Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1896-01-02

She's handsomer than ever. as, of
course she ought to be, he added, smil-
ing with a little bow to the elderly lady
You must take her in to dinner, Mr.
Lester. She'll think it a godsend TO have
new partner in my house,
Mrs. Marmont seemed a little surprised,
too, at seeing Mr.. Lester. She looked for
just an instant as if he were a ghost, and
then she took his arm, saying gayiy
why, l thought you were in South
America. Are you sure you are not and
that this is not your astral body here
among your dull old friends9''
81 know too we'll that it is my very
self, be answered quietly.
II came back with a New Years reso-
luton to stay at home, h continued
suppose | ought to do that My mother
and my mothers affairs need me, and we
always resolve to do what we ought at the
beginning of the new year, don't we?
But / don't know; already I'm thinking
Of flight, of going to Egypt on something
that can be- called business.
why, it's terrible to think how New
York must bore you" Mrs Marmont
spoke half drawlingly- as if she
we're bored herself
Bore me? You don't remember me as
bored person, do you?''
Mr.. Lester did not dance He devoted
himself to whist with ancient and nervous
partners, Mrs. Marmont never PLAYED
whist, ard she danced eagerly for awhile
with young cousins and old uncles, but
she lost her interest in that exercise early.
Perhaps it was too frivolous to suit bud
ding deaconness. She sat down at piano
in an alcOye away from all the company
and softly played bits of old melodies.
Lester turned his head and listened to the
laint sound of a song without words
till an indignant partner sternly recalled
him to business. Mrs. Marmont and her
father were among the first to leave. She
came up to Lester just after the new year
began, looking very stately and yet very
kind and put out straightforward little
hand
81 hope you won't go away, /" she said,
land there was a little break in the
continuity Of her speech, then she went on
land hope you'll come and see me
'Thank you, F" said Lester and nothing
more
Let's not talk now, she said woarily
when her father began 70 speak Of her
wild scheme on the way home. She
dismissed her maid and quietly and swiftly
prepared for bed, but after the lights were
JUL dao htlH lay III tAlt Silt began To
sob like little lonely, famished child, and
the gray winter dawn was creeping into
the room before the sobs sank into long
quivering signs, that did not break the
light slumber that at last blessed her
The next day Lester was standing list
lessly at a club window. He had tried to
talk to his mother that morning about the
probability of his again leaving her, and
that lady had, first impatiently and then
plaintively, refused to listen to any such
suggestion. AS he stood there Mrs Mar
mont passed.
Testers face flushed and paled He
turned from the window He called cab.
Drive where you like for ten minutes, .
he said to the cabby, and at the end of
eight no told him where to go, and pres
emily the cab drew up in front OF one Of
the old fashioned, luxurious houses Of
North WashinTt square.
Ars. Lindsay, said Lester when he
was shown into the presence Of the white
haired, bright eyed old lady he had come
to see friend he had known from his
childhood, Pm not going to beat about
the bush Two come To ask you some
timing -
sit down. Once I'd have thought il