Griggs courier., 1895-09-20

OvoT. W8uU6O = t8lk Win yOus
EYES," and she waited. Something
told her that there was more to come.
''Well, the fact is, I'm married." he
said, firmly, evidently relieved in hav-
ing got it out. "But haven't told any
one about it; that's one reason why
bought Heatherway. wanted to
come among people who didn't know
her. She-she-well, it's no use beat
ing about the BUSH she kept house
for me good many years. She was a
widow, husband drowned at sea. and
for herself; so she came and looked
after my crib in town, and we got to
like each other. She knew how to
make me comfortable. and that's
everything to a man at my time of
life. We got married on the quiet four
or five years ago, and she kept out Of
the way when anyone came who had
known her as the housekeeper. But
that wasn't the right sort Of way to
treat your WIFE"
"No," said Miss Roberts, family, and
gathered up her cashmere skirt, for
the train had spread itself out as If to
give effect to her graceful figure.
80 thought" he continued, ''that
I'd take little place in the country
and set up properly with her; she's a
fine-looking woman, knows how to
dress herself, and ought to go down
very we'll in the country. I've
brought her portrait to show YOU"
He dug into the breast-pocket of his
dark tweed coat and pulled out a cab
met size photograph, then felt for his
pocket-handkerchief and wiped his
forehead and the back of his neck.
''Tea is not very cooling on n day like
this" he said, apologetically. But she
was looking at the photograph of her
old loves wife, and did not hear him.
It represented a awell-developed woman
of two or three and forty, with q
quantity of hair, and fringe, thick
and dark, that fell low on her fore
head. She wore a black satin dress,
trimmed with something that had
come out in white stripes; there were
rings in her ears, and at her throat q
brooch too large for the present
fasion. She looked like solid, slow
of-movement, good-tempered woman
with keen, business-like eyes and IN
air of easy enjoyment.
| "She's considered rather handsome" +"
he said.
THAT is why you fell in love with
her?" Miss Roberts looked up and
tried to satisfy him with her manner.
Fell in love?' he repeated. "Well,
not quite so far as that. don't be-
lieve in it, you know; never did. or
years ago should have fallen in love
with you, George, for you were a pret-
ty girl enough, that's certain; but I'll
own that I'm fond of her. > She's a
nice, sensible woman. has plenty to
say, and is an excellent manager.
Well, now, want you to come and see
us and do what you can with the neigh
borhood. She has rather fancy to
know people, so said to her: Unless
I'm mistaken, there's an old sweetheart
of mine few miles off, a younger
daughter of my friend, Sir William
Roberts. I always liked her, and I
feel sure she will gladly do what she
can for the sake of old times So now,
when will you come, Georgie?"
II will come soon," she answered.
II knew you would" he said, trium-
phantly.
"But," !" she went on, II fear 1t can't
be till come back from Switzerland.
start Tomorrow" she added, hur-
riedly.
That's pity" he looked dismayed,
''for we have just got straight, and the
garden looks nice, and she thought It
would be a good idea to give a gardeu-
party while the summer held out, and
we thought that folks would like to
come. People usually enjoy garden
party-at least, I always did"
"Yes, but you must wait till you
have been called upon and returned
visits before you can invite people" !"
she said, gently. She was beginning
to be sorry for him. His life and his
satisfaction in it were SO amazing to
her; not because his world did not in
clude herself, but because she remem-
bered the old fastidiousness that had
once prevented everything from seem
ing good enough. He seemed to have
stamped with his heavy, good-natured
feet on all the conditions that had
once been necessary to his existence.
| ho" AOAS WALL yOu Oo away
IA month, perhaps"
''And you will let us know when you
are back?" he asked; holding out his
hand. you'll do what you can for
her, know, for the sake of old times.
''Yes, will do what can"
'That's all right then," he said, with
an air of having finished his business.
II told her you would manage it.
There's some good in being q clever
woman, after all, Georgia, though
when I saw that article of yours
about Normmady, wasit?-I said to my
self: This is a pity; she'd much better
leave this sort Of thing to the young
women at Girton.' Well, l must be
going. She'll be anxious to hear the
news, and we dine at seven-she's par
ticular. keeps me in in order," he
laughed, land doesn't like to be kept
waiting" He got up and looked round
the room. ''Nice little place-dare say
you are very comfortable. Well, good.
BY" .......
"Good-by," she said, taking q long
look at him, as if she were trying to