The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1894-09-20


quite determined upon her course. None
could carry better that high neutral look
of social superiority than she.
Please heaven, she said to herself, no
one should see that her equanimity was
shaken. They had brought one servant
with them, who had been gravely and
yet conventionally informed that his
young masters wife, an Indian chief
tainess, was expected. There are fewfam-
fly troubles but find their way to serv-
ants hall with an uncomfortable speed,
for, whether or not stone walls have
ears, certainly menservants and maid
servants have eyes that serve for ears
and ears that do more than their bound
en- duty. Boulter, the footman, knew
his business. When informed of the
coming Of Mrs. Francis Armour, the
Indian chieftainess, his face was abso-
lutely expressionless His "Yessir" was
as mechanical as usual. On the dock he
was marble-indifferent. When the pas
sengers began to land, he showed no ex-
element He was decorously alert.
When the crucial moment came, he.was
imperturbable. Boulter was an excel.
lent servant. So said Edward Lambert
to himself after the event; SO likewise
said Mrs. Townley to herself when the
thing was over; 80 declared General
Armour many time after and once
very emphatically just before he raised
Boulter's wages. r
AS the boat neared Liverpool Lambert
and Mrs. Townley had grown very nerv.
ous The truth regarding the Indian
wife had become known among the pas
sengers, and most were very curious
some in well bred fashion, some in
trusively, vulgarly. Mackenzie, Lali 8
companion, like Boulter, was express
sionless in face. She had her duty to do,
paid for literally, and she would do it.
Lali might have had more presentable
and dignifed attendant, but not one
more worthy. 1t was noticeable that the
captain Of the ship and all the officers
had been markedly courteous to Mrs.
Armour throughout the voyage, but, to
their credit, not ostentatioasly So.
When the vessel was brought to anchor
and the passengers were being put upon
the tender, the captain came and made
his respectful adieus, as though Lali
were lady Of title in her own right
and not an Indian girl married to a
man acting under the influence of bran
dy and malice. General Armour and
Mrs Armour were always grateful to
Edward Lambert and Mrs. Townley for
the part they played in this desperate
little comedy. They stood still and
watchful as the passengers came ashore
one by one. They saw they were the
center of unusual interest, but General
Armour was used to- bearing himself
with grim kind of Indifference in pub.
lie, and his wife was calm, and SO some.
what disappointed those who probably
expected the old officer and his wife tC
be distressed. Frank Armour's solicitor
was also there; but, with good taste, h.
held aloof. The two needed all theil
courage, however, when they saw fig
ure in buckskin and blanket step upon
the deck, attended by o very ordinary,
austere and shabbily dressed Scotswom
an. But immediately behind them were
Edward Lambert and Mrs. Townley
and these. with their simple tact, nat
.uralness and freedom from any sort O.
embarrassment, acted as foils and re
eyed the situation. ~ -