Waterbury evening Democrat., 1890-06-30
THE ATHELSTONS;
VICTOR AND vANQU1sHND.
BY MARY CECIL HAY.

consciousness that she never dlshke0 Sir Neil so thoroughly as when he was acting under tho tutors influence, and that Lady Athelston was never 90 hard and selfish as when she, too, had been in his socicty-no, not even Louisa Oas- tillain could make her quite sounfeeling anu ~ H.s, s.1 nsaIay in every case my first impressions have proved true ones, LI- na said to herself, glancing with unoon- scious wistfulness into her comPan1on's face, as if that were the exception only. any definite impression there, she thought "the mother and the son were too much alike for me to care. Arc such natures capable of anything be- yond self indulgence and self-love, wonder
 "What handsome couple Sir Neil and Marjorie make |" spoke Lady Athel- ston, suddenly breaking in upon this thought; and Lima nodded, with her bright, assenting smile. She was al- ways ready, eagerly ready, to class those two together.
 "Not that Marjorie is quite to be compared with my son in point of good looks." continued Lady Athelston, with slow unctuousness; "but, then. there are other things about her which com pensate for want of real beauty. An MT. Jeffrey, have they let you of to join the old lady? Miss Chester and l were just remarking how admirably my son and MISS Castlilaln suit each other, and how, though she has no real beauty, she has other things which compensate. For instance, her figure now what figure do you gentlemen pronounce her to be ?"
 Marjorie, hundred yards in front, was crossing the sunny little stream on stepping stones. Neil, on the other side, waited for her, his offered hand | unheeded, his dissatisfied eyes fixed on the carriage behind. Watching them intently, Jeffrey answered, with smile:
 Exquisite There can be but one voice among us on that point, Lady | Athleston."
 | "Though Louisa's face is so much more regular, 1 think Marjorie carries away the palm. She always makes 8 greater sensation in society, as you mon say doesn't she, Miss Ohesterp" in- auired Lady Athelston, always requiring her opinions indorsed, and eager for praise of Marjorie. because she was to be Neil's wife, "I must not ask you, I suppose, MT. Jeffrey. It would not be fair to tempt you to say that Marjorie has the more winning face"
 Eustace Jelfrey's lips curled with a sudden involuntary scorn his eyes for a moment flashed with savage jealousy; i; then he said, coolly, with smile which was bestowed on Lima as well as on Lady Athelston:
 Miss Castiliain's face is classically handsome; Miss Marjorie's greatest ad- mirer could not say so of hers"
 And Lima, listening to the sarcastic words, turned her eyes from the false, handsome face with feeling of real fear.
 "Pull up, Miss Chester l" cried Sir motioning the groom to the ponies' heads, as they came up to him. "This is the place."
 l "This is the place; stand still, my steed," quoted Marjorie, sauntcring round to 1ina's side of the phaeton. "Did you ever see two of the goldfish at High Athelston walking about the croquet- ground, Miss Chester, trying b arrange the hoops?"
 "Not yet," laughed Lima.
 II feared not, But, at any rate, I can show you a very similar sight up above; namely, the twin canaries hr- ranging tea al .fresco, and overwhrlmsd by the responsibility of disjointed fire and an uncertain kettle. Neil is going to help them when he has landed his mother and, while they exercise their united skill, let us walk little"
 Neil came up to them eagerly.
 "You are almost @ stranger among the hills, Miss Chester" he said; "so come and let me show you the chief points of interest before tea"
 "Then / must go and help Col. Stuart
 "That's hit, eh, Marjorie ?" laughed Neil, laying his hand lightly on her shoulder. "I must take the hint con- veyed in it. We'll, go where you will, and I'll do what I've got to do here !; but tell me where I shall find you presently"
 "We will go over the hills there be- yond the fall, " said Marjorie, "and come back by the pool"
 "Af right, "rejoined Sir Neil. "Don't join any other party"
 "I almost believe" remarked Mar jorie, as the two girls strolled on, "that this is going to be quite jolly little picnic. And it is not very often, is it, Lima, that those things which arc pur- posely arranged to give pleasure do give UF AC seems CO me that you nave only just to anticipate thing for it to turn out disappointing, lowering, depressing failure. Is that your experience, too P
 1T don't often lock forward to any great enjoyment" returned Lima; "f , have not for many years"
 One swift glance, tender and pitilul, Marjorie gave into the beautiful white face beside her, then laughed.
 "Did not Sir Neil look handsome and angry when sent him of? I wonde, whether he is going to enjoy his pic nic 2"
 "I think we all intend to do SC" Lina answered, smiling. "I hope you do moi prognosticate disappointment for us all, Miss Castillian."
 "Make haste, 7" interrupted Marjorie, lowering her voice; II am afraid of MT. Jeffrey joining us." "It Is Col. Stuart's step behind us,