The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1894-01-03

mony Miss Faunthorpe bowed very gra-
ciously, sinking into low chair and in
viting the gentlemen TO seat themselves
on either side, near the tea table For
awhile their conversation, to which Miss
Faunthorpe was the chief contributor,
ran freely enough over a rather con-
ventional line. They discussed the new
plays, the new theaters, Ibsen and the
home rule bill. The actress spoke with
enthusiasm of the part which she had
been studying in the garden when they
arrived, even reading them fragments
from her dog's-eared typewriter copy.
Presently, however, ii leaked out from
some chance allusiOn which Lord Noel
made that his cousin had just come up
from Appleford: and this intelligence
seemed to impose a certain restraint on
Miss Faunthorpe, who became forthwith
more sparing Of her pleasant laughter,
and neglected her little musk-scented
cigarette When her guests rose to
take their leave she hesitated for mo-
ment while they fumbled with their
gloves, glancing askance at Capt. Ives,
who somewhat prided himself on his de-
lection of her mental attitude. Then
she turned to Lord Noel brightly, laying
one hand upon his arm. But you
mustn't go without seeing my poor
Romeo! 1t was understood when you
gave MIN to me that you were TO be re-
sponsible for his health, and he's not
at all we'll I'm afraid it's nerves-and
show. Do go and look at the poor
doggie; he's in the library, in front Of
the fire.
Lord Noel smiled tolerantly, nodding
at his cousin. Il expect Romeo has
| Overeaten himself! shall be back In a
minute. Or will you come too? It's only
across the passage
But Miss Faunthorpe interposed re-
minding the younger man OF Romeo s
aversion to strangers. He's the sweet
est thingr' she continued as the door
closed, bestowing one of her brilliant
glances upon Capt. Ives. Hell make a
great hit, even If l don't"
Ives imagined for an instant that the
lady was referring TO Lord Noel, and
his face (Which was less adapted than
his language to conceal his thOughts)
betrayed his quaint misconception.
Yes" Miss Faunthorpe added, smiling
a little; "he really is a most angelic
| poodler'
Her guest uttered some vague, polite
remark, and a brief silence followed.
| Miss Faunthorpe rose and walked to-
ward the window: when she reached 1t,
she turned almost Immediately and con-
| fronted Ives with q kind Of challenge
| in her pose and expression which struck
| him. in spite Of his embarrassment, as
| something extraordinarily fine. We'll"
| she said quickly, "and what are you go
| ing to tell his people-Jhe duchess?'
Capt. Ives gazed at her, at first with
surprise, and then with a dumb appeal
| in his candid eyes. She continued with
a flash Of scorn, "Ah, you don't deny it;
| that is what you came for!'
The man clasped and unclasped his
| large. neatly-gloVed hands helplessly,
avoiding her eyes My dear Miss Faun-
thorpe! 1 came, simply because Lord
| Noel asked me-"
1.-The duchess hates the very idea of
me! viii you deny that? Eth bien, since
oh N u-ha
| say?"
He glanced at her boldly. 81 shall
say-that you are all that is most
| charming
She made him a little hooking court
| esq. much good that will do Hasn't
| her son told her so? And you viii add
| that 1 am impossible, that 1 smoke
| cigarettes. that T." She paused,
/ Struggling her pretty shoulders impa-
tiently. "And this is what your great
people can do! Pray, what would the
| duke and duchess say if L were to send
my sister q would if I had one) down
| to Appleford to inspect them? Would
| they behave any better than ] have
| done? Oh. 1 dare say you think I'm
| dreadful
Lord Noel entered the room at this
point and paused open-eyed at the sound
| of her voice. Il say, I say he eX-
claimed gazing at them vacantly.
Miss Faunthorpe broke into a laugh.
| "I declare, / had forgotten all about
| you! You have interrupted one of my
| best scenes"
Capt. Ives maintained a Discreet ST.
/ lence while she went on TO question
| Lord Noel about the invalid Romeo, ad-
| miring immensely the tact with which
| she had retrieved the situation. AS they
1 parted a few minutes later she gave
| him an indefinable glance, murmuring,
| What a dreadful creature you must
| think me! But you may tell her what
| you like. I assure you, don't care
WELL" said Lord Noel. when the two
| friends had ragained Piccadilly, after a
somewhat silent drive, how about that
| fiver?"'
| Ives followed the course Of their de-
| parting hansome with absent eyes. smil-
| ing gravely. He admitted vaguely that
! Miss Faunthorpe was all that his amor
| Gus cousin had painted her; inwardly,
| his thoughts were dwelling upon other
| aspects of the lady than the charm of
| her radiant beauty. He permitted him
| self 10 cast a speculative, retrospective
| glance at the visitor who had arrived,
| dismounting from an exceedingly smart
| phaetOn, just when they We're taking
/ their leave a middle-aged man with the
| stamp of the stock exchange upon him,
to whom Lord Noel had referred as Mr..
| Nettleton. who often came on business;
| also he wondered whether his cousin,
| too, had suspected that when Miss Faun-
| thorpe said good-by to them there were
tears in her beautiful blue eyes.