Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1892-12-11

laughing. "Ohi how funny you look In
that long, stright, black frock, +" says she;
81 think it becomes her," says Gerald.
Whereupon Brenda's laughter suddenly
dies. =,
$50 do T." saws Tom. 'sBut where's the
CAP, Rhoda? You seem rather out OF It
without the cap. The British public won
listen to you without that necessary Daoge.
In-my opinion you are clear swindle WITH
out the cap" :,
"Housekeepers don't wear caps, says
Rhoda, with gay little moue.
'Don't they? I differ with you there.
On the stage they always do. 1t is no use
being too literal nowadays. One must make
some concession to the general taste
housekeeper on the stage without capF
'There is no stagep' says Brenda, con-
temptuously. ,u
"Ob. YES, there is" SAYS Rhoda- "'All
the worlds a stage OhP' looking round
at them with one of her old lovely smiles,
show beautiful it is to see you all again;
Will YOU come out and look at the gardensE
We are all quite safe. Mr. Drayton mas
gone to town for the day. Or Will you nave
lunch first?"
.'We lunched before We left home" says
Brenda.
''Yes. 1t is nothing of q journey, you
know, and we were determined to give you
no trouble" says Gerald.
"Just cup of tea before we leave NO
more" says Brenda.
"Aren't they material?" says Tom. "Now
1 wanted no tea. All wanted was to see
you"
"Don't be absurd" says Brenda Gas 1t
we wanted anything else either. L DON t
care for the gardens, Rhoda. L want only
Just to sit here and talk to you. SO ne
went up to town this morning. When Will
he be back?"
'Not until Z. But come out neverthe-
less; Auntie will want to know what KIND
of place it is. ;"
They have a merry hour or two walking
about the place, after which they return to
the housekeeper's room, where dainty tea
| is prepared. Peter himself has arranged 1t
| all; many shakes have been given 20 his
old head since. through the armory window,
| he saw Mrs. Clarke's friends go laughing
and chattering through the gardens just as
though :'they were lords and ladies, says
old Peter TO himself. "Aud by Jingo
t'wouldn't surprise me if they proved just
| SOP
Tea is over. A very early tea: indeed it
is barely five minutes after 4; but when
people have to catch trains, other people
have to hurry up, unless they want them to
| go away hungry. At all events it was a
<very jolly meal, and Rhoda, who hassbeen
perforce dumb for SO long time, has been
far the gayest of the gay quartet.
stDo you know, after all, says Brenda,
| casting a critical, if loving, eye over Rhoda,
"that 1 think Gerald was right2 That
| gown does become you. But do you ever
think of the old gowns, Rhoda? That
special one, you remember it? All lace,
and lace, and lace. 1t was sort OF per-
petual billow."
81 remember" says Rhoda "Do you
know" leaning across the table, 81 loved
that gown SO we'll that L brought it with
me. Could" raising her hands and giving
a half merry, half pathetic, glance. all
round, 'tolly farther go? I confess, how
ever, 1 have never had the pluck to unpack
| it-it or my diamonds"
81 was so glad you took them," says
Brenda
"Wen. 1 don't know. There they are,
| YOU see. They might as we'll be some-
where else for all the good they are likely
| to do me-"
II don't see that. Diamonds are dia-
monds, and to leave them to him
| s'Oh, 1 shouldn't have done that, F" says
Rhoda coldly. They had told her good
| deal about him during the afternoon. 81
should have sold them rather than do that.
But don't let us talk about diamonds, OF
ANYTHING, except our own selves.
1.-THE most inexhaustible topic of all, "
says Tom. ,r
am afraid Gaston's last visit was a worry to
her. She saw him, you tell me, and he was
very rude. Well, hewas sure to be that.
But hope auntie-"
She rauses suddenly, then rises to her
feet All the cclor dies from her face, and
she stands silent, staring with all her
might at the door.
| Everyone is instantly struck with amaze
| mept. Brenda In turn stares at the door, as
though expecting some appsrition to walk
| through it.
"Ghostsr' says Tom, sticking his glass to
his eve and preparing to enjoy himself
/ Never did ghost, however, give tongue as
| this ghost gives it.
.Mrs. Clarke! Mrs. Clarker' Clear and
| eager comes the voice from the passage
| outside.
| "Good heayens!" says Rhoda. relaxing
| the hold of her eye on the door, and pro-
! ceeding to told her hands in the orthodox
| fashion.
''Mrs Clarke!'
Again comes the voice-clearer, more
anxious, and nearer-much nearer. The
| anxiety was nothing, but the nearness!
SIT is hep' says Rhoda in panic-stricker
tone.
"He?" asks Brenda
"Mr. Drayton."
"He! why that voice is young. You ar,
quite mistaken" cries Brenda, in q fright
ened whisper.
81 amnot. know his voice and he il
coming coming here. Oh, Brenda, trant
ically, 'why did you wear that gown? Why
couldn't YOU have borrowed an old dres
from Higgins? Any old thing would hav,
done"
at is an Ambassador says Tom, frantic
ally. He catches hold of Brenda oh
hasten! Oh, let us not inger! o, fy!-le
us fiv!-for we mustp Brenda! Are yol
I, going to stav here to be assassinated?'
"Oh Tom! Don't be fool just now!' en-
treats Brenda in an agony of dismay-whils
Gerald watching her with Toms arm rount
her, however lightly, lets his suspicion
come to head.
AS for Rhoda she has grown pale a
death. To have a thing sprung upon yov
suddenly without being given time 70
preparation of any SORTS to know defeat
Rhoia feels defeated. He is coming. H
will see these cousins. He will think
what will he think?
At all events no time is given her il
which to think! Once again comes tn
voice:
sMrs Clarke, are you there?" A re
sounding knock on the door follows his las
call.
"Yes, yes," returns she, tremulously
She had hoped perhaps to keep him out
side BY this weak response, but il so sh
errs in judgment. The door is opened in
stantly-is flung wide indeed-and on tn
threshold stands Drayton. sheaf OF tele