The state republican. (Jefferson City, Mo.) 1871-1896, 1895-04-04

Sne opened tne uOOr anu
called
"Murchison, IL Mr.. Vaughan comes
don't let him have any luncheon,
tell him Miss Delane wishes to speak
to him first"
"Oh, Lady Marcia, you are too
bad. | wish | had never come" and
Elvira was half crying.
"Nonsense, nonsense, child. Here
tie this crimson bow for me. You
must learn not to give way to fan
.cies, ever though you are in love
with this errant Vaughan. Cheer
up, Mousie, and look your brightest.
That mauve suits you admirably.
Perhaps he will propose to-day !,
but, my goodness, Elvira, what will
Sir Miles say?"
81 don't want him tc propose:
don't are what Sir Miles thinks u
sobbed Elvira TO- fairly broken
down.
But, Lady Marcia only laughed,
She was bon comrade, but by nc
means a sympathetic m Hys-
terra and fancies were her positive
aversion, though she could help
most etfectually in real trouble. She
saw no trouble now, nothing but the
fears and fancies of a love sick girl
therefore, after her accustomed
fashion, she hailed them with deri-
sion.
Come, come, let us have no lore
of this nonsense. | declare there is
a carriage coming up the drive and |
am not ready-all your fault, Elvira,
so inst go down and receive the peo-
pie for me and make any excuse for
my absence that comes into your
head at that moment"
Elvira brushed away her tears,
struggled with her feelings, and went
out of the room. She was glad to
get away from Lady Marcia with
whom she was thoroughly disap-
pointed, and it was several minutes
before she recovered herself sufi-
ciently to go and talk to the newly
arrived guests.
Meantime Lady Marcia hurried up
and put the finishing touches to a
very effective toilette her thoughts
busy all the while about Elvira and
her fears about Pierce Vaughan.
"Of curse it is all absurd,n Lady
Marcia decided. What could have
happened to him? Why, nothing
except that he has followed some
sudden inclination. Not but that it
is odd he has lot written me a line
all these weeks-a neglect about
which you will hear something, my
gentleman, when next we meet,
Another carriage! Really, this is
too dreadful, and where has that
fool of n woman put my pocket
. handkerchief. If she can't do the
flowers earlier in the day | shall
have to send her away. All, here is
one, now l am ready" and Lady
Marcia went down the stairs with a
skip and a light step that was quite
girlish.
Some dozen or SO of people had
arrived, and the cry was, still they
come.
The afternoon was lovely, two
tents had been erected in the grounds
in one n band was discoursing mel
ody, in the other Gunter's assistants
were dispensing luxurious hospital
ties.
B~rentwells looked at its best, and
if brilliant weather, gay toilettes,
lovely women and typical English
gentlemen a make a party a real
success, Lady Marcia's autumn fete
should be no failure she herself,
too, being the queen of hostesses.
In truth everyone seemed well
pleased with themselves and with
each other, and chatter ran high as
it frequently does when a whole
country side meets in one garden,
Lawn tennis was played by the
younger members of the community
gossip was rife with the elders, anG
many cups of tea and ices had beer
partaken of. Evening was drawing
in and anxious mammas were be.
s inning to inquire after their car.
riages and still no sign of Pierc,
Vaughan.
Elvira had not enjoyed herself il
the very least. Sir Miles BerkeIe,
had been in constance attendance
following her about like a faithful
dog, but receiving very little encour'
agement. She frequently answered
his questions SO absolutely at eros
purposes that he could not hell
thinking she never heard them, apC
then at times she looked so ghastly
white and i'll that he was seriously
anxious about her.
When he enquired what allied he
she would pull herself together ant
say, "n%othing,'' but this by no meanl
satisfied this very interested lover.
Elvira had not made up her mine
that she wished to marry Pierc,
Vaughan, still his absence affected
her keenly, chiefly because she haC
a presentiment that something wa
wrong.
E. .,I,l- L.. 1--