The Monmouth inquirer., 1898-10-27

did you come through it for tht
sake of seeing me?" she asked, takinl
his gloves from him, and smoothing
them out on the table; while he pulled
off his coat, and shook the snow from
his boots.
Whom else should / come to see ?"
"Well-not the master of the lions.
she said, with gleam of the old mis-.
chief in her eyes. Come into the Ii
brary; it is warm there. Mrs. West
only has the drawing-room used on
Sundays and holidays"
Not bad sort of arrangement, in
its way. Anyhow, the library is good
enough for me-and so would a barn
be, if you were in it. Are those wor-
thy people in the house just now?"
Mares tone was always little sar-
castle, when he spoke of Jim and his
wife.
The artist could not forget the cir
Gus, nor how he had found Rosalie.
Beyond that, he had good-natured
contempt for the self-made man, with
all his vulgarity and ignorance.
Towards Polly. however. Marc felt
a kind of gratitude.
She had watched so carefully over
Rosalie, guarding he~ from the dangers
which might have beset her path.
They will not be home until late
tonight" Rose said, leading him into
the room "They are always the last
to leave the circus. While you sit
down and warm yourself, I'll go and
tell Bess to get the tea. !"
Formalities had to be dispensed with
at Sunnyside.
Although the house was large, there
was only one responsible servant, and
it was a marvel how she got through
so much work
There was groom, who cleaned the
boots and knives; but in the evening,
he had to assist with the circus horses,
and the woman was left to get on as
best she could
Rose went into the neat, bright kit
chen, where an inviting smell of hot
cakes prevailed
Il do believe you have been making
something nice for teal" she exclaim-
ed, going to the stove, and opening the
oven. How thoughtful of you, Bessl"
Il know you're fond of those short
breads the woman said, gratified at
the effect of her surprise. They're
done to turn, and the waters boiling
for the tea. 1t won't take a minute
to get everything ready"
She took the teapot from the table,
and lifted the kettle; but accidents will
sometimes happen to the most careful
While pouring the water on to the
tea, the kettle slipped sideways, and
the contents streamed over her hand
and arm. Rose rushed to her assist
ance
The confused sounds reached Marc:
in a moment he had found his way tc
the kitchen, and, at a glance, had
grasped the situation.
Sit down." he said, laying firm
hand on Bess's shoulder, and keep
still. I can be as good as a doctor In
a case like this"
There was authority, as well as kind.
ness, in his voice.
Bess left off screaming, and allowed
him to push her gently into the chair,
while ne held her arm out straight, tC
keep it from coming in contact with
her dress.
Get me some strips of old linen" 7"
he said to Rose, "and some oil. It does
not seem very bad scald."
Rose thought it could not look muck
worse; but she did not stop to say so.
She hurried off to get the things he
had asked for, and then helped him tc
bind up the woman's hand and arm
Tt will soon get we'll, 2 he remarked
cheerfully. We will make you more
comfortable, by putting the injured
arm in a sling, and then you can move
about, without fear of giving yourself
fresh pain"
Thank you. sir, I'm sure you're very
good. I don't know what / should have
done, if you and Miss Rose hadn't beer
here to help me. I'd better get some
fresh water for the kettle now, and
wipe up the hearth. The place il:
swamped!'
Never mind about that. I'll see ts
the kettle-and as to the wet hearth,
the fire must dry it
He picked up the kettle, and then
stood looking round in a perplexed
way.
Where shall find the water?" he
asked.
1--WE had better draw it from the
boiler" Rose said. BE careful, or we
shall have another accident.
Together, they filled the kettle, and
replaced it on the fire, and murmur-
ing sound told them they would not
have to wait long for tea.
THE cake will be burnt to cinders, =
Bess observed, in an aggrieved tone;
''and here l am as helpless as baby,
while everything is going wrong"
Rose took out the cakes; they were
not shade browner than they ought
to have been, and she praised them
up, putting the most tempting on a
separate plate for Bess.
The tea was made, and Marc carried
the tray into the library-a room al
most entirely given up to Rose, and in
the appointments of which, her good
taste had been allowed to predomi-
nate
She followed him, and spread q
white damask cloth over the table.
When she had finished smoothing out
the folds, he put down the tray.
Studio life makes one handy at this
sort of thing" he remarked, with a
smile. do you want me to light the
gas?"
Please; and in the hall as well, il