Weekly expositor. (Brockway Centre, Mich.) 1882-1894, 1890-02-28
CHAPTER VII.

1t was the middle OF October. and
dull. So very dull and monotonous
had life at rhe Cot become that Lady
Elizabeth had grown tired of 1t all at
once, and had gone up TO London and
established herself in her house in
Mayfair for few weeks. What she
would do afterwards was undecided.
She might go to her house in Edin-
burgh; she might go to Brighton; she
might go abroad. Which of the three
was the most likely even Millicent
Heath could not have told. What she
could have told was that her ladyship
cold and stern as she was, was anxious
and unhappy about her adopted son.
For Owen, although he had not been
down again to Upper Datching and
never mentioned the Thatched Cot
| tage, was gloomy, sullSy, and low
| spirited, irregular in his habits and
late In his hours. To Lady Elizabeth
he was curt and constrained, to Milly
herself ungracious. 1t was a very
uncomfortable state Of. affairs alto
gether; for Milly especially, for Lady
Elizabeth's manner changed towards
her too, becoming very cold and stiff.
She noticed it OF course, as she was
quick to notice most things; but che
did not suspect the reason for it until
one day, about fortnight after their
arrival in London, when Owen had not
appeared either at luncheon or at din
ner. and Lady Elizabeth had shown
herself more than usually displeased.
They were alone, and, upon the with
drawal of the servants, her ladyship
accosted the girl sharply.
"Where is Owen. Millicent?"
"OwenP" Milly started, partly be-
cause she had fallen into dream as
she trihed with the fruit on her plate,
partly because the question was asked
in such harsh tone. 81 don't know,
really, Lady Elizabeth. think last
night heard him mention something
about some races; but am not sure.
Owen doesn't tell me of his engage
ments."
"Owen is not entirely to blame for
that, although l do not pretend to
acquit him altogether" said Lady
Elizabeth sternly. al regret to say
that of late your conduct has not
pleased me, Millicent.
II am sorry to hear it," returned
Milly, flushing. pray let me know
in what way you consider me remiss,
Lady Elizabeth"
You are quite intelligent enough
10 know. Your relations with Owen
do not please me-"
II am excellent friends with Owen"
'You know that | desire you TO be
more than friends"
1--WE shall never be that" replied
Milly steadily. 'Owen has never
asked me to marry him, and if he
were to do so, | should refuse.
have no love for him in that sense;
and you must know, Lady Elizabeth"
said the girl, with frank glance from
her candid eyes," "that he has none
for me. How is it possible that he
should havep"
Perhaps it was this allusion 10 Lily
Blair, slight as it was, which excited
Lady Elizabeth's already ruffled tenn
per, for the next few words she spoke
were as envenomed and singing as
even her bitter tongue could make
them. II Miss Heath chose to set her
wishes at defiance, she must remem-
Der that her education had doubtless
qualified her for situation either as
governess or companion, and that she
might consider herself fully at liberty
to seek some such post as soon as she
pleased. Lady Elizabeth probably did
not mean what she said, for, in her
cold way, she was really fond of Mil
ly; but she spoke as if she did mean
it, and swept out OF the room without
waiting for reply, leaving Milly al
most as angry as herself.
The girls anger, however, ended in
flood OF tears when presently she
sought refuge in the lonely drawing
room, which looked so uncomfortably
large when only her own pretty little
figure was reflected in the hugh pier
glasses. Milly was not by any means
given TO tears-indeed, she rather
scorned them. but she was feeling tired
diu Oue W. oOi Sos hCi hCuO 0ShO0f
and Lady Elizabeth's taunting words
were just sufficient TO cause her to
make what she termed ga cry-babyn
of herself. Indeed, she cried SO
heartily, and made her head so much
worse, that she was almost asleep in
the corner OF yellow satin couch.
when by-and-by she heard her name
spoken, and sat up feeling
rather dazcd, and thinking
that it must he Owen come back.
But it was not Owen; it was George
Alleyn. He had not forgotten Lady
Elizabeth's invitation. given at The
Cot, and he came very often TO the
Mayfair mansion.
Milly sprang TO her feet with little
cry. She would not have minded
Ovens seeing her with her eyelids
inhamed and her curly hair all tum-
bled; but George was different--very
different indeed for Owen would not
have looked so indignant and concern
ed---would not have put his arm
around her waist-certainly woulp not
have kissed her, and, above all, would