Waterbury evening Democrat., 1890-06-20
THE ATHELSTONS;
VICTOR AND vANQU1sHED.
BY MARY CECIL HAY.

BY MARY CECIL HAY. no ar of gossiping; "and she likes per sons to speak up like whom they're talk ing to her. Fletcher, her own maid, har . curious voice that needs no raising; 1t goes sharp in like without my lady's trumpet; and she hears Sir Neil nearly always, though he doesn't talk to her very much; but she's bad with stran- gers. If you're not very tired after your Journey, 'em, it would be best jest to speak up, as your voice is vory-at least it has been very quiet to me. Shall como to your room tonight, 'em, to see if I can help you2 I'll always be glad to help you, Miss Chester, though am only under Fletcher. Margaret, my name is, so you'll always know who to send for when you want help-wont you?"
 Lima thanked the girl pleasantly, even gratefully, then followed her along wide, arched corridor, and into Lady Athelston's dressing-roop.
 As the maid closed the door slowly upon Lima lady, who sat in lounglng chair at the fire, turned around 10 scru- tinize her. At glance Lima could have told that it was Sir Neil's mother; and at a glance she saw that the face which met hers was weak and uncertain, lit tie querulous and alittle cruel. But the helpless look which generally accompa- nies deafness, the mute, unconscious ap- peal of the attitude, won Lina's gentle sympathy in that first moment, and she advanced gratefully to take the out stretched hand, never giving one glance to where Sir Neil, in his fal,ltless even- ing dress, leaned against the low chim- ney piece, opposite his mother. "Take this chair, Miss Chester, said Lady Athelston, pointing to one which had been placed beside her own. "Leave it where it ls," she added, her eyes keenly fixed upon the girl; "leave it there. want you to sit where l can see you."
 And Neil, from his position opposite, seemed to think it was just as necessary that he, too, should be able to see her. Still and quiet Lima sat under the gaze of both mother and son still and quiet, yet with that nameless shrinking from them of which Sir Neil was all the time conscious, as he watched her with 6 steadfast intentness which made her lips quake, but brought no crimson to the delicate white skin.
 "You have had a cold journey, fear, Miss Chester" said Lady Athelston, with sleepy gentleness. From where have you travelled to-dayP"
 "Only from London" answered Lima, speaking through the trumpet which Lady Athelston held to her ear. "From the house where you have been living as governess ?-from the lady in Berkeley Square to whom wrote about you?"
 "Yes," said Lima, but in such d strange. low voice of pain. almost oi fear, that Sir Neil decided promptly in his own mind that her experience oi governess life had been far from rose. colored.
 "Dreary life, Miss Chester, eh P he remarked. Wouldn't you rather teach an intelligent dog to stand on his head than a child to work @ sum-"
 "I never tried the intelligent dog, answered Lima, with quiet careless | ness.
 "I think you told me you had nc home," put in Lady Athelston, uncon scious this time of her sons speech. simply.
 "And no relations?"
 "No, Lady Athelston." l OTtuuut6 Cullu put LII DIT ANSll.
 As Lima spoke, her face had flushed slowly and duskily for the first time, ant not n shade of this was lost upon him.
 "Then, where do you live when yo, have no engagement? persisted tn lady:
 "I never had but one situation" sai' Lima, coldly, "and left that only whel came here."
 2 "Now, mother" put in Neil, "we ar getting tired"
 "You have pretty name, Miss Ches ter, said Lady Athelston, readily under standing her son--as she could when h chose that she should-and taking hi hint, as she always did. els it an abbre yiation of Helena ?"
 "No, my lady," answered the gir '. her lips stiff and proud. f "Lina Chester, eha Was you a father any relation to the celebrated bal j. rister2"
 1T believe not"
 And then Neil saw that the small liz blanched suddenly, and he told himse that there was 8 secret held ther, n which it would not take him long to fin U out.
 "You read aloud well, I understan from the answer received to my letter Mrs. M Mullen, Tn Berkeley Square resumed Lady Athelston, and it wi be one of your chief duties here. Othe will be Neil," she broke of, as
 suddenly aware of the needlessnsss = her sons presence at this intervie,
 :.'are you not going to have a cigar ?"
 Presently, mother. A polite met ,s cd of turning me out, Miss Chester b,
 it is hint which I am far too obtuss
 see. Inever was educated to take hint
 Go on with the list of duties, please
 he added in louder key "go ol
 mother I'm necessary for the supply
 marginal notes." And SO saying, g
 Neil seated himself coolly.
 But when Lady Athelston had enume
 ated various requirements in . slo' iy tedious fashion, and he had failed to 6
 tract Lina's attention by his asides,
 interrunted laughing