Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1888-02-25

anu suCn VI Ihe etue OF DiInsford who had called at
the Manor since her arrival were pleased to OBJ
serve that she was a 'charming unarIected Girl y
shs mad accompanied her aunt TO one or two OF the
rather ponderous social evenings" given by some
OF their nearest neighbOrs and had looked exceed
.ngly handsome and distinguished. OF course ms
,ia Wa sun 10 deep morning for her father, she
attended no more lively entertainments than de.
corOus tea-parties and the like The girls an de.
CARED her "a dear" but-and at this they could
not Out marvel, and try TO feel ndignant-she had
not been much sought after by any OF the young
men at those gatherings This, however seemed
~ ouo1e her not at all She liked girls twice as
| fun.
When Diana had been nearly three weeks At the
Manor, Chester LennOx arrived. He was a tall,
well-made young man, very Ike his portrait with
peasant voice, and smile which, II it was rare,
vas allractlve enough when II did come to make
one regret ltS rarity. He did not betray any X
cesSiVe admiration OF Diana; indeed, much 10 his
godnothers disappointment, he did not affect her
society al all Perhaps the girl felt his detection,
for at first she seemed less gay ana unconstrained
IN MS presence, and rarely addressed him volun-
tarlly But this soon wore on, and she treated him
/ IN an on-hdnd, cavalier fashion which annoyed
| MN. and bo1ed Ill for the old lady's plans
what ~ you think OF her, Chester?' asked
| Miss Harkwicke one afternoon, a few days after
her gOdSOns arrival when Diana had gone to her
| room 10 write some letters.
"She is a handsome GIRL he answered careless
.she?"
'Oh, but in America girls are brought up diff
4 fercntly, you know" Miss Hardwicke FASTENED to
| say In depreCating tones.
Are they?" he answered drily. "They are
/ brought up as ladies, hOpe?"
| Nv ny Chester, OF course. What do you mean?'
| "Well" he said. carefully knocking the ashes on
his cigar they were walking up and down the open
| space In front OF the terrace, 81 may be old
fashioned in INV ideas bur cordially defest fast
! masculine girls. and think Miss Dare Is at times
/ the reverse OF ladyike- For one thing, happened
/ 10 come down the east corridor little way behind
/ her this morning, when she suddenly caught her
gown on the heel OF her shoe, and nearly measured
ler length on the floor. fastening 10 her assist
! anca was petrifed by hearing her use language
which from the lips OF a man would have been
well-StOBg, 20 say the least OF 1T; but from ind,
was simply appalling. never was so taken aback
In my lie. or course. she blushed and stamInered
some excuse, but by Joye, that sort Of thing takes
| a good deal OF eXCuSing."
| Miss Hardwicke looked troubled and uneasy
"les, remember once did hear her say er
- 'confOund it, she said, unwilngly; 'but sue
| seemed 50 sorry and ashamed directly, and ex-
planned that IL was bad habit she had got into,
| and that her poor father had frequently used
| these expires dOns. She promised not to do 1t
| again."
at was not 'confound 1T she said upon this
OCCASION observed Mr.. LennOX, calmly. Moth
/ ing at all like IT. Another thing, by the way. /
found her IA the stable-yard yesterday, laughing
| and joking in the moi familiar manner with
| JOrKins" JOrEtns was the cOachman). "Now,'
continued the young man, seriously, 'f-er-she
doesn't know what good breeding Is, / think IL is
| high tina some one gave her hint"
''lUu nave taken dislike TO her, Chester" said
his gOdmother, with a little sigh. "And had
| hOped-had thought Of your marrying her."
''!Ieaven Forbid calculated Lennox, hastily; 81
| had soon marry a circus rider."
AT this moment Diana herself, dressed for walk
| ing, came down the steps from the terrace her
hands In the pockets OF the short jacket she wore
her hat looking as though 1t had been pitched on
anyhow, and her pretty lips puckered up into an
| unlnistakabe whistle. And what was more the
air she whistled sayored much more Of the muisc-
hall than OF the drawing room.
.'My DEAR" exclaimed the Old lady, aghaSt Not
AZ the ar whisted or ts associations, but because
the fact Of ladys whstng at all shocked her in
eXpreSSlby. LennOXS face expressed distinct, II
polite dsapproval; and seeing this. Miss Dare took
her hands out OF her pockets ceased whistling,
and linked her arm lovingly in her aunts.
"Ah, aultte. / AIN a sad toul-boy, fear. DO tell
me when transgress the bounds OF English young
lady hood. YouknOw,' with little sigh, II have
not nad the advantages OF most girls. Mr.. Len
noN,' turning her great dark eyes toward him,
Il know you are often shocked at my Ways. Please
don't hesitate TO tell me when say or do anything
rerB dreadful"
Mr.. LenLox replied, somewhat stif1y, that he
should not think or taking such a liberty, and,
raising his cap slightly, turned on In the direction
OF the gardens. Hardly had the echo OF his foot
steps on the gravelled walks died away, when a
carriage was seen coming rapidly up the avenue.
L Miss Hardwicke's surprise the vehicle seemed
10 BE- loaded with luggage. IL stopped at the hall
Doors slight glrllSh figure In mourning got out.
After second or two one OF the servants came
forward, looking rather bewildered.
Please, ma'an, " he said hesitatingly address
ing Miss Hardwicke, "this young lady says she Is
Miss Dare, and that you expect her.
.'What?" exclaimed his mistress. in amazement.
Diana clasped her aunt'S arm.
"Auntie!" she whispered breathlesSly, cit is that
giri-Jhe one told you OF! The girl who Travelled
| IN the steamer with me-"
uttered Miss Hardwicke. And quivering with in
dlgnatiOn she advanced toward the newcomer
VINO was leia1re!y paving the cabInan, but who,
seeing the old lady approach took few steps to-
ward her, and looked nervously and hesitaIingly
from her to Diana
Miss Hardwicke bowed stiffiy and waited.
AUNT Cemency, Is it not9" said the girl, with an
appearance or tiElidity.
II do not understand you, fear, replied the old
lady with much dignity.
But, aunt, am your niece, Diana Dare" said
the stranger in falter1ng tones.
Miss Hardwicke turned to the lyman who was
assisting TO remove the luggage
LET those boxes remain where they are- she
said Then TO the newcomer she went on Jelly:
"Ihere must be some mistake, ] think. This
young lady" laying her hand on Dianas arm, ais
my niece, Miss Dare
The girls face flushed, then turned deadly pale
and the scar Diana had spoken OF stood out dis
tinetly against her lair skin.
''Do you not remember NEE" said Diana, with an
accent OF compassion in her fresh young voice. and
shocked, troubled look In her eyes
IL never saw you before" stammered the
| other, in some confusion.
But Miss Hardwtcke had heard enough
You need not try 10 impose upon me, you
shameless woman"' she exclaimed excitely. II
know who you are and all about you! Go at once
| or shall send for a constable 10 remove your
The stranger looked considerably taken aback:
then SAID In indignant tones:
certainly shall go. have no wish to intrude
| where am not wanted. Good afternoon madam. y
And, with slight bow, she got into the ny again,
| and was driven rapidly away.
During dinner Mr.. LennOx was informed of this
barefaced attempted imposture, and reproved Miss
Dare graveIy Tor having allowed herself TO talk
over and conf1de her family affairs with an utter
| stranger. Indeed his remarks UPON the subject
were so graphic and eloquent that at their concu-
sion poor Diana, 10 her aunts diSmay, was discov-
/ cred 10 be in tears.
| 'Oh, do forgive me, aunt she sobbed hysteri-
cally. 81 never thought OF doing any harm. She
| seemed so friendly and innocent see now how
very, reTy foolish was" Then, rising abruptly,
| she hurried from the room. Miss HarfWicke
| glanced at her godson reproachfully, and that
| gentlemen himself looked Father uncomfortable
| Diana DID not appear In the drawing-room for
some time, and was very quiet and subdued all the
rest OF the evening. Chester did his best to make
up for what he felt had been uncalled-for harsh.
| ness, but without avail.
| 'YOu must forgive mer he said quite touched
| by her evident detection. 81 did not mean TO yex
! little unJustly.r
| .'Oh, you were quite right" she answered. with
! a little sigh She was sitting on a low chair near
the fe, her hands clasped In her lap She despised
1ancy-work OF all kinds, and possessed the art of
sitting perfectly idle In an easy and picturesque
! manner chester was certainly not In love with
| her; nevertheless, he could not but acknowledge
| that, II a little wanting in womanly grace and
! gentleneSs, she was, notwithstanding these de-
| nciencieS, strikingly handsome young creature
And he had never seen her look so womanly as she
/ did to night.
| when Miss Hardwicke awoke from her usual
| after-dlnner nap, she proposed that-in accord
! ance with promise which IL appeared She had
4 made Diana some time ago-the famous diamonds
| should be unearthed from the SAFE and brought
| down stairs Accordingly Chester was Entrusted
| with the key, and one OF the servants summoned
TO assist him In bringing down the bound
| box containing the jewels. They cert .inly were
splendid diamonds, and ca e Alter case was
opened and their contents flashed aud Scintillated
In the lamplight, Diana drew a deep breath OF ad-