Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1890-09-19
AArs-5 ob-
BY JOHN STRANGE WINTER,
Author OF ''Bootics' Baby" Beautiful
Tim" Etc. Etc

During her recent visit to Little Street
Hall, Mrs. Traford had had 4 somewhat
different experience of what one may call
carriage comfort. The two old ladies,
who dispensed lavish hospitality at that
large and rambling mansion, had been
and still were entertaining an unusually
large party at the time that Mrs. Traf-
ford's visit began. 1t happened that four
or five guests were departing by train
leaving Great Street Station Give miles
from Little Street Village and HalD about
q quarter OF an hour before the arrival Of
the train which was to bring Mrs. Trafford
and three other visitors with presumably
two maids and pile OF luggage.
ut will be best to send the omnibus,
Lavinia." said Miss Theodosa Stanton
to her ten years junior sister. who was
sixty-two and still very skittsh for her
years.
''Yes-then there will be no crowding,"
answered Lavinia, who loved gay apparel
and always went about herself with sew
sral immense dress-saskets.
SO the bus was seit of and the several
visitors were put safely into the train by
the carefuI fOotman who usually did all
that kind OF work But by some unfor-
tunate mischance, the three visitors who
were TO have come by the same train as
Mrs Trafford did not turn up, having
missed It by two minutes so Mrs. Traf-
ford, who had no maid, was conducted
IN state to the huge ark, which could l
think only have found rival IN all this
sea-giry kingdom, in one coach house,
that OF John, Lord Bishop OF Blankhamp
ton.
Mrs. Trafford felt just what she looked.
Ike lonely little mouse sitting wistfully
ia the corner OF a huge trap, while on the
roof above her one modest trunk danced
about like a parched pea on y fre-shoyel.
No, Mrs. Trairord did not appreciate the
grandeur OF family arks She liked the
limited luxury OF nest little single
broughsm Of Botwood
Well In due course Mrs. Trafrord and
Mrs Bob arrived at the Desnery-it is but
stones throw from ST. Ewes to the
stately pile across the Close Gardens, and
they found that dear Lady Margaret was
not at home. The two ladies therefore
handed in a sheaf Of cards and told the
coachman to ge to Riverclifre.
81 am not altogether sorry" said Mrs.
Bob, ms they turned out OF the Close gates
-''when people are out it does get you
through"
Yes" said Mrs. Trafrord, with laugh.
Warmlnstcr, was not out and our friends
were ushered in through a very snowy
hall into very snowy drawing room.
The lady OF the house wns not there but
she came TO them IN two minutes, very
tall woman with good black eyes, a non
descript sort OF face. with = rather spIre
long wnisted figure clad in light gray
t@ilorgown
81 am so charmed to see YOU" she said
to Mrs. Bob. "and Mrs. Trafrord. too.
How good OF you to COME am n prisoner
In the house OH chill, feel shivering
and rheumatic and Jack thought | had
better keep In. Do let me tell them to put
the horses up for au hour-yes. do it will
be quite a charity to me"
I'VE wero going to ono or two OF her
places" Mrs. Bob answered hesitatingly,
and looking at Mrs. TrsiTord.
"Ohl Just AS you like, my dear, so far as
| am concerned" said Mrs. Trafford, In
answer to the look.
Then they may put mp for an hour"
Mrs Bob said with laugh; 81 daro say
nv coachman won't he sorry"
So for an hour they remained, aud the
ladies took their fur wraps off and the
three settled down in the sumptuOus little
oriental boudor which was just out of the
drawing room. Not quite alone, no, for
before hey had had quite a comfortable
chat. MS Mrs. Leith- Warminster remark
ed two officers OF the 43rd came IN and
presently were followed by another man.
who WINS a. d. c. to the General command
ing tho district.
quite pie SAINT little afternoon" SAID
Mrs Trafrord, as they drove away from
Riverclifre. She IS u very nice pleasant
woman don't YOU think"
''Ohi charming creature" said NJ.
Bob. And he is nice, too. They must br
rich. don't Won thiuk9"
oh | believe immensely rich She WIS
IA Miss Rice. Of Manchester
ing people"
"Ah, vest should quite think So" said
Mrs Bob. rcfectively.
They called at No. for Mrs Tranord's
"thIngs' aud then went straight OF to
Brentwood, only stopping at the big book
sellers In the High Street for Mrs b ID to
get out and select couple OF novels from
the circulating library there. But shu
stopped aud hid little chat with Il man
who was buying some photographs in tho
outer shop aud professed herself very glad
10 see him.
Come out and dino with us to night,
Major Nane." she said-"do. Bob viii he
90 peuscd to sue YOU, and we have little
Mrs Trairord staying with MS"
why. thank Won. Mrs. Bph," said Ma
jor Naue, who was OF "a very social tenn
permanent, and would r. Their at any Tine
dlue anywhere than at the mess of the
%3rd its awfully kind VI you. Id like it
immensely. What time"
Eight O'Clock" she replied. Then we
shall expect YOU. Good-b by, till then"
lie went out 10 the door with her and
saw her into the brougham, staying a mo-
mont to speak to Mrs. Trafrord ero it
drove on.
al asked him to come out and dine" said
Mrs. Bob, ~ they rolled down the street
He's ~ nice fellow, aud four Is more
comfortable aumber than three At dinner,
don't you thiuk''
Yes, rhink il is, = answered tha othar.
II was striking SIX ss thsv turne / in at
the gates OF Brentwood 1--WE will have
cup OF tea" said Mrs Bob, "Gsaw that GU
took noue at RivercliG', aud ! did not
rink wine. We have lots OF time for q
real cozy chat before we need think about
DRESSING"
Mrs, Trafrord wa, quite willing and ina
few minutes they wsre comfortably in
oonclave over good cup OF tea and plate
of hot buttered mullins
Il have not seen YOU since YOU went to
stay at Little Street." said Mrs Bob, rs
she stirred her tea
"No-what long tins It seems" an
swered Mrs. Tratrort, thinking of her
lonesome journey in the big omnibus. in
which she had felt like some unfortunate
soul taking trip in Black Maria for the
benefit Of her health
Did Won have Il good timer Did YOU
enjoy your VISIT" asked Mrs. Bob. help
ing herself To mullins.
''Oh, YES, very we'll. Not so much as IL
any OF my girls had been there"
"No-or course not. Was the house
full'"
''Oh, very tull-over thirty 10 dinner
every night" Mrs Trafrord replied
Then it. is a large housed"
"A love v house." Mrs. Trsfrord replied
II never saw such black oak anywhere.
The oak dining room Is perfectly black
and shines like polished ebony. They
have rather old-fashtuued WAYS which
are very pretty-they dine on the table
with slip cloths and really never saw
prettier sight than the long black table,
all set out with nure white flowers. aud
the most wonderful collection OF old silver
you ever saw"
"Ah! think the old WAYS charming"