Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1894-07-26

himself.
After that matters hurried them
| selves. They are apt to do this in ho-
tells and journeyings and saunterhgs.
Johnny fell into sort of trance. where
in his unconsciousness seemed bold
ness, and Miss Nellie began to ask her.
self questions. As for Mrs. Thurton,
she soon lost any doubt as to her own
conclusions, and declared that she in
tended either to leave for the continent,
regardless of comfort, or ask MIR. Nc
Quiston to continue his travels.
There was a cricket match on be-
tween Elton and Harrow-one of the
notable matches of the year-and John
ny had hired the neatest turnout he
could find to convey the trio to Lords
grounds. There was some battling be-
fore the elder lady would consent to go,
and the younger finally declared that
she would give Mr.. McQuiston hint
of the brewing storm. Thus bribed
Mrs. Thurston sat in gloomy state I'M
til they found a place among the car
riages and coaches from which to watch
the people, for the game was quite be-
yond their grasp.
From sheer perversity, and perhaps
from other motives as well, Nellie treat
ed Johnny with an amuont of cordial
ity and freedom she had never shown
before, and even allowed her voice to
drop into something akin to a whisper
when Mrs. Thurston, in polar voice,
exclaimed: "Nellie, have you told Mr..
McQuiston?'
Johnny looked up in surprise, while
guilty Nellie blushed and paled, and
finally gasped, as the situation became
plain, and her aunt's intentions flashed
upon her.
She glanced appealingly at the old
lady, and was astonished to see her
looking up at something on a coach
which stood next their carriage.
II declareW exclaimed the aunt at
last.
"Why, Nellie, there is lady who is
the image of you!-only she is little
older, Lookv'
Johnny followed the direction of Mrs.
Thurston's glance and cried: "It's the
DuchessW
"Who?" said Mrs. Thurston in a
shrill whisper.
'"The Duchess of Essex" replied
Johnny, eXcitedly. "She's awful nice,
and that pale young fellow with the
"Do you know her--to speak to?o
again in a shrill whisper, excited and
eager now.
as that the lady you mistook for me
at the hotel?n exclaimed Nellie.
Dressed in a white costume simple
and bewildering, and little white bon
net, with eyes bright and voice merry,
the Duchess looked like one of those
+c 90, hn
answered Mrs. Thurston's question by
glancing down, ahd, on catching a
glimpse Johnny, exclaimed: "Why,
Ned, here's Mr.. McQuistonn' and her
long shapely arms descended toward
Johnny, who stood up and looked as
delighted as he felt.
The Duchess told Johnny afterward
that she guessed it all at glance and
acted accordingly; and you can depend
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 stood beside Johnny on the
sod.
''Do you think it nice in you not to
have come to Essex House at all this
timer" she said responsibility. give
been telling some people about you,
and they think I'm only giving them
travellers tales, for you never snow,
you know May know your friends?''
When Johnny recovered his wits the
Duchess was in the carriage beside Mel
lie, telling Mrs. Thurston that she had
been struck by the likeness Nellie
Thurston bore to herself, and this was
followed up by other gracious speeches,
climaXed at last by an invitation to call
at Essex House, and statement that
Her Grace would send them cards for a
"little reception on Wednesday night,
to meet the Princess Louise of Lorne :"
"Friends of Mr.. McQuiston are sure
to be welcome with us, you know, /"
she said, as she bowed and asked John
ny to help her up the ladder to the
coach seat.
"Will you come now and sing hymns
for me, sir?n whispered Her Grace as
she stood with Johnny's hand in hers.
"Come," he blurted out, "I'll go and
sing till YOU order me out of the house.
The Duchess laughed and murmured:
Is it so bad as that? Well, she is love-
ly and you are fortunate. Bring her to
see me Saturday morning at H."
"What were you asking me, auntle,
W HCH UuO DutChCoS opoIAS hAoo w ~ :.
McQuiston? You wanted to know if |
had told him something's" asked Nellie,
coolly, as they drove home through the
pretty streets of st. Johns Wood.
"I'm sure l don't remember, dear, y
said Mrs. Thurston innocently.
"Shall tell Mr.. McQuiston to go
away before the Duchess reception,
auntie?" Nellie asked that night as
she stood before the door of her aunt's
room, candle in hand.
Certainly not. Why, he's to take
us there"
"May l tell him to stay?'
"Of course not; there is no need OF
saying anything. He seems like very
sensible young man, and needs no coach.
ing"
7Coaching, auntie! File! why that's
slang. And suppose in the coaching
he asks me if / will 1t him drive, what
them"
Don't be foolish, child! He has nc
such ideas in his head. Don't be fool.
ish."
sI'm rather afraid 1 shall be,u said
Nellie, but she said it to the candle,
after she closed the door.
1t was some months after this that