miss Con
stance Evelyn, gaily; $50 1 cannot
blame you for making use of your lib
erty as long as you CAM
IF you think l ana going to give up
my will directly after l am married,
you are greatly mistaken, COMFY" ex-
Claimed Miss Nugent, with a shrug of
her shoulders, 81 hope you do not ex-
pect it, Lord Edinghamf"
mot at ALL" lie answered eompla-
Gently.
THAT is right; it is just as we'll we
should understand each other"
but, Kate, women are bound to
obey their husbands" said Miss Evelyn
They promise. you know"
"Psaaw, my dearl" remarked Mss
Nugent, with a worldly-wise air. "There
is a way out of every difficulty, if you
only look for it. L do not intend to
say obey"
what word shall you substituted"
asked the amused Lord Bingham.
"Nobeyl" exclaimed Kate, trium.
phantly.
That's no word at ALI" shouted
Walter.
81 would not marry any man If l did
not love him we'll enough to obey him."
said Nine.te.
st is very we'll for you to say so,
little Simplicity" retorted Kate.
"When you have seen as much of the
world and men as | have, you will be
wiser. don't intend to say obey"
Then l would not say HONOR -"
clled Ninette warmly; ''for it means
ever so much more than obeying."
They laughed at her vehemence; but
Kate sat silent for a few minutes.
You uncomfortable little thingi"
sh9 said at last. "You have taken
away every ray Of hope. Now what
shall l do?" And she turned to the lit
tie group with a cOm:cal air of en-
treaty.
A&N ~ y - ~ oAa
gested one of the gentlemen.
"There is no time for it, l fear"
81 wonder who that gentleman is
the cedar watching us,'' said Ninette,
presently.
Walter looked in the direction indi-
Gated, and sprang to his feet.
"Archer, by all that's wonderful"
he cried, rushing up to his brother.
There wa such a buzz of welcome
and chatter that for a little while MIN
cite was quite overlooked, but, when
the laughter and questioning had a lit.
tie subsidized, Walter brought the new
arrival to her side, and introduced him
as "The Reverend OnesImus Tooth to
Miss Bellairs," and then boy like burst
into a ringing peal of laughter. Archer's
surprise and NInette's bushes only
provoked his merriment. till Kate came
to the rescue.
my brother, Captain Nugent-Miss
Bellairs, ~ she said, and then, turning
to her younger brother, added, ~ do
not understand your joke, Walter; but
it appears very ill-bred and out OF
place"
Walter was sobered at once.
ut was awfully rude, Kate. l know"
he said, apologetically, ''but, if you
had seen the joke, you would have
laughed too"
1--WE will hear 1t some other time,
Walter. Remember, Archer has not
seen mamma yet, and is fatigued, no
doubt, so We will adjourn to the house."
Taking her brothers arm, and &C.
- - IL
crossed the lawn; but the others re-
manned for some time longer, chatting
and laughing in the moonlight.
The village organist struck up the
wedding march, the children scattered
their flowers, horses pranced, and peo-
pie cheered, for Kate Nugent was Lady
Efingham now.
after all, you did say obey Kate"
I said Lord ENnnham- as thhY drove To