The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1895-03-31

a
histrionic powers.
Connected wretchr' she thought. Aloud
she said. rather frigidly; "Oh, saive your
conscience. pray. 1 am no more in earnest
than you"
Aren't you? That's jollyl Do you know,
1 more than half suspected it. But surely
you won't be cruel enough TO desert me
already?"
Lady Vanlees' response was an mar
ticulate murmur and a rather uncertain
smile. To tell the truth, she was little
nervous. and. in her heart, rather sorry
that she had come.
But the idea of a Irritation with a nice
looking man whom she would never see
again was not without its attraction, and.
after all, since she was there.
well, just for half an hour" she said,
recklessly. She regretted the concession
before long. 4 few people had begun 70
appear. and she wished that he would
take his arm away from the back of the
seat behind her and not look 50 ridiculously
amorOus. She grew quite hot when
man, in strolling past glanced at them
with palpable amusement. The incident
caused her TO remark that time was pass
ing and that she really must 60.
Il was hoping that you would let me
take you down to Richmond for a nice
little luncheon" he said. I'VE could drive
you like that?"
1T would be very nice, but I'm afraid
couldn't come, thanks"
You mean you won't Awfully cruel of
you, pom my soul it is! But at any rate
you must let me see you home"
She had not contemplated this, and his
evident determination not to lose sight of
her gave her an unpleasant shock.
Thanks, 1 do not require an escort"
Mt
then?"
I'VE will part here. if you please" she
said firmly.
"Oh, say, that's too bad. And I don's
even know where you live. If 1 submit
like lamb will you reward me by meeting
me again another day."
To facilitate her escape she acquiesced.
The idea that he might have the imperti-
nence to follow her home scared her TO
death.
You angelr' he said. II thought you
wouldn't have the heart to dismiss me like
that" and the arm on the seat pressed
her waist suddenly, and he leaned over and
kissed her
Lady Vanlees' gloved hand descended
smartly on his face, and she sprang to
her feet, white to the lips.
How dare your she gasped.
The man had risen, too. and was sur
sion.
I'm sure 1 beg your pardon If I've made
a mistake" he said, but l naturally con-
cluded from your presence here that you
would have no great objection"
Lady Vanlees turned and fed.
When she gained home she looked her
self in her room and wept great deal.
She was thoroughly unnerved and re-
pentant and made sundry vows of a
salutary nature, which delectable frame
of mind brought her down to the lunch
con table very meek and well-disposed
toward Vanlees, who commented upon
her pale cheeks.
Indeed, her chastened mood lasted even
till the fading of the day, and induced
her to suggest to her husband that, after
all, balls and receptions were vanity, and
that a quiet evening at home with him
was not without it's charm. He threw
cold water on the suggestion at once, much
to her relief, and she Immediately bright
ened under the sense of duty done and
went out a brand new toilet and a smile.
But she was not to be allowed to forget
so easily. A ruthless retribution was at
her heels. In the crush at Lady Wilmotts
Vanlees strolled up to her with COM
panion.
Here Somerville, let me introduce you
to my wife. Blanche, Capt. Somerville is
an old chum of mine just home from
India"
Delighted, I'm sure" murmured Lady
Vanlees.
Her conventional smile of GREETING was
a trife absent. She was trying to recall
where she had met her husbands friDd
before. He enlightened her almost at
once
81 have already had the pleasure OF
seeing Lady Vanlees,' he said, lightly.
"She was enjoying nature in Kensing-
ton Gardens this morning in the neigh
borhood of 9 O'Clock. 1 didn't think Lon
don ladies were such early risers.'
She knew then. He was the man who
had glanced back at her and "Leander'
on the seat For one sickening moment
the walls spun round her; she had never
felt so horrible out of a nightmare. But
the training of a life time stood the test
Not in Kensington Gardens, Capt
Somerville," she said, sweetly. I'm
afraid you must be mistaken"
He looked at her very hard and straight
The consciousness that he knew she was
lying made her loathe herself. but she
dared not own the truth before her hus.
band.
"You were wearing
"Oh, pray spare me a masculine descrip
ton of a lady's toilet" she interrupted
laughing with lips that twitched; ''if fl
by your good memory. I haven't beer
into Kensington Gardens since-dear me
1 forget how long ago it is
The mute appeal of her eyes took eff.
feet.
I'm that case. Lady Vanlees, of course
1 am silenced.'
Must have been somebody like her.
said her husband. carelessly. by the way
Blanche, whatever possessed you to go out
for a walk at such an unearthly hour this
morning."
ooh, a within. 1 thought 1 would give a
forgotten order to my dressmaker myself
How frightened our hostess is of fresh
air! The temperature of these rooms /.
making me feel quite faint. If Capt Som.
mervllle would kindly take me into the
Conservatory
When they were seated and alone in q
palm-screned corner, I'm sure I dom
know what you must think Of me-" she
said. my conduct must seem strange tc
you. If only it were not so difficult to ex
plainr
MY dear Lady Vanlees why try to ex.
plain?'' He was smiling rather unpleasant
ly and she conceived an instant dislike IL
him 1.-THE situation was obvious But
have not met Vanlees for years and his
affairs no longer greatly interest me. Sc
you need not fear that shall feel called
upon to give him gratuitous information
| There, have put the position in a nutshell