Marble Hill press., 1895-03-28
Lady Latimer's Escape.
BY CHARLOTTE NJ. BRAEME.
CHAPTER U-CONTINTED.

She looked to me beautiful as the
pictured angels in the old
gallery at Lorton's Cray. Yet
it was the face of a woman, not of an
angel; and when I came to look more
deeply into it, I saw uneasiness, Ian
guor, pride; at times unutterable
fatigue, unutterable scorn, then some
thing like despair; the light died from
the proud eyes, and the lines deep
ened round the beautiful lips.
All at once l started with amaze
ment; for she was looking at our pew,
and saw smile pass like sunbeam
over her face. looked at the long
row of children; they were all, out
wardly, at least, decently behaved.
One or two of them had their eyes
and mouths opened very wide, and
were fascinated by Lady Latimer.
Then her eyes met mine, and I saw in
them tender light, a beautiful CLEAN.
The old lord, looking very stern and
gray, sat by her side-May and De-
cember. indeed.
More than once caught the beauti-
ful eyes fixed on mine. | cannot tell
how it was, but a certain conviction
came to me that she was not happy.
Despite her grand title of Lady Lati-
mer, OF Lorton's Cray; despite her
beauty, which was greater than l had
ever seen; despite her rich dress and
her jewels and the magnifcence that
surrounded her she was not happy. /
cannot tell how it happened, but it
seemed to me her eyes were telling me
SO, and that it was secret known only
to herself and me; but that must have
been fancy.
l was like bird fascinated. I
could not look away from her. lam
very much afraid that | thought of
nothing else. l saw her watch our
family procession down the church;
always eccentric, it was this time
more peculiar than ever, owing to the
fact that Bob, whose expression Of
countenaaaaeerwa Was perfectly angelic,
had pinned Miles cape to Archie's
jacket, and the widest confusion en-
sued. We had reached home before
it ended. Imperial justice was admin
istered later on.
The next day Lord and Lady Lati-
mer called. The army of boys had
been sent to Kings Lorton, under the
pretext of purchasing a new cricket
bat. Our pretty vicarage looked its
best. It was the month of May,
and the lilacs were all in
bloom; the beautiful syringa-trees
were all in flower; the house was a
perfect bower; the birds were singing
in the trees all round it.
l shall never forget how the fair,
queenly presence of that beautiful
woman frightened even our cheerful
rooms. She was in the drawing-room
when went in, talking to my mother.
Lord Latimer was discussing a late
edition Of Virgil with my father.
Lady Latimer held out her hand to me,
with smile so bright and beautiful
it almost dazzled me.
Il saw you in church yesterday,
Miss Lowell" she said. "and I have
come to ask if you will be my friends. !
If could describe her grace, hel
sweetness! If she had said to me-
Audrey Lovel, from this moment yor
become my bond-slave, and attach
yourself to me for life, I should have
done SO. l loved her after the fashion
of enthusiastic young girls, with full
and perfect love.
II have been telling Mrs. Lovel,
she continued, show much your fac
attracted me. I wanted to see yol
yesterday"
She had wonderfully sweet voice
low and caressing. She went on:
land those delightful boys of yours
how I enjoyed seeing them! / an
sorry they are out. Mrs. Lovel, yor
must let me have them all over a
Lorton's Cray"
MY mother smiled.
II am afraid, Lady Latimer," sh
said, "you would hardly survive it. !
French revolution or q Cuban insur
rection is bad enough; but the boy
visiting together is beyond imagina
tion even;" and the dear, gentl
mother smiled as she thought Of it.
Nevertheless" said Lady Latimel
Il shall hope to see them. 1t is yer
lonely at Lorton's Gray"
And / saw, plainly as heard th
words, . fine, quick CLEAN of scor
that lighted for half a minute on he
husband's face, and then was gon,
s.Are you dun and lonely. Gracee
4 he asked. II am sorry. You wi
soon have plenty OF visitors"
For . few minutes he was mood
ard silent, then he turned suddenly
my mother.
: ss1lrs. Loyel, = he said. 1T IL In yos
e 4