Waterbury evening Democrat., 1891-09-01
CHAPTER ".
SIR PHILIP LANGToN.

The next day, true to his promise, the
master Of the house returned home
He was not expected till rather late in
the evening, but long before the time ap-
pointed for his arrival Lady Isobel was on
the watch for his coming. / had been in
the mushroom all day-taking farewell
of the instruments had learned to love-
for had decided to depart early on the
morrow, and thinking Fmight be out of
place in the family circle below, did not
go down stairs as usual This was a sad
privation to me. for again Madeline had
not been near me all day. At this 1
wondered-for surely l had done nought
to offend her.
My self-denial, however, was to be re-
warded Lady Isobel sent old Margaret
to fetch me, and 30 descended into the
drawing-room
Here found the two ladies full of ex-
pectation for the arrival How beautiful
they both looked-and yet what a con-
trasU
Lady Isobel IN honor Of the occasion
dressed from head to foot in shining satin
such as became her superb figure only too
well-jewels sparkling at her throat and
wrists-Madoline by some strange fancy
clay in a simple white dress without
ornaments of any kind save her angel face,
beside which childish simplicity Lady
IsobePs loveliness seemed to me to pale
and grow dim
And what a difference in the demeanor
of each Lady Isobel was stately and calm
as ever in her happiness, but Madeline
how marvelled at her manner
When entered the room she greet ed
me with hooking curtsey, and during
the hour of waiting which followed sur
prised even me with her flow Of spirits.
Never before had she appeared half SO be-
witching as in this new mood Of hers-so
proVovingly saucy-gay and laughter-lov-
ing, dancing round the room-singing
snatches of lively songs in her birdlike
voice-inciting Fido to all manner of an
tics-in fact 80 high spirited, even for her,
that more than once Lady Isobel tried to
chtde her, but to no purpose. Miss Mad
cap was proof against reproof and stayed
it with kisses ere 1t could be uttered 1
meanwhile could only sit in my far away
corner, intent presumably upon folio
but not so much 80 but that every move
ment of the airy figure was visible to me-
was not, however, aware how earnest
my gaze was, until suddenly pausing in
the midst of snatch of song. the lively
girl came to a standstill before me and
burst into a silvery laugh
Madeline, dear, what Is the matter2"
asked Lady 1sobel wonderingly.
"a was trying to find out what this great
white owl in the corner is looking so seri-
GUS about"
''Madoline dear, you forget what you
are saying" began Lady Isohel
Surely Mr.. CASTOR sees the graceful
compliment would pay him." said Mad
cap saucily tossing her head and looking
with laughing eyes up into my face.
''And truly he does look like the wise
bird tonight A penny for your thoughts,
sir"
"They are not worth 80 much" said
70 b
buy bad ones. l was thinking where 1
shall be this time tomorrow"
Why were the blue eyes yelled so sud-
denly and completely by the dark 1ashes-
why was the laughing face turned from
me and no gay answer given me'
The next mopent Madcap was figuring
and curtseying before the big mirror as she
enveloped her petite person in Lady Iso-
bells fur wrapper.
81 will be the first on the steps to greet
the traveller-he will never know but what
| it is you and will take me in his arms
and say my darling wifep Won't he :be
surprised when he finds out has mistaken
do not for moment imagine he would
make it, for charming as she looked, her
| golden head swallow up in the big fur hood
there was no likelihood of comparison
between stately Lady IsobePs tall figure
and Miss Madcap's fairy one but in spite
l of this her words somehow Jared upon
| me.
She stood holding her mantle from her,
while she chanted In truly operate style,
some gay air.
Clearly the sweet voice rang in my ears
then suddenly there was a sound of hustle
outside. Lady Isobel sprang to her feet
The next minute the door was flung open
and the long-expected traveller entered.
"Philipt my husbandP'
"Ah, 1sobel !" Only those two words
in that strangers voice, but to this dap
can recall the utterance of them. What
| was there in it which made me start and
turn suddenly to where Madeline stood
her attitude unmoved, the gay song
broken as 1t wero from her lips, her face
was turned from me. What was 1t made
me spring to her side and lay my hand or
her shoulder3 Why, as did SO, did hel
whole figure suddenly droop. and though
scarcely breath in the room stirred, {
strong convulsive SILVER pass over hel
frame. Was it all by the same instinc