The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1898-02-11

Stephen Greyson nodded He knew
that there was some trouble In the
background Of Morris Dudley's life
something which had had power to
darken and shadow 1t fearfully; but
the young man kept his own counsel,
and his friend would not intrude upon
his confidence.
And yet" continued the physician,
gravely, Il endeavor to be as just as
possible in my deductions; but, Mr..
Greyson, I think you will agree with
me that in this, as In most other trou-
bles and tragedies. there is q woman in
the case"
The clatter Of French heels In the
wide hall, from which the breakfast
room opened, the odor of violets, a
breezy little laugh, and Lesley Dins-
more was in the room, both hands full
OF roses and violets, the dew-drops on
them sparkling like diamonds.
Good morning, good people!" she
cried, airily. ooh, you don't know
what you have missed! I've been all
over the place nearly, with Nero, the
big dog, for companion. But, doc
tor, what was that heresy l overheard
when entered the hall just now? Up
on what unhappy woman were you
venting your wrath? And of what
was the poor thing guilty?"
| THAT remains to be seen, Miss Les
ley" interposed the lawyer. "Ah, here
is Mrs. Greyson. Good morning, my
| dear!"
AS an old lady entered the room,
In pearl-gray morning dress. with the
daintiest OF lace breakfast caps upon
her snowy putfs.
Lesley kissed her fondly.
She had already bestowed upon the
old lawyer and his good wife the titles
of uncle and aunt, that she might not
seem so utterly alone in the world, she
had said
Then Lesley took her seat at the ta-
gravity still fingered upon her face.
She was lovely in white cambria
dress, with black velvet bows, and her
gold-brown hair in knot at the back
Of heI graceful head.
"a woman in the easel" she repeat
ed, thoughtfully. "Ah, doctor, you are
a wholesale slanderer! In the name OF
my own sex, l protest against such
sweeping assertions. We are always
being twitted with the fact that there
I 10 hot of
trouble; but it is just as often man
as a woman, and, perhaps, more often;
only men tell, and women do not.
They never expose the man they love.
"Ha! hal" laughed the old lawyer.
go on, my dear. Have you anything
further to advance?"
She smiled archly, as she stirred the
chocolate in her dainty cup.
"Oh, yes" she returned, composedly;
"a great deal more-quite an extern
pore sermon, in fact. My text, The
woman tempted me, and I did eat
And, Uncle Stephen, honor bright,
don't you think it very brave in the
stronger sex that, no matter what deed
of darkness they may commit, they al
ways find some convenient female up
on which to lay the blame? But even
in cases where 1t is literally true, were
a man think should prefer to ac-
knowledge my own sins and weakness
es, rather than account myself Of so
unaound mind and so inferior an in
tellect as to be led against my will into
sin or crime, simply because I was not
as strong as she who tempted me; and
then, in the hour Of exposure, stink be-
hind the female drapery, and whine
piteeusly, the woman tempted mel
There's always a woman in the case!
But, apropos of nothing-Uncle Ste
phen," she added, after moments
pause, II saw a man last night"
"Ah! there's a man in this case" in
terrupted Mrs. Greyson, slyly.
Lesley gave her keen glance.
"a man." she repeated-"a stranger
to me, quite-on the lawn. nearly un-
der my window"
Some badly smitten swain" sug-
gested the lawyer, come to serenade
you, Lesley"
Nonsense" and she blushed charm
ingly.
HE stood there, under an acacia
tree continued the girl; then
turned away, and when l looked again
he was gone!"
Imagination, my dear" suggested
Mrs. Greyson, placidly.
Not a bit, auntie. | saw him dis
tinctly in the moonlight, and"
She hesitated for servant had en-
tered the room and paused before her,
with visiting card upon silver sal
ver
"For Miss Dinsmore," he announced
Lesley took the card, and read the
name upon 1t aloud:
John Ardsley"
"The gentleman is in the reception
room, miss" remarked the servant
He said his call was important, or he
would not have disturbed you so early"
mot so very early" returned Lesley
glancing at the glded clock on the
marble mantel; nearly eleven"
She arose as she spoke.
Il will see the gentleman" she said
She went leisurely to the pretty
crimson and gold reception room. A
man stood at one of the windows, gaz-
ing out upon the broad domain. AS
she entered, he turned slowly, and
Lesley caught her breath with start
of amazed surprise, for his face was
the face Of the man whom she had
seen beneath her window the previous
night.