The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1895-07-19
CHAPTER V.

discovered 1t was simply case of
aiming at absolute secrecy, which had
been frustrated by Frank himself, or
bold and unembarrassed acknowledge
ment and an attempt to carry things off
with high hand. The latter course
was the only one possible. 1t had origi-
nally been Richards idea, appropriated
by General Armour and accepted by
Mrs. Armour and Marion with what
grace was possible. The publication Of
the event prepared their friends and
precluded the necessity for reserve.
What the friends did not know was
whether they ought or ought not to
commiserate the Armours. 1t was diff
ficult position. A death, an accident,
lost reputation, would have been easy
to them. Concerning these there could
be no doubt. But an Indian daughter
in-law, person in moccasins, was
scarcely thing to be congratulated
upon, and yet sympathy and consolation
might be much misplaced No one could
tell how the Armours would take it,
for even their closest acquaintance
knew what kind Of delicate hauteur was
possible to them Even the centric"
Richard, who visited the cottages of the
poor, carrying soup and luxuries OF
many kinds, accompanying them with
the most wholesome advice single man
ever gave to families and the heads of
families, whose laugh was so CHEEKY
and spontaneous--and face SO uncom-
monty grave and sad at times-had a
faculty for manner. With astonishing
suddenness he could raise insurmounta-
BILE barriers, and people not of his or
der, who occasionally presumed on his
simplicity of life and habits, found
themselves put distinctly i'll at ease by
q quiet curious look in his eye. No
man was ever more the recluse and at
the same time the man Of the world.
He had had his bitter little comedy Of
life, but it was different from that of
his brother Frank. 1t was buried very
deep. Not one of his family knew Of
| it. Edward Lambert and one or two
others who had good reason never to
| speak of it were the only persons pos
sessing his secret.
But ali England knew of Franks
mesalliance. And the question was,
What would people do? They very prop
erly did nothing at first. They waited
to see how the Armours would act they
did not congratulate; they did not con-
sole. That was left to those papers
which CHANGED to resent General Ar
mour's politics and those others which
were emotional and sensational ON ev-
cry subject, particularly so where woA-
en- were concerned
1t was the beginning of the season,
but the Armours had decided that they
would not go to town-that is, the gen.
eral and his wife were not going. They
felt that they ought to be at Greybope
with their daughter-in-law, which was
to their credit. Regarding Marion they
had nothing to say. Mrs Armour in
clined to her going to town for the sea-
son to visit Mrs. Townley, who had
thoughtfully written to her saying that
she was very lonely and begging Mrs.
Armour to let her come, if she would.
| She said that of course Marion would
see much of her people in town just the
same. Mrs. Townley was q very clever
and tactful woman. She guessed that
General Armour and his wife were not
| likely to come to town, but that must
not appear. and the invitation should
be on different basis as it was
1t is probable that Marion saw through
the delicate plot, but that did not make
her like Mrs. Townley less. These lit
tie pieces of art make life possible-these
tender fictions!
Marion was, however not in good
humor. She was nervous and little
petulant. She had q high strung tenn
permanent, sensitive perception of the
fitness Of things and horror of what
was gauche, and she would, in brief,
make rather austere person if the
lines of life did not run in her favor
She had something of Franks impul-
siveness and temper. 1t would have
been great blessing to her if she had
had a portion of Richards philosophical
humor also. She was at point of ten
sion-her mother and Richard could see
that She was anXious-though, for the
world, she would not have had it thought
so--regarding Captain Vidal. She had
never cared for anybody but him. 1t
was possible she never would. But he
did not know this, and she was not alb
solutely sure that his evident but as yet
informal love would stand this strain,
which shows how people very honora-
BILE and perfect minded in themselves
may allow large margin to other peo-
pie who are presumably honorable and
perfect minded also.
There was no engagement between
them, and he was not bound in any
way, and could, therefore, without slash
ing the hem of the code, retire without
any apology, but they had had that un-
spoken understanding which most peo-
pie who love each other show even be-
fore word of declaration has passed
their lips. If he Withdrew because of
this scandal, there might be some awk-
ward hours for Frank Armour's wife at
Greyhope, but more than that there
would DO very hard hearted young
lady to play her part i'll the deceitful
world. She would be as merciless as
she could be. Naturally, being young,
she exaggerated the Importance of the