Waterbury evening Democrat., 1890-06-20

"And what did she this Irish London er-condscend to say of Miss Chester" inquired Neil, slipping his cocoa.
 "She said hundred things, always speaking in the highest terms of the girl. And SO I engaged her, as I told you should, because how could I tell she was so-so pretty?" stammered Lady Athelston, almost ashamed of giving utterance to her reason.
 Impossible, till you saw her," laughed Neil, "unless Mrs. Mack has told you Miss Chester was so very pret- ty that she had felt compelled to dis miss her. Mother" he added, stoop- ing lower to her ear, "has she ever lived in this neighborhood before ?"
 "Never, that I am aware of, was tho answer. "Indeed, I know that she has not, because she told me, half an hour ago. that she knew nothing of High shire"
 "And yet-and yet could have sworn thatshe and Jeffrey recognized each other last night, and that one or two things which told her about ourselves were familiar to her-only fancy, suppose"
 "What, Neil? You always aggravate me so when you do not speak out, put in his mother, fretfully.
 "I was saying, if you would just take trouble to listen" rejoined Sir Neil, with careless composure, "that Jeffrey looked as if he had seen Miss Chester before, when he was introduced last night. and that I hope you will not talk to him about her."
 "You are always making insinuations against your mother, Neil, " fretted Lady Athelston.
 "I only insinuated that your nature was charmingly flexible and communi- cative," Sir Neil answered, with smile that was half a sheer, as he strolled away to the conservatories to watch Lii na at her task. And, as he watched her, there grew once more that unusual gray ity in his eyes.
 "You will not want me to-day, sup pose, my lady? asked Fletcher, with the vicious sniff which she indulged in as a vent for her ill-temper, and which would have lost her place long ago if she had not had both deaf mistress and 8 sufficient modicum of tact to choose her opportunities of the indulging in the luxury of this mark of disapprobation.
 "Not constantly today" answered her mistress, almost deprecatingly. "Miss Chester will be with me-"
 "I've seen her this morning." said the maid, in just that penetrating voice which her subordinate had tried to de- scribe to Lima the night before; "I did not see her yesterday"
 "Miss Chester is very pretty. isn't she. Fletcher? inquired Lady Athel- ston, mildly.
 with toss of her head 1T do not know what you call pretty, then, my lady. Why, her complexion's just dough, and nothing more CT less and she's nothing but an atomy."
 an anatomy will ever remain mystery, worth while to inquire.
 Fletcher, with vicious emphasis. "There's always mischief made between mistress and maid when there's a com panion in the way"
 "You should not anticipate such things" said Lady Athelston, almost be made for you by Miss Chester"
 "It's very kind of you to say it, my lady," replied Fletcher, resignedly "but she cannot help it. Companions always must make things uncomfortable in house, and 1t is always best to be prepared. Don't let it take you unawares my lady," she added, with deep cun- ming. "Don't you be tsmpted into trust ing stranger instead of those tha have served you and honored you fol years and years"
 They were only few insignificant words, spitefully uttered; but such fou seeds take root sometimes, and bea overmaster us, as they fling their pois o,,oy,o fap1rila oror1n1 o11r Euoo
 As soon as luncheon was over tha day, Lady Athelston gave Lima he liberty, and recommended her to take long exploring walk in the park an' gardens.
 "We dine alone, at seven, " she added
 "'as Sir Neil will Do at Hawkedale !; an you are free to enjoy yourself unti then"
 The prospect of the walk was delight
 full to the girl, who craved for solitud
 with an intense and almost bitter cray
 ing, and she started at once. From tn
 arched doorway in the western side (
 the house she came out upon one wld
 graveled terrace, bordered by low, mai
 sive stone walls, along which, at intel vals, stood the old and beautifully y-cr stone figures, which were among th sights of High Athelston, and betwee these were urns and vases, filled wit flowers and rare trailing plants. Down the broad white steps wei Lima, t, the second terrace, where fal ciful seats were placed in the shade the fragrant shrubs upon the slope, ar from which she looked down to wher beyond the third terrace, stretched u velvet sweep of turf where archer
 lawn-billiards, cricket, tennis, croqu and every imaginable game were esta ished. As she reached the bottom of u third flight of steps, Lima came upon s
 Neil Athelston leaning against the if - ure of Ajax, which stood huge and hie 9 upon the balustrade above the low
 step. Her bright anticipation of enjo . ment vanished in an instant when : turned, rapidly and eagerly, at t 8 sound of her step, and made it evide !, that he had been waiting and listenil ]. for it.
 IF (Which way are you going, M