Waterbury evening Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1887-1895, 1890-02-17

| nau ne TepenGeu! Vt mad the person
| who took it been ashamed to restore IL
in personp Or had really dropped it,
and only dreamed that put it awayp
| CHAPTER XVIII.
| When Sir Jonas left me next morn
ing at the gate of the Alders sense of
desolation came over me. The house
still held many mysteries which I could
not solve. Was Mrs. Rayner really
mad. and if SO why had no suspicion Of
| the fact reached the gossip-loving
neighborhood? Was Sarah really Mrs.
Kayner s guardian; and was she not a
little mad herselfP Why did she hate
me so? Oh, what might she not do if
her wicked dislike again got control of
her? Haidee was unwcll and not vet
up for the day. So l went upstairs,
hoping there was at least note from
Laurence, but was informed there were
no letters, for me. At dinner l must
have appeared rather pensive for MIR.
Rayner remarked that l did not look
any better for my visit and that dissi-
patton evidently did not agree with me.
In the afternoon was allowed to go
to Haidee's room. The day was cold
and it was without fire. l wondered
why they did not move the child, who
clasped her little hot hands around nv
neck as soon as came in and insisted
should tell her all l had done since 1
went away. So made Il little story of
1t, leaving out what was not proper She
should hear and dwelling upon such
points as feeding chickens, gathering
flowers and cutting grapes.
Haidee begged SO hard to have me
take tea with her that l consented.
When we were alone she said, very
softly:
Last night that hateful Sarah made
mamma cry. heard her through the
door. Mamml is frightened of Sarah
and SO am l. Hush! somebody is al
ways listening
But no listener could have heard her
soft whisper; even l, with my ear
close to her lips. could scarcely catch
the faint sounds. | comforted her,
told her Sarah would not hurt her or
mamma either and stayed with her
until she went to sleep.
Then [ wrapped myself up in
shawl ard went to look at my nest
And there, leaning with his back
against the tree which formed my seat,
was Laurence. l gave cry of delight
and ran forward; but he only raised his
hat and said:
Good evening. Miss Christie.",
l stopped short, overwhelmed with
dismay. Then l said, in quite a low
husky voice, for l could scarcely get
the words out:
Laurence, why do you speak like
that? Aren't you glad to see me?"
''Why should be glad to see YOU,
Miss Christie? 1 can't hope to show
to advantage in your eyes after the
more amusing society you have just
Left
What do you mean? What society
do l like better than yours!'
ooh, you are very kind; and dare
say do very well as n makcshift when
there is no more exciting amusement
to be had!'
"Oh, Laurence, how can YOU say
such cruel things? Arc you angry be-
cause l went to Denham Court, and
because l enjoyed myself? | couldn't |
help it, every body was SO kind. But l
thought of you all the time, and |
wished with all my heart that you had |
been there
did you think of me while YOU were |
letting MIR. Carruthcrs whisper to YOU !
in the conservatory? And did YOU
think OF me when you were using the
same book in church as Mr. Carruthers,
and feeding the fish with him in, oh,
such an idyllic manner, and playing
his accomplishments and talking about
poetry, and"
''Stop. Laurcnce-it isn't true, it
ism true! 1t was Mr.. Standing whose
l played and who
talked about poetry with me, not"
"Mr. Standing? He's another
hnoIfvf ,l, {, |
Miss Christie. l feel l am not worthy
to be admitted among the number I
am too dull"
you are too rude" sai,, 7, nv shirt
rising. II don't know what YOU mean
by calling them beauties, but none of
the gentlemen you sheer at would have
thought OF insulting me and irving to
make me unhappy, just because some
times talked to other people,"
''No, you tried to be impartial. see.
You were on the river between twelve
and two o'clock in the morning with
all the men-visitors at Denham Court,
were youp'
"No.' said 1; then stungto the quick
by his sneers-'I wasn't at Denham
Court long enough"
''Oh!" said Laurence, moro angrily
than ever. He was so angry that he
began to speak again two or three
times, but only stammercd and broke
off. At last he said: 'You-you were
not there long; but you made good use OF
your time; for by this morning the fame
IF your exploits had spread all over
he neighborhood.'
''My exploits!'
Yes. This morning, before You ar
lived, Mr.. Rayner had heard of Them"
"Mr: Rayner has friend staying
here said 1, with sudden caution.
''Oh, more mysteries! So Mr.. Ray
Ter set spy upon you; can quite be-
II did not mean that. OF course
,e would not think of such thing.
Mr.. Rayner has said nothing to me
bout my conduct, which you seem
O think so diSgraceful