The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1890-08-07
CHAP. XvIT-HALF EXPLAINED-WHOLLY
PUZZLED,

Thus January crept over and February
came in, and early in February Julia re-
ceived an invitation from Marcus OrfOrd's
mother, Lady Ceespring, asking her and
her husband to spend few days with
them at Oxford Place.
my boy and Madge will be here" Lady
Ceespring said in her letter, ''indeed they
have been here, but are now gone on 1t
short visit to Brooktield and will be back
early next week. The baby hourishes
finely and is very beautiful person,
and what his devoted grandmother feels
like when she remembers and altogether
fails to realize that she is grandmother,
i cannot find words to express to you"
So at the appointed time Stephen and
his wife left London for Leicestershire,
and in due course arrived at Oxford Place.
And at Oxford Place from some reason or
other the little cloud sprang into life
again and grew little. 1t all came about
through no real reason and without any
legitimate cause, and yet there it was and
it was larger and blacker and uglier than
when first it had doomed upon their hori-
zon. In the first place Stephen had let
ter from Mrs. Bob. 1t came up with their
other letters with the morning tea and
Julia without having the smallest idea OF
wishing to pry into her husbands cor
respondence, could not help seeing that
the letter had an Enclosure. Stephen hand
ed her the letter with careless "there's
one from Maimie," but the Enclosure he
put back into the envelope and the envel-
ODe he put aside on the little table beside
the bed.
She saw him put it carelessly into his
pocket presently-with the carelessneSs
which a man always characteriZes by the
word "shove''-evidently it was a matter
of but the smallest consequence to him,
so she tried to think it was nothing more
than some matter of business about which
he supposed she could have neither curl
Osity nor interest.
In itself this incident might have passed
over and Julia have thought no more
about it, but the following day, as soon as
they had finished lunch and Lady Gee
spring asked Stephen il he would care to
drive to the nearest town with several of
the ladies who were going in to attend a
charity bazaar, he excused himself by
saying that he would rather not if, Lady
Ceespring would mind his remaining at
home, as he had several rather urgent bus
mess letters to write before post-time.
''Oh! just do as you like" Lady Gee
spring said, kindly. This bazaar will
not be very interesting affair, only it is
for an excellent charity and they will ex-
pect us to stand by them and spend a lit
tie money there"
81 will give my wife some money to
spend for me-" he said, quickly. "And,
juicy, if you happen to see anything very
neat in the shape of a pipe-rack you might
bring it for me-"
But what do you want it for, Stevie?"
she cried. 'You have a pipe-rack al
readyr'
81 know-but when Bob and Mamie
were up last time, Bob admired my pipe
rack immensely and said he must treat
himself to one. So if you happen to see a
decent-looking one at this bazaar, you
may as well secure it,
''Oh! very well" she replied. "There is
sure to be one, probably Dozen"
But don't bring a dozen," he cried in
| alarm.
He saw them off, standing on the steps
| of the great entrance to watch them go,
and Julia felt quite little thrill of pride
rush through her as she waved her hand
in farewell.
"My DEAR" whispered Madge in her
sweet soft tones-"you are Il lucky girl
Stephen is delightful'-at which Julia
hlushed up to the. very roots of her hair