Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-06-11
CHAPTER Ill:

Two ladies', the one past middle age and the
other just budding into womanhood, were
seated in elegantly furnished room in a
small cottage situated in the outskirts Of Ply
mouth. 1t was not that the furniture or APP
pointmcnts were of an expensive description;
1t was the Judgment and taste which were dis
PLAYED in their selection and arrangement which
gave its chief charm
The elder lady was seated in low easy chair,
with telegram in her hand
Coming home to stay till Christmasr' she
exclaimed. Ellen, dear. what can it mean?''
The girl thus addressed looked up from her
easel and asked:
Its from Mr.. Benson" explained Mrs
Gregson. Joe is going to have four months
holiday. What can it mean?''
"Oh. never mind what it means. Won't it
be jolly
Il don't see it in that light. nv DEAR" re-
pied the mother. "Of course shall be glad to
have my dear boy with me; but I'm afraid
there must be something wrong He says Joe
will explain. If he's only coming for a holiday
what need Is there for any explanation?'
Ellen shook her head
That's riddle only time can solve. If we
wait q few hours We shall know ALL
"A Few hours Nv dear girl, it's now a little
after o'clock and the London train is not due
till l2:l5. That's ten hours
Well ten hours will soon pass If Won don t
worry yourself. Meantime, I've got my work
to do, so I'm off TO put my things. it's my
drawing class at 3. aud after that there's the
Brulklers to have a music lesson SO [ shall not
be back very early. Besides, think Bella ought
to know. SO / shall call in and tell her.
DO, dear, and ask her to come back to tea
I'll have it ready at half-past 81
So Ellen Gregson departed. and her mother
was left alone with her thoughts. Her mind
was full OF anxious forebodine, Was her bow
Had ha Of h., l.. :
friend and benefactor. Mr.. Benson? Four
months was long holiday; something must be
wrong
Punctual to her time, Ellen returned with her
friend, Isabella Snowden the latter receiving q
most cordial and motherly reception from Mrs
GreSson. She was sIngularly beautiful girl
and as good rs she was beautiful. 1t would be
scarcely possible to imagine more picturesque
group than that assembled around Mrs. Greg
sons table, She, though on the wrong side Of
fifty, was still handsome woman; Ellen was
very like her mother and was a very attractive
girl, her beauty being Of a more intellectual
character than her mothers, but II was Isabella
Snowden who formed the great charm of the
picture. She was the very personifcation Of
grace and beauty and her very presence seemed
to have soothing effect on Mrs. Gregson's
nerves. Her voice was soft and musical and
her smile enchanting.
81 don't see any cause for anxiety, dear Mrs.
Gregson. she was saying; lat any rate, it's no
use meeting trouble half way; it's bad enough
when il comes"
Just SO; but who is that coming across the
lawn?"
who should it be, my dear lady, but Lieut.
Rennison, come to hear the news?"
Good afternoon, ladies'" said the young
man, who stood with a smiling face looking in
at one Of the French windows. I've come to
see II the good news is true; are we really to see
Joe tonight?'
"Well, George, hope So" responded Mrs.
Gregson. Il had telegram to say he would
come by the last train. But come in. Won't
you have some tea?"
Certainly he will. Do you think he came all
the way from the docks merely to satisfy his
curiosity" said Bella, archly.
81 think, said Mr. Rennison, as he slipped
his tea, Il shall 20 to the station and meet
him."
"Win you? That is kind" aaid Mrs. Greg
son. The train is SO late that it would be inn
possible for Ellen to 20 alone.'
ELLEN wasn't going Alone" put in Bella;
you don't suppose that should let nay dear
Joe come home without going to the station to
meet and welcome him? Still, we shall be
glad of the escort Of our gallant friend here,
shan we not, Ellen?" and she cast sly glance
at her friend, whose cheeks were unusually
red.
So the evening passed. The girls played and
sang, and the lieutenant, who had good tenor
voice, bore his share in the evenings harmony.
~ was splendid night, and the girls elected
TO walk to the station. They arrived In good
time, and the train being punctual they had not
long to wait The passengers all alighted, but,
though the three looked anxiously and persist-
emily, no Joe Gregson was to be seen.
Lieut.. Rennison spoke to the guard.
"Mrs. Gregson's son? Yes, SIR, ! know him
well. saw him at Bristol and again ct Exeter.
He came by this train, I know; you must have
missed him in the crowd. Stop . bit know
the carriage he rode IN, III have Q look" and
he opened the door Of one close BY. "Whyp'
he exclaimed - he pulled ont portmantssu
and 0ladstone bag, Chores his luggage This
isa rum 60. What can have become Of him2"