Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1889-03-18
CHAPTER II.
Az IsDIscEETfoy.

love With her slow and stolld lord and
master. AID stood by him through many
duh and Greary time when her natural
inclination would have prompted her TO
pack up her things and hie herself back to
her mothers pleasant house in South
kensingtOn
1t isavlul. she said to Beautiful Jim,
one day ~Len they were first in Blank
hampton Il never was in such q hole in
NY life | went out with Tom this morn
ing, last for the sake Of walking along the
streets With some one. and every one
looked at me from under their eyelashes
es If they weren't sure whether it was
quite proper to be seen with a man in uni
form or not And then this afternoon
some people came and called. all women OF
course | asked one if the theatre here
was pretty good, and she said she didn't
known her position 1t didn't do TO be
seen In snch places asked her when her
day was, but she said she didn't have q
day-if she was in the house she was
always pleased TO sec her friends if they
would take her as they found her; SO
suppose if she happened to be in bed with
al influenza cold she would receive in her
bedroom. | only hope" the little woman
went on, that may be lucky enough to
call on that good lady when she is not in
the house"
tOh, go when you know she is out"
suggested jim, coolly.
Trust me for that II can" returned
Mrs Seton. nodding her head knowingly.
Still. must confess 1t puzzles me to
think why she wanted to know me at all
She never goes to balls. they're like tho
theatres. tlos wouldn't do in our posi-
ton -
What is our position?" inquired Jim
with interest.
81 don't know at all; very uncomfort-
able one, should think, Mrs. Seton re-
piled,
However. the months had gone by. and
the Dlankshire regiment had settled down
very comfortably md had come, as other
regiments had done before them. to look
upon Blauhha2pton as On unusually de-
sirable st&t ion.
But first and foremost In all schemes
and plans for enjoyment was little
Mrs Seton. who loved the world
dearly and paid herself in liberal coin Of
pleasure every day for sticking so faith
fully to her rallant if stolid Tom, the
major. Nothing Of o pleasuring kind
could be organized without her. and moth
ers AID daughters alike regarded her as
an unmitignted blessing--a sort Of social
fairy godmother.
She had one Of the very pleasantest
houses in Bl2nkhampton, and seemed
never so happy as when it was full Of
people, unless indeed You took exception
to such times Is She made one of crush
elsewhere Sic was u iirt, of course,
for she firted with all the men, young
and old alTlle. and with her Tom the hard
est OF all bus she monopolized none. and
the girls knew that If any OF them should
ret engaged to ono of Mrs Seton's men
there would be no Gwkwardness on her
part. but that the very heartiest congrat-
ulations would come from her.
shes such good little soul" said one
Oxford-Gfter she had wished him joy Of
his engagement with Madge Trafford and
had told him if he made Madge half as
good husband as her Tom made her she
would be happy woman-'some women
are SO nasty to fellow when he wants to
get married But she's not that sort. By
Jovel she told me the whole duty of hus-
bands today, as If she had been my sweet
hearts mother and hadn't at all the best
Of characters at tho back of me. l like
the little woman. she's so genuine" And
good many other men and women be-
sides Marcus Oxford had the same opinion
OF Maj Setons gay little wife. so that she
was on the whole one Of the most popular
women in the garrison.
When the two men reached the house
they found the party in full swing-Mrs
Seton herself standing In the hall with q
merry crowd around her. music going on
In the drawing room. and in the rooms at
the back Of the house the clinhing of ice
plates and of tea cups
As they presented themselves before
her, Mrs. Seton began to .scoli them for
their tardy arrival II wss so afraid you
were not coming. WHAT You've only
/ Just got in from town.
Didn't know till twenty minutes ago
1 that you had a party" Beautiful Jim
broke in. If had known. Mrs. Seton, |
should have come back by an earlier train;
yes. assure you should. How do you
| do Mrs Trafordg' bowling to little Mrs.
| Trafold as she passed on her way to the
tea room.
II wanted you to talk to girl who has
been brought by Lady Margaret, said
Mrs. Seton in an undertOne. Miss Adair
is not well-headache or somethiug-and
this girl has never stirred from Lady
MarFarct' $ side, and must be simply bored
to death, Aot"-with a gay laugh
that wish to cast reflections on Lady
Margaret. only you know what a lot Of
kow.tow deans wife has to get through,
and really | could not Introduce any men
there are so few here today. somehow. u
Beautiful Jim laughed. I'm trot her
around. Mrs. Seton Will you take me
to her. or must ask Lady Margaret
! "Oh, I'll take you What a good boy
| you are. Mr. Beresford one can always
depend on you"
oh, hope SO. We all depend on you
for good deal Of our pleasure, Mrs. Sc
ton. he said
So Mrs seton struggled into the
crowded drawing room, and Beautiful
jim faithfully followed, not L; lie to
| the d. -ust a more than one young dam
sci. who woalj fin have detained him
| beside her BIT jim was true to his
trust and followed closely at his hostess
heels, ard in time was formally presented
to Miss Earle.
Pretty eyes. he said to himself as she
returned his bow.
May take you to have an ice or some
tea?' he asked. Then be looked deprecat-
! ingly at Lady Margaret as if to say, How
can take you both? I've been told off TO
this girl, and
But Lady Margaret saw and understood
the look. Yes, take Miss Earle" she
said kindly. Il have promised TO go with
Ma Seton for a cup of tea in few min
utes. but this poor thing has been sitting
by me ali The time. and must be not only
bored but fainting."
Miss Earle however. disclaimed any
such feeling. though she took Jims arm
with alacl1ty when he suggested that
they should 60 off and get something to
eat at once Do you know, Miss Earle, ="
he said. I'm so fearfully hungry can
hardly stand up at all. haven't had
anything to eat since | had breakfast at
the club this morning"
The club here" she asked.
'Oh. no; the Army and Navy"
"oh. in town. You have come from
town todays"
YES, I've had few days leave Now,
what will you haye-tea, coffee, cup or
ice. Mrs. Setons cup is excellent"
Miss Larle, however, chose an ice, and
Jim put her on comfortable sofa with q
generously large coffee ice and plate Of
waters within reach, while for himself he
provided a lumber of cup and several
sandwiches
You arc staying in Blankhanptonr'
be remarked when he established himself
beside her
Yes, at the Deanery"
All. yes-very jolly. Have you been
here longr'
''Only two days"
/ And this is your first introduction to
Blanhhamptou society," Well, it'srot 4 bad
4 place on the whole-cant say should
| like to live in il r,,vsalf altoret har