The Van Buren press., 1898-01-22

hands to behind her back, as If
they were determined TO avoid
any further responsibility. MAN.
ma Is out, but / am home. ] gave
orders that If anyone came they were TO
saw that Miss Fairfield was al home
Did Buckle mention that?"
NO. I don't think he did," replied
Jack Furnival. with preternatural gray-
ity. Perhaps he forgot"
But servants ought not to forget, .
protested Miss Fairfield, tossing back
her long hair with decidedly brown.
but exquisitely-shaped little hand.
That's what l object to. Wouldn't
you? After all. when mamma Is away.
| am mistress OF the house, you know" "
"of course. replied Jack, SYM
theticslly.
Mamma and the rest went boating.
| didn't go. l had some important busi-
ness to attend 10. Have you ever been
in love?"
No" replied Jack. marveling some
what at the abrupt dive intopurely per-
sonal matters.
"Oh. Of course IL does not really sig
Nifty. and perhaps you might not Ike it;
but it's a pity. You see. mamma says
that no lady can be considered really re-
fined unless she knows all about geog-
raphy, and kings Of England; and Capt.
Egerton says that when people ars in
love they talk about geography all the
time. And so ! asked Sir Harry Fol
mash. who IS in love with Miss Dale. if
be could bound Alaska, and he said that
I had come 70 the wrong shop, but that
/ II went to Mr. Fitz-Robins be would be
able 10 do il. for lie was a irst-class
bounder Why do you langh2'
a slight cold replied Jack, "makes
me cough in that way"
Hadn't you better take something for
tip inquired Miss Fairfield. anxiously.
making her blue eyes very round in her
eagerness. Tea, OF whisky and soda,
something that ] could ring Buckle up
for? He would have TO bring it if you
wanted IL"
II was no doubt part Of the general
conspiracy against the mistress Of the
house that. when Buckle was rung up,
he seemed disposed to put slur on Miss
] Fairfeld's authority by appealing d.
reetly to Jack Furnival for eonfrma-
ton Of her orders. The mistress of the
house preferred not 70 notice this.
HE had to obey" she cried. gleefully.
Did you see? think will be friends
with YOU she added, evidently reflect
ing on Jacks share IN the victory. Il
ike you-I think yoI are nicer than
Capt. Egerton."
Are you friends with Capt. Egerton,
then?r
"Oh. no. Hes friends with mamma,
OF course. I make point Of never in
terfering with mamma. 1t would not
be fair"
How do you know that Sir Harry
What's-his-name is in love with Miss
Dale?" said Jack, hastily changing the
subject.
Because he is going to marry her,
mamma says She told Capt. Egerton
that. and said she hoped the party
would pair eff nicely. / wonder now
whether you would ever guess whom
you are to pair off with?"
At that moment, fortunately or un-
fortunately, the sound of voices in the
hall announced the return of the party;
whereupon Miss Fairfield, without wait
ing to explain further, darted out to
meet them.
$50 you have been making friends
with my little girl | hope she did not
bore YOU" said Lady Fairfield.
ESQ inconsiderate of mamma" was
Miss Fairfeld's subsequent criticism to
her new-found friend, before
strangers.D
a newcomer is always under certain
disadvantages in a house party, in that
he doesn't know the established hrta-
items or the recognized jokes. On the
other hand he has the advantage of nov
city on his side, and in the course of his
explorations may upset even the most
ancient institutions by appealing to the
feminine love of change.
There were four ladies to choose
from-not counting Lady Fairfield,
who, if he might judge from her daugh-
ter's remarks, would be squirrel by Capt.
Egerton. There was Lady Caro-, a
plump beauty, of a singularly foreign
and mertrcious kind Miss Maxwell, a
modern young giantess, with auburn
hair, who had just missed being exceed
ingly handsome; Mrs. Phrine Hayson, a
married sister-and the dark counter
part-of Lady Fairfield; and Miss Dale
who had gone upstairs.
When Jack Furniyal came down t.
dinner, he heard sounds Of soft music
in the drawing-room. They ceased
however, at his entrance, and the per.
former rose hurriedly from the piano
At the sight Of herJack'spulse throbbed
violently, for he recognized the face
which had haunted him since the day OF
the coaching competition at Ranelagh
II appeared that her name was Mis-.
Dale. With this enlightenment came
the disagreeabie remembrance that sh,
was going 20 marry Sir Harry Fo!mash
u seemed, moreover, as II Jack were eX
pceted to pair or with Lady Caro-
She was allotted to him to take in o din
ner. She appeared to be quite ready tC
fulfll her share Of the drama, and h,
soon realized that If he were prepared
to do likewise he would have a far from
dull time. She was clever, sympathet
ic. brilliant. He knew, also, that some
people considered pale, mauve com
lplexion. relieved by lips of the color o
REQ sealing-waN, lighted by great, flash
ing, dark eyes, which were accentuateC