The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1890-08-14
CHAPTER xvIII.-DA1LY LIFE.

ing. BOD anu SQo were early people anu
were already half way through their
breakfast when the post-bag came. zone
for you," said Bob, handing Stephens let
ter across the table, land this-and this
and this. That's ALL madam"
He often called her madam in a joking
way when they were alone, and Mrs. Bob,
who had already opened Stephens letter
and was engrossed by it, held out her hand
for the other letters without so much as
raising her eyes.
my, butt must be a fine place." she
observed, presently, "forty people staying
in the house, and Stephen says the gold
plate is something gorgeous"
"Whew!' whistled Bob, softly.
Mrs. Bob still did not look up. She had
taken up the second part of the letter and
was examining it closely.
whats that?" Bob asked.
Mrs. Bob handed him the sheet of paper,
on which was sketched a careful little
plan, very much the same as Julia had
noticed in the blotting book.
'.Oh, he has sent itl' Bob remarked, in
q tone of pleased surprise; "that's very
good business-just what we want, in fact.
How did he find time to do it?"
Julia and all the ladies have gone off to
a bazaar at place some miles away, so |
cried off and am writing letters in my
own room. I shall probably not write
again whilst am here" Mrs. Bob read
aloud from Stephens letter, "but l will
tell you everything later on"
THAT is all right. Then 1 had better
take care of this" said Bob. folding the
sheet of paper and putting it carefully
away in his pocket-bOok. "By the by, what
are you going to do today"
81 am going into town." Mrs. Bob re
piled; "NIrs. Trafford has promised tC
come out and spend few days with me. +"
"AlI right. Then you won't want me at
ALP"
mo. What time will you be in to din
ner?'
eight o'clock. Is anyone coming?"
"Not unless I ask someone to-day" his
wife answered.
"Oh, very well. shall be back in time
anyway"
He went out presently in a mans care
less and casual kind Of way, sauntering
into the conservatory and taking a glance
at the ferns and flowers with the help of
o cigarette, twice went back TO the morn
ing-room to ask his wife II question of nc
particular Importance, then found his way
to the stables and looked keenly and crit.
callY over the cattle that were enjoying
a life of ease and luxury under the eye OF
servants and capable grooms, and finally
he disappeared from the immediate neigh
bOrhood of the house bent upon business
about which Mrs. Bob never tho ught Of
making close inquiries.
Left to herself, Mrs. Bob took up the
London paper and looked it over, leaving
the table and settling herself comfortably
before the fire. Then she went off to talk
to the cook about the meals for the rest of
the day-then went up to her dressing
room and had a consultation with her maid
who was busily occupied in altering din
ner-dreSs for her to wear at Matcham the
following week.
While she was there the cOachman sent
up for orders, and Mrs. Bob said that she
would have the brougham at three o'clock.
So in the ordinary avocatiOns of an En-
glish woman of good position Mrs BOb's
morning passed quietly and uneventfully
away, and at one o'clock she sat down
alone to tempting little lunch, a bit of
fish and sweetbread, with glass of
good claret to wash it down; and few
minutes after three o'clock she might
have been seen driving in the neat green
brougham picked out with red, in the di-
rection of BlankhamptOn.
cit is rather early to go back, don't you
think, dear?" she said 10 Mrs. Trafford-
oh, yesi they were on the most affection
ate terms, these tWo-'and / wanted to
make one or two calls. | wish you would
go with me, detest going to places alone,
always feel such lost little person, as
if somebody might sit upon me by mis-
take"
ooh, yes, [ will go with pleasure unless
1t is to anyone 1 don't know" Mrs. Traf-
ford replied. eve had better call for my
things later, hadn't WEI"
Eyes, we can do that easily. 1 want to
go to the Deanery and to Rivercliffe.
You know the Rivercliffe people, don't
your"
1.-THE Leith- Warminsters- yes" Mrs.
Trafford replied. 'They are rather nice
people, don't you Think"
Yes, thought SOL called there some
time ago but they were away from home.
Then Mrs. th-Warminster called when
we were in town last time, so never saw
her until one day last week when 1 met
her at the Palace. Thought her a charm
ing woman. Bob says she rides wonder
luIly we'll
II wonder what made them come to
Blankhampton," said Mrs. Trafford,
thoughtfully.
Hunting, so she says" answered Mrs.
Bob. ''Well then, dear, if you are ready
we will go-it is four o'clock now and
want to be back in fair time"
Mrs Trafford being entirely ready, the
two ladies went down to the carriage, each
stopping for u moment before the glass in
the hall to make sure that her veil was
straight and becomingly fixed and that
she was il proper trim for the important
function of making calls.
The admirable Cox was on the watch
and went down the steps before them to
open the carriage door, and then Mrs.
Trafford got in with vague little feeling
that such carriage ought to be her own
and that, if it was, lady and carriage
would admirably match one another.
During her recent visit to Little Street
Hall, Mrs. Trafford had had a somewhat
different experience of what one may call
carriage comfort. The two old ladies,
who dispensed lavish hospitality at that