The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1893-06-15

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sentative people" at her house, and
Vera Demasque, she averred, was quite
out of the beaten track. and had q
strong character that was well worth
fathoming
Randy valmont's opinion of Miss
Demasque was not quite the same as
that of his future mother-in-law, but
he said that she was very charming
and that she quite fascinated him
Madge, meanwhile, had no data to go
on as to why she disliked this girl, of
whose nationality no one was absolute
ly certain; but she had one of those
strong instincts to which women are
prone.
After all, what, too, did they know of
this Vera Demasque? They had met
her in one or two houses abroad, accom-
panied by an elderly lady who did not
profess to be any relation, and who, it
appeared, had not come with her to
England.
Lady Boughton said she was staying
in London with some people of the
name of Jekyll; that Mr.. Jekyll was a
lawyer of some renown who had had
business to transact in connection with
the Demasques, but none of the others
had ever heard of the Jekylls. Any
way, whatever her antecedents and
present connections, Vera Demasque
was coming to Merlie court, and Madge
must make the best of IL.
On the next afternoon she arrived,
and who could not say that she was
piquante and fascinating, and altogether
ultra delightful?
There was dinner party that night
given in her honor, for Lady Boughton
liked to air her intellectual troucdales.
Everyone was excited about her, the
masculine element being especially
vociferous in her praise; in fact there
was only one dissentient voice amid the
general acclaim.
Old Gen. Paley was a great admirer
of the fair sex, and yet as he babe Madge
good night at the drawing-room door
he whispered:
Beware of that girl, my child. III
am not mistaken she will play you
false"
Have you ever seen her before?"
Il don't know am not sure; but
keep those bright little eyes of yours
open-that is all"
Madge went to bed very unhappy.
81 know she has designs on Randy"
she said to herself; 81 saw it from the
first, but I'll watch her as a cat watches
a mouse, and if there is any trouble I'll
send for Gen. Paley and have her turned
out of the house
She did not sleep much that night for
thinking about it, and by seven o'clock
she was up, looking out at the fair land
scape on which the sun was already
shining.
''Some one is moving down there by
that laurestinus bush. Vera Demasque
up and dressed at this hour of the MORN
ing! Can she know that Randy is al
ways out betimes and that he is coming
over here to breakfast, or is it an assig-
nation? Exactly, there is Randy COM
ing through the shrubbery. This really
is too much to expect any mortal to en-
dure."
And Madge, without even waiting to
see if they met, dressed herself SO quick
ly that she was already equipped and
starting for the grounds, when the
maid came in to call her.
At nine o'clock, when the breakfast
bell rang, there was no sign of Madge.
Randy Valmont and Vera Demasque
both came in by different doors, look
ing very calm and collected.
They shook hands as mere acquaint-
ances. But still no Madge.
At last she arrived from the grounds,
apparently fustered, and as though she
had walked some distance.
"Why, Nadge, where have you been?"
said Randy Valmont. II came over
early to bid you good-by, as am COM
PEELED to go off to-day to Berlin on some
public business. Do not look so startled,
/ shall be back in week"
You will not go, Randy: insist
that you stay where you are"
my dear child, you must not try to
keep Randy" said Sir Eustace. I'm the
service of his country call is impera-
tive"
Il will not have him go. He shall
not 60"
Never before had Madge been so ex-
cited, and no one could in the least inn
agine what it meant. Even Randy was
mystified. as he thought surely if she
were jealous of Vera Demasque she
would be glad to get him out of the
way.
AS for that little lady, she took the
turmoil, into which Madge's coming
had thrownsth soom, very quietly. but
then she wastoo much of a-stranger to
understand all the ms and outs.
She evidently regarded Madge in the
light of senseless little idiot for re-
peating over and over again that Randy
should not go, without giving any rea-
son why he should remain.
Madge noticed neither her GOODNESS
nor her contempt, for she never looked
at her: all the time she was talking her
eyes were fixed on the window and APP
parently her ears followed suit. for, be-
fore anyone else was sensible of 1t, she
cried out:
"Wheels-there he is"
Astonishment was depicted on every
face; on none more than on Vera De-
Mosques, and she became very crimson
behind her teacup as she tried to sip
her tea unconcernedly.
Another minute and the dining-room