Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1894-01-04
CHAPTER. WI.

Mrs. ~B0ddingt0n'S residence might as
appropriately been styled Cedar For
est as Beech Grove; for there was
neither grove nor beech tree within
view Of it. 1t was, however. a pretty
pleasant-looking house, surrounded by
lawns and flower gardens, and with a
shrubbery and wide grass meadows
behind it.
Bell walked up the drive to the front
door with n beating heart. The crack
ling of the gravel underneath her foot
steps made her nervous; and the deep
tone of the bell, which her timid hand
put set ringing startled her. She was
not shy by nature, but she was excita-
BILE and sensitive, and she had only the
yaglest ideas as to the sort of inter-
view that might be before her.
b had a~nxiously consulted with
Barney about the terms she ought to
ask, and had, by her friends advice,
fixed them at a very moderate rate
at so moderate a rate, In fact, that
some OF poor Belts castles In the air
began forthwith to crumble into frag-
ments. She had reckoned upon earn
ing so much more than there seemed
the least hope of getting, according to
Barney's computation. However, here
was a beginning. at any rate. That
was the great thing.
Certainly; IL you get this employ
ment, my dear" said Barney. smiling
kindly. but throwing q little caution
airy encouragement into her deep con-
tralto tones.
"Ah, | think / shall be sure to get 1t,
Barney"
Poor child, why should / make haste
&c kick over her basket of eggs p
thought Barney, looking after Mrs.
Jack as she walked up the street. IF
they are to be smashed the smashing
will always come soon enough. and
meanwhile she may as wen enjoy
ro~~- ~ those unmatched chickens
OF hers" So Bell set off to walk Il
1890 Grove, more hoping than fear
ing. as her won't was.
She was shown first into a prettily
furnished little toudoir, and asked II
wait there a few minutes. She heard
a door open on the opposite side of the
hall. and almost Immediately the serv
ant returned and begged her to wall
Into the morning room. The next min
ute Mrs. Jack found herself in the pres
ence of three strangers. and was con
scious that she was coloring and look
Ing embarrassed; which consciousness
naturally, did not diminish her con
fusion.
The room was long. with a window
at each end Of 1t, opening In the one
case on TO the flower garden, and in tn,
other on to. a lawn shaded by flower
ing shrubs. The lawn window was
open, and near 1t was a little table a
which two gentlemen were seated
smoking and playing backgammon. Al
a very smart work table, all blue satir
and rosewood. sat a lady half buried
In a luxurious easy chair. Her hand:
bad fallen into her lap amidst a heal
Of b~right-colored silks. and she held II
them a piece OF canvas partly embroid
cred with similar silk. But she seemed
TO have no present ~inteatiou of hand
ling her needle. She was a youn.
woman. with a pretty. Feachy face
plump white hands, and n stout over
grown figure. She was very richly
dressed. aud her face and attitude ex
pressed l~aziness, vacuity and good hu
NOR.
OF the two gentlemen, one was :
handsome. jolly-lookipg man, who had
the air OF n gentleman farmer: the 9th
er a bronzed elderly man with white
hair and dark eyebrows and beard
The latter rose when Mrs. Jack en-
tered the room. threw his cigar out q
the window. and handed her a chair
with a stiff bow. The jolly-lookins
man rose also. but with less a~iacrity
and, holding the cigar between his fin
ger and thumb. hoped she didn't minc
smoker On Bells reply that II did
not offend her at all. he put the cigar
between his lips, and the two men re
sumei their game. taking no furthel
Eotics of her.
How do you doT said the fady Ia 3
round, soft voice. Pray sit down. Tn
Mrs. Boddlngton. You don't mind comt
Ing In here To me, do you? You see
couid not very well get up and GO To
you Ia the boudoir, because I had my
lap fun OF these things.
Cell bowed, and raised her Grape veil
nut no sooner had she done so than
LIZA Boddington uttered a little ejacu.