The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1893-02-04

Temper" she thought. trying to look
grave; perhaps IL was the effect of last
night call In Grosvenor Square. How
ever, MS voice was pleasant as usual as
ne said good morning. Here are the
Keys, Mrs. Fftz," he stammered, handing
them over to Dora, who took them me-
chanically.
Il expect three friends to dinner to-
hlsht, he went on, Watching her Gu
riously. She was so slender and supple
with such gray hair, so you will have to
govern your orders accordingly"
There was trouble and rebellion in the
Kitchen. No one seemed to know about
anything. and as the afternoon wore on
toward the fateful dinner hour Dora, with
two red spots burning on her cheeks.
hurried to and fro, tired and worn with
her unusual exertions, nervous for fear
or mishap and firmly convinced that
the person who could successfully and
calmly manage meal was genius.
she had only seen Stanhope for a mo-
ment or two since the morning inter-
view and was beginning to think that her
plan for studying him was a dismal fail
ure.
But even now the Cining-room was dim
with evening and she ran in for a last
icok; the table at least was perfect in it's
settings and the flicker OF the freight
drew flashes from the cut glass ard old
silver. while the rose bowl sent forth a
heavy perfume. She sunk down I'm the
cushioned window seat and leaned her
head back In utter exhaustion, drawing
off the glasses she hated.
She was tirtde-so tired she did not
even enjoy the novelty Of 1t all: she
really felt blue and homesick There was
moments rest gazing off over the dis
etc
peared In the door
Mrs. Fitz" called an unmistakable
Hibernian accent: it was the cook-the
leader in the riots below-stairs.
Eyes, Katie" the girl replied. with a
terrified start; what could have happened
at this eleventh hour?
I'm sorry" came scross the gloom I'm
voice Of family suppressed triumph,
but sure that careless imp OF a Rhoda
spilled the soup. and the French chops
as you told Us TO do came out burned"
There was an awful silence in which
Dora sounded the depths of utter despair
as she sat erect with quivering lips.
Il will come" she managed TO say, and
the cook withdrew. Dora started TO rise
and then threw herself back with a flood
OF tears; II she had been in her normal
state Of mind the ludicrous side of the
affair would have possessed her. hut the
excitement hurry and domestic difficult
ties had combined TO bring her TO the
verge of Mysteries. and this last blow
was the climax
She didn't care what became Of her as
she crouched there with hot tears on her
burning cheeks; in her reckless unhappi-
ness ii seemed TO her there was nothing
to be done.
She ever stirred even when she heard
Stanhope come whistling down the stairs
and pause at the door, for the apathy
which lay upon her senses rendered her
Indifferent and she did not try to still her
sobs. For an instant Stanhope hesitated.
then advanced to the window with rapid
steps
What is it," he asked. "Oh. Mrs.
Fitz!" as he discovered who IT was.
what is the trouble?" he inquired in
anxiety touching her on the shoulder.
Dora shrunk back into the shadow; her
glasses were off and her wig disarranged
and fear Of discovery served to arouse
her THE dinner, Mr. Stanhope," she
began, bravely, isis ruinedH' She
braced herself for the storm; even
woman would resent spoiled dinner
and a man!
Ralph Stanhope was annoyed in truth.
but he only thrust his hands into his
pockets and bit his lip savagely; it was
too dark for her TO see him distinctly.
How is that?" he asked, sharply. 81
Everything has gone wrong" Dora
broke in. dreading his anger and lean
Ing forward she poured forth the story
OF her trials TO the amazed man before
her who was rapidly revolving matters
In his mind. woman of experience,
overcome by such comparatively petty
a faint suspicion clouded
his thought-there was something here
decidedly wrong.
where did you get that ring?" he de-
as he touched a well-known dia-
mond and turquoise she had carelessly
eft on her hand. He was suddenly ex-
cited and his head was In a whirl with
conflicting ideas. Mrs. Fitz only shrunk
farther back into the shadow and 1t in
creased his determination to solve this
mystery. The hand he grasped was soft |
md warm as a girls.
Come with me-" he ordered. and drew |
Ter from the window to the fireplace, |
where he lighted a wax taper, despite her |
evident objection. He placed her in
hair and stood looking down at her. The |
I'D familiar feeling which had haunted |
lin ever since her arrival returned In |
ull force as he stood with his hand on
er chair back.
"Who are you?" he demanded in a low
'oice IT will knew and you might as
veil tell"
Dora sat with bowed head and trem-
ling body. There was no escape now,
be knew: she remembered Agnes warn
ne words when she left Grosvenor Square
-"he will hate you II he finds out" A
low desperation settled upon her.
Stand across the fireplace she or
cred. ard as in a dream he obeyed.
She bent forward where the light fell
I'LL upor. her, slowly she put her hands
} the disfguring wig. She felt the look
Q would give her and the shame OF II
,orched her very heart.
Forgive me-" she cried, brokenly, ss
e at last looked at the pale face in
artled recognition.
Then she waved him back as he started
ward her.
mo. no, Stanhope" she said in low
oce don't say anything-let me go
way; l will not try TO explain, for you
ould never understand
But he caught her as she moved toward
e door. Dora" he cried. "Oh, Dora
hatever the reason-I know it's all
ght. dear-how could you think 1 would
anne you? Poor wearied-out girl"
She was crying softly and suffered him
draw her back TO the fire.
II cannot bear it," she murmured, cit
all too dreadful; oh, let me go back to ,
snes."
Yes" he said, holding her off from
n, "you can go-as soon as you promise
come back some day-to stay. Why
4 you run away from me that evening?
dn't you-don't you care for me and be-
We in me?"
L have been very foolish she said /.
mildly, IF you will only let me ex- I,
ain" ,
Ralph Stanhope was looking into the
IL. l,T,,a auao rafcad ~ bfc and aga |