The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1890-08-14

answered Lavinia, who loved gay apparel
and always went about herself with sew
eral immense dress-baskets.
So the bus was sent off and the several
visitors were put safely into the train by
the careful footman who usually did all
that kind of work. But by some unfor-
tunate mischance, the three visitors who
were to have come by the same train as
Mrs. Trafford did not turn up, having
missed 1t by two minutes, so Mrs. Traf-
ford, who had no maid. was conducted
in state to the huge ark, which could l
think only have found rival in all this
-girt kingdom, in one coach house,
that of John, Lord Bishop of Blankhamp
ton.
Mrs. Trafford felt just what she looked.
like a lonely little mouse sitting wistfully
in the corner of huge trap, while on the
roof above her one modest trunk danced
about like parched pea on n fire-shovel.
No. Mrs Trafford did not appreciate the
grandeur of family arks. She liked the
limited luxury of neat little single
brougham of Botwood.
Well, in due course Mrs. Trafford and
Mrs. Bob arrived at the D6anery-itis but
a stones throw from St. Ewes to the
stately pile across the Close Gardens, and
they found that dear Lady Margaret was
not at home. The two ladies therefore
handed in sheaf of cards and told the
coachman to go to Rivercliffe.
81 am not altogether sorry" said Mrs.
Bob, as they turned out of the Close gates
-"when people are out it does get You
through"
Yes said Mrs Trafford, with a laugh.
The lady of Riverclffe. Mrs. Leith-
Warminster, was not out and our friends
were ushered in through very SNOWY
hall into very snowy drawinS-room.
The lady of the house was not there but
she came to them in two minutes, very
tall woman with good black eyes, non
descript sort of face. with rather spare
long-Waisted figure clad in light gray
tailor-gOwn.
81 am so charmed to see yOu," she said
to Mrs. Bob, "and Mrs Trafford. too.
How good of you to GOMEZ am prisoner
in the house. Oh! chill, feel shivering
and rheumatic and Jack thought | had
better keep in. Do let me tell them to put
the horses up for an hour-yes, do, it will
be quite charity to me-"
1--WE were going to one or two OF her
Places" Mrs. Bob answered. hesitatingly,
and looking at Mrs. Trafford.
''Oh! just as you like, my dear, so far as
am concerned" said Mrs. TraffOrd, in
answer to the look.
Then they may put up for an hour"
Mrs. Bob said with laugh; 81 dare say
my coachman won't be sorry"
So for an hour they remained, and the
ladies took their fur wraps off and the
three settled down in the sumptuOus little
oriental boudOr which was just out of the
draWing-rOOm. Not quite alone, no, for
before they had had quite comfortable
chat, as Mrs Leith-W administer remark
ed, two officers of the 43rd came in and
presently were followed by another man,
who was A. D. G. to the General command
ing the district.
"Quite pleasant little afternoon" said
Mrs. Trafford, as they drove away from
Rivercliffe. "She is very nice pleasant
woman, don't you Think"
''Oh! a charming creature" said Mrs.
Bob. ''And he is nice, too They must be
rich, don't you Think"
"Oh, l believe immensely rich. She was
Miss Rice, of Manchester-manufact
ing people"
"Ah, yes should quite think So" said
Mrs. Bob. refectively.
They called at No for Mrs. Trafford's
things aud then went straight off to
Brentwood, only stopping at the big book
sellers in the High Street for Mrs. Bob to
get out and select couple of novels from
the circulating library there But she
stopped and had Il little chat with man
who was buying some photographs in the
outer shop and professed herself very glad
to see him.
Come out and dine with us tonight,
Major Vane," she said-''do. Bob will be
SO pleased to see you, and we have little
Mrs Trafford staying with u.s."
"Why, thank you, Mrs. Dob," said Ma
Tor Vane, who was Of a very social tenn
permanent, and would rather at any time
dine anywhere than at the mess of the
43rd, tits awfulIy kind of you. I'd like it
immensely. What timer"
eight O'Clock" she replied. '"Then we
shall expect you. Good-by, till then"
He went out to the door with her and
saw her into the brougham, staying a mo-
ment to speak to Mrs. Trafford ere it
drove off.
''I asked him to come out and dine" said
Mrs. Bob, as they rolled down the street
He's nice fellow, and four is II more
comfortable number than three at dinner,
don't you think?'
Eyes. 1 think it is" answered the other.
It was striking six as they turned in at
the gates of Brentwood. 1--WE will have a
cup of tea," said Mrs. Bob, Il saw that on
took none at Rivercliffe, and I did not
drink wine. We have lots of time for a
real cozy chat before we need think about
dressing"
Mrs. Trafford was quite willing and in a
few minutes they were comfortably in
conclave over a good cup of tea and plate
of hot buttered mullins.
81 have not seen you since you went to
stay at Little Street." said Mrs. Bob, as
she stirred her tea.
''No-what long time it SEEMS" an
swered Mrs. Trafford thinking of her
lonesome journey in the big omnibus, in
which she had felt like some unfortunate
soul taking trip in Black Maria for the
benefit of her health.
did you have good time? Did you
enjoy your visit?' asked Mrs. Bob, help
inc herself to mullins