Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1896-02-20
CHAPTER XIV.
A SCHOOLGIRLS Lover.

A School-Girfs Lover.
81 cannot see why Miss Joyce should
have saddled me with a tiresome little
cat like you" said Constance Esler
snappishly
Madeline Despard, the girl whom she
addressed in this uncivil manner
flushed holly, but replied, with perfect
temper and courtesy:
Miss Joyce thought that we should
be quite safe together; but she did not
like one to 20 alone"
THAT Is all very well: but If she had
allowed Ethel Price to come with me,
should not have minded; but my
plans are quite upset now"
The two girls were walking along a
quiet road, bordered with trees and
gardens--the road that led from West
bourne house to the buster precincts of
Chaplain. Constance and her friend
Miss Price had special permission to
go once week to the house of Mrs
GervGse, who lived at very short
distance from the school Mrs. Gervase
had been an old friend of Constanee's
mother and was kind in asking her to
come to luncheon or to tea now and
then and to bring a friend with her
Lady Frances had accompanied Con-
stance two or three times: but she had
not found the society congenial and
the result was that Constance usually
took Ethel Price. a pretty, silly girl
whom Miss Esler chose to patronize
On the present occasion, Miss Joyce
had chosen perhaps out of a little
malice to request Constance to take
Madeline with her,
MRS Geryase said to me the other
day that was to send any one | liked.
my dear, and as Ethel has a cold to-
day | would rather that you took your
'ycung connection, Madeline espard.
My aunt does not think that she is
a connection, Miss Joyce"
II have nothing to do with that"
said Miss Joyce, majestically Il wish
you to take Miss Despard."
And Constance yielded with very
bad grace Madeline would have given
"A great deal to escape the ordeal of
luncheon with strange people. especial
~ as she knew Constance was ashamed
of her and of her shabby froek but
there was no way of evading Miss
Joyce's commands. She prepared there
fore for the expedition and was not at
all surprised when Constance addressed
sighting and disdainful speeches to
her. Ii did occur to her that Constance
was more wra. hful than was necessary.
Miss Eser' was looking quite superb
that morning. She had donned one
Of her favorite dresses-a golden
brown, tight-fitting cloth, trimmed
match the whole costume relieved and
smartened IN beautifully chased gold
buttons and clasps, II was rather an
elaborate dress for a schoolgirls; but
then she was to leave school at mid
summer ana Lady Esler was fastidious
about her niece's dress The dainty
perfection Of Constance's attire con-
trasted oddly with Madeline's rough
and ready blue serge which was I'M
deniably rather shabby; and Constance
was the kind Of girl who saw nothing
but the shabbiness of the costume and
never once remarked the glitteriug gold
of Madeline's hair or the lovellness Of
her deep, blue eyes But if an artist
had met the two he might perhaps
have only coldly commended Con-
stances features and kept his enthusi-
assn for Madeline's sweeter. softer type
of features.
How can your plans be upset by
my coming with you ." said Madeline,
after a moments pause
What business OF yours is 1t to
ask2' responded Constance However,
! shall have to tell you something. i
suppose or YOU Till make Yourself dis
agreeable \ ami not going to Mrs.
Gervase's until lalcr ID the afternoon.
am going ~ do some shopping Iii
Chaplain FIRST"
but does Miss Joyce know Il
"Of course, she knows | asked her
before we came out
"oh. said Madeline, a little doubt
fully But when shall we have din
ner. then, if we don't 20 TO Mrs. Ger
yase's9'
What a greedy thing YOU are alNtsys
90 be thinking about your food
Il am not. Constance but thought
Miss Joyce expected us 10 lunch al Miss
Geryase's"
AS II happens said Constance. with
effrontery Mrs. Gervase does net
lunch until o'clock today and il Is
new 1915 We have plenty Of time
n ..hL.h ~ ~, .la..-n - .Ianh-.,a ana