The herald-advance. (Milbank, S.D.) 1890-1922, 1894-01-05
CHAPTER. VI.

Mrs. Boddingtons residence might as
appropriately been styled Cedar For
est rs Beech Grove; for there was
neither grove nor beech tree within
view OF II. 1t was. however, a pretty
pleasant-looklng 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 beating heart The crack
ling of the gravel underneath her foot
steps made her nervous; and the deep
tone Of the bell, which her tinid hand
put set ringing startled her She was
not shy by nature, but she was excita-
ble and sensitive, and she had only the
vaguest ideas as to the sort of inter
view that might be before her
She had anXiously consulted with
Barney about the terms she ought to
ask, and had. by her friends advice.
fixed them at a very moderate rate
ut SO moderate a rate, in fact. that
some Of poor Bells 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 Z beginning. at any rate That
was the great thing.
Certainly; if you get this employ
ment, my dear said Barney. smiling
kindly, but throwing little caution
airy discouragement into her deep con
tralto tones
"Ah. | think I shall be sure to get it.
Barney"
Poor child. why should make haste
70 Kick over her basket of egys?"
lEought Barney. looking after Mrs.
Jack as she walked up the street. IF
they are to be smashed the smashing
VIII always come soon enough, and
hWhiie she may as well enjoy
~ - fhas" unmatched chickens
So Bell set off to walk to
'rssr. ni,fe hoping than fear
ing. as fer wont was
She WIS shown first into a prettily
furnished little Ioudoir. and asked to
wait there few minutes She heard
door open on the opposite side Of the
hall. and almost Immediately the sery-
ant returned and begged her to walk
into the morning room. The next min
ute Mrs. Jack found herself in the pres
cnce Of three strangers, and was con
SciOuS that she was coloriny and look
Ing embarrassed; which consciousness.
naturally, did not diminish her con-
fusion
The room was long. with a window
at each end Of it. opening in the one
case on to the flower garden, and in the
other on to a lawn shaded by flower
IL. shrubs. The lawn window Wns
open, and near it was little table at
which two gentlemen were seated.
smoking and playing backgammon. At
4 very smart work. table. all blue satin
and rosewood sat lady half buried
III 4 luxurious easy chair Her hands
rad fallen into her lap amidst heap
CT bright-colOred silks, and she held i'm
them piece Of canvas partly embroid-
cred with similar silk But she seemed
TO have no present intention of hand
ling her needle. She was Il young
woman, with a pretty peachy face,
Plump white hands, and 4 stout over.
grown figure. She was very richly
dressed. and her face and attitude ex-
pressed laziness, vacuity and good hl.
NOR.
or the two gentlemen. one was 4
handsome. jolly-looking man. who had
tile air OF gentlema IN farmer: the 9th.
er q hronzed elderly man with white
hair .and dark eyebrows and beard
The latter rose when Mrs. Jack en-
tered the room. threw his cigar out o1
the window. and handed her a chair
with stiff bow The iolly-lopkins
mar rose also, but with less alacrity