The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1890-04-20
THE WHITE CAT.

II was crossing from the Law Courts to
" chambers in the temple. It was the
,ek before long vacation, and was look
|,rd to we'll earned rest. Constant at
|ndsnce at the courts had made havoc of
" nerves, and ] needed to replenish my
ertaxed resources.
II was walking rapidly, my hands in my
ckets, my head bent towards the ground,
len suddenly became conscious of
outs to which I had hitherto paid no
ed. At the same moment q hand touched
arm, and passer-by told me that twas
attention which the shouts were in
nded to attract, and turning I saw a
achman even now gesticulating from his
tx. With feeling of annoyance crossed
road.
did you call me?" I asked impatiently.
II did. sir. Her ladyship wishes to speak
you"
Then was aware that a fat forefnger
,s reckoning to me from the interior of
brougham.
.sOh, my dear Mr.. Oswald Jonesr' said
+ ladyship. "You are Oswald Jones,
emit you? I am delighted to see you, I
q, indeed. You are not looking we'll.
,me inside for moment; wish to speak
you"
I obediently entered.
''Ah, Mr.. Oswald Jonesv' she continued;
zee what penalty you pay for successr'
I began modestly to assure her ladyship
at the prize was worth the pain.
mo doubt, no doubt-to an ambitious
an. But you should not overdo it. You
9 never without headache, I am sure;
u have no appetite; in short, you're a
iserable creature"
was beginning to protest, but her la dy-
ip cut me short.
s'Not a word now. have not lived sixty
ars for aothing, and say that you, sue
ssful barrister, with large practice, are,
vertheless, miserable creature. Your
other was dear friend of mine, and
proach myself with having neglected my
lends. Now feel myself bound to look
s ssee} you When do your holidays COM
Tomorrow is the last day Of term"
s.Then next Monday morning you must
Ike yourself and baggage to Waterloo, and
me by the 1918 train to Darlington. Some
Q shall meet you, and you shall spend
''My dear Lady Pownceby," I exclaimed,
palied at the thought Of spending two
onths with this old lady, II could not
ink of troubling you. was thinking of
ing to Branscombe with a friend"
"You are not to go to Branscombe; it's
% fashionable; you would not rest there.
will take no refusal; you must come.
ell make you comfortable. We are
iet, you know, but not dull; my niece is
the neighborhood. I shall expect you on
onday morning; don't disappoint me.
w 20 home; take an old woman's advice
d have basin of cruel before bed to-
ght. Good-by."
accepted her plump hand despairingly.
vas incapable of resisting her authorita-
10 invitation-her size added weight to
ged to rusticate at Darlington.
Lady Pownceby, whom I hardly knew,
ID the widow of an Indian merchant who,
wing won fortune and baronetoy, died,
wing his childless widow to console her
If with the solidity of one and the senti-
ant of the other.
Duly, on Monday morning, left Water
;, and in couple of hours was seated in
tdy Pownceby's doR-cart, listening Ian
idly to the insane monotone of the coach
an. My hostess met me with efusion at
q door, and insisted on my going at once
my room, where found a luncheon laid
invalide. In the afternoon she took me
und her ample grounds, pointing out
inRs here and there for me to admire.
F'Dorothy is out" she said presently.
bhe is very busy with her poor women
lage; indeed, our vicar, Mr.. Haig, calls
r his assistant-curate."
Dorothy is your niece?"
|'Yes; my poor sister, Mrs. Braithwaite's
tighter. She is an orphan. You will meet
r at dinner, and hope you will be great
ends"
hoped so, too. I never was lady's
an. OF women friends ! had not one,
d of acquaintance but few. What
Drothy and were not friends? was
xious to meet her. Her name sounded
i'm, I thought; and he aunt's mention of
rochial work had raised forebodine
thin me. She was sallow, angular, old
ung lady, felt sure, who spoke always
tn polish and precision, and whose con-
rsation savored of the mothers meet
g. was angry with myself for coming
this place, and waited for the dinner
ur on thorns.
Even then no relief came. As the bell
ne, Lady Pownceby sailed into the draw
room. looked past her in search of
niece, but she was not there.
Dorothy hasn't come in yet, Mr.. Oswald
mes. We will not wait dinner for her;
mover knows when she will return; will
u give me your arm|'
felt that was a man with grievance.
Oswald Jones, of the Middle Temple,
rrister-at-law, one of the rising men. the
pers had said, had condemned myself to
end my vacation in an obscure country
use, and Dorothy Bralthwaite (but a
ther pretty name, l thought, spinster,
owed herself so unimpressed as to alb
pit herself from the house the whole day.
elt disagreeable, and slipped my soup in
ence. But with the fish came Doroty.
i am sorry l am SO late, aunt" she said.
drs. Wade's Tommy has the measles, and
pile she fetched the doctor. This is Mr..
wald Jones?"
had risen, and she looked at me with a
Pnk smile as We shook hands.
am terribly hungry" she said. II was
ginning to fear that should be too late
get anything.
She sat down and began to eat with a
a!thy appetite. watched her. My fore
ding was utterly stultitied. Not angular,
tall and stately, not sallow. but with a
mple1ion OF red and brown; fair hair,
pair OF eyes SO large, blue, dark
nged, expressive. that felt my visit was
in kahn. would have gone twice az fan
make the acquaintance Of the owner OF
Oh eyes. She was not prim, but perfect.
self -po6sessed. She seemed to ignore me
e seldom spoke during the meal. and
ben she did it was to tell her aunt of some
cident of her days work. Occasionally
would look mp at me, and was charmed
tn her delightful eyes. When the ladief
Z me did not linger long. but hastened
ter them. Lady Pownceby was settling
hAr post-praadial nap; Dorothy.