The Logan County banner. [volume] (Logan, W. Va.) 1889-1903, 1890-07-10
THE WHITE CAT.
Part He Played In a Romantic
Love Affair.

WAS crossing from the Law Courts to
my chambers in the Temple. 1t was the
week before long vacation, and / was
looking forward to q we'll earned rest
Constant attendance at the courts had
made havoc Of my nerves, and needed
TO replenish my overtaxed resources.
was walking rapidly, my hands in
my pockets, my head bent towards the
ground, when suddenly became con-
scious OF shouts to which had hitherto
paid no heed. At the same moment a
hand touched my arm, and passer-by
told me that it was my attention which
the shouts were intended to attract; and
turning, / saw coachman even now
sestiealating from-his box. With a
feeling OF annoyance crossed the road
did you call me?' / asked, impa-
tiently.
II did, sir. Her ladyship wishes to
speak to YOU"
Then was aware that fat forefinger
was reckoning to me from the interior
Of the brougham.
"Oh, my dear Mr.. Oswald Jones!' said
her ladyship. "You are Oswald Jones'
aren't you? am delighted to see you;
am indeed. You are not looking WELL
Come inside for a moment; / wish to
speak to you"
/ obediently entered.
'Ah, Mr.. Oswald Jones!' she contin-
ned; see what penalty you pay for
success!"
began modestly to assure her lady
Y ship that the prize was worth the pain.
mo doubt no doubt-to an ambitious
man. But you should not overdo 1t. You
are never without headache. i am
sure; you have no appetite; in short,
you're miserable creature"
was beginning to protest, but her
ladyship cut me short
mot word now. l have not lived
sixty years for nothing, and say that
you, successful barrister, with a large
practice, are nevertheless, a miserable
creature. Your mother was q dear
friend OF mine, and l reproach myself
for having neglected my friends. Now
feel myself bound to look after you.
When do your holidays commence?"
Tomorrow is the last day Of term"
Then next Monday morning you
must take yourself and baggage to
Waterloo, and come by the 1918 train
to Darlington. Some one shall meet
you, and you shall spend your vacation
with me-"
my dear Lady Pownceby," ex-
claimed, appalled, at the thought OF
spending two months with this old lad Y;
II could not think Of troubling you.
was thinking Of going to Branscombe
with friend"
You are not to go to Branscombe; it's
too fashionable; you would not rest
there. ] will take no refusal; you must
come. Well make you comfortable
We are quiet, You know, but not dull;
my niece is with me, and there are sew
eral good people in the neighborhood.
shall expect you on Monday morning.
don't disappoint me- Now 60 home
take an old woman's advice and have q
basin Of Cruel before bed to night
Goodbye"
accepted her plump hand despair.
ingly. was incapable Of resisting hel
authoritative inyitation-her size added
weight to her argument-and SO found
myself engaged to rusticate at Barking
ton.
Lady Pownceby, whom hardly knew
was the widow OF an Indian merchant
who, having won fortune and a baron
etcy, died, leaving his childless widow
to console herself with the solidity Of
one and the sentiment OF the other.
Duly, on Monday morning, l lef
Waterloo, and in a couple OF hours wa.
seated in Lady Pownceby's dog-cart
listening languidly to the inane mono
tone of the coachman. MY hostess me-
me with effusion at the door, and in
sisted on my going at once to my room
where ] found luncheon laid on in
cdlide In the afternoon she took M,
round her ample grounds, pointing on
things here and there for me to admire
Dorothy is out" she said, presently
''She is very busy with her poor womeI
this morning. She is very useful in tn,
village; indeed, our vicar, Mr.. Haig
calls her his assistant-curate.
Dorothy is your niece?"
Yes; my poor sister Mrs. Braith
waite's daughter. Sho is an orphan
You will meet her at dinner, and In
--~s sure hope you will be great friends.
hoped so, too. never was a lady
man. OF women friends had not one
and of acquaintances but few VIVA
would two months be at Darlington i
Dorothy and were not friends? / wa
anxious to meet her. Her name sounded
prim, l thought; and her aunt's mention
q parochial work had raised forebod
ing within me. She was sallow, angu
lar, old-young LADY, felt sure, VIII
spoke always with polish and precision
and whose conversation .savored of tn
mothers meeting. ! was angry witt
myself for coming to this place, an
waited for the dinner our on thorns.
Even then no reli.t came. As tn
bell rang, Lady PowD, ~ sailed int
the drawing-room. 10 ked past he
in search Of the niece, but she was nc
there.