The Dickinson press., 1895-03-02

nm houf-relented, and gave ME money
to buy q new dress for the Tauntons'
ball; SO am perhaps Just little bit
put out, you see, at having wronged
him In my thoughts 90 muoh.'
Mrs. Charteris laughed.
! don't want to destroy the admira-
tiOn that you are cherishing for your
fathers unprecedented conduct" she
said, 'but almost think can guess
what changed his mind. Did you not
hear that Sir Mark Warrenne returned
to the hall the evening before last?
And cannot YOU fancy how eager the
Tauntons will be to have him at the
ball. and what desirable match the
wealthy baronet will be for Mr..
Blount's beautiful daughter? Now do
not look so savage, Tita-it is horri-
bly, unbecoming to your style; and do
not make up your mind-as see you
are do!nS-to revenge all this on the
poor young man himself. He is totally
unconscious Of the whole concern, you
know, and you owe him debt Of
gratitude. as, but for his providential
arrival at this particular time, you
would in all probability never have
danced ut the Tauntons' ball. He is
everything your fancy could possibly
paint him-'lovely' as Apollo. but
thank heaven, by no means Divine
And, II you are a very good little girl,
and play your cards properly, will
put In such telling word for you that
In the long run he will infallibly be
thine
II do think. Harriet, that Mt times
you have not a particle of sense" Miss
Blount exclaimed, amused at the 9TH
er's absurdity in spite of herself; where
upon the two friends broke into mer.
ry laughter. and went upstairs together
to inspect Harriet's dress for the ball
and decide on the color most becoming
to katherine BlOunt.
Having at length after a somewhat
sto my debate, arrived at the satis-
factory conclusion that Miss Blount
would make n very presentablc ap-
pearance in white and amber, the two
began to mediate descent on
Charlie's sanctuln. for the express
purpose Of carrying off its occupant
forcibly to luncheon from among his
beloved beetles, when horses
hoofs ringing on the hard gravel
arrested their steps. Mrs. Charteris's
bedroom being in the front Of the
house, overlooked great part of the
avenue, SO, running hastily to he win
dow to ascertain who the newcomer
might be, she was both startled and
delighted to perceive that it was no
less a person than Sir Marx Warren
himself.
However, she made no further re-
mark just then, but took the girls
proifered hand fondly in her own, and
led her down stairs into the tasteful,
sunny drawtng-rOOm, where Sir Mark
Warrenne was introduced to Katharine
Blount, and where Miss Blount made
herself as disagreeable as she very well
could to that exceedingly inoffensive
young man.
Mrs. Charteris was provoked beyond
measure-how could katherine show
herself in such an unfavorable light?-
and set herself with laudable perse-
verance to turn the conversation into
a more congenial channel, finally sug-
gesting luncheon us last resource.
This was always pleasant meal at
Castle Park, servants being strictly ex-
cluded, and a general air of unconven.
tfOnality pervaded the whole atm0s-
phere, so Harriet fondly hoped that
Katherine might thaw If exposed to
its influence.
II hope you have come home for
good this time, Sir Mark" she began,
presently, smiling in her pretty, friend
~ manner ut the barOnet.
ITO BE CONTINUED.)