The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1894-11-16


hghtfully picturesque and all that,
but somehow my French does not
seem to penetrate beneath their caps!
j can hardly make them understand
thing / want"
Mrs. Merydith laughed.
II don't think George has ever been
credited with celestial qualities be-
fore; but now tell me, how do you like
this place."
"CharmingI Exquisite, and SO TO-
mantic,"
What enthusiasm! I hardly ex-
pected such raptures. though to be sure
they are well-deserved," and Mrs.
Merydith glanced approximately round
the long, low, oak-paneled room, with
its old-fashioned b2hut, its quaint pic
lures. and keavily-carved chairs.
THE whole adven turc IS so delight
full! Fancy Aunt Felicia leaving me a
sweet, little old-fashioned house in
Brittany all to myself, on condition
that | lived in it for three months
Hvery year. There is something so
rharmingly unreasonable about it all!
Anyhow, here / am, ready to fulfill
everything to the letter. What love
~ coincidence that you and your hus-
band should be settled here too
I'VE have spent several springs at
Marvaux- George likes the scenery,
and he finds he can work better here
than anywhere"
''Yes-it must be very nice to be
married TO some one clever and
learned and all that: only if my hus-
band wrote novels and plays, I should
always be afraid he'd put me in one of
themi There's no fear of that with
poor Leslie, however"
"Mr. Travers viii join you here, of
course" asked Mrs. Merydith.
Leslie? Certainly not! Ny dear
Beatrice, everybody can't go in for
the ultra-mat rimonial like you and
George. Ny husband and / are the
best of friends; and we think the less
wear and tear we give our conjugal
bliss the longer it is likely to last; so
while i am fulfilling the conditions of
my aunt's will and cultivating my
complexion at Marvaux, my lord and
master is devoting himself to rouge ct
nOir at Monte Carlo"
Mrs Merydith knew her friend too
well to be astonished at this s0rt5e;
from her earliest youth Stephanie had,
In virtue of a pair of innocent blue
eyes and a quantity of rebellious
bright hair, been allowed a certain
responsibility of speech and man
Der. Few people-hersclf included
had ever dreamt of taking little Mrs.
Travers seriously. Perhaps mothers
with manageable daughters, and
elderly wives with volatile husbands,
wore the only ones who regarded her
otherwise than indulgently.
You'll have some tea, Beatrice?"
asked Stephanie. as she moved to-
wards the old-fashioned bell-rope.
Tea? You don't mean to say you
have made them get you tea here?'
Certainly, my dear; l imported the
teapot and the tea, and your good hus- .
band mao them realize the hot water
and the tray"
You're marvelr' laughed Mrs
MeryGith. as she pulled off her gloves
and drew one Of the heavy oaken .
rhairs up to the small table which
stood 10y the couch on which her friend
had seated herself.
Not at all, only l understand the T.
art of living, my dear"
Meantime neat tea-trav had made 1
Its appearance, and Mrs. Travers east /
triumphant glance az hes companion. 4
Not bad after 4 ten-days' stay, is
it?"
You've done wonders, Stephie, It's
quite like being at home. Have You
made friends with anyone here YETI"
Il haven't spoken to a soul but your
husband and the old women in the
market"
Il only hope You won't find the
place terribly dull"
toss.
Il don't think so"
There are not many people here
you would care about I'm afraid. |
20 out very little even among the few
English who are here"
My dear Beatrice. we all know that .
SO long as You can cut Your husbands
puills and keep his ink wells filed. YOU
are happy; if you hadn't been my
friend, m not sure ! shouldn't
have volunteered To take your place .
while you were in England" Mrs.
Nerydith laughed indulrentjy. only.
as l say, I'm afraid of clever men.
Your husband always seems to be .
trying 10 find one ont. to dis>cct ones .
CHORAL nature. No, You needn't he
Rfraid. Beatrice. ] shall not Dirt with .
George"
Ny poor Stephie. I'm afraid you
won't fnd anybody else To 1irt with" .
oh really"
There was a world Of meaning in
the TWO words. and Mrs. Merydith's .
eyes lighted with curiosity.
What do You mean. Stephie?"
"NothinC-eXccpt that the evenings
here are very warm, and that it i very
pleasant to sit in the twilight with the .
windows open"
What on earth are you talking
Rbout?"
I've made q conquest. dear"
Nonsense, ! mean how i I pcsSi- /
bleH You say You haven't been any
where, that you haven't spoken l. :
anybody
"Oh. bat ceJ7 r'ezp5ctt pas - sss..s-
meats Wouldn't you adore 4 1uan VINO .
ralled You ms star and his queen9'
What DO you mean"
Listen. l had been here about T,
three days, when one evening. 2beur /
this time, l threw the window open /
snd was standing looking out over
tflc trees. when suddenly ! hear