Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1890-09-03
THE WHITE CAT.
Part He Played in a Romantic
Love Affair.


my chambers in the Temple, 1t was the
week before long vacation, and ] was
looking forward TO we'll earned rest.
Constant attendance at the courts had
made havoc of my nerves, and needed
to replenish my overtaxed resources.
was walking rapidly my hands in
my pockets, my head bent towards the
ground, when suddenly became con-
scious OF shouts to which had hitherto
paid no heed. At tho same moment a
hand touched my arm, and passer-by
told me that it was my attention which
the shouts were intended to attract; and
turning, ] saw coachman even now
sesticulating from his box. With a
feeling of annoyance crossed the road.
Ibid you call me?" | asked, impa-
tiently.
II did, sir Her ladyship wishes to
speak to you.'
Then was aware that fatforefnger
was reckoning to me from the interior
of the brougham.
''Oh, my dear Mr.. Oswald Jonesr' said
her ladyship. "You are Oswald Jones,
aren't you? | am delighted to see you
| am indeed. You arc not looking we'll
Como inside for moment: | wish tc
speak to you"
| obediently entered.
"Ah, Mr. Oswald jones' she contin.
ued; ''see what a penalty you pay for
SUGGEST"
/ began modestly to assure her lady.
ship that the prize was worth the pain.
"No doubt, no doubt-to an ambitious
man. But you should not overdo 1t. You
are neaer without headache, ! an
sure; you have no appetite; in short,
you're a miserable creature
was beginning to protest, but hel
ladyship cut me short.
mot word now. ] have not lived
sixty years for nothing, and ] say that
you, a successful barrister, with large
practice, are nevertheless. a miserable
creature. Your mother was dear
friend of mine. and ! reproach myself
for having neglected my friends. Now
7 feel myself bound to look after you.
When do your holidays commence?"
Tomorrow is the last day of term.
"rhcn next Monday morning you
must take yourself and baggage To
Waterloo, and come by the 1915 train
to Darlington Some one shall meet
you, and you shall spend your vacation
with me-"
my dear Lady Pownccby,' ex-
claimed, appalled, at the thought of
spending two months with this old lady;
II could not think of troubling you.
vas thinking of going to Branscombo
with friend
You arc not TO go TO Branscombe: it's
100 fashionable; you would not rest
shere. I will take no refusal; you must
some. Well make you comfortable.
We are quiet, you know but not dull;
ny niece is with me, and there are sew
sral good people in the neighborhood.
shall expect you on Monday morning;
ion't disappoint me. Now go home;
lake an old womans advice and have "a
oasin OF Cruel before bed TO night.
od-bye.'
! accepted her plump hand despair
ngly. was incapable of resisting her
authoritative invitation-her size added
weight TO her argument-and so found
myself engaged TO rusticate at Barking
ION.
Lady Pownceby, whom hardly knew,
VAS the widow of an Indian merchant
Who, having won fortune and baron
,tcy, died, leaving his childless widow
20 console herself with tho solidity OF
,ne and the sentiment of the other.
Duly, on Monday morning, ] left
Waterloo, and in a couple of hours was
seated in Lady Pownceby's dog-cart,
listening languidly to the inano mono.
zone of the coachman. Ny hostess met
ne with effusion at the door, and in
sisted on my going at once TO my room.
where / found a luncheon laid on in
,dide. In the afternoon she took me
'oupd her ample grounds, pointing out
;hings here and there for me to admire.
dorothy is out" she said, presently.
She is very busy with her poor women
his morning. She is very useful in the
rillage; indeed, our vicar, Mr.. Haig,
alls her his assistant-curate.
Dorothy Is your niecc?"
Eyes; my poor sister, Mrs. Braith-
Yates daughter. She Is an orphan.
1ou will meet her at dinner. and I'm
ure hope you Will he great friends
j hoped SO, TOO. never was q lady's
nan. or women friends had not one,
nd of acquaintances but few. What
would two months be at Darlington II
Dorothy and were not friends? | was
,nxious 60 meet her. Her name sounded
rim, thought; and her aunt's mention
4 parochial work had raised a forebod-
ng within me-. She was sallow, angu-
ar, old-young lady, ! felt sure, who
poke always with polish and precision.
nd whose conversation savored Of the
nothers' meeting. J was angry with
nyself for coming TO this place. and
waited for the dinner-hour on thorns.
Even then no relief came As the
ell rang. Lady Pownccby sailed into
he drawingroom. ! looked past her
search OF the niece, but she was not