The western recorder., 1898-06-09

bangle with very thin and fragile
looking finger.
II know what you must think" she
s7id at last. And know what Dicks
silence must seem to you. but ] prom
ised to trust him whatever happens.and
/ always will. He gave me this the
very last OF ALL" she cried. holding out
her wrist-oh, so much too small for
the pretty bangle now-towards her
cousin. "and he gave It as token be-
tween us; 'Dlnna Forget. ! know 1t
will all be right by-and-by. Esther,
know II will: but wait little longer.
before you condemn him, just little
longer"
The piteous appeal went straight to
Esther's heart. well. won't men,
tion him again. Dorothy, dear. not for
another month. We will talk about 9TH
er things. Are you going for drive to-
day? The c;arriage will be here at 3
o'clock"
Just as you please. dear" Dorothy
answered listlessly.
81 think you ought to go. 1t is good
for you, and good for the boy. too. and
OF course you won't have a carriage
at least. not such a carriage-always. "
NO" said Dorothy.
Esther was busy making a wonderful
bonnet for the wonderful boy, and she
pinned in several folds of lace and
tried several effects before she spoke
again. Isn't 1t odd" she remarked at
last. that Lord Aylmer has left his
ca-=iage and horses and servants in
town all ,his time. when he is away.
Perhaps he never takes them out OF
town." suggested Dorothy.
Perhaps not. Anyway. 1t is very
pleasant for us as 1t is" Esther replied
well. shall go and get ready" and
gathering up her bonnet and materials
she went out of the room, leaving Dor
othy alone.
Almost Immediately Amelia Harris
came in. bringing bag filled with lit
tie vases OF fresh flowers. "Oh," said
Dorothy. those are lovely. Is 1t a
pretty place, Amelia? suppose you
haze otter been there"
YES. madam; ! have been there once
or twice." Amelia replied.
ut is fine place. is 1t not?" Dorothy
asked.
n Nti1 Bitt- btlu
Amelia. apparently giving all her at
tention to the flower vases.
And Lady Aylmer-what is she
like?" Is she nice-handsome?"
my lady is very handsome, madam, -
said Amelia. putting the last vase in
its place, and coming to put fold OF
the window curtain straight. Very
naughty and hard-like. but very hand
come for all that
abr
Dorothy sat in silence for minute
or two. Amelia Harris began to tidy
the little table between the window
and the fireplace.
''It seems such pity that" Dorothy
began. intending to say. such a pity
that Lord and Lady Aylmer did not
get on well together" Then she broke
off short. suddenly remembering that
1t would not do to speak OF Lord Ayl-
mer's private affairs to his valet's wife.
and also that she was not supposed to
know more of them than Lord Aylmer
himself would be likely TO tell SO new
an acquaintance as she was. Amelia
was looking at her with an expectant
expression, and Dorothy made haste to
finish her sentence.
1T seems such pity that Lord Ayi-
mer has no heir" she said confusedly.
Amelia Harris not unnaturally per-
haps misunderstood her.
Lord Aylmer has an heir, madam, .
she said quickly, thinking that Mrs.
Harris was giving keen eye to the
future. His nephew. Mr.. Richard Ayl-
mer, is the heir-he is in India"
"Ah! yes. really" said Dorothy. She
felt very sick and faint as she leaned
back among the cushions. Amelia Har-
ris thought she was disappointed,
whereas. in truth. Dorothy was only
nervous and upset at the sudden men,
tion of her husbands name.
''Mr Aylmer." Amelia continued, "is
in the army-in the 10th Dragons. A
A e