Mexico weekly ledger., 1890-09-11

III NNIyA "AA4~A AAc SSA
and Iwere both glad to think had passed
over. I do not approve Of marriages be-
tween cousins"
We had reached the lodge by this
time, and I was shown q tidy little room
leading out Of the one Ralph was occu-
plying, in which I assured Sir George
that Carr would be perfectly oomforta-
BILE, much to the courteous old gentle
mans relief, though I could see that he
was evidently annoyed at not being able
to put him up in the house.
In the afternoon, toward 8 o'clock,
Carr arrived. I went into the hall to
meet him and to bring him into the
drawing room myself. Just as we came
in, and while I was introducing him to
Sir George, Ralph and Aureia, who
were sitting together as usual, started a
lovers squabble.
sOh my!!" said Ralph, suddenly.
at is all your fault. You logged my
elbow" came Aurelia's quick rejoinder.
My dearest love, I did not" returned
Ralph on his knees, pocket handkerchief
in hand.
1t appeared that between them they
had managed to transfer Aurelia's tea
from her cup to the front Of her dress.
"You did; you know you did," she
said, evidently ready to cry with vexa
ton. II was just going to drink, and
you had your arm round the back Of
NY
Hush, Aurelia, l beg" e~xposulated
Charles. "Aunt Mary and I are becom-
ing embarrassed. 1t is not necessary to
enter into particulars as to the exact 10
cality of Ralph's arm"
Round the back of my chair" pouted
Aurelia.
ut is all right, Aunt Mary" called
Charles cheerfully to that lady. 'Only
the back of her chair. We took alarm
unnecessarily. Just as it should be. l
have done the same myself with-a diff
ferent chair"
"He is always doing It," continued
Aurelia unmollifed. 81 have told him
about it before. He made me drop a
piece of bread and butter on the carpet
only yesterday"
II ate it afterward, "humbly suggested
Ralph, still on his knees, land there
were hairs in it. There were, indeed,
Aurelia-"
"And now it is my tea gown" contin-
ued Aurelia, giving way to the prettiest
little outburst of temper imaginable.
II wish you would get up and go away.
Ralph, and not come back. You are
only making it worse by rubbing it in
that silly way with your wet handker-
chief"
"Herei is another" said Charles, snatch
ing up Lady Mary's delicate cambzic
one, which was lying on her work table,
| while / was in the act Of introducing
| Carr to her; and before that lady's po-
likeness to Carr would allow her to turn
from him to expostulate Charles was on
his knees beside Ralph, wiping the Of
Tending stain.
"tOut, damned spotr or rather, series
of spots. What, Aurelias You don't wish
1t rubbed any more? Good. Twill turn
my attention to the Aubusson carpet.
Ha! triumph! Here at least am C
cessful. Aunt Mary, you have no o n
ception how useful your handkerchief is.
| The amount Of tea or dirt, or both, which
is leaving the carpet and taking refuge
in your little square of cambria will sur
prise you when you see it. Ah"-rsing
from his knees as I brought up Carr,
having by this time presented him to Sir
George. Very happy to see you, Mr..
Carr. Most kind Of you to come. Eve
Ign, are you pouring out some tea for
Mr.. Carr? Nature requires support be-
fore a last rehearsal. May I introduce
you to my cousin, Miss Derrick
After Carr had also been introduced
to Aurelia, who, however, was still too
much absorbed in her tea gown to take
much notice of him, he seemed glad to
retreat to a chair by Evelyn, who gave
him his tea and talked pleasantly to him.
He was very shy at first, but he o o got
used to us, and many were the curious
glances shot at him by the rest Of the
party as tea went on There was to be
| a last rehearsal Immediately afterward,
80 that he might take part in it, and
there was a general unacknowledged
anxiety on the part of all the actors as
to how he would bear that crucial test
on which so much depended. 1 was be-
coming anxious myself, being in a man.
ner responsible for him.
you're not nervous, are your I said,
| taking him aside when tea was over.
"Only act half as well al you did on the
steamer and you will do capitally."
"Yes, l am nervous" he replied, with
a short, uneasy laugh. 1T is enough to
make a fellow to be set down
among a lot of people whom he has never
seen before-to act a principal part, too.
I had no idea it was going to be such a
grand affair or / would not have come.
I only did it to please you"
Of course I knew that and l tried to
reassure him, reminding him that the
audience would not be critical and how
grateful every one was to him for CON-
ing.
Tell me who some of the people are,
will your" he went %. who is that
tall man with the fair mustache? He is
| looking at US now"
''That is Charles, the eldest son." l re-
piled; land the shorter one, with the
pleasant face, near the window, is Ralph,
his younger brother"
THAT is q very good looking girl he is
talking to-" he remarked. 81 did not
catch her name"
"Hush!" I said. That is Miss Grant,
whom he is engaged to. They have just
had a little tiff and are making it up.
He does talk to her a good deal. l have
noticed 1t myself. Such a sweet Great
urei"
SIS she going 70 act::'
YES" I replied. "They axs going to
begin at once. You need moi dresa. Il
4 NOT 4 drm Nhma