The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1894-02-10


ate in voice and manner to Doris, so that
at parting she said. "My dear Jack, l
haven't been sent for to go home, have l !"
NO, Dolly, Why2'
"Oh, you are so very fatherly in your
ways tonight, that | made sure something
disagreeable was over hanging"
Very well; no more chivalrous devotion
for me. l suppose you think all my good
manners should be kept for the outside
world
"Well, it is astonishing to find him such
a model, isn't?'
To which Alice and Minna agreed cor
daily.
But Doris felt grateful and pleased at
his attention and affection, as they all felt
his loss very much when he went away;
and they parted with more demonstrations
of their sincere and open regard than usual.
And for some days after, both Doris and
the sisters still thought that there was Il
danger of her being summoned to go home.
CHAPTER II.
1t was Valentines Day. The Dianas of
Beech Court, though not amenable to its
softer influences were, of course, the re-
cipients of many tokens from an extensive
acquaintance of susceptible neighbors.
Their active share in the observances of
the day took the form of derisive missives.
They were all good artists, with some
genius for caricature and Doris had a gift
of making little stinging verses, which were
not pleasure to obnoxious neighbors at
this season;
Jack had had one eOncocted for him by
the whole strength of the company, accord
ing to time honored usage, and he had met
the blow half way by sending each an
absurd valentine, together with present
to sweeten the pill.
Il think it's shame, Alice said, Jack
always gets horrid thing from us and
he always sends us something nice with his
revenge
''He would be hurt if we didn't send it, !"
said Doris '.He is so fond of keeping up
old customs. But we might send him some
present with it, rs he always does
Lady Glumglass received by the after
noon post two letters which gave her per-
haps as much pleasure as any valentines
could have afforded. Since Mr.. Wescot's
visit she had heard nothing further of his
plans, and was, indeed, we'll content to let
matters be- But this afternoon she had
letter from his sister who was with the
children and the governess In Germany,
which bade fair to settle the whole matter
in satisfactory way.
"This is an important day for Doris, j
she said, meditating on Mr.. Wescots's Of
fer. *She will be almost as free as she is
with us; and when her mother sees that
her crotchet is humored, she will very
likely get tired of it, and let her come to
us definitely after all. I will show the
dear child this last page of Miss Wescot's
letter. She will see there are no hardships
to endure"
The last page ran as follows
:" Eraulein Hardbach remains in Germany
as my brother may have told you and we
shall be gla6 to see Miss Holt on our re-
turn to London at the beginning of March
Miss Hardbach's stipend was one hundred
and fifty pounds per annum, and if this
meets your views, we propose to make the
same arrangement with Miss Holt. She
will find her duties little more than those
of an older friend for the girls; and my
brother was so charmed with her that he
is anxious lest we should not, after all,
succeed in obtaining so very desirable an
addition to our circle.
Lady Glumglass smiled with pleasure;
nothing more entirely suitable could have
been found. Since Mrs. Holt insisted on
her daughters earning living, here at
least it would be a path comparatively Of
roses. The family was charming, the
work nominal, the pay good; and until
something should occur to bend Mrs. Holts
stubborn jealously, and persuade her to as
sent to the adoption of her child, the ar
rangement with the Wescots would come
nearest to satisfying all people concerned.
The other letter which caused her pleas
ure was from Jack. Jacks letters always
pleased her, and next to seeing his dark,
merry face in her boudoir, she welcomed
the sight of his somewhat eccentric hand
writing.
Jacks letter was serious and business
like. He was deeply concerned in the
success of some theatricals. The leading
lady had been at the last moment prevent
ed from undertaking her part, and unless
Mrs. Rugeley could be persuaded to play,
their prospects were dark. But Mrs.
Rugeley had on two or three previous oc-
casions refused to appear again. She had
got tired of the trouble, and had had
surfeit of success; and Jack wanted his
aunt to try all she could do to persuade
her to relax her rule for this occasion only.
The last page of his letter, which We shall
shortly see, was the conclusion of his appeal
on the subject. Lady Glnmglass read,
smiled, and resolved to do her best; but the
more important business of Doris and the
Wescots claimed precedence of everything.
The letters lay open on the table The
envelopes were alike, the letters were fold
ed across in the same way. Her ladyship
gazed at the CHEEKY fire. her glasses lay
II