Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1888-08-24


worn and pulled down." she thought;
"and she has almost lost her beauty
poor thing"
She grew more tender than ever. She
was sorry for her husbands daughter
and was perfectly unconscious that she
found sort of satisfaction in plying her
and noting the havoc that had been
wrought in her face. But Mrs. Laurence
was mistaken there. just now Adele did
look weary ANA worn, and the girlish
lovelinesS would never come back; but she
was more beautiful than ever, with such
a touching sadness in the glorious brown
eyes, such Il scorn of herself and the whole
world on her proud mouth.
Eyes, !" continued Mrs, Laurence, after
she had finished her study of the count
ess' features, "wc'll be quiet as mice
and sit and rest in the sunshine. | need
it, too. You know Dora Hastings lives
with me? She's grown into such pretty
griffin sure you'll like her."
"That's an admirable reason for one
woman liking another" returned Adele
lazily, and Mrs Laurence laughed.
'"That really sounds like yuu,n she said.
"But You never were jealous of other
women, III say for you; and certainly
you have no need to be now
answered. with a flash of the great eyes
which reminded Mrs. Laurence Of old
days, "but You know Won have been think
ing for he last five minutes that | had
lost all my good looks--I am simply
hdcOus."
"You are t'rcd-this dreadful Voyarc"
"EXactly," said Adele; 1.-THE voyarc.n
They reached the Fifth avenue house
aud found luncheon and Dora Hastings
awaiting them.
Il hope YOU haven't forgotten me-"
said the girl, going STRAIGHT up to the
countess and giving her one kindly kiss
"You used to pet me great deal was
such Il little thing that | seemed much
younger than YOU then"
81 thirl. time hasn't changed that"
returned Tho 'ountess. "You are Is and
am almost d."
"For heaven sake, don't begin talking
about ages exclaimed Mrs Laurence,
| laughing. II am astOnished at such a
| Yankee trick in you, countess! Please to
remember that | am too near 80 for the
subject to be agreeable"
They had Il cheerful meal together, talk
ing as people might who had only been
separated for short space, and to neither
of whom anything of importance had
| happened since they parted. 1t was what
| Nine. de scissors intended for the pres
emf and all time to come; but she men
| tally congratulated her companions on
| having tact enough to accept the position
| without one single biuudcr.
1--WE are going up the river in tonight 5
| boat" Mrs. Laurence explained; $50
you II not mind the added journey, Adele.
| | must run away for awhile, now. Dora,
| | want you to please 60 to Stewards for
me, and our Traveller can lie down and
rest herself"
So they took her up to pleasant cham
ber made her comfortable, and left her
with order to sleep. She smiled prom
i>e not thinking it necessary to inform
them that she and slumber had been poor
| friends for long while.
Odd you ever see anybody so worn and
| hagGard!" exclaimed Mrs Laurence
when she and her cousin We're safely
downstairs again.
But she is very handsome STILL" Dora
answered.
81 can't see it," Mrs. Laurence pro
nounced
'Wait till she gets rested" said Dora
"POor thing, how sweet and gentle she
seems"
"Now, look here, Dora" said Mrs
Laurence, you recollect what | told you
know Adele by heart. She has plenty
of good qualities. We used to quarre
dreadfully; but of course we don't neeC
| to howl
81 don't Think interrupted Dora
"that she cares enough about anything il
these days to quarrel over it"
"And / think you're little Ounce t.
imagine you understand her at all, " re
turned her cousin, with the charming
frankness relatives are wont to display il
private. 'She is as artful as the father o
lies-a born actress, cold blooded, selfish
and the most outrageous flirt that eve
lived"
"But now
"You make me sick with your evcrlast
ing now! tell you to remember what
said when found she was coming back
Keep your secret for the present or shell
make yOu trouble"
'I'Il rcmcmber,n was all Dora said
and went her way. She had her ow
thoughts ON the subject, but it was no
her habit to force opinions on people, am
she never argued with Lily, because sh
new Lily temper could not stand it. NJ
that she was poor cousin, or protcgC
or anything else unfortunate. she Ia
money of her own, and was perfectly ii
dependents; but she and Mrs. Laureuc
were fond of each other, and lived tC
gcthcr for that reason, and got o
smoothly enough; and Mrs. LaurenC
thought her relative sweet tcmpcrc
yielding creature, with rs little charact
- rs women Of 30 are apt TO .rlppo~e yoUr
girls POSSESS. Dora never took the trOUb
to uudccciyc her. Indeed, She prohah
ID did not understand her own nature Vrl
7 / thoroughly: people seldom do until son