Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1890-03-14


she observed, presently. 4 wonder ii
this struck you when you first came TO
NOrthshire as much as it struck me.
Had she been making inquiries, then,
concerning me? There was but one per
son who could tell her anything, and that
was DR.. Gascoigne. I made mental
note of this.
@I appreciate good fires, comforts, and
luxuries Of all kinds, I replied, eVasiVe-
~, glancing around the luxuriously ap-
pointed room.
Are you musicale" she next asked,
probably noticing that my gaze dwelt for
a moment on the open piano and the heap
Of music on the floor.
Il am passionately fond of music.
So is my daughter. That just ez-
presses it-she is passiOnately fond Of
music"
Miss HargreaVe is we'll, I hope?"
She is better, thank yOu-WOnderfulIy
better since We came here. But she is
very excItabIe; one of those highly strung,
impulsiVe natures that are a constant
source OF anxiety. Her fathers death was
a terrible shock to her. She has not re-
covered it. I sometimes fear she never
will"
But the dOctOrs-yOu have consulted
some, I supposed" I asked, feeling it in
cumbent on me to say something.
They are unanimous IN telling me
and-diverting her mind. She has a
splendid constitution; they all say that.
She has a magnificent physique"
"Yes. You express admirably my
meaning. She has n magnificent physique
so had her mother. But oh, Mr.. Dud-
ley, a step daughter is a terrible charge
an almost overwhelming responsibility.
I could not, for the life of me, find a
suitable answer, so sought refuge in ST.
lenCe, and sat staring at the fire, wonder
ing what Miss HargreaYe thought of the
message" I had sent her, and whether or
not she would deign to show me the light
Of her beautiful presence.
Mrs. HargreaVe continued to talk, or
rather to ply me with innUmerable ques-
lions, every reply of mine elciting from
her prOsy dissertation, wherein she en-
deavOred to eXpOund her own views and
theories. Occasionally, L feigned agree
ing with her, because this was easier than
arguing on matters concerning which, at
that moment, was feeling the most SUI
preme Indifference.
An hour passed, and wondered how
much longer this "durance vile" would
last. So unutterably bored did become
that I was even contemplating flight,
when a slight sound at the far end of the
apartment attracted my attention. A
pOrtiere was drawn aside. Miss Har-
gresVe stepped into the room.
Heavensi how beautiful she looked.
What a picture she presented standing
there against the dark tapestried back
ground. Her dress, of gold-colored bro
cade clinging closely to her, displayed
the exquisite outline of her form. felt
that in her dark eyes, which were fixed on
me, lay an irresistible fascination
power that impelled me to go forward to
where she stood.
4 am so glad to see you, Mr.. Dudley
Do you believe me?" she asked, while
retained her hand certainly longer than
etiquette required.
Believe you? Yes!" I whispered pres
emily, watching the rich color mantle in
her cheeks: her looks, her manner, filling
me with strange, wonderful pleased
surprise. Then, with a gentle pressure,
she withdrew her hand.
In the meantime Mrs. Hargreave had
risen from her seat. She seemed scared
and nervous.
My dear, she began, Il thought"
@Ah, you thought had a headache and
could not appear tonight, mother minel
But am not the most contrary creature
in creatiOn2 Wasn't L almost sure to
change my mind? My headache has flown,
so has my somber mood. At this mo-
ment 1 feel the gayest of the gay. Poor
mOtherl Won't even that assurance make
you smile! All, Mr. Dudley, you must
have spent weary, weary hOurl Mother
has been trying to Undue you with some
of her dreary ideas of life. Now you
shall hear mine! Oh, what a merry world
it is when all goes we'll! I'll dance and
play-dance and play she warbled, with
the freshness and freedom of a bird.
Then, finging aside the fan of pea
cock feathers with which she had been
toying, she sat down at the piano, and
without prelude of any kind burst out in
glorious voice with the fine old song,
Should he upbraid!" Never shall I hear
it to my dying day without assOciating it
with George HargreaVe and remembering
that night
felt irresistibly impelled to approach
the singer, but Mrs. Hargreave mOtioned
me back, laying a finger on her lips. Did
she mean to enjOin silence2 No fear,
however, that should break the spell by
speech. I stood simply entranced with
the bewitching strains. the complete
abandon of the singer-my gaze riveted
! on the beautiful, glowing face that
seemed all the while trimming over WITH
| fun and mischief.
| AS the last notes died away, however
| the harmony was broken by a sharp, sud
! den cry from Mrs. HargreaVe, who haC
/ sunk back on her@chair, and was pressing
! one hand to her side.
you are i'll again, mother, said Miss
! Hargreave, going and bending over her
! Never mind, dear. 1t Will pass off,
! gasped the lady, rising with apparent
! difficulty. Excuse me, Mr.. Dudley,
| she continued, with white face and trem
] bling lips. 81 am subject to these at
tacks. They are nothing; George vii
/ tell you so. I will return presently"
She then left the room through the doc
by which her daughter had entered it,
raising the pOrtiere for her as she did so
My looks must have expressed concern
( for when turned round Miss HargreaV
said lightly, as she threw herself on
| couch:
Don't be alarmed, Mr.. Dudley. I an
! quite used to mothers little attacks; the,
are nothing serious, really, Only a catch
ing of the breath. Do pray sit down an,
allow me to thank you for getting me tina
| COPY of the viii. I was almost mad Of
first reading It, as you may suppose"
Il hardly knew whether to let you hav
it or not, Miss Hargreave, fearing yo