Democratic Northwest and Henry County news. [volume] (Napoleon, O. [Ohio]) 1894-1905, 1896-11-05

blandly at the scenery. 1.-THE lady has
maid, the gentleman O valet Every
thing''-and he spread out his hands ex-
pressively-''is de luxe. They are Eng
lish people, evidently well bred Per-
haps you know the name-Allingham-
Mr.. and Mrs. Allingham of Dunscombe
Hall, Norfolk"
The dark eyed artist thought mo.
ment, then said, mo" A vague idea
was in his mind that he had seen
sketch or photograph somewhere of
Dunscombe Hall, but he was not sure
And, mine host being called away at the
moment the conversation was broken
81.
The new arrivals had their meals
served TO them privately in their own
apartments; so any curiosity felt con-
oerning them among the table d'hote
company at the Pension Gutsch was not
destined to be largely gratified One
morning, however, Mr.. Francis Fame,
the dark eyed artist already mentioned,
met Mrs. Allingham walking by herself
in one of the lonelier and more outlying
| paths of the pine forest and was quite
taken aback by her extremely childish
| appearance. She was so small and light
TN her feet, she had such young, wist-
full, wondering face, and her figure was
cast in such dainty and delicate mold,
that as she passed him silently by. in
her simple white morning dress, tied
round the waist with knot of blue rib
bon, she looked like little girl just
fresh from school, and it seemed impos-
sible, almost absurd, to consider her as
q married woman.
"Why, she can't be more than Is or
16l" he mentally calculated, staring aft
er her bewilderedly. AS a matter of
fact, she was 20 and had seen two "sea-
sons" in town, but things of the "world
worldly" had as yet left no trace ON her
fair features, and her eyes still held
their dreams Of innocence unsullied;
hence, though woman, she was still
child.
"Mrs. Allingham Of Dunscombe Hall,
NorfolkW repeated Frank Fame to him
self, with a short, gruff laugh. "By
Jovel It seems preposterousp'
1t did seem, if not preposterous, q
little strange, and Rose Allingham her
self sometimes thought So She had
been married just fortnight and had
not yet got over the novel sensation Of
having q big thick wedding ring on the
tiny third finger of her little white
hand She would turn it round and
round with whimsical solemnity, and
now and then she secretly polished it
up with small bit Of chamois leather
kept in her jewel case for the purpose.
And as she regarded her wedding ring
even SO she regarded her husband The
we'll dressed gentleman with the per-
fectly irreproachable manner, even fea-
lures and well groomed mustache was
Harold Brentwood Allingham Of Duns-
combe Hall, Norfolk, and she was Mrs.
Harold Brentwood Allingham Of Duns-
combe Hall, Norfolk
1t all seemed very interesting and
new and important. She was never
tired of going over and over the events
which had, in their sequence, led her
up to this lofty position Of matrimonial
dignity. She had left school to be
brought out" and presented. Oh,
that presentation Would she ever for
get the misery Of it? The bother Of her
long train, the nasty, spiteful behavior
Of the ladies who pushed her. pinched
her and generally "sorimmaged" for
entrance into the throneroom; the bit
ter cold Of the weather, and the horri-
BILE drafts that blew all over her un.
covered neck and arms; the disappoint-
ment Of there being no sovereign to re-
ceive her when she made her pretty
courtesy (practiced for three weeks un-
der the tuition of one Of the best mis-
tresses Of department in London), but
only one Of the prinoesses; the ex-
treme hunger and thirst from which
she suffered during the long wait"
then her utter prostration and sinking
into dead faint when she got home
and having beef tea put down her throat
in hot spoonfuls by her anxious mother.
All this was perfectly fresh in her mind.
Then came the memory of several
balls and dances, at many Of which she
had met the good looking and rich Mr..
Harold Brentwood Allingham and had
danced with him-he was splendid
dancer-then Henley, where the same
Harold Brentwood Allingham had in
vited her to his houseboat and given her
flowers and bonbons; then visit to
beautiful country house in Devonshire.
where she had found him installed as
one Of the house party; then that after
noon when he had discovered her alone
in the rose garden reading poetry and
taking the book out Of her hand had be-
gun to make love to her. Such funny
lovel Not at all like the love the poets
write about-nothing in the least like
it. There was no nonsense about break.
ing hearts" and wild despairs" and
passionate tinglings" in Mr.. Harold
Brentwood Allingham. He was very
self complacent man. He thought mar
riage q sensible and respectable institu-
tion and was prepared to enter upon it
in sensible and respectable manner.
So, without verbiage, or what is call
ed "high flown" sentiment, he had put
his case kindly and practically. He had
said Rose, would you like to marry
me?'' And she had surveyed him in
such astonishment that he was quite
amused.
II have spoken to your parents" he
had then continued, taking her hand
and patting it encouragingly, "and they
approve very highly. You are charm
ing, unspoiled girl, and, though I am
some years older than you, that is just
as it should be. I am sure we shall be
very happy together. You know / can
give you anything you want My wife"
and here bis back had stiffened slight.
ly-"would naturally occupy an envia-
BILE position in society,"" And Rose had
trembled all over with nervousness.