Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1894-03-01
TO which general proposition her hus-

| To which general proposition her hus-
band made no reply.
Meanwhile, Robert Warren was walk
ing up and down the garden paths in
the moonlight. The peace and prettl-
ness of the scene were spoiled for him.
Even the scent of the flowers seemed
somehow to have departed.
tits all spite and detestable petty
minded jealousy and Mrs. Grundyism
on the part of those chattering women
at Percival House," he said to himself,
adding one or two stronger epithets
than feel called upon to repeat to ears
polite. Nevertheless, the moonlight and
the fragrance were spoiled for him.
Mrs. Boddington had fired her first
shot with effect, and began the next
day to consider how she should follow
up the attack. She was not bitter or
malicious by nature; she did not wish
evil to Mrs. Jack on the whole. But the
was very averse to the idea Of her
brother Roberts being such fool as to
fall in love with the pretty young wild
ow who came to Beech Grove as gov
ernesS. At the bottom of her heart
she was averse to the idea of her broth
er marrying at all. She and her hus-
band were amply endowed with the
goods of this world. She did not hank
er after Roberts money, she told her
self; but still a comfortably of bache-
lor uncle for Jimmy and Jenny was a
pleasant kind of relative to have and to
hold. And when Robert Warren had
to return to England after. many years
absence, Jane Boddington had proposed
, to him to make his home with her and
her husband in their pretty villa on the
Thames. He should have his own
rooms, his own servants, and see as
much or as little Of the rest of the
family as pleased him. But Robert
had refused to accede to this arrange
ment, and had taken house lin an
-of-the-way corner (hear it not, We
CodlingtoniansD his sister declared,
merely because he had been talked into
it by specious house agent. If this
were true, however, the house agent
was the only person evtant who pos
sessed the secret of talking Robert
Warren into anything. Jane knew this,
for she had tried her hand-or her ton
que rather-at it and failed. There
was no persuading him by direct argu-
ment; but, like other creatures of his
sex, he might be overcome by more
cunning methods. 1t would be thou
sand pities for him to marry a giddy,
vain, penniless woman like Mrs. Jack,
who was twenty years his Junior to
boot. Mrs Boddington honesty
thought it would be an act of almost IA
tai folly for she had that odd feminine
distrust and disdain for romantic at
tachments, in the case Of her own near
| relations, which almost makes one Won
der how IL comes to pass that SO many
women make imprudent and unworld.
~ marriages for themselves.
However that may be, Mrs. Bedding
ton really thought that her brother
ought to be protected from the widows
wiles, and she probably believed more
than half-which was a large proper
ton-of the spiteful things said against
poor Mrs. Jack at Perciyal House.
Now, on their part the Lillys were
thinking more of themselves than of
Jacks widow, when they launched out
in such animadversions on that poor
lady's conduct; for they argued thus:
Mrs. Boddington, who is person OF
distinction in our little world, must be
made to understand clearly that we are
not Of the degraded class which earns
its living by mental exerton. We
must explain to the stranger that Mrs.
john Lilly, in going governessing,' is
derogating from the genteel position
she was placed IN by an alliance with
this family" And to this might be
added, in the case Of Emma Lilly, a
strong dash Of personal jealousy. j,
Mrs. Boddington reproached herself
for the easy Incidence which had al
lowed matters to get to the point indi.
| az n1 INV IS Int hot 10r
! Uncle Robert had bribed her not to
tease Mrs. Lilly! Up to that moment
Mrs. Boddingtor had suspected moth.
! ing; but on Jenny's hint her suspicious
awoke, and began travelling at a rate
which showed that they would soon
make up for lost time, and trifle over
II am so stupidity good.ratured and
| ecsy-eoing," said Mrs. Boddington to
herself '"rhat never thought of that
cunning creature making up to Robert
He is very sensitive on the subject OF
his age, and is always afraid Of being
thought to have any absurd pretensions
! to Youth; and then some day, if he
viii! come and stay with us at Twick
enham, dare say shall be able to FIND
him a nice suitable person for a wife
I'm sure should be quite glad to see
Robert married, If it would make his
life happier"
And in thus declaring Mrs. Bedding
ton spoke with no conscious dishon
esty.
There remained now to tackle Mrs
Jack, and this Mrs. Boddington thought
would be more difficult matter thar
to influence Robert by indirect methods
1t was an Involuntary testimony tt
the genuineness of Bell Lilly's charac
ter, which made itself felt even by
those who were prejudiced against her
that Notwithstanding the accusation!
she had brought against Mrs. Jack o.
cunning and maneuvering, and unwor
thy designs, yet, when it came to act
ing, Mrs. Boddington concluded that i
would be her best plan to speak rather
plainly to the goyerness; and alarm
her pride and self-respect. ''She /.
an impulsive, spirited kind of person,
thought Mrs. Boddington, land, per
haps, If manage well, may bring he
to resign her situation of her own &C
cord, and go off in tantrum."
The good lady never stopped to re
fleet that, If Mrs. Jack were in truth
the schemer she would fain make hel