Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1890-05-08
THE WHITE CAT.
Part He Played in a Romantic
Love Affair.

was crossing from the Law Courts to
my cham bers in the Temple. 1t was the
week before long vacation, and l was
looking forward to a we'll earned rest.
Constant attendance at the courts had
made havoc of my nerves, and l needed
to replenish my overtaxed resources.
was walking rapidly. my hands in
my pockets, my head bent towards the
ground, when 1 suddenly became con-
scious of shouts to which l had hitherto
paid no heed. At the same moment a
hand touched my arm, and passer-by
told me that it was my attention which
the shouts were intended to attract; and
turning. saw a coachman even now
-sesticulating from his box. With a
feeling of annoyance l crossed the road.
did you call me?' / asked, impa-
tiently.
II did, sir. Her laiyship wishes to
speak to you"
Then / was aware that fat forefinger
was reckoning to me from the interior
of the brougham.
''Oh, my dear Mr.. Oswald Jones-' said
her ladyship. You are Oswald Jones,
aren't you? 1 am delighted to see you;
1 am indeed. You are not looking well.
Come inside for a moment; 1 wish to
speak to you
obediently entered.
''Ah, Mr.. Oswald Jones.- she contin-
ued; ''see what a penalty you pay for
success
began modestly to assure her lady
ship that the prize was worth the pain.
NO doubt, no doubt-to an ambitious
man. But you should not overdo it. You
are never without headache. 1 am
sure: You have no appetite; in short,
you're miserable creature"
was beginning to protest, but her
iadyship cut me short.
mot word now. I have not lived
sixty years for nothing, and l say that
you. successful barrister. with large
practice, are nevertheless, miserable
creature. Your mother was a dear
friend of mine, and 1 reproach myself
for having neglected my friends Now
! feel myself bound TO look after you
When do your holidays commence?"
Tomorrow is the last day of term. -
Then next Monday morning you
must take yourself and baggage to
Waterloo. and come by the 1915 train
to Darlington. Some one shall meet
you. and you shall spend your vacation
with me-
MY dear Lady Pownceby.- / ex-
claimed. appalled, at the thought OF
spending two months with this old lad ?.
81 could not think of troubling you.
was thinking of going TO Branscombe
with friend
s'You are not to GO to Branscombe; it's
too fashionable: you would not rest
there i will take no refusal; you must
come. Well make you comfortable.
We are quiet, you know, but not dull;
my niece is with me, and there are sew
eral good people in the neighborhood.
1 shall expect you on Monday morning;
don't disappoint me- Now go home:
take an old woman's advice and have a
basin of Cruel before bed to night
Goodbye"
accepted her plump hand despair
ingly. 1 was incapable of resisting her
authoritative inyitation-her size added
weight to her argument-and SO found
myself engaged to rusticate at Barking
ton.
Lady Pownceby, whom hardly knew,
was the widow of an Indian merchant
who. having won fortune and a baron
etcy, died, leaving his childless widow
to console herself with the solidity of
one and the sentiment of the other.
Duly, on Monday morning. 1 left
Waterloo, and in a couple of hours was
seated in Lady Pownceby's dog-cart,
listening languidly to the inane mono
tone of the coachman. Ny hostess met
me with effusion at the door, and in
sisted on my going at once to my room.
where / found luncheon laid on in
uaHde In the afternoon she took me
round her ample grounds, pointing out
things here and there for me to admire.
Dorothy is out" she said, presently.
~-She is very busy with her poor women
this morning. She is very useful in the
village; indeed, our vicar. Mr.. Haig,
calls her his assistant-curate.'
Dorothy is your niece?s
"Yes; my poor sister. Mrs Braith-
waite's daughter. Sho Is an orphan.
You will meet her 1T dinner, and I'm
sure hope you will be great friends-n
hoped 50. too. never was lady's
man OF women friends 1 had not one,
and Of acquaintances but few. What