The state herald., 1895-07-05

FSyT.IA ting at either side
NHcS OF a table, sprang
W 10 their feet with
w calculations of in
terest. and rushed to the window Of the
sitting-room. r-r
Take care, Monica DEAR" said one.
shrouding herself In the lace curtain;
don't let them see u.s."
mo. no. Bertha. We must not give
them reason to say that their neigh
bors are inquisitive. But think that
we are safe II we stand like this"
The open window looked out upon n
slopins lawn, well trimmed and pleas
ant, with fuzzy fosebushes and b star
shaped bed OF sweet William IT was
bounded by a low wooden fence. which
screened II of from n broad, modern,
new metnled road. At the other side
of this road were three large detached
deep-bodied villas with peaky caves
and small wooden balconies. ench
standing in its own little square OF grass
and OF flowers. All three were equally
new, but numbers one and two were
curtained and sedate, with human,
sociable look to them; while number
three. with yawning door and unkempt
garden. had apparently only Just re-
ceived Its furniture and made itself
ready for Its occupants. A four-wheeler
had driven up to the gate, and VI was
at this that the old ladies. peeping out
bird,llke from behind their curtains. d.
rected an eager and questioning gaze.
The cabman had descended. and the
the articles which they desired him to
~nN rSk Va h. 10 otA rol
faced and blinking. with his crooked
protruding from the window. kept pill
ing up upon him series OF articles
the sight of which filled the curious old
ladies with bewilderment.
MY goodness met cried Monica. the
smaller. the drier, and the more wiz
ened Of the pair. what do you call
that. Bertha7 II looks to me like four
batter puddings."
Those are what young men box each
other WITH" said Bertha. with n con
scious air OF superior worldly knowl-
edge.
And those?"
Two great bottle-shapcd piece. OF vel.
low shining wood had been heapcd up
on the cabman.
"oh. don't know what those are"
confessed Bertha. indian clubs Mad
never before obtruded themselves up-
on her peaceful and very feminine ex-
istencr
These mysterious articles were fol-
lowed, however, by others which were
more within their range OF comprehep-
sioD-by n pair Of dumb belts, 4 purple
tricket-bas, n SET 81 doll clubs, and n
tennis racket, Finally. when tho cab
man, oil top-heavy and bristling, had
staggered up on the garden path. there
emerged In n very leisurely way from
the cab big. powerfully built young
man. with n bull pup undrt nhe arm
and a pink, srcrt'hs paper In his hand.
The stper he crnmmed into the pocket
Of his light yellow dust-coat, and er.
tended his hnnd as II to assist some ore
else from the vehicle, To the surprise
OF the two old ladies, however, the only
thing which HIS SPIN palm received WINS
n violent clap. and tail lady bounded
urassisted out OF the cab With. q re.
gal wave phe inotionel the ,'oahs man
t3wafds the Ior~. and then with one
hand wpoM her hip she stood in n care
less. iounging attitude by the gate.
Kicking her toe against the wall and
listiessiy awaiting the return Of the
driver.
AS she turned slowly fcunA. md The
sunshine struck uoor hss rae5, The two
watchers wtte amazed TO see that this
vcfy active and energetic lady was far
from being In her first youth. 70 far
that she had certainly come OF n,e
again since she first baf-c.' shat land.
mark In l,f-'- ton,Nas. Her finely CHS
eied, r'enHseut face. with something
red Indian about the firm mouth and
strongly married cheek bones, shr~t !
even Mt that distance Wn..-s .! the fric.
tlon OF the rsss'ns years. And yet
she was Ntfy handsome. Tier features
were as firm In repose rs ,horc Of u
Greek bust. and her great dark eye.
were arehcd over by two Draws no
black. 70 thick, ard 70 deilra,n,y
eurvod. that III. eye ttrNef a~.y ffom
the harshcr detaiia Of the face 10 mar.
vel q. ,hat grace and strength. Her
figure, TOO, was straight ns n dart. a
little pofiiy. perhaps, but curving into
magnificent outlines. which were halt
aecentnnted by the strange co.tufn,
which she wore, Her hair, black but
rlentifullS aho. with grey, was brushed
plainly back from hrr hish forehead,
and WAS gathered under small round
felt hat, like that Of man. with Sne
spris OF feather In the band aa n con.
cerrion to her sex. A double breasted
Jacket Of some shrk friexe Ike material
hi'cd o'crt'y 10 her figure. while her
hfhisht blue skirt. untrimmcd and un.
gathered. wnn cut 30 abort that the
tower curve Of her finely turned iorH
was plainly visible beneath II. terminal.
Ing IN n pair Of broad. nat. .heoied
and sduarc-iocd shoes. Such was the
lady who loung~d at the gate OF num-
her three. under the curious eye. Of her
two opposite neisibofr.
hut II her conduct and appearance
had already somewhat Jared upon their
limited md preelsc nens. of the f,h.r-
Of thinEn. what were they 10 think ~
the nort little act IN this inblenus
viyrntT The cahman. red and heavy.
jowlcd. Ind come back from his lnborr.
ana held out his hand for his fare.
The lady passed him coin. there wng
n moment 81 mumbling and gcrticuint.
lns. ana suddenly she had him with
both hands by the red cravpt which rirt
his neck, aud was shaking him ms n
terrier would n rat Right across tho
pavement she thrust him. and pushing
him up nnninHt the wheel. she banged
his head three several times hgainr,
tho side Of his own vehicle.
Can ! be u amy uHc 10 you. aunt"
asked tho large youth. framing himself
In the open doorway.
Not the slightest" painted the On.
ragged lady. There. you low black.