The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-04-19
WHEN IN DOUBT.
By THE DUCHESS.

BY THE DUCHESS.
"Ohi its all very well calling her Wild
ow, and saying she is poorl don't see
how that is to explain Godfrey's open de-
votion to her."
She taps her foot upon the carpet and
frowns slightly. Her charming, if some
what wilful face, shows signs Of coming
storm.
"My dear, your husband is an old friend
of her family; and besides, her husband.
Reginald Dalton. was well known to him.
He naturally feels an interest in her."
ssStuff"
"Of course, Mabel, if you decline to lis
ten to reason" says Lady Paulton with
some severity, ''there is no use in my say
ing anything"
s.But what is reason, Auntie? / lay
fact before you, and you call it folly.
Surely there is no reason in that"
'sWhat fact! ~
1.-THE fact that Godfrey spends four hours
out of every day closeted alone with that
detestable woman
"Here are facts or follies with a ven
geance. -Four hour9eyery day"
well, for the last week."
"Closeted alone 2"
"Oh! feel perfectly certain of thatr'
shaking her pretty head vigorously.
"And therefore, of course, you are
equally certain that Mrs. Dalton is q de
testable woman?'"
II hope" decidedly, "that shall never
meet anyone more So"
But why, my dear7 That Is the ques-
tion. You don't know her really. You
called once. she returned your Gallon
both occasions you were out. You have
seen her at church or in the park, forget
where, and that is the result of your
knowledge Of her. Be reasonable, Mabel"
'Reasonabler' Indignantly. 81 am the
most reasonable woman alive. Any other
woman in my place would -s
Would what? There, sit down and
don't be silly. 1 always said you were too
young to marry; and now my words ere
verified. A baby of is to marry a man of
IS, and . professional man into the
bargain. You should have married a
country gentleman. not clever barrister."
81 don't see what that has to do with
-"
at has everything to do with it. You
think your husband should be at your
beck and call all day long, whereas"
He Is at the beck and call of Mrs.
Dalton"
THAT is very grave charge, Mabel"
said her aunt, coldly. eff, after three
months of married life, you can think
such a thing of your husband, trembfe
for your future. You must know that
poor Mrs. Dalton has been left very badly
of. Her husband died in difficulties.
and a very bad husband he was to
her while living, and the very house
she now lives in viii be hers no
longer in few days The six months al
lowed her to remain in it after her hus-
bands death are just up. and the heir "a
cousin in the North. and evidently hard
man, has given her 10 understand she
must leave without further delay. She
has literally no money. and heaven only
knows what viii become of the poor Great
ure. 1t is pity you have never brought
yourself 10 feel some interest in her."
at would have been superhuous out
break on my part. Godfrey has shown
sufficient for both of u.s."
Poor Cecil Dalton; / assure you pity
her more than can say" goes on Lady
Paulton. not deigning TO take any notice
of this last remark. ITO have to leave the
house where she had hoped TO spend her
daysi To lose both husband and homer
no severe loss. Perhaps" recklessly, "hus-
bands never are
Permit me 20 say. Mabel" saws her
aunt with quick disapproval, "that such
fippancy as yours borders on vulgarity.
Talk TO your acquaintance in that fashion,
If you must. but spare me. And as we are
on the subject of acquaintance, must
say think some of yours ill-ehosen."
''You mean"
Captain Arkwright for one. You must
know he is not well thought of-by-by-"
why do you hesitate?''
by decent people, then. if You viii have
IT,"
81 know very little of Captain Ark
wright, and should not care if / never
heard Of him again. / don't see why he
need be brought into this conversation, or
any other, for the matter of that. Not that
] think so badly of him as you do. He is
very kind, and often of use when Godfrey
is too busy with-with his cases." bit
terly. Ito take me out"
.sYou are alluding again 10 Mrs. Dalton,
beg you, Mabel, 20 dismiss all unworthy
thoughts from your mind; she is o very
good woman"
And very handsome one"
And has learned to bear her troubles
with great dignity" taking no notice of
the interruption.
Handsome and dignifed. expect she
is everything that am not"
Lady Pauiton shrugs her shoulders.
'sYou say she has learned 10 bear her
misfortunes with dignity. You underrate
her. She has learned more than that"
'.Whatg"
ITO console herself for them
al fail TO follow you," austerely.
'Well, that is Of little consequence
And yet all l meant was that she allows
Godfrey To console her,
s'Mabeli"
"Ry permitting him 10 talk to'her of the
past. That is fruitful subject with all
widows, is il not So no one can object
to il in Mrs, Dalton. You see, aantie, you
should have let me finish my sentence be-
fore censuring me-"
"Iwas wrong, admit, stiffiy. And l