Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1889-02-08

Polly fond of him, and so-from SONS
sense Of shame. or some feeling of deli
cacy-he never said single word about
her 20 his wife; but when he found that
his feeble efforts to get out of the diff
Guilty of meeting her by leaving the serv-
ice had proved unavailing. he went back
to Blanhh2mpton and let matters take
their own course.
On the other hand, Mrs. Antrobus
simply Wl not know what to do. She
never for one moment suspectedthat Lord
Chartorhousc had scrupulously avoided
mentioning the name of Antrobus to his
wife, and she felt that it was incumbent
upon he- 10 call upon Lady Charterhouse
rs soon rs possible after her arrival in
Blanllhampton: but unfortunately Polly,
with that desperate courage which even u
sheep viii show on certain occasions. alb
soiutely and without any circumlocution
whatever refused to 60 with her.
But, Polly, we have been so intimate
she expostulated; land what will it look
ike? What will people Think"
IL don't care what people think,
mother" Polly replied; lit can be no,
body's business but ours whether we
choose to go or not. Any way. | am not
going"
But. Polly, dear Mrs Antrobus
began, when Polly interrupted:
Il will not go. mother. Pray say nc
more about it"
But it will look so odd," Mrs. Antro-
bus persisted. 1--WE were SO intimate"
We'll, mother, don't wish to prevent
you and my father from calling on Lady
Charterhouse if you wish; only don't ask
me to 60 could not do it. It would be
most painful to me-"
You shouldn't have refused him then,
my dear, remarked Mrs. Antrobus, airily,
for with her it was a constant habit always
to make the best of things, always to wear
amask if she wore one at all; and in this in
stance, as in many another, she spoke OF
Lord Charterhouse to Polly just as she
insinuated certain things concerning hon
to the world.
1t is q wise and brave habit, though to
be sure it is neither lovable nor true. and
Polly turned her soft and pretty eyes
upon her with such an agony of reproach
in their blue depths that her mothers
mind went straightway back to day,
many months before, when Mrs. Trafford
had told her of Lord Charterhouse's en-
gagement to his cousin. when she, believ
ing that he was in love with Polly, and
that Polly would win him in the end had
kept the knowledge to herself. and had
left Polly in the firm belief that his at
tentions to her pointed to but one end
the end which would take her to the altar
in all the simmer of satin and pearls.
and make her My Lady" forever.
Mrs. AntrobuS was possessed of that
very useful and convenient kind of heart
which takes good deal of touching, but
that one reproachful look of Polly's went
CIV iorhf 20 -
she remembered that if she had been open
and honest with her favorite daughter,
she would probably have been spared all
the pain and humiliation which the affair
with Lord Charterhouse had caused her.
Il wish you would not say that | re
fused him. mother" she said. with some
dignity; and then she very softly went
out of the room and walked upstairs tc
her bed chamber. where Mrs. Antrobus
did not Just then dare to follow hev.
SO Mrs. Antrobus was i'll measure
obliged to let the matter OF calling or not
calling upon Lady Charterhouse fall to the
ground. She did not wish to so in such
way as to give her any other impression
than that Polly had at some time or other
refused her husband; she did not like &c
60 without Polly, for that would have
been pointed, and moreover, the name OF
Miss Mary Antrobus" had its place upon
her visiting card Immediately below hei
own.
So, though she thought it over and over,
looked at it from this point and that,
studied it in every light. and twisted and
twined the circumstances of the case in
every possible direction, Mrs. Antrobus
finally came to the conclusion that she
had better leave the call unmade and take
her cue from the way in which Lord Char
terhouse should see tit to behave wher
they happened to meet, which, in SO lin
tied circle as Blankhampton society
they were sooner or later sure to do.
However, before q meeting came about
the good people of Blankhampton wer
almost struck dumb with astonishmeri
by the announcement of Polly Antrobus
engagement and approaching marriage I,
Mr.. Mandarin, of 1helston house. Liver
pool, and of Shanghai.