Weekly expositor. (Brockway Centre, Mich.) 1882-1894, 1891-01-16
"THE DUCHESS"
CHAPTER XIV.

nothing elSo l am at last faithful TO my
bonds. Now, as 10 KlgarriEf have you
quite dono with himi"
"What,' coloring furiously. "I-'don't
think understand.
''Ihen why are you growing so dread
fully reGp' asks Miss Blake with prac-
ticalness that does her honor. However,
If you want an explana-"
''No, no." interrupts the Duchess in
Mortified haste. "Only-how die you
( known
'Why, he told me himself Last sum-
mer--a month or two ago, when met him
abroad. IT," laughing, ''you could only
know how / once execrated your NAME 1t
used to ring in my wretched ears morning,
noon, and night. Young men in that
stage ought to be locked up until the par
oxysm is over, or else given over to the
tormentors. l did my little best in that
last role. But-er-if you are sure you
have quite finished wi h that little affair"
ut was never an affair of that cort-
never. have known him all my life. I'm
fond Of him as a sister might be- but"
az know. That sisterly touch is always
fatal To his hopes, however, not mine.
Well, Pm going TO he fond OF him, too"
she leans hack in her chair and laughs
softly but heartily. "Infaat in I'll but
years though he o. Was there ever so alb
surd a 10y? 1t is a defect in my nal ire no
doubt, but know this; l couldn't 'ndure
a master. They say women like to be
domineered over-kept down; thas they
| find their real happiness in being governed
by spirit stronger than their own. If it
DO so, behold in me the glorious exception
to that ruel'
''Yes But about OthoY'' slight puz-
zled. what is it you mean to do about
hiInS''
MARRY him." promptly. GAS you as
sure me, you, my friend, have no tendresss
in that quarter. And now haste thee haste
thee, good maiden. Have you forgotten it
Is the day of madam's garden party, and
already the county arriveth. Come, let mo
put you into your gown"
1t il q day as beautiful as though It were
bespoke, " to quote the peasants round
about here. Queens weather of VERIFY,
with q cleaning yellow sunshine that
scorns to think of autumn, though already
one begins 70 talk Of gol .en September as
though it was indeed here, SO short a shrift
has August now before it drops into the
greedy past.
The duchess, very lovely in a soft white
Indian silk, one of mudam's gifts, glides
into the long drawing-rodm in her pretty
/
head well up; and becoming at once con-
scious that some rangers are p esent,
grows fairly pink and hesitatcs until
madam calls to her in the tone SIS has
learned to love.
Come here, darling, just for one mo-
ment The others are for the most part
outside, but / want to introduce you to a
very old friend of your father's-o of mine. "
Sitting near her is an old lady whom
Eornh had not until now seeD-a stout old
lady with the orthodox cork screw ringlets
and large, fat, most benevolent face.
She seems, indeed, bcaming with good ma
ture, and as the Duchess draws near rises
and, laying both hands on her shoulders,
kisses her warmly.
''Se this is the little niece" she says.
"a veritable and very charming breath
from the old days. You are like your
mother, my dear-a little-and she was a
lovely woman; but your eyes, your mouth!
Ali my dear" turning TO madam, ''have
you noticed it? She is so very like your
husband"
Eyes, see it," says madam, in low
constrained tone. Even now, after all these
years that have passed, that one unap-
prOachable grief does not bear taking
shout.
II suppose your father, Neil Delaney-I
suppose he never told you about me-" says
the old lady, still holding Norah's hand
very kindly and smiling at her as though
pleased by what she sees. 1T is years ago
OF courss. One may we'll be forgotten he
DID not speak TO you Of Mrs. O'Shaugh-
nessy'"
"Oh, yesi Yes indeedr' says the Duchess
eagerly. Often, think with an ador-
able bush and a soft, shy movement of her
eyei;ds-'he used to call you Bessie"
''And SO he did" said Mrs. O'Shaugh-
nesyy, plainly enchanted by this touch.
"And SO he still remembers me, That's
uice now amongst old friends, and you
must tell him IRON me-when writing,
mind'-with a soft squeeze OF her hand,
THAT rememl er him, too, as well as when
was Jessie MacGillicuddy. God bless
you, my dearl You are a very sweet child.
And now ST here by me for a m mute or
two. I'd have "ailed on you long ago, but
I'm only just ack from Italy-yesterday,
indeed-and-"
At this instant somebody from behind
Jays his hands over Mrs. U'ShaughnesSy's
eyes and surprises her into silence. lhe
Sumo somebody still further adds to his
oflense by Iestowing a hearty salute upon
her plump creek.
"NOw, ID mis-? And that's yourself, Of
course. NoS another one would have the
audacity. No.se lucxp' cried Mrs.
O'Shaughnessy, gayly releasing herself.
"Pity 1t is the Colonel isn't here to zee.
Well, and even If / was twenty ears
younger / dare say wouldn't say no to
that KISS ev,n though l might pretend to.
Come, tell me everything it seems like
years sincesI saw one If you. When Is the
wedding to be, ehl I'm young enough to
dance yet can tel you. Pm not betray-
ing sec. cts, chr" smiling at Norah. 'You
know, OF course, of this cousn's'-laying
her hand on Denis arm engagement
, eyes, I know" rays Norah, steadily.
She has grown very white. De aney has
turned away o. the window, and is appar-
ENTITY lost in contemplation of q Q exquisite
view outside. What dreadful thin KS is this
kindly old lady about to say next, who
would have bitten out her tongue rather
than say anytliing-bad she only known.
''We're getting quite impatient for a
wedd ng. must tell you," she rattl',s on
rnerrily. 1--WE hav sn'G had so much as a
ghost Of one in the parish for the last two
years on should como TO the rescue,
Denis Come, now, when Is it to be?"
''ls IL time for talking OF marrying and
giving in marriage" replies he, facing
round and speaking with really a marvel