The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1895-08-02

Lady HGldlCelL presently rose and said
9OOdby.
talked casually for q little time, the
visitor trying in vain to delicately give
the conversation personal turn. At
last, little foolishly, she grew holder,
with needless selfshness.
$50 old friend Of your husband as
am, l am hopeful you and may be
friends also. I"
Mrs. Armour saw the move. "You
are very kind" she said conventionally
and offered cup of tea
Lady Haldwell now ventured unwise-
ly. She was nettled at the others self
possession. "But then in way have
been your friend for long time, Mrs.
Armour.
The point was yelled 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 in the
woman before her not to be reckoned
with lightly.
"And if an enemy?" she said, smil-
ing
A strange smile also fickered across
Mrs. Armour's face as she said, eff 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, believe, is differ
ent, what would you do?"
Mrs. Armour looked steadily and
coldly into her visitors eyes. SIN my
country enemies do not compel us to be
polite.
"By calling on your" Lady Haldwell
was growing a little reckless. "But
then that is 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 it? Alb, yes,
near four years. I" Here she became alto
gether reckless, which she regretted
afterward, for she knew after all what
was due herself. HE will come back,
I 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 any
case she would have said what she list
ed at the moment.
Wild as were the passions in 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 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 immovablo. At that
instant, however, some one stepped from
behind large screen just inside the
door. It was Richard Armour. He was
pale, and on 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 q fine talent for
irony" he said, 'but she does not al
ways use it wisely. In man it would
bear another name, and from man it
would be differently received" He
came close to her. "You are bravo
woman" no said, cor you would have
been more careful OF course you knew
that my mother and sister were not at
home.
She smiled languidly. "And why oil
course?'
81 do not know that. Only i know
that think SO, and also think that
NV brother Franks worst misfortune
did not occur when Miss Julia Sher-
wood trafficked without conjunction III
his happiness. +,
"Don't be oracular, my dear Richard
Armour. she said. "You are trying
really. This seems almost melodramat-
10. and melodrama is bad enough In
Drury lane. " .
"You are not good friend even to
yourself, {" he answered.