Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1890-07-18
M rs. DO b
BY JOHN STRANGE WINTER,
Author OF "Boottes' Bdby," Beautiful
.Tina,' Etc, Etc.
CHAPTER vI-oUT FOR A RAMBLH.

CHAPTER vI.-oUT FOR A RAMBLR.
Without actually putting her thoughts
into words, -drs. Trafford decided that she
would make her next Sunday afternoon
quite party. She did indeed say TO j una
that they would ask a few people to come
In after the Parish, and she wrote Few
notes TO such men in the neighborhood as
were available. among them various sol
diers quartered in the garrison, and Ger
ard De L.i.le; also Mr.. De Isles bosom
friend, one Anthony Mauleverer, a young
man OF distinguished appearance, de-
lightful manners and the general air of a
stage brlgand. ] believe he was utterly
innocent Of any desire to shine in that
way and that thus his appearance was
against him. but without doubt he was,
looked at from a matrimonial point OF
view, a detrimental Of the most pro-
nounced type Yet Mrs. TraffOrd made
good deal of fuss over him-ilnatured
Deople said because he was first cousin to
the Mauleverers. The three spins;ers
who lived IN ST. EYES, a few doors from
No. z, called Mrs. TraffOrd "a pushing lit
tie person, who is always trying TO know
u.s. and would not let themselves slip
into visiting terms with her at any price.
Asa general thing only about half Il
dozen people found their way TO No. ST.
Ewes after the Parish, but on extra Occa-
sions it was wonderful how large "A gath
ering Mrs. Trafford was able to get to-
gether, without having made formal
party On this particular afternoon, for
instance il was wonderful to notice how
long she fingered to speak tnst word
with her acquaintances in the outer courts
-otherwrss the Naye-of the Parish, and
how nice % her way to her pew-no, |
mean her stall-she stopped to whisper a
single sentence to two rather important
ladies', Come in after the service" and
then went up and, 80 to speak, devotional
~ buried herself, following every word Of
the familiar service with large book and
double gold eye-glass held some six or
eight inches from the end of her nose
without doubt, although have come to
have the tenderest affection for Mrs Traf-
ford since first began to write about her,
s.e was taken all round quite a study, an
interesting study.
Then after service was over, she and
Julia separated and each gathered in "A
few more recruits rs she went hOmewards,
so that by the time Mrs. Bob Markham,
with Bob and Stephen Howard in tow,
found her way to No. Z, quite n hustle
was going on and the sound of many
voices greeted them as they went up the
stair.
Stephen Howard found that Julia was
too busy with her tea tray to do more for
him than smile brightly and ask him to
help her with the cups, and whilst he was
handing cups and plate of neatly rolled
bread and butter from one to the other,
he became aware that Mrs. LOvelace,
gorgeOusly dressed In black with gold en-
broideres, was flirting desperately with
two young officers and that Captain Lee
gard and Miss Pamela Winstanley were
snugly ensconced in the window, Legard
with his back to the company, Miss Pa
mela facing him. with gratitied pride of
possession written on every line of her fair
and rather mean, though pretty, face
Him." ran Stephen Howard's thoughts,
trust IA woman to dig the knife in deep
when once she has found the spot where
another woman flinches."
a little farther away Mrs. TrafTord was
taIkingto Lady Lucifer and her new friend
Mrs Markham.
what are those large rooms just at the
end OF the street," Mrs Markham was
saying.
WI ltlo0t hIt the ASSEMBLY, iA'N)illS, INC
best bathrooms In England" answered
Mrs TralTord.
'Fhc very place for milIionaires like you
to give balls in, Maimie," laughed Lady
Lucifer.
Mrs, Trafrord opened her eyes somewhat
to thus hear the extremely exclusive Lady
Lncifer address the Australian lady by
her Christian name. but evidently Mrs
u,h 20,
she patted Lady Lucifer's hand aud an
swered Now don't chat me like that
Violet. You know very well we are not
milIionaires-we are just comfortably off
All the same. should like to give a ball
In those rooms, 1t wouldn't be half the
trouble of having it In ones own house
and not half the trouble for ones friends
either But must get to know few
more people first"
"OhI will send out the invitations for
your suggested Lady Lucifer, gaily.
But Mrs. Markham looked doubtful.
''I'm told that people do that in London,
but don't think Bob would like it. 1t
would look like trying to push ourselves
into society on your shoulders, aud old
friends as You and | are don't think it
would be quite fair to do that"
We'll, put it Off a little till you see how
you like the place for hunting" suggested
her ladyship, good-naturedly; land when
you do want TO give Il ball, will help YOU
all can"
Yes, that is more lIl1H it," answered
Mrs. Markham-theu turned to Mrs Traf-
ford-"You did not know that Lady Luz
offer and were girls together. did vou?"
NO. indeed" answered Mrs Tratrord,
deeply interested
'But that is SO Lady Lucifers father.
Sir Ranald Tempest, was Governor Of
Queensland five years was he there,
Violetp
Eyes, i've years" Lady Lucifer an
swered, five OF the happiest years of my
life, and Mamie Howard was the dearest
friend made during the whole time
was there
How delightful to meet again and
be neighhors after so many years" muir
INJURED Mrs TratTord, and then leaving
them To enjoy each others society. she
moved away TO speak to others of her WISH
tors
She was more than conscious of n feel
ing that Mrs. Markham must he a very
kind as well rs a very well-hred woman
or she would have told Colonel Coles
and was /, Major General now. winch
probably meant that he would soou he
home from india-that she had little or
no need ~ letter of Introduction to auy-
body in or near Blaukhampton. being an
old friend VI Que Of the smartes, and most
powerful ladies in the whole of the rnuu-
". 81 feel that shall like Mrs. Mark
ham" Mrs Tratrori said to herself as she
approached Lady Margaret Adair. the
Deans wife. who was in the pre-uccunied
state OF a woman tIying to do two things
at once; one WAS Ia listen 10 Mrs. Fairjie,
who had her most pronounced society
voice and manner on, the other was to
keep her eye on Mr. Anthony Maulcverer
and her own pretty daughter, who had
drawn nearer to each other than Lady
Margaret quite liked.
may be wrong snd misguided in every
way, but cannot understand how any
man or woman can get tired of the study
OF people. Those who live in the whirI
of London society, whether it is solely
and strictly the Society OF Fashion or the
Society of Wit, naturally after long
spell, grow tired OF society itself. of goius
out day after day and night after night
from drum to dinner and dinner TO crush
10 say nothing Of lunches aud theatres
thrown in, with all the unutterahle fag of
paying calls, leaving paste boards, sitting
out matinees and recitals, looking In at
hazaars and other charity functions. Ons