The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1890-04-26

dull. So very dull and monotonous
had life at The Cot become that Lady
Elizabeth had grown tired OF 10 all az
once. and had gone up 10 London and
established herself in her house In
Mayfair for few weeks. What she
would do afterwards was undecided.
She might go 70 her house In Edln-
burgh; she might go to Brighton; she
might 60 abroad. Which OF the three
was the most likely even Millicent
Heath could not have told. What she
could have told was that her ladyship
cold and stern rs she was, was anxious
and unhappy about her adopted son.
For Owen. although he had not been
down again 10 Upper Datching and
never mentioned the Thatched Cot
tage, was gloomy, sulky. and low
spirited, irregular In his habits ana
late In his hours To Lady Elizabeth
he was curt and constrained. TO Milly
herself ungraeious. IL was very
uncomfortable state OF affairs alto
ge;her; for Milly especially. for Lady
Elilabeth's manner changed towards
her too. becoming very cold and stiif
She noticed II of course AS she was
quick TO notice most things; but she
did not suspect the reason for II until
one day. about n fortnight after their
arrival in London. when Owen had not
appeared either at luncheon or at din
ner. and Lady Elizabeth had shown
herself more than usually displeased.
They were alone, and, upon the with
drawal of the servants, her ladyship
accosted the girl sharply.
where is Owen. Milicent?'
"Owen?n Milly started, PARTLY be-
cause she had fallen into dream rs
she trihed with the fruit on her plate,
partly be ause the question was asked
in su harsh tone. ii don't know,
really. Lady Elizabeth ! think last
night heard him mention something
about some races; but am not sure.
owen doesn't tell me OF his engage
ments"
s.Owen Is not entirely 10 blame for
that. although ! do not pretend to
acqut him altogether said Lady
Elizabeth s,ernly. I'll regret 20 say
that OF late your conduct has not
pleased me. Mi,licent'
II am sorry TO hear it," returned
Milly, flushing. .'Pray Let me know
Ia what way You consider me remiss.
Lady Elizabeth"
You are quite intelligent enough
20 know. Your relations with Owen
do not please me. y
III am excellent friends with Owen
"You know that desire you 10 be
more than friends"
1--WE shall mover be that" replied
Milly steadily. Owen has never
asked me to marry him. and IL no
were TO do so, | should refuse. j
have no love for him in that sense;
and you must know. Lady Elizabeth"
said the girl. with IA frank glance from
her candid eyes. '.that he has none
for me. How is II possible that he
should have"
Perhaps IL was this allusion TO Lily
Blair. slight as 1t was, which excited
Lady Elizabeth's already ruflied tenn
per. for the next few words she spoke
we're rs envenomed and singing as
even her bitter tongue could make
them. II Miss Heath chose to set her
wishes at defiance. she must remem-
Der that her education had doubtless
qualified her for situation either as
governess CA companion. and that she
might consider herself fully at liberty
10 seek some such post as soon rs she
pleased. Lady Elizabeth probably did
not mean what she said. for, In her
cold way, she was really fond of Mil
ly; but she spoke as II she did mean
IL, and swept out Of the room without
waiting for reply, leaving Milly al
most as angry as herself.
The girls anger. however, ended in
food Of tears when presently she
sought refuge In the lonely drawing
room. which looked so uucomfortably
large when only her own pretty little
figure was reflected in the hugh pier
glasses. Milly was not by any means
given to tears-indeed. she rather
scorned them. but she was feeling tired
and out OF sorts, her head ached,
and Lady Elizabeth's haunting words
were just sufficient TO cause her TO
make what she termed ga cry baby"
OF herself. Indeed, she cried SO
heartily. and made her head SO much
worse, that she was almost asleep In
the corner OF yellow satin couch.
when by -and-by she heard her name
spoken, and sat up feeling
rather dazed. and thinking
that II must be Owen come back.
But IL was not Owen; II was George
Alleyn. He had not forgotten Lady
Elizabeth's invitation, given at The
4 Cot and he came very often To the