The Daily times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1886-1889, 1889-11-03
CHAPTER XIII

Mr.. Duran mouse IN BcIhfitN Squire
is presided over by his aunt-a little,
thin. wiry. kindly old lady, with cork
screw ringlsts and a high peaky nose
Her acauaintanccs are as old-fashioned
as her curls. but il is amazing how many
she has Of them. They are Of the staid,
emiuentlv respectable order, all able to
count their generations. and all carriage
people.r Yet it might be admitted that
sometimes Miss Duran pines foy the
ungand frivolous. and would be glad to
welcome them inside her nephew's doors
her doors. rs they might be called, so
little does he interfere with her arrange
ments. and so seldom does he show him
self between 70 a. IN. and II p. m.
ON this particular Wednesday quite II
stir and hustle of the thick silken skirts
take place. as Gerald Massareenc, smil-
ing and gay. enters Miss Duran's draw
ing room There is, in spite of the deb
OMAR manner that distinguishes him,
and induces all these old young men to
look askance AT him. and grow green
with envy, and that causes the quite old
men To wink aud nudge each other, and
call him "a sad dog IA suspicion of anX-
ietv that renders his kind eyes melan-
cholv and makes HIN fayOrite at once
with all the gentle elderly women.
He is a fashionable looking young
man. cxqustely dressed. and IS. in fact,
such a departure from Miss Duran
drawing room. that he creates an i'm
mense sensation. that is only 10 be sur
passed 10y the entrance of a lovely young
woman ten minutes afterward, who
sweeps up 20 Miss Duran with the most
charming smile in the world on her beau
tiful face.
Dear Miss Duran. she says, slipping
her little gray clad hand into that Of the
astOnishcd spinster 1--WE have been want
ing 10 come and see you for such time
-auutie and but there have been Sc
many other tiresOmc engagements. And
after all, il is better, is ii not, to leave the
best To the lasty' this with "a swift glance
al MasSareenc that sets his heart a-beat
ing. Even now. we could not CONF
together. there was some absurd crust
somewhere, and we had promised TO 90
so / told .auntie wanted 10 see you ever
more than she did; SO packed her of e
her afternoon and came 20 mine.
Her low trainantc voice. her pretty
smile, the gentle pressure Of the LITTLE
hand, all won Miss Duran heart at once
She had met Millicent two or three
times, but now she pcrsuados herself tina
they have been good friends for man,
years What lovely crcature How
nice Of her % come 10 this duh ole
house just To see STUPID old maid Dear
dear me, there were not many who would
do that
Meantime the lovely creature i
taking her tea from Gerald Massareene'
hands. Tea Of an exquisite flavor an
rich with country cream. sent mp spec
tally from the heart Of Hampshire TO
Miss Duran ; Wednesd lys. Tea served il
priceless old Crown Derby, before whicl
the modern limitations might hold down
their heads
Sugar asks Gerald in a societ.
tone; and then, considerably lower, I'm.
own darling"
'Ehy' says Miss Grey in return TO thi
imprisoned address, with a startlin:
promptitude that is rather dispiriting.
In truth, having got here, no matte
how, and 80 acknowledged TO Massareen
that she has thought it worth her Will
10 give up for his SAX. one Of the mos
brilliant concerns OF the season, she is
little frightened, lit le impatient ant
yet good deal glad.
"Millicent, - says Gerald, dropping int
the chair near her, "thgt You have com
al all is SO much more than dared hop
for that | would now entreat you 10 lie
my JOY continue by being kind 10 me 70
the short hour we may be together
His tone is very sad. in spite of the jo
he mentions. Old Mss Duran, looking
kindly at the two young people VIII
have descended into her midst and cas-
such a cloud of sunshine upon the dull
stately drawing room. reads as clearly a
though it were all in print before he
that this young man-.he son OF her dea
COUSINS breaking his heart for love o
the pretty, slender girl staring 50 sol
EMMY into her tea cup, and that In
pretty girl is not altogether indiiferen
about il.
"Bless me. And / near she il TO b
married TO that nephew Of Lucy Brand !
Well, to Judge by her face, | should sa
| her heart is not in ii. Poor young things
Evidently they have entered into the bis:
full realms of love. Cupid's darts hay
found "A lodging in their tender breasts.
Sometimes Miss Duran, in spite of th
ringlets, INDUCED in flights Of poeti
fancy "How romantic, How full @
pathos, That dear boy.-vhy, ! can sc
him dwindling away before my eyes
Quite wreck he is becoming, though al
and his tailor may try to delude Inc
Well, | must see what can be done. Gel
aid, my dear, do you think Miss Gre
would like To see that painting of You
| grandfather that adorns the yves
wall of the library II is well worth
visit, assure you, my dear Miss Grey
DO let Gerald persuade you to look at II
A masterpiece, ! assure you. One .
Lely's brightest efforts"
"Come" says Gerald, In low entrsa'
ing tone.