Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1891-01-16
1.-THE DUCHESS"
CHAPTER XIV.

sworn friendship, you and land IL I'm
nothing else / am at last faithful to my
bonds. Now, as TO KigarriR have you
quite done with himi"
WHAT" colorng furiously. "I-'don't
think understand.
'Ihen why are you growing so dread
fully redt'' asks Miss Blake with prac-
ticalncss that does her honor. However,
IL you want an explana-"
mo, no." interrupts the Duchess in
Mortified haste. "Only-how die you
know"
"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 tho par
oxym is over, or else given over TO tho
tormentors. did my little best in that
last role. But-er--if you are sure you
have quite finished with that little affair"
ut was never an affair OF that rort-
never. i have known him all my life. I'm
fond Of him as n sister might be, but"
al know. That sisterly touch is always
fatal To his hopes, however, not mine.
Well Pm going TO be fond of him, too"
she leans back in her chair and laughs
softly but heartily. Infant in ri but
years though he O. Was there ever 30 alb
surd 10y? 1t is a defect in my nat ne no
doubt, but know this; | couldn't ndure
q master. They say women like TO be
domineered over-kept down; thar they
find their real happiness in being governed
by spirit stronger than their own. If it
be so, behold in me the glor ous exception
TO that rulel''
''Yes. But about Otho?' slight puz-
zled What is it you mean 10 do about
hirn9''
MARRY him." promptly. GAS you rs
sure me, you, my friend, have no tendresse
in that quarter. And now haste thee, haste
thee, good maiden Have you forgotten it
Is the day of madnm's garden party, and
already the county arriveth. Come, lot me
put you into your gown"
1t is day as beautiful as though il were
bespoke" to Cuote the peasants round
about here Queens weather of verify,
with n cleaning yellow SUI Aine that
scorns TO think OF autumn, though already
one begins t. talk of gol len September as
though it was indeed here, 50 short shrift
has August now before it drops into the
greedy past.
The duchess, very lovely in a soft white
Indian silk, one of mudams gifts, glldes
into the long drawing-room in her pretty
girlish way, though with her charming
head well up; and becoming at once con-
scious that some rangers are p esent,
grows fairly pink and hesitates until
madam calls to her In the tone sLy has
learned to love.
Come here, darling, just for one mo-
ment. The Others are for the most part
outside, but ! want 10 introduce you TO q
4 al of fat >f
Sitting near her is an old lady whom
Norah had not until now seen-a stout old
lady with the orthodox cork screw ringlets
and large, fat, most benevolent face.
She seems, indeed beaming with good ma
ture, and as the Duchess draws near rises
and laying both hands ON her shoulders,
kisse, her warmly.
80 this is the little niece" she says.
IA veritable and a very char ing 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!
All! 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 oil these
years that have passed., that ono unap-
pruachable grief does not bear talking
about.
II suppose your father, Neil Delaney-I
suppose Inc 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 course. One may we'll be forgotten. He
did not speak to you of Mrs. O'Shaugh-
nessyl''
''Oh, yes! Yes, indeedr says the Duchess
m y.r fnb x.yftl H.
able blush and a soft, shy movement of her
eyei.as-'he used to call you Bessie"
''And SO he did, " said Mrs O'Shaugh-
messy, plainly enchanted by this touch.
And 10 he still remembers me. That's
uice now amongst old friends, and you
must tell him from me-when writing,
mind"-w.th soft squeeze OF her hand,
that l rememte r him, too, as well as when
l was Bessie MacGillicuddy. God bless
you, my dearl You are u very sweet child.
And now st here by me for a IN mute or
two I'd have cailed ON you long ago, but
I'm only Just ack from Italy-yesterday,
indeed-ana-"
At this instant somebody from behind
Jays his bands over Mrs. O'Shaughneesy's
eyes and surprises her into silence The
same somebody still further adds to his
oftense by iestowing "A hearty salute upon
her pump cLesk.
''Now, ID mis-? And that's yourself. of
course. Not another one would have the
audacity. Wo 80 luckr' cried Mrs.
O'shaughneesy, gayly releasing herself.
''fity 1t is the Colonel isn't here to see.
Well, and even if l was twenty Selrs
younger | dare say wouldn't say no to
that kiss, even though l might pretend TO.
Come, tell Inc everything; it seems like
years sincesl saw one # you. When Is the
wedding to be, eh' Pm young enough to
dance yet, can tel you. I'm not betray-
ing seci cts, chr" smiling ut Norah. "You
know, OF course, Of TINS 's"--laying
her hand on Denis arm engagement
"Yes, / know" rays Norah, steadily.
She has grown very white. De aney has
turned away "a the window, and is appar.
emily lost in contemplation of Il exquisite
view outside. What dreadful things is this
kindly old lady about to say next, who
would have bitten out her tongue rather
than say anything-hnd she only known.
We're getting quite impa lent for a
wedd ng. 1 must tell you" she rattlos on
merrily. "We hav ,n't had so much as a
ghost of one in the parish for the last two
years. on should come to the rescue.
Denis. Come, now, when is it TO be-"
us IL time for talking of marrying and