Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1890-08-01
CHAPTER IX.-oN THE BRINK.

CHAPTER IX.-ON THE BRINK.
1t would take NOR" space than | have
To give were fully to l"scribe that week
at Matcham, tn" ball nj Plackngton, the
| big dinner mt Lord MailIAb bros, the bazaar
which Lady L"circr opened, the little
| friendly dance the next evening at Match
am TO which Oulv the very incest people
| were asked aud for which no formal invi-
| tations were sent out. ] think perhaps
| that most OF them u;2yed that evening
more than all the rest of the week, the
| floor was in perfect condition, there was
| plenty of room, the supper was charming
| and the wine the best that was in the Gel
| lar. Julia did not dance much, only three
J values with Stephen Howard, who
/ waltzed divinely-(Fulia adjective, not
| mine)-but she sat out good deal and
| Stephen sat with her. and really it was all
one to them whether they were dancing
or resting
| But still he did not take the plunge and
propose, and on the 2Sth Julia and her
mother went back to st. Ewes much as
they had come, that is to say with no set
tied and definite change looming in the
near future for either OF them
Nevertheless Mr.. Trafford was perfectly
satisfied and Julia was amazingly happy
and the admirable Cox perceived that all
had gone well with them.
They found lying on the hall table the
letters which that mornings post had
brought to the house, couple of invita-
lions, n bill, several circulars and long
letter from Lady Staunton.
"Ohl here is a letter from Laurie" said
Mrs. Traiford, and going upstairs into the
drawing room she sat down by the fire
and began to read 1t, commenting upon
It at intervals.
"Ohi they are t. have their leave from
the 1st % November" she said first.
- expected that" said Julia, unfasten-
ing her coat.
And Laurie wants to know il we want
them here during their leave-if We want
them here" Mrs Trairord repeated, at
which Julia laughed aloud.
"Ohl-or will we go and me ct them in
town. Oh! that is quite impossible, dear.
l really should not care to leave home just
now"
Julia blushed right rosy red. ''Weu, l
think it would be rathera pity" she re-
turned.
obi quite out OF the question" Mrs.
Trafrord said. with decision-th,n took
up the letter again aud went on reading.
Laurie says they will either come TO
us to meet us in town or come to us later,
but the old ladies have made special
point OF asking them for Christmas, and
are going to ask us too-Ohr' and there
she stopped short again and looked with
doubtful eyes at her daughter.
There is time enough to settle all that"
said Julia. Il should tell Laurie to suit
her own convenience about coming here
any time between this and their visit to
the old ladies. Ii is far the best to leave
1t to them and then they will fit things to
suit themselves"
You are right dear. said Mrs. Trairord
then when have had cup OF tea
will write TO Laurie at once"
So she did. She had already found time
To write graphic description of the jewel
robbery whilst ~ Mstchsm, and to-day
she spoke of it again. ~ do not believe"
she said, that eithsr dssr Lady Lucifer
or that sweet little Mrs. Bob-as every
body calls her-will ever see one OF all
those beautiful jewels again; and, my
dear. | assure you when | think of the
heaps of exquisite diamonds that Mrs.
Bob showed us not four hours before the
robbery took place, my heart positively
aches FOR her. Lady Lucifer's Jewels YOU
nave seen IoC yourself. She mas nothing
. left now but three or four little brooches
which are psltry compared with what she
has lost
About our coming to town-my dear
child, it is out of the question altogether
In fact 1t is imperative that we remain at
home for the present. l am sure that you
and Anthony will enjoy yourselves very
much better by yourselves, and you know
that you will both be heartily welcome
here at any time, and for any time that
suits you best during your leave, About
| the visit you mention TO Anthony's suuts
you 20, OF course, dear, but at present
Julia and would rather not say ANYTHING
/ rather fancy Julia will have other plaus
by that time. Mr.. Stephen Howard still
continues to pay her the closest attention,
in fact, at Matcham they were together
morning. noon. and night. He sent her
the most exquisite bouquets for the three
dances we Were at aud corsage flowers for
each other night So you understand.
/ dear, for the present | would rather not
commit myself one way or the other.
'By -the-by, you say neither Julia nor I
have told you what Mr.. Howard is like
He is very tall and strengthening, very
fair and handsome. Has lovely blue
eyes, and is one of the incest vcung men
i have ever known in my life. In worldly
respects he is everything that can be de-
sired. and Julia seems to like him very