Waterbury evening Democrat., 1892-08-24

8HIAV1 WAY VI .tS M BYHMs C<nstCELLRND
 " nun sne was forced to dissent from him she would do so very gently, ex- plaining her grounds of difference courteously and making quite sure that he understood her. With Dan she took no such pains, contradicting him often for the mere pleasure of matching her wit with his, and provoking merry argu- ments in which she held her own with skill and had trouble enough in securing victory to enjoy it. Even when, as sometimes happened, defeat became her portion, she enjoyed that too, for her ad- versary's mode of triumph never grated on her, and his society was a stimulus and pleasure.
 In their merry talks and wrangles Anthony took keen interest in his way, listening and applauding loudly when it seemed to him that Mrs. Beverley had scored point. It did not occur to him to be jealous. He was always present | at their interviews, and could see their growing friendliness, but attached no | importance to it. He had come to re- gard Mrs. Beverley as in some sort pos session of his own, and being unversed III WOlDen was that S10 4LhSu him the better because she showed him the more consideration. Who was so fit to marry her as he? Who could af- ford her so many indulgences, and give | her her own way in all her whims, and everything she wanted? Not Dan, certainly, for Dan was poor.
 The week after Miss Cornelia's tenn pestuous retreat, two young cousins of Hector Beverley's arrived from Rich mond at the old homestead, with big Saratoga trunks and the announcement l that they had come to pay good long | visit.
 "When the word went round that Aunt Neelie had invested Richmond, perfect panic seized us," quoth Ella Henderson, the younger of the two girls. Father beat his breast and tore his beard all the way down to his office and wept copiously when he got there. have it from the best authority, for | Charlie Warwick was ill to see him in the course of the morning and says that the dear old gentleman was so unnerved that he couldn't attend to business. | Mother is, unfortunately, Aunt Neelies | favorite sister, so we are to have the major portion of her visit. She is at Cousin Jamie Carrington's now, but she's coming to us next week. Mother went to see her the morning after she arrived and returned with the fatal intelligence. Then looked over at Nan and she looked back at me, and by common impulse we decided to refugee at Once."
 Mary had ushered her guests into a cool, shaded chamber, and was helping them to make themselves at home. The girls chattered gayly as they removed their dusty travelling dresses, and Mary listened much amused. She could gauge their consternation at their unloved rel ative's advent by her own joy in her de- parture. She was very fond of these two bright and pretty cousins and glad to have them with her. Indeed, if they had not come of their own accord she would havo summoned them. She had come to crisis i'll her affairs when she longed for the support and refuge of tho presence of other women,
 Mans pretty dark face was down in cool water in the big old fashioned bowl, but she managed to remark between the . dips: "Wo are going to stay until you send for the sheriff, Mary; so 1 thought it was just as well to tell Charlie he might follow later on. It's horribly stuffy ill town and I've ordered him to pay Aunt Neelie lots of attention in my stead" With smothered laugh that gurgled in the water: ''l wish you could , have seen tho gloom of his countenance the Dane was fool to him; melancholy distilled from every pore. Ho'll do it.
 though, because he really is a good
 hearted fellow. hope you won't mind
 his coming; he isn't q bit troublesome
 and he'll need recuperation."
 Mrs. Beverley assured her that she
 did not mind it in tho least, and that the
 fianco would be most welcome. TheI she turned smilingly to Ella and offered u hospitality to her friends as well. But 5, that young lady airily waved the offer r aside. She was in the enviable position of caring for nobody and being the ob e ject of nobody's care, she said, and in g tended to loaf and wear out her olC
 clothes and enjoy herself in delicious
 untrammeled solitude. To secure thi
 end she had, even amid the demoraliza
 ton of their flight, retained suficien ! presence 0t mind to quarrel with ever,
 man she knew. She was not going t. = let such disturbing clements as me
 spoil her rustication.
 "There isn't much of that to dread |
 here," she added, laughing.
 |. An idea dawned on Mary which SCI q light of laughter into her eyes al
 caused hidden dimple to play hide al
 seek in her smooth pale cheek. B
 when Nan asked for an explanation
 her amusement she refused to give it,
 CHAPTER XVII