The Opelousas courier., 1894-10-27
Ouiston a hint Of the brewing storm.

Quiston a hint Of the brewing storm.
Thus bribed, Mrs. Thurston sat in
gloomy state until they found a place
among the carriages and coaches from
which to watch the people, for the
game was quite beyond their grasp.
+ From sheer perversity, and perhaps
from other motives as we'll. Nellie
treated Johnny with an amount of
cordiality and freedom she had never
shown before, and even allowed her
voice to drop into something akin to a
whisper, when Mrs. .Thurston, in a
polar voice, etciaimed: Nellie, have
you told Mr.. McQuiston?"
Johnny looked up in surprise. while
guilty Nellie blushed anIlaaled, 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 declare" exclaimed the aunt at
last. "Why, Nellie, there is a lady
who is the image of you!-only she is
a Little older. Look"
Johnny followed the direction of
Mrs. Thurston's glance and cried, It's
the duchess!"
"Who?' said Mrs. Thurston in n
shrill whisper.
1.-The duchess of Essex" replied
Johnny, uexcitedly. She's aw Jul nice,
and that pale young fellow with the
beard is her husband, the duke"
do you knew her to sls,ak tor
again in a shrill whisper, ex >it I'd and
eager now.
"Is that the lady You misto.k tor me
at the hotel?" exclaimed Nellie.
Dressed in a white costume simple
and yet bewildering, and a li5tle white
bonnet, with eyes bright and voice
merry. the duchess looked like n of
those you associate with Ga~inshorough.
She answered Mrs. Thurston's ques'
ton by glancing down, and on catch
a glimse Of Johnny. exclaimed, "Why.
Ned, here's Mr.. McQuiston." and her
long, shapely arm decended toward
Johnny, who stood up and looked as
delighted as he felt.
The duchess told Johnny b. terward
that she guessed it all at a glance and
acted accordingly, and you can de-
pend 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, reproachfully. I've
been telling some people about you,
and they think I'm only giving them
travellers tales, for you never show.
you know. May l know your friends?"
When Johnnie recovered his wits the
duchess was in the carriage beside
Nellie, telling Mrs. Thurston that she
had been struck by the likeness Mel
was followed up by other gracious
speeches, climaxed at last by an in
vitation to call at Essex house and a
statement that her grace would send
them cards for a little reception on
Wednesday night to meet Princess
Louise Of Lorne." Friends of Mr..
McQuiston 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.
Twill you come now and sing hymns
for me, sir?" whispered her grace, as
she stood with %Johnny's hand in hers.
"Comel" he blurted out. "I'll go and
sing till you order me out of the
house."
The duchess laughed and murmuzed:
SIS it so bad as that? Well, she is
lovely, and you are fortunate. Bring
her to see me Saturday morning at H."
what were you asking me, auntie.
when the duchess spoke first to Mr..
.McQuiston? You wanted to know if
I had told him something" asked Nell
lie. coolly, as they drove home through
the pretty streets of st. Johns Wood.
II am sure / don't remember, dear"
said Mrs. Thurston. innocently.
Shall I tell Mr.. McQuiston to go
away before the duchess reception,
auntie?" Nellie asked that nightas she
stood before the door of her aunt's
room, candle in hand.
Certainly not. Why, he is to take
us there"
MAY I tell him to stay"
tsOf course not; there is no need of
saying anything. He seems like a very
sensible young man. and needs no
coaching"
Coaching, auntie? Fie, why, that's
And suppose in this coaching
he asks me if / will let him drive, what
them"
Don't be foolish, child. He has no
such ideas in his head. Don't be fool
ish."
I'm rather afraid / shall be- said
Nellie; but she said it to the candle
after she closed the door.
Tt was some months after this that
Mrs. John Arlington McQuiston
(Johnny's middle name has been drawn
from %obscurity into active life). look
ing at two tall Sevres which stood be-
side the library fireplace, remarked to
her husand:
John, dear, do you know, / believe
auntie would like to have the duchess
letter framed and hung between the
vases she sent u.s."
Johnny, who was busiiy looking
manuscript, smiled, but said moth
ing.
81 don't think you are half enough
grateful to your duchess, john" con-
tinued Mrs. John.
ooh, yes" said John, and he came to
his. wife's chair and rumpled her brown
bang with caressing hand, "but you see
is outranked now by my queen
r.. Walker. in Boston Home