Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1888-12-07
"Not in the least; l am ct your


"Not in the least L am ~ JVui
service" said Strickland.
"As l shall avail myself OF your
Condescention, hope that was not
merely O compliment"
"May l ask you how I can OOlige
youi"
The lady stroked the soft fur OF
her muff, and once or twice lifted
her searching eyes to his face
Apparently she was hesitatiug to
name the purpose Of her visit
Meanwhile, Strickland gratihed his
eyes with a good look at her, love-
ly, fascinating still, as the nrst
day he had seen her. Only her
pure profile had gained more de-
cision, and her eyes had . pro-
founder meaning than when he
last looked into them, as those OF a
woman who had lived and suffered.
At length she said:
"Do you still correspond with my
father l''
"Yes. tits, however, fortnight
since last wrote TO him."
81 received a letter from him
yesterday. He is coming to town
tomorrow"
This time Strickland made no
attempt to conceal his surprise.
"To-morrow Your father, who
never leaves home ~
"The medical men order him to
the south coast, aud he will, on his
way, stop in town, TO spend the
night with"
She paused.
"His da ughter," said Strickland.
"He says his son. And so We
find ourselves in a pleasant em'
bsrrassment,"
She leant back, and with small
hand began drubblng a waltz on
the table at her side.
"You call it pleasant" said
Strickland.
81 did not come here to discuss
words, but to discover u plan OF
sction."
81 see nOne."
"And you are a politician, a man
OF geniusl If those subtle arts,
that have been so successfully EN-.
ployed IN your own advancement,
could be, without prejudice to you,
this once employed to extricate me
from"
"Excuse me, madam but your
reproaches are scarcely likely to
as sist me to exercise my imagina.
tion."
"Bah Well, have q plan
First, l do not wish, cost what it
may, to let my father know-the
truth"
"The unhappy truth y
She made q little grimace, and
proceeded: "Mv father would be
cruelty hurt, and the sins OF the
children ought not TO be visited
upon their parents. My remorse-
l beg your pardon, that ls of little
consequence here" - she looked
aside to warn him not to expostu.
late, and continued "Hitherto,
thanks to our precautions, the dis
tance OF my fathers residence, and
the seclusion in which he prefers to
live, has been spared this sorrow.
Tomorrow our clever edidce of
dutiful falsehood falls to the
ground, and l, at least, am unable
to conjecture the consequence"
"And l."
"Mr. Strickland, 1t is absolutely
necessary to prevent this scandal.
l trust you will assist me. My
father must find rs together F.; and
We must avoid everything that
would serve to awaken suspicion"
She spoke sadly, a. we'll as earn
estly. A deep shadow Of concern
settled on her hearers face. Wrap.
ped In thought, he delayed an an.
swer. His visitor became impatient
"Your promised courtesy costs
too much ~ she demanded.
"No. / am ready. But l see
many difficulties. The servants 7"
"Give the new servant /
found here this morning holiday.
| will speak to Thomas.
"If a friend should callr
"You will see no one"
Tf we meet your father, people
will see US together"
"We will 60 10 . closed carriage
"Your father will stay here sew.
eral hours. Good and simple
hearted az he is, do you believe 1t
possible he will not recognize "a
bachelors house 7"
III will sead my work, my music,
and 80 on, this evening. My roOmp
'Is as you left IT,"
"Sentimentality ~
"No-respect."
"Have you any further Obiec.
; tiOns ~
"None. 1t remains TO be seen
whether we shall be able 10 deceive
} Mr.. Gregory"
"By playing the affeetiOnste
couple. Can you remember your
grimacss and fOoleries OF two years
ego I" she asked sarcastic ally.