Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1893-03-31

[l- ~ trimmed glasses.
- SS9J ''Just out for a
rSN\-- little walk, auutie.
The day is so delicious" says Le-
htia, with her most engaging smile. She
is thinking what an awful thing it will
be if auntie iorbids her to go out to-day,
of all days, aud Jack waiting for her at
the top of the meadow.
"Now, once for all, Lettiia, let this
be understood between US, says Miss
Banbridge; "there is to be no inter-
course between this house aud that Of the
Court. You may think l am too old to
hear things, but there you are wrong l
have heard a good deal lately about
Young Hardinge, who has returned to
the Court after his fathers death; heard,
too. with deep regret, Letitia, that you
so far forgot yourself as to dance with
him fortnight ago at the Mainwaringss
little"
"Hop," suggested Letitia, who is too
frightened b. her aunt'S allusion to the
young master of the Court to remember
her society manners.
"Hopl How dare you use such a
word2" cried Miss Banbridge. "Good
heavensl The manners OF the present
dayi Now, Letitia, hear me. 1t seems
YOU did dance with this Objectionable
7oung man at the Mainwarings' ball.
Perhaps You could not help that But
knowing, as you do, of the feud that
has lasted for fifty years between their
house and ours, | trust you have too
much respect for me-foz your name
to recognize Q HardInge anywhere" ."
"But what has he-er'-nervously,
"what have they all douei" asks Le-
titia, her eyes on the marble pavement
Of the hall, her heart at the top of the
meadow.
Good grc;ous, if au1tie only knew
that she had been meeting Jack every
day for the past lortnight-ever since
that long dance, indeed, when-when-
well. be wouldn't dance with anyone
but her. And it is all sucl nonsense,
too. A rubbishy old story about right
of way that happened fifty years ago,
and Jack the dearest, dearest fellowl
II refuse to go into it, says Miss
Banbridge, with dignity. 'It suficcs
to say that this young mans grandfather
once behaved in the grossest fashion to
your grandfather-my," with a sigh,
"sainted father If you are going out
I trust that if you meet the present own
er of the Court, you will not so much as
ackno Wedge mis- presence"
81 shan't bow to him, auntie," says
.Letitia, in very small voice.
Detestation of herself aud her duplic.
ity is still raging IN her heart when she
meets Jack Hsrdingein the old trysting
place. She had certainly prOmished her
aunt not 10 bow TO him. We'll, she
doesn't; she only filings herself into his
arms-glad young arms, that close fOndly
round her.
"Oh, Jack, she's getting worae than
ever. She was simply raging about you
as came out. I really thought she was
going to forbid me to come atalI. She
says you're an Objectionable young man ~
sob, 1 say" said Hardinge. "What
have l done to be called names like
that~
"Notbing, nothing" cried Letitia,
fingiDg her arms about in desPairing
protest, "except that your grandfather
once punched my grandiather's nose"
"Well, I'm awfully sorry" said Har-
dinge, and they both laugh. "WOuld
it do any good, do you think, if were
TO 20 down now ard apologize for my
exceedingly rude old fOrbearl"
81 shouldn't advise you to try it, ;" says
Letitia.
"But what are we to do theDl" says
Jack, his arm around her.
They are sitting on the grass, safely
hidden behind a clump Of young trees.
The sun is shining msdly on their heads /;
the birds are singing on every branch.
1t is May-delightfuI May, the lovers
month-and the hottest May that has
been known for years.
"I don't know" says Letitia, with
deep despondency.
'1t's such beastly folly, says Hardinge
presently, in an impatient tone. "lf l
we're fool or poor man or reprobate; (;
but am not-am /, nowp
"Oh, moi" says Letitia. She creeps
closer to him and eucircles his waist with
her arm, or, at all events. tries bravely
70 do so. 1t doesn't go half way round,
but that doesu't matter. She grasps e
bit of his coat and holds on to him so.
"Do you know what you are, Jackl The
dearest old boy on earth"
"And you--do vou know wha! xou