The leader., 1897-05-19
A NICE ARRANGEMENT.
by CONSTANCE SMITH.
copyright, 1911

st. JuIidu.
"Then why not tell him SOP" re-
turned her husband, from behind the
cutspread Times. Surely you needn't
stand upon ceremony with Ted!"
"But | should be sorry to disoblge
him-and, unluckily, he seems really
anxious to come. He says"-referring
TO letter which lay open beside her
pIate-"that the Morrisons have put
him off on account of their mourning,
and he can't go 20 Mary, because her
children are down with scarletina-"
"Then he must cen make the best of
things here. | don't suppose he'll find
Harding and his boys very congenial
company"
"Congenial! Eleven cricketing youths
who will describe everything in heaven
and earth as 'rippin'.' And half doz-
or girls to match-l chose them to suit
ire boys taste"
well, Alleyne comes-if he does come
rather for his own convenience than
TO please you. So you needn't take the
matter greatly to heart"
but / must get some one to talk to
him, Tom. | can't have him on my
hands all day. Let me see. Maud AT
feck's ut home-I think I'll ask her
over. She knows nearly as much about
the Mongols as he does. | will write
10 her at once. She must come on Mon
day afternoon. Ted proposes to arrive
by the 7:15.
~ " ha
Cumberleigh cricket week-consisting
of the famous Cambridge Double Blue,
Norman Harding, and his eleven; the
madens invited to admire the prowess
of those heroes; Miss Afflcck; and the
St. Julians themselves-was gathered
together in the long library when Prof.
Aleyne entered it at eight o'clock
on Monday evening. His entry-very
quietly made-was followed by gen
eral sensation of disappointment. The
youthful company hungrily awaiting
his appearance to adjourn to its dinner
had expected to find in him more
typical specimen of the professional ge
mus; it had looked for long-haired
scholar Of so, who should have stopped,
and worn spcctacles, and an lift
ting coat. Now Alleyene (who appeared
to be about five-and-thirty, and was
b. no means ill-loolling) had singu-
larly upright figure; his clothes were
perfectly well cut; he used no glasses,
and actually boosted a mustache.
Maud Allleck, who had been promising
herself deep draughts at the fountains
OF his erudition, reflected sadly that his
profound knowledge of all things Mon
golian had probably been much exag-
gerated by report.
But Maud had an elastic temperament.
A moment later she was reminding
herself that his little volume on the
tribes of the Nolga had attained Euro
peau celebrity; and when Mrs. st. Jul
ian presented him, she accepted his
urn with brilliant smile.
Two hours later, on the men coming
into the drawing-room, Mrs. st. Julian
beckoned the professor to her side.
well, how did you get on at dinner?
saw your partner seemed to be enjoy
ing herself. Clever girl, isn't she?'
why on earth did you tell her who l
wasp demanded the professor.
My dear Ted, didn't tell her any
thing. She knew all that was to be
known about you, beforehand. MIST
people seem to know you beforehand.
That's the penalty you pay for being
famous" Mrs. st. Julian showed her
pretty teeth in an engaging smile.
The professor smiled too-very faint
". Even don-and Alleyne, though
he got his coats in Savile Row, was
very much don at hearts not al
ways proof against flattery from a
charming cousin.
i did not suppose" he began, in u
mollihed tone, that a young lady"
But Maud is no ordinary young lady.
surely you must have discovered that
Tor yourself. She was educated at Cir
ton"
i felt sure of it," murmured the pro-
lessor.
And she took a first-class in his
Tory. mot that that's anything, COM
pared with what she's done since. DIR.
iuhs'an told me, only last week, that
something she wrote a little while ago
mad made two bigwigs in Berlin sit
up as he expressed it, Won't you go
ana talk TO her? I'm sure she's dying
10 ask you questions about the Mon
gols"
lhe professor cast a dubious glance
towards the corner where Miss Afiieck
was amusing herself with Mrs. st.
Julians dog.
lhank you'll had quite enough of
.n". interesting subject during dinner.
besides, you mistake. These tripos
herolnes never have anything left TO
earn 1t is enough for them to get an
opportunity of airing their own opin-
maud isn't at all that sort of girl, |
assure you. She is most anxious to inn
prove herself. Have you noticed her
'a M Isn't it odd and pretty?"
ne professor looked again. The hair
questlon-a dusky red, set off to ait
duration by the girls white satin gown,
vas undeniably curious, and-yes, it
was pretty.
MISS Affieck seems to hold aloof from
sour other guests" he remarked. "If
;;ou mink she would really prefer talk
aug 10 me TOTO"
n, spending the evening by herself:
W, am sure of it."
,, ss' st. Julian's eyes were innocence
49,. But the professor did not like
a. Tone. he rose, and sauntered across
az room in the direction of Miss Az
nsek's corner.
!. iss Affieck. wise in her generation,
-. ne Mongols severely alone-and not
r. 'nat evening only. She refrained
a.. a mentioning them for two whole
n.y. ss, curing which she made herself so
,ss.s'rusively agreeable that the pro-
ia !. oegan to forget she had ever stud
eon.: uirtou, and TO wonder how his
hal, Laura could hare described her
lus, !. odd" But on the third morn
resumed tbs subject, IN o fash