The sun. [volume] (Morris, Stevens County, Minn.) 1882-1895, 1893-11-30
CHAPTER. vi.


CHAPTER. vi.
Mrs. Boddington's residence might as
appropriately been styled Cedar For
est as Beech Grove; for there was
neither grove nor beech tree within
view Of it. 1t was, however, a pretty
pleasant-looking house, surrounded by
lawns and flower gardens, and with a
shrubbery and wide grass meadows
behind it.
Bell walked up the drive to the front
door with a beating heart. The crack
ling of the gravel underneath her foot
steps made her nervous; and the deep
tone of the bell, which her timid hand
put set ringing startled her. She was
not shy by nature, but she was eXcita-
BILE and sensitive, and she had only the
vaguest ideas as to the sort Of inter-
view that might be before her.
She had anXiOusly consulted with
Barney about the terms she ought to
ask, and had, by her friends advice
fixed them at a very moderate rate
at so moderate a rate, in fact, that
some of poor Bells castles in the air
began forthwith to crumble into frag-
ments. She had reckOned upon earn
ing so much more than there seemed
the least hope of getting, according to
Barney's computation. However, here
was a beginning, at any rate. That
was the great thing.
Certainly; if you get this employ
ment, my DEAR" said Barney, smiling
kindly, but throwing little caution
airy encouragement into her deep con-
tralto tones.
~ l. ol1 l. - -
Barneyr
Poor child, why should make haste
to kick over her basket of eggs?''
thought Barney, looking after Mrs.
Jack as she walked up the street. IF
| they are to be smashed the smashing
will always come soon enough, and
meanwhile she may as well enjoy
reckoning I'D those unmatched chickens
Of hers" So Bell set off to walk to
| Beech Grove, more hoping than fear
ing, as her wont was.
She was shown first into a prettily
| furnished little Eoudoir, and asked to
wait there a few minutes. She heard
| a door open on the opposite side of the
| hall, and almost Immediately the serv-
ant returned and begged her to walk
| into the morning room. The next min
| ute Mrs. Jack found herself in the pres
ence of three strangers, and was con-
sciOuS that she was cOloring and look
| ing embarrassed; which consciousness,
naturally, did not diminish her con-
| fusion.
| The room was long, with a window
at each end of it, opening in the one
case on to the flower garden, and in the
| other on to a lawn shaded by flower
| ing shrubs. The lawn window was
| open, and near it was little table at
l which two gentlemen were seated,
smoking and playing backgammon. AT
a very smart work table, all blue satin
and rosewood, sat a lady half buried
1 in a luxurious easy chair. Her hands
l had fallen into her lap amidst a heap
| of bright-colOred silks, and she held in
| them a piece of canvas partly embroid-
cred with similar silk. But she seemed
to have no present intention of hand.
ling her needle. She Was d young
woman, with a pretty, peachy face
plump white hands, and a stout over.
grown figure. She was very richly
dressed, and her face and attitude eX,
pressed laZiness, vacuity and good hu.
NOR
OF the two gentlemen, one was q
handsome, jolly-lOOking man, who had
the air Of gentleman farmer; the 9th
er bronzed elderly man with white
hair and dark eyebrows and beard
The latter rose when Mrs. Jack ell
tered the room, threw his cigar out OF
the window, and handed her a chair
with q stiff bow. The jolly-l looking
man rose also. but with less alacpity
and, holding the cigar between his fin
ger and thumb, hoped she didn't mind
smoker On Bell reply that it die
not offend her at all, he put the cigar
between his lips, and the two men re
sumed their game, taking no further
notice of her.
How do you do?" said the lady in 6
round, soft voice. pray sit down. Tn
Mrs, Boddington. You don't mind com
ing In here to me, do you? You see
could not very well get up and go tt
you in the boudoir, because l had my
lap full of these things"
Bell bowed, and raised her Grape veil
but no sooner had she done so thar
Mra. Boddington uttered little ejacu
lation of surprise, which attracted the
eyes Of the two gentlemen toward the
| part of the room where she was sitting
The White-haired man withdrew his
gaze almost Instantly when it me
Bells. But the other looked for q sec
ond or two longer, and then, bendinl
down oyer the backgammon board
said something IN q low voice to hiE
companion, who, however, made no re
spouse to his remark by word or look
my husband-my BROTHER" said Mrs
Boddington, with a careless movement
of the head, by way of introducing
them to Bell. Bell thought that Their,
was a considerable likeness between
the brother and sister, and mental,
observed that Mr.. Boddington LOOKED
rather stern, and was old enough to b,
his wife's father
II beg. your pardon for exclalming II
that ridiculous way" said Mrs. Bod
dington; "but the fact is, didn't ex
| pect any one $3.50 young"
| ooh, perhaps I look younger than
am" said Bell earnestly. II really an
not very young. 1 shall be twenty-fou
next birthday"
II hope you don't mean to say tina
! twenty-four is old, Mrs.-Mrs.-
haven't the advantage Of knowing you
my name is Lilly-Mrs. John Lilly
junior. No, not old, of course. But
you thought me too young to teach,
Z meant. You see ] have little girl o