The Canton times. (Canton, Miss.) 1893-1906, 1894-08-10


breakfast gong had sounded.
In minute or 50, however, Gwennie
heard his dressing-room door open
hastily then the refrain of "Love's
Own Sweet Song" whistled gayly, and
in another half-second Eric was in the
room.
"Am desperately late? Awfully
sorry. Oh! but I don't believe that
clock. Some maliciously disposed per-
son has moved on the hands at least q
quarter of an hour"-laughing. "But
Gwen, darling gilmore seriously
lyon should not have waited all this
time for me. Anything Interestingly"
-going to the hall as he spoke and
unlocking the letter. box. ''All for
me, and all business" turning over
four OF five official looking envelopes,
addressed mostly in clear, business
like characters to "Eric G. Vyvyan,
ESQ.,, Y Gresham street, Belgravia, s.
w."
81 expected letter from Hetty to
tell me when her baby's christening is
to take place." said Gwennie; ''but
they want us to go there before the
end of the month, SO I suppose we had
better fix some day next week, had we
not, Rick, dear?"
swell, I suppose must be resigned
to fate, though know some one that
never gives her poor, henpecked hus-
band chance of saying nay to any
thing"
sob! Rick; and you know you said
you would like to go, and that You are
looking forward to some hunting. :"
Then, laughing merrily as she caught
twinkle in Eric's eye: Glow shall I
ever live out long life with such a
dreadful tease as you Really, though,
I think it viii be lovely at Dsleford
this weather; Hetty says all their vlo-
let's arc growing beautifully out of
doors, and she does not think we shall
find it as cold as We did last year
they have had hot water pipes laid all
over the house.
But Eric did not answer, and Gwen
ME saw thoughtful expression on his
handsome, expressive face; then she
guessed that Though only joking just
now) he really did not care about this
promised visit. Perhaps he does not
want to be disturbed now he has only
just returned to town, and has begun
writing his new book, too, thought
Gwennie. Yet it was characteristic of
Eric that he could write better and
more easily when he was III strange
place and saw fresh scenery and fresh
life around him.
ellis brains got to want oiling-his
thoughts would not run smoothly when
he stayed long in one place, he always
said. So it was they never settled
down for more than three months with
out change, much as they both liked
their pretty, cosy house in the most
fashionable pal of Belgravia.
Indeed, Eric's most successful work
had been written during their travels
abroad at time when he could only
manage to squeeze out odd half hours
at time for writing, SO busy were
they sight seeing and exploring Spain.
Perhaps, after all, Eric was lazy,
Gwennie thought; again, most men
disliked country house visiting, and
looked on it as bore, she knew, but
he would enjoy it when they got there.
The Vyvyans had already stayed at
Daleford twice since their marriage,
snd Hettie Townley and Gwennie had
been great friends all their life. Hettie
was married about two years and q
half ago to the son of wealthy country
squire in the north of England; after
her marriage she introduced Gwennle
to young Vyvyan, friend of her hus-
bands, and the introduction had turned
out to be case of mutual love at first
sight.
Eric was in his study prepared for
an undisturbed morning at his writing,
when the butle- came in with q tele-
gram.
"Come tomorrow, ifpossible, chris
tening Saturday, wire reply" ran the
message.
Eric had no more peacsOf mind that
morning, for Gwennie was quite ex-
cited at the thought of seeing her
friend again 50 soon, and said she
could easily get ready to go tomorrow.
And that terrible dream last night
returned to Eric's mind with horrible
vividness. They must start for Dale
ford tomorrow to be there in time for
the christening on Saturday.
Tomorrow, Friday, October IL,
was that meant as q warning, too?
But no-and he quickly thrust aside
those superstitious thoughts. One
day in the week was as good as an
other, and as for taking dreams into
everyday wakeful life and dwelling on