Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1895-12-06
ing market-basket, "may I shell tha

ing market basket, "may she'll tha
Jennie? Really, I should like to-"
"And mess your fingers? Just see
mine, what state I've got them in.
No, go ard talk tc Doris; I shall be
there soon"
"No; want to talk to you'll" And,
nothing loath, seeing she was deter
mined the rector's invaluable daugh-
ter gave in.
Everything was done, and they
were ilounging in the drawing-room
when the yonng folks returned tired
and heated after long afternoon on
the shadeless athletic ground. Ted
was especially delighted at Gladys's
presence. He brought his cup OF tea
round to her corner, and devoted the
next half hour to tormenting her.
"Just little droop here, he said,
touching the corner of her mouth; ga
perceptible thinness of the cheeks,
two little lines here" indicating the
brow. "Fretting about Pat, en-,
Gladys? Never mind, some ole will
turn up to fill his place-a title at
your feet, perhaps. Have you heard
that your new neighbor, Sir Owen
Chalmers, has appeared?"
"Not yet His steward does not
expect him till next week"
''Perhaps not, but that's no reason
why he shouldn't be here. l hear!
my news from very good authority,
His valet, or, rather, confidential man,
Owen, has been staying week, or
longer, at the Kings Head. The bar.
onet sent him down to superintend
some alterations in the stables, and he
tod me tonight of his arrival"
Gladys's eyes cleaned oddly. A not
over-pleasant suspicion was confusing
her. "Did you say his name was
Owen?" she asked. trying to appear
nonchalant.
"Yes, Philip Owen. Strange, isn't
it, that master and man should have
the same name? He's very decent
looking fellow, too, and"
"Thank you, Ted" She laid her
hand upon his arm with peremptory
gesture. ''Can't we talk of something
Interestingly" Her tones were OF the
coldest.
She escaped to her room at the first
opportunity which offered itself. Her
mind was in state of great confusion.
She tried to think calmly-to look
the ugly possibilities Ted's informa-
tion had suggested coolly In the face,
But her pride rose in fierce revolt.
She stamped up and down the room
swiftly, too restless to sit or stand
still. To think that she, the daugh-
ter OF an officer and q gentleman,
should be guilty of philandering with
a valet! Pshaw, the thought was re.
voting!
The door opened softly, and Jennie
Cranstead came in. 81 want you,
dear, to fasten my dress-these affairs
that fasten behind. Why Gladys,
stopping suddenly in her remarks,
'not dressed yet? What are you
dreaming of now? It's late already" "
Gladys turned away her flushed, an
=, CRY face with al excuse. She was
down before Jennie, who believed In
finishing touches.
The evening was very unsatlsfac'
tory one for Gladys. She was preo2-
cupied, and without sufficient spirit to
retort even to Ted'S banter.
Next morning she started out di-
rectlv after breakfast in the pony car
riage, to do some shopping for Jennie.
In her present state of mind, tennis
seemed fat, and boating offered nc
charms.
. Bowling smartly up the drive tive
s hours later, she was somewhat sur
prised to see a splendidly appointed
s carriage and pair waiting at the old
0 fashioned rectory door.
t Leaving the groom to take the par
n ce,s round to the kitchen she alIghted,
7 an1 was entering, when Jennie,
: dressed with more than usual care,
met her on the threshold.
) ''Be quick, and change your frock,
lear; Sir Owen Chalmers is in thu
. drawing room," she whispered, an:
It few off.
e A moment later, in the shadowy
a hall she came in violent contact witt
O tall and stalwart form.
1 She looked up with some confusion
and met well.known pair OF dara
/. eyes smiling into hers.
n "You here!" she exclaimed, will
e more surprise than courtesy. "Pra.
>, let me pass.
/ "But, whyi Don't run away
r Gladys" He was holding he hand
+ tightly. "Don't frown at me, Gladys
It was very innocent little ruse of
o ter all. Pat always raved about you
Bohemian habits, and vowed that on
e day you'd be making a mesallianc
- with some fellows groom, or some
thing of that soft. l had mind +
;, prove It, SO came down to the King
:. Head. and posed as rny own valet.
. camel saw"
:, She waited for no further explana
Il tion. Her eyes were brillianS wit
- mirth. "And conquered, " she coquei
;, tishly declared. st. Pau's.