Hutchinson gazette., 1898-04-28
CHAPTER XXVII.-(Continued.J

Eyes, he is perfection. He did hate so
to go and leave me, but he had to go
he had such a good appointment Of
fered him, he did not dare refuse it.
Still, he hated to go and leave me,
just now especially. What he would
say If he knew about Barbara, / can't
think. I don't think would tell him,
would your
mot till all is over" answered Es-
ther. 1T would only worry him for
nothing. By-the-bye, what is he like"
"oh," and Dorothy looked round for
Dicks portrait. "oh, here he is,' hold
ing it out to her cousin.
Esther Brand took it and looked at
1t attentively for a long time, slipped
her tea, and looked again and yet
again.
r. ''Well," said Dorothy, impatlently.
II like him." said Esther, "he looks
good and true, and he is handsome
man, too-a fine, honest-looking, man
ly man. Yes, 1 like him-you're
lucky little girl, Dorothy"
so / think" answered Dorothy,
proudly, "and Dick is just what he
loOks-honest as the day, and as good
as gold"
Esther laughed. well, you are a
lucky little woman to have won such
a husband. I never met a man like
that, or 1 should have been tempted to
give up my liberty long ago. Do you
know, dearie, I always had horrible
conviction that you would end by mar
rying David Stevenson, and always
did dislike David Stevenson with all
my heart and SOUL"
so did l." answered Dorothy,
promptly.
For a moment she was tempted to
tell Esther all about her meeting with
David, then feeling that it would be
scarcely fair to him held her back, and
she kept her own counsel about that
matter.
"Of course there is no knowing what
I might or might not have done if
dear Auntie had lived" she said, wish
ing to explain everything as far as pos
sible and yet avoid saying much about
David's feelings for her, "and if 1 had
never seen Dick; but then, you see, l
did meet Dick, and Dick liked me, and
and"
"And David Stevenson went to the
wall" Esther said, finishing the SEN
tence for her, "and very proper and
suitable place for him, too, my dear
child" with a laugh.
Dorothy laughed, too. "Ah! you are
all very hard on poor David" she said
softly.
Now, how shall we do about din
ner? Hadn't we better wait a little
and see if this woman comes, and then
go into town and dine somewhere"
she said. Il can't offer to cook din
ner for you. If did, it would probably
kill you to eat it."
Just as you like. Then, couldn't we
call at st. Georges and leave a note
to tell Barbara you have Gomez" Do
rothy asked. 1T will be such load off
her mind"
ITO be sure" Esther answered; and
then they settled down to their chat
again, and Esther heard a great deal
more about Dick and learned great
many of Dorothy's hopes and wishes
about the baby that was to come be-
fore long.
And presently there came some one
to the door who rang gently and
knocked softly.
Il will go; sit still, cried Esther.
She went to the door, where she
found a handsome, neatly dressed wo-
man, about forty years old Mrs.
Harris?" she said inquiringly.
NO" said Esther, 81 am not Mrs.
Harris, but this 10 her house. Will you
come in? suppose Lord Aylmer sent
you?"
Yes, madam." said the stranger re-
spectfully.
1t struck Esther as little odd that
she should use the term madam" but
she put the thought away from her al
most as soon as 1t had taken shape in
her mind. "Of course, she is mar
ried woman. and perhaps has never
been a servant at all" she said to her
self; then said aloud: well, come
in and see Mrs. Harris. l am sure she
will be very glad that you have come.
By-the-bye, what is your name?"
MY name is Harris, too, madam. -
the stranger answered, with depre-
eating look, as II she had rather taken
liberty in having married a man of
the name of Harris.
Dear me, how odd! Well, l sup
pose my cousin will like to call you by
your Christian name. And that is
-"
Amelia, madam" she answered
quietly.
"Oh, yes" Then Esther opened the
drawing-room door and bade Amelia
Harris follow her.
Dorothy, here is Lord Aylmer's-..
Why, my dear child, what is the mat
ter?" for Dorothy was lying back in
the chair with face as white as chalk
and pinched with pain.
ggT - II