The sun. [volume] (Morris, Stevens County, Minn.) 1882-1895, 1893-12-07
CHAPTER VIII.

engagement at Beech Grove, Mrs Hogg
was not often shocked by the spectacle
of that lady ''scudding" up and down
the High street. Occasionally Mrs. Jack
went to Percival House. Her visits
there were not made more agreeable
tt an formerly. But as she said to her
self, the Lillys' hard words and hard
ways were easier to bear, now that
she wanted nothing of them. For
Bell had made up her mind that the
sum she was to get for teaching the
little Boddingtons would exc out her
income so that she could live upon
it and pay her way. It is true that
this same teaching money was occa-
sionally reckoned twice or three times
over in Mrs. Jacks budget. But, when
ever she became aware Of this fact,
she would say, "Oh, well, will go with
out something for myself, and make
it straight that way" Only, unfortu-
nately, what the something" was to
be was never clearly defined in her
mind. Certainly Mrs. Jacks talents did
not lie in the direction Of finance.
Her father-in-law's family had receiv-
ed the announcement of her engage
ment at Beech Grove with marked
aggrieved, for she had confidently pre-
dicted that Bell would not get single
pupil in Codlington; and it was hard to
be fatty contradicted by fate in the
shape Of an impertinent, accomplished
fact in the matter. Still, there were
mitigations. The people at Beech Grove
were not Conlingtonians; and that was
almost the same as if Bell had found
10 pupils in Codlington. Neither did
the Boddingtons appear willing to as
sociate with the townspecple. This was
offensive in one sense; but, on the
other hand, it kept Bells teaching
in the backgrounds little out of the
ken of the Lillys' circle Of acquaint-
ance.
Mrs. Lilly, however, made several
warning speeches to her daughter-in-
law about the strangers. Il hope,
Bell" she would say, that this Mrs
Boddington is respectable person. We
know nothing about her, you see. And
it would be very painful to Mr.. Lilly
to have you mixing yourself up with
doubtful characters in any way"
"Well, Mrs. Lilly, it would also be
a little painful to me, assure you"
"Ah, but you see, Bell, you are so ex-
tremely thoughtless, and your spirits
are so volatile that you would never
feel anything of the sort as we should.
Another time she said: Now, Bell,
as to this Mrs. BOddingtOng, there is
something queer, l am afraid. Young
Muggeridge, Bates & Booty's articled
clerk, you know, told Edgar in the
office only last week that their firm had
had the drawing out of the lease
Beech Grove is Sir Henry Higgins
property, Bell-and that it was made
out in the name of Warren, and not
Boddington at all. Now what can that
mean?"
Mrs. Boddington's brother is the
master of the house"
"Oh. indeed, Bell. Well, the whole
business looks strange to me. I should
be very cautious of mixing myself up
with those people until we know lit
tie more about Them"
Possibly Mrs. Lilly's caution was
whetted to a keener edge than usual by
the fact of her having, weeks ago, left
a card on the new occupants of Beech
Grove, which politeness had remained
entirely unnoticed by them. But she
omitted to mention this circumstance to
Bell. The newcomers formed a topic
of conversation in all circles of Cod
lington society for a long time. They
were rather severely handled at select
tea parties; for Codlipgton knew moth
ing of them, which was an priori pre-
sumption that there was nothing good
to be said about them. And when you
talk of people, if you cannot speak IA
vorably you must speak unfavOrably.
The thing is clear! At least such were
the principles and practice of Cooling
ton.
Meanwhile the summer waned, and
the pleasant autumn days came and
FURNISHED the foliage with golden
brown tints, and spread a silver veil of
mist over the horizon, and brought COOL
crisp weather morning and evening
so that walking was a pleasure, and
even the straight, dusty bit of road be-
tween Codlington and Beech Grove be-
came delightful promenade. Mrs
Jack often declared that it was a re-
markably pleasant walk; especially
from COdlington to Beech Grove And
when Miss Barnasconi laughed at her
for making bull" Mrs. Jack defend
ed herself by calling her friends atten-
ton to the fact that her walk from Cod
lington to Beech Grove was made in
the cool morning hours, whereas that
from Beech Grove to Codlington &C.
Cured in the hottest part of the day.
She was not singular in her opinion
as to the pleasantness Of that special
bit Of road, either; for very often-in-
deed as the autumn advanced, it might
be said, every mOrning-she was sure
to overtake Mr.. Warren lettering with
Nep at his heels, on his way hOmeward.
He always took n morning walk by
himself, he explained to Mrs. Jack, for
his sister and brOther-in-law We're very
late risers, and he could not remain in
the house until they should be ready to
walk, ride or drive with him. And so
and SO it came to pass that Mrs. Jack
usually overlook him on her way to
give her morning lesson.
1t was not possible for Mrs. Jack to
be often in the society of any one-of
any one, that is to say, who showed her
a CLEAN of ADMINISTRATION speak
ing frankly Of her own history and cir
cumstances. 1t was not only that she
leaned very readily on the opinion or
judgment of others, but that her nature
absolutely craved for the cordial of
sympathy. Her troubles seemed to be-
come less troublesome, her pleasures
noES pledSdHt, uer mlSJaKeS less nope
less, the moment she saw them reflected
in the mirror of another mind. Being
often in Mr.. Warren's society, she nat
urally grew confidential with him. She
told him about Barney and about
her father-in-law's family; and about
Popsy's sense and precocity. Mr.. War
ren was especially interested in Miss
Barnasconi. 1t may be remembered
that Barney, catching glimpse of him
from her parlor window, had recog-
Eized his face as once familiar to her.
And on searching Ler memory it turn
ed out that she had known a Mr.. Rob-
ert Warren years ago who had be-
friended brother Of hers.
My father, you know" said Barney
to Mrs. Jack, was a chorus singer at
the italian opera. He might have been
something better than q chorus singer,
for he had a charming voice and he
knew music well, and he was an Ital-