The weekly Union times. [volume] (Union C.H., South Carolina) 1871-1894, 1894-08-10

n sehQSu eituer 10 leuSe lor tho Cohsf
Hent, regard less Of comfort, or ask Mr..
MeQuissonto 10 continue his travels.
There Was cricket match on be-
tween Eton and Harrow--one Of the
notable matches of the year-and
Johnny h.Sdlhired the neatest turnout
he co,l9stnnd to convey the trio tc
Lords Nounds. There was some
battling Hefore the elder lady would
CONSENT to\go, aud the younger finally
| declared that she would give Mr.. Nc.
Quiston hint of the brewing storm
Thus bribe1, Mrs. Thurston sat in
gloomy state 'uutil they found place
among the carriages s;ii coaches from
which to watch tue people, for the
game was quite beyond their grasp.
Froa, sheer perysisity, sad perhaps
from other motives ax well, Nellie
treated Johnry With an amount of
cordlality au1 freedom she had
never shown before, and even allowed
her voico 20 dlov ioto something akin
10 whisper 'Nhea Irs. Thurston, in
polar voice, eAr,Nimcd. "Nellie,
have YOU told hIr. Nc .luiston"
johnny looked up in SURPRISE while
gufrty Nellio blushed and paled, and
finally gasped' ss the situation became
plain, and her aitnt's intentions flashed
upon her.
She glanced gppenlingly at the old
ltdy, and was jastonished to sec her
looking Hp at something on coach
which stood next their carriage.
81 declared" exclaimed the aunt ut
last. "Why, Nellie, there is lady
who is the image of u!-only she is
a little older. Look! !"
johnny followed the direction OF
Mrs. Thurston's glance aud cried:
'It's the Duchcss!'
"Who?" said Mrs. Thurston, in
shrill whisper.
"rhe Duchess of Essex" replied
Johnny, excitedly. ",She's awfully
nice, aud that pale young fellow with
the beard is her husband, the Duke"
''Do you know her-to speak to?"
again III shrill whisper, excited and
eager now.
els that the lndy you mistook for
me Mt the hotel?" exclaimed Nellie.
Dressed in white costume, simple
and yet bewildering, and little white
bonnet with eyes bright and voice
merry, the Duchess looked like one OF
those yUtt associate with at Gains.
borough. She answered Mrs. Thurs.
toms question by glancing down, and
on catching II glimpse of Johnny ex-
claimed: "Why, Ned, here's Mr.. Nc
Quiston !" and her long, shapely arm
descended towards Johuny, who stood
up and looked rs delighted as he folt.
The Duch8ss told Johnny after
wards that She guessed it nil Mt q
glance. and noted accordingly; and
you can depead upon it, he is willing
to swear to any assertion she makes.
"Help me down, Stanley" she said
to the gentleman next her, and in an
instant she stool beside johnny on
the sod.
''Do you think it nice in you not to
have come to Essex House Mt all this
time?" she said, reproachfully. "Pve
been telling some people about you,
and they think I'm only giving them
travellers tales, fox you never show,
you know. May l know your friends?"
When johnny recovered his wits
che Duchess was Sn the carriage be.
side Nellie, telling Mrs. Thurston that
sue nHt DCel bGEuCh ilhohSSs
Nellie Thurston bore to herself, and
this was followed up by other gracious
speeches, climaxing at last by an in.
vitation to call Mt Essex House and
statement that Her Grace would send
them ca Is for II 'littlo reception on
Wednesday night. to meet the Princess
Louise Of Lorne." "Fricnds of Mr..
McQulstons are sure to be welcome
with us, you know" she said, as she
bowed and asked Johnny to help her
up the ladder to the coach seat.
"Will you como now and sing
hymns for me, sir?" whispered Her
Grace, as she stood with Johnuy's
hand in hers.
"como!'' he b. ftod out, "ril go
9i and sing till y0Of der mo out of the
The Duchess laughed AMI mur-
mured: SIS it so bad rs that? Woll,
she is lovely, ard you are fortunate.
Bring her to sst me Saturday morning
ut H."
"What were ybu asking me, auutio.
when the Duchess, spoke first to Mr..
McQuiston? Yoe6wanted to know if
l had told him sol hNthing?" asked Nell
lie, coolly, as theyefove home through
the pretty streets, ~, st. Johns Wood.
"I'm sure / don 80 remember, dear"
said Mrs. Thursto innocently.
"Shall [ tell NJ. McQuiston to go
away before the Duchess's reception,
auntie?" Nellie asked that night, as
she stood before the door of her aunt's
room, candle III hand.
"Certainly not! Why, he's to take
us there"
"May tell him to stay?'
"Of course not; there is no need of
saying anything. He seems like
very sensible young man, and needs
no coaching"
"Coaching, auntie? Fie, why that 8
slang. And suppose in the coaching
he asks me if [ will let him drive,
what then?"
"Dont be foolish, child! He has
no such ideas in his head. Don't be
foolish"
"I'm rather afraid L shall be-" said
Nellie. but she said it to the candle,
after she closed the door.
It was some months after this that