Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1894-02-22
CHAPTER VIII.

CHAPTER VIII.
After the beginning of Mrs. Jacks
engagement at Beech Grove, Mrs. Hogg
was not often shocked by the spectacle
of that lady ''scudding" up and down
the High street. Occasionally Mrs. Jack
went to Percival House. Her visits
there were not made more agreeable
tt an formerly. But as she said to her
self, the Lillys' hard words and hard
ways were easier to bear, now that
she wanted nothing of them. For
Bell had made up her mimi that the
sum she was to get for teaching the
little Boddingtons would cke out her
income so that she could live upon
it and pay, her way. 1t is true that
this same teaching money was occa-
siOnally rcckoned twice OF three times
over in Mrs. Jacks budget. But, when
ever she became aware of this fact,
she would say, ''Oh, we'll. viii. go with
out something for myself, and make
it straight that way" Only, unfortu-
nately, what the something" was to
be was never clearly defined in her
mind. Certainly Mrs. JACKS talents did
not lie in the direction of finance.
Her father-in-law's family had receiv-
ed the announcement OF her engage
ment at Beech Grove with marked
displeasure. Especially Mrs. Lilly felt
aggrieyed, for she had confidently pre-
dicted that Bell would not get single
pupil in Codlington; aud it was hard to
be fatty contradictcd by fate i'll the
shape Of an impcrtinent. accomplished
fact in the matter. Still. there were
mitigations. The people at Beech Grove
almost the same as if Bell had found
10 pupils in Codlington. Neither did
the Boddingtons appear willing to as
sociate with the townspecple. This was
offensive in one sense; but, on the
other hand. it kept Bells teaching
in the backgrounds little out of the
ken Of tile Lillys' circle of acluaint-
ance.
Mrs. Lilly. however. made several
warning speeches to her daughter-in-
law about the strangers. II hope,
Bell" she would say. that this Mrs.
Boddmgton is Il respectable person. We
know nothing about her, you see. AND
it would be very painful to MIR. Lilly
to have you mixing yourself up with
doubtful characters in any way"
well, Mrs. Lilly, it would also be
little painful to me, l assure you"
"Ah, but you see, Bell. you are so ex-
tremely thoughtless. and your spirits
are so volatile that you would never
feel anything of the sort as we should.
Another time she said: Nov. Bell,
as to this Mrs Boddingtong. there is
something queer, am afraid. Young
Muggeridge, Bates 4 Booty's articled
clerk, you know, told Edgar in the
Office only last week that their firm had
had the drawing out of the lease
Beech Grove is Sir Henry Higgins
property, Bell-and that it was made
out in the name Of Warren. and not
BoddiDgton at all. Now what can that
mean?"
"A1rs. Boddington's brother is the
master of the house"
ooh, indeed, Bell Well, the whole
business looks strange to me. l should
be very cautious of mixing myself up
with those people until we know a lit
tie more about them"
Possibly Mrs. Lilly's caution was
whetted to a keener edge than usual by
the fact Of her having. weeks ago, left
Il card on the new occupants Of Beech
Grove, which politeness had remained
entirely unnoticed by them. But she
omitted to mention this circumstance to
Bell. The newcomers formed Il topic
Of conversation in all circles Of Cod
lington society for a long time They
were rather severely handled at select
tea parties; for Coilington knew moth
ing of them, which was an Il priori pre-
sumption that there was nothing good
to he said about them. And when YOU
talk Of people. if you cannot speak ia
vOrably you must speak unfayorably.
The thing is clear! At least such were
the principles and practice Of Codling-
ton.
Meanwhile the summer waned. and
the pleasant autumn days came and
FURNISHED the foliage with golden
brown tints, and spread silver veil OF
mist over the horizon, and brought cool,
crisp weather morning and evening,
so that walking was pleasure and
even the straight, dusty bit of road be-
tween COdlington and Beech Grove be-
came a delightful promenade. Mrs.
Jack often declared that it was re.
markedly pleasant walk; especially
from Codlington to Beech Grove. And
when Miss Barnasconi laughed at her
for making a "bull," Mrs Jack defend
ed herself by calling her friends atten-
ton to the fact that her walk from Cod
lington to Beech Grove was made in
the cool morning hours, whereas that
from Beech Grove to Codlington oc-
CURED in the hottest part of the day.
She was not singular in her opinion
as to the pleasantness of that special
bit of road, either; for very often-in-
deed, as the autumn advanced, 1t might
be said, every mo,ning-she was sure
to overtake Mr.. Warren lettering with
Nep at his heels, on his way llomeward.
He always took morning walk by
himself, he explained to Mrs. Jack, for
his sister and brother-in-law were very
late risers, and he could not remain in
the house until they should be ready to
walk, ride or drive with him. And so
land SO it came to pass that Mrs. Jack
usually overlook him on her way to
give her morning lesson.
It was not possible for Mrs. Jack to
be often in the society Of any one-of
any one, that is to say, who showed her
a CLEAN Of klndliness--without sneak
ing frankly Of her own history ana cir.
cumstances. 1T was not only that she
leaned very readily on the opinion or
Judgment Of others, but that her nature
absolutely crayed for, the cordial Of