Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1895-03-07


dying to tingo their wings in thu
rays OF the new stsx.
by jove, Lady Christ Introduc,
me, please. Your daughter Is charm
ing" drawled Lord Shoshlre in Q
stage whisper.
"The prince has already asked who
is with you, Lady Chris"
And says he won't believe she Il
your daughter.
THAT Chicago girl. Emilia Potts,
| 'guesses she's real mad, and has just
reckoned the game is up for her, {"
sniggered Talbot Hurst, who de-
lighted in fostering social squabbles
"Oh, hushl hush!" cried Lady
Christine. ~ sha'n't bring my
daughter here again II you're all GO
ing to spoil her at once. Why, che 9
only little schoolgirl. All! there
goes the curtain. Now run away, all
OF you; and you need not come back
again this evening""
us Lady Chris going to ride jeal-
GUS OF the girl, do you think?" asked
Talbot Hurst of Lord Sloshire. as
they strolled down to the omnibus
box.
Don't know. I'm sure. and don't
care, either" growled his lordship,
who hated Talbot Hurst for mean
little sneak"
But Mr.. Talbot Hurst's charitable
suggestions were baseless; for. in
spite of countless defections from
her banner, Lady Chris--as her world
called her-did not ride jealous" of
the new beauty, as Christabel quick
ly became. And yet--and yet there
were moments when she would have
given year Of her loneliness, a half
of her fortune, to read the heart OF
the man she loved. For little Lady
Chris had to confess to herself that
she loved q man who, as likely as
not, had fixed his fancy on another
woman, young. fresh, eminently de-
sirable in every way.
III ! only knew! II / only could
find out!" she cried to herself in her
dressing room one night. HE is
the same as ever, courteous and kind,
but always little cold. And ap-
parently he is the same to Chris. II
l could only guess how he speaks to
her, looks ut her, when they are alone
together! He sat out three dances
with Ter at the state ball on Wednes.
day and rode with her an hour this
morning in the row. wish / knew
/ wish l knew!"
And upstairs in the pink and white
nest that framed the new beauty's
loneliness, the words II wish l
knew!" were breathed to the dawn.
Christabel stood, slender as May
lily, before her mirror, her white
hands clasped above her tumultuous
heart, as she sighed: II wish /
knew il he loves me-" The next day
the girl thought she had found the
solution to the riddle. 1t was the
last function of the seasonal ball at
Malplaquet house. Leaning on
Tregenna's arm Christabel drifted
down the low steps that led from the
drawing room into the GOODNESS of the
quiet garden. Lanterns danced in
the soft night air and the swish OF
women's gowns trailing over grass,
the COO of distant voices came gently
to ears still ringing with the final
crash of the finished waltz. Christa-
bel sighed as she nestled into
cushioned chair.
"Tirei?" queried Lord Tregenna.
mo, sorry!" and she sighed again.
You and sorrow should not meet
so soon," he said, gravely. What's
the trouble?"
" We are going away tomorrow"
answered Christabel.
The girls naivete made him smile.
=" But there's plenty of fun ahead.
Are you not going to be the belle
on Sloshire's yacht at Cowes? Then
you're to have three weeks at HON.
burg, supplemented by-how many
visits in Scotland? Miss Mainwaring,
you are growing Unsuitable"
She gave little laugh of self
depreciation. - dare say it will be
pleasant enough, but-I-mother-
shall miss YOU"
Tregenna leaned forward and strove
to pierce the mystery Of her sweet
violet eyes. Lady Chris-and you
will miss me?" His voice took O
fuller tone, his eyes deeper light
Indeed, we SHALL" she answered,
slowly, "You know, Lord Tregenna,
l always think of you as my first
friend in London. You were in
the drawing room when came
home that afternoon
"And you will be sorry to lose
your first friend for even q few
weeks?"
She nodded the reply her tremb-
ling lips conld not speak.
Chris"-he laid one strong, firm
hand upon the girls nervous fingers
-" Chris, il l ever left you, If l
were always with you in the future
as your friend-your-would you be
glad?"
Very glad"
The words scarcely stirred the air,
but he caught them. They were
enough. for he rose and led her back
to the house.
1t was late next morning, almost
midday, when Christabel came dane
ing down stairs, her feet like feathers,
her eyes like stars.
Lord Tregenna has been here,
miss" said a servant. His lordship
asked for milady or for you, but not
seeing either left note in the draw
ing room. His lordship will come
back to luncheon"