Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1895-08-20

Lady Hdldtneu presently rose and said
go0dbv
talked casually for a little time, the
visitor trying in vain to delicately give
the conversation personal turn. AT
last, little foolishly, she grew bolder
with needless seltishness.
$50 old a friend Of your husband as
am, am hopeful you and / may be
friends also.
Mrs. Armour saw the move. lyon
are very kind, =" she said conventionally
and offered cup of tea
Lady Haldwell now yentured unwise-
". She was nettled at the Others self
possession. "But then in way have
been your friend for long time, Mrs.
Armour.
The point was veiled in vague tone,
but Mrs. Armour understood. Her reply
was not wanting:
ANY one who has been friend to
my husband has naturally claims upon
me. "
Lady Haldwell, in spite Of herself,
chafed. There was subtlety III the
woman before her not TO be reckoned
with lightly.
And If an enemyf' she said, smil.
ing.
A strange smile also fickered across
Mrs. Armour's face as she said, If an
enemy Of my husband called and was
penitent, / should-offer her tea, no
doubt.
THAT is, in this country but in your
own country, which, l believe, Is differ
ent, what would you do!''
Mrs. Armour looked steadily and
coldly into her visitors eyes. "ln my
country enemies do not compel us to be
polite.
"By calling on you?" Lady Haldwell
was growing little reckless But
then that is q savage country We are
different here. Isuppose, however, your
husband told you of these things, so
that you were not surprised. And when
does he come? His stay is protracted.
Let me see, how long is 1t? All. yes,
near four years. Here she became alto
gether reckless, which she regretted
afterward, for she knew after all what
was due herself. HE will come back,
suppose. "
Lady Haldwell was no coward, else
she had hesitated before speaking in
that way before this woman, in whose
blood was the wildness Of the heroical
north Perhaps she guessed the passion
in Lali's breast, perhaps not In amy
case she would have said what she list
cd at the moment.
Wild as were the passions i'll Lali's
breast, she thought ON the instant OF
her child, of what Richard Armour
would say, for he had often talked to
her about not showing her emotions and
passions, had told her that violence OF
all kinds was not wise or proper Her
fingers ached to grasp this beautiful,
exasperating woman by the throat. But
after an effort at calmness she remained
still and silent, looking at her visitor
with q scornful dignity. Lady Haldwell
presently rose. She could not endure
the furnace Of that look, and said good
by. She turned toward the door. Mrs.
Armour remained immovable. AT that
instant, however, some one stepped from
behind large screen just inside the
door. It was Richard Armour. He was
pale, and OH his face was sternness the
| like Of which this and perhaps only one
other woman had ever seen ON him. He
interrupted her.
Lady Haldwell has fine talent for
| irony," he said, but she does not al
ways use it wisely. In a man 1t would
bear another name, and from man 1t
would be differently received. He
came close to her. 'You are q brave
woman, " he said, ''or you would have
been more careful OF course you knew
that my mother and sister were not at
home"
She smiled languidly. "And why of
course?'
"I do not know that. Only know
that think so, and also think that
nv brother Franks worst misfortune
did not occur when Miss Julia Sher.
wood trafRcked without compunction in
his happiness
Don't be oracular, my dear Richard
Armour, she said. "You are trying
really. This seems almost melodramat-
ic, and melodrama is bad enough in
Drury lane. T"
"You arc not good friend even to
yourself, !" he answered.
"What o discoyerer you arcl And
how much In earnestl Do come back to
the world, Mr.. Armour. You would be
q relief, new sensation. "
II fancy / shall come back Il only to
see the engineer hoist with his own
] torpedo"