Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1896-02-06

ING room TO the tea t~able-the Lord
have mercy upon u.s.!
This latter exclamation was calico
forth by a terrible glare or lightnlDs
| hat filled the whole house ike CON
| f~Iagratlon. accompanied by a rolling,
crashing. stunning peal or thunder,
| and a rushing shock OF wind tnat
seemed about to batter down the walls
over their heads. 1t was some MIN
| utes before this furious blast subsideu.
And then Mrs, Broadsides. who a
been waiting behind her old mistress,
| came forward, c~ourteSied, and led the
way I'D the grand staircase to the
| splendid suite of apartments that had
been fitted up for the reception or the
iIustrious Italian.
.Jessup at the same moment Iva
! ed from some obscure retreat where
he had been lurking, took possession
of his master and marshaled nlm off
70 his chamber TO change his wet
riding-coat for n dry evening dress.
And the two old ladies' retreated to
the drawing room to await the return
Of the admiral and his guest.
When they were seated side by sac
in their comfortable arm chairs on the
right Of the fire place:
What do YOU think of her. Abby,
nv dear" said the antique lady to the
ancient one.
Il think she is a very charming
woman, and Ipity her mi~sfortunes.
And so do |. But see here, Abby,
nv dear. you must really look after
that boy of yours, or he will be
making love TO this Italian lady"
Yes, mother. | see that"
And you know. Abby, that you
would not like the lad TO marry a for
eigner."
NO, mother"
so, though we must be as kind as
possible TO this unfortunate princess,
whose story reminds me of all the
ia. ~ tales | ever read in my life, still
we must keep an eye on that boy, and
Sc. that he does not make a fool of
himself, Abby"
Certainly. motherhood bless Il
souls" she broke off. as their c0nver-
s0tiOn was again Interrupted by an
other onslaught Of the tempest that
~cannOnadcd the walls as if it did not
mean to leave one stone upon another.
The two old ladies sat crushed in a
silence OF deep awe for nearly an ENur,
until the furious storm had ragged it.
self into a temporary rest. Then Mrs.
StiltOn spoke:
Il do not know how anybody can
have the spirits 10 drink tea on such
Il night as this, but | suppose it will
bc wanted all the same: for iTy never
turns aside from his way for any
storm that ever falls. and rs for the
princess. she looks like just such
other. So. Abby. child, you may ring
for the tea"
Mrs. Brunton. who sat nearest the
chimney corner bell-pull. complied. and
the Ce~a-ServiCc was brought in and ar
ranged upon the table.
And soon after they were pinned by
the admiral. who, despite the storm
that hUwled along the sky" bad made
a very careful evening toilet and
by his nephew. Midshipman VuIeriuS
Brighrweil. y fine. tall, dark-haired
young man. who. when not on active
service, was at home at the Anchor
age.
These had scarcely taken their seats
when the door opened and the Prin-
cess PeZZilinT entered. her golden hair
and fair face radiant in contrast TO
the rich black velvet dress that wars
her usual costume.
Way was Immediately made for her.
the young midshfpman was presented
i'll due form, and the whole party sat
down 10 tea.
now only revived at intervals in inOf-
fensive blasts of wind. faint flashes Cf
lightning and low gatherings OF thun-
der.
And the conversation at the tea table
became animated, Even upon a gloomy
subject.
worth Abbey, and Of the flight IF Eu-
dora.
Opinion was divided upon the SUBJ
Jcct of the accused girls guilt or inuo-
cenCe.
The two old lTdfe~ and the ad,uirai
agreed in ~pronouncing the ovid nee
against her 10 be too convincing II adj
NIT of a doubt upon the subject.
The young midShipman. who had
seen Miss Leaton several tin eS at
church. and Judging as Il young nan
will by the face. declared his ; h$0lute
faith in her innocence, in despite of ali
the testimony that might be brought
against her.
The Princess Pezzflini held a acuE.7l
position between the controverSjaIsrs.
affirming that the whole affair seemed
TO her a horrible mystery. To which
she couid find no clue.
We will leave the drawing room cir
Gle ~canvaSsinG this question, and look
into the h~ouskeeper's room upon an
other party with whom we have, n lit
tie business.