Aberdeen herald. [volume] (Aberdeen, Chehalis County, W.T.) 1886-1917, 1898-08-25


- at her IN the abrupt manner com
mon to small brothers:
MOLLY, what do you think; Sir Brian
RoSymorc Is coming to dinner Oh sat
urday"
you're joking"
No-honor bright
We'll go and look at him through the
window, Bobby"
Il shall. but you're to have new
frock. made long. and go down TO din
ner, because the Baronct saw You in
church last Sunday ard told father you
We're very pretty. What are you getting
SO red for:"
Ibid he really say he thought I was
pretty"' said the girl in tone Of
breathless delight. 30, Bobby.
For several months past Molly had
been agitating 10 have her dresses
heightened. but as there were six girls,
and she was only the fourth. her moth
er had firmly refused To allow her to be
come grown up till some of her sisters
were disposed of by marriage.
Nature had not intended Mrs. Thorne
for worldly woman. but necessity
was fast making her one. As the moth
er of nine children and the wife of
struggling doctor she often found it
difficult to make both ends meet.
Molly donned her gown on the i'm
portant Saturday. and was escorted to
the door by her faithful ally, Bob. She
stopped short on the mat.
He has come" she whispered ~
Shall never be able to 20 in
"Nonsense!" said the boy, valianrIy.
But Molly refused TO make an entry,
till her brother, whose patience WAS
soon exhausted. softly turned the han
die and gave her gentle push. which
had the effect of lurching her into the
middle of the room in most undiyui-
fed way.
Her face famed scarlet. she could
feel all eyes fixed upon her In the great
est astonishment then her mothers
voice. family reproachful. said:
Sir Brian, this is my daughter, Mar.
garet"
Perhaps the Baronet saw thar ire
pitied her. He rarely spoke to her dur
Ing the evening. although his eyes rest
ed on her face with evident admiration.
But when they met by chance the
next morning In the village street he
turned and walked beside her.
She was not so shy now that no
watchful eyes were there to note her
solecisms. and 1t was astonishing how
easy she found 1t to talk to this good,
looking young fellow with the kindly
eyes.
The Thornes saw a crna, deal of Sir
Brian after that. Almost every day he
found some excuse to call. and the girl
grew to look forward TO his coming.
and to feel absurdly disappointed If he
failed to put In an appearance
HE must care for the child else WHY
IS he here 50 often?" Mrs. Thorne said
In confidence to her husband.
My dear" he answered. Il shouldn't
build too much on 1t if l We're you. Its
too good to be true
But Molly was allowed to 90 to the
dance given by Lady Conyers.
Brian met them at the head of the
stairs on the eventful evening. and in
PRODUCED them to his aunt.
The night passed all too quickly, and
1t was already late when. feeling rather
tired, she seated herself beside her
mother.
Ready to go home, dear" Mrs.
Thorne inquired.
After this next dance. mother" she
said, looking at the Baronets iliecible
scrawl on her program.
Suddenly Lady Conyers' voice in con
versation with some one became audi
bic from the other side of Il clump of
palms.
"Preposterous. my dear Mrs. Craig"
she said. Brian is engaged-at least
he will be when we return to town
shortly-to Lucie Maddox. He's simply
amusing himself. as usual lie is such
dreadful flirt.''
Mrs. Thorne turned to the girl. She
had whitened to the lips; her brow was
burning, her hands We're icy cold.
20, mother she murmured. take
me home
molly. what have done?"
flush" she cri0i You have no
right To call me that
Then give me the right; there is
nothing l desire more
How dare you tell me so when YOU
are engaged TO another woman? Let
me pass, sir, at once
Not till you have explained your
words Another woman? What on
earth do you mean?'
You pretend you don't know" she
cried. her childish voice trembling with
Indignation, and l heard your aunt