The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1898-05-07
CHAPTER XVIII.-(Continued)

A moments silence followed, broken by
the sound of Toms hearty laugh, with
Agnes somewhat shrlll treble mingled
Lady Nevils thoughts were abruptly
changed. Now she wanted to be on shore
to interrupt that tete-a-tete. She hated
| nothing so much as to see ION and
Agnes together; it was a certainty that
her cousin was infusing some poisonous
| drop into her husbands mind.
Let US land" she said to Dallas; but
he had no desire to leave his charming
/ hostess just as they were discussing such
I interesting subjects.
"Oh, not YET he implored; don't 60
in yet. Do you really want tor And
June, who always felt it difficult to op-
pose any one who asked anything urgent
/ ly of her, forced a smile, and said:
Il will stay here if you like. 1t is very
pleasant here"
Two or three minutes later her mind
was immensely relieved by hearing
Madge's voice join Toms, and presently
she saw that young lady hanging on
| Toms arm, while Mr. Carslake and
Agnes walked at some distance behind
The change of companionship had been
brought about in this way: When Dal-
boat Madge and Mr. Carslake had made
their way to the avenue-the place par
excellence at the Hall for lovers and love
making, the place to which in former
days Tom had always tried to inveigie
June as being private and cut Oft from
the rest of the company.
Madge had talked away in her usual
bright fashion, and her companion had
listened to her with that sense Of pleased
amusement which he always felt at her
quips and FRANKS. His own disposition
was grave, though the reverse of morbid
but he had a strong sense of humor and
a keen sympathy with bright and happy
young people. His greatest drawback to
the enjoyment of their society was his
extreme difiidence in himself, his fear
lest he should be q kill-joy and spoil
their fun. On Madge, however, he pro
dUced anything but this effect; his
gravity, icavCncd as it was with an evi-
dent appreciation of her sallies and high
spirits, rather stimulated than sobere-
her love of fun.
They had begun by laughing, and Were
inclining to a more sentimental mood un
der the Influence of moonlight. and the
charm of the evening, when Mr.. Cars
lake, with the very best intentions, made
Il singuarly unfortunate remark:
What a very sweet woman that sister
of yours is.''
1t acted on Madgc Ike Il douche OF
iced water. The moment before she had
been full of gayety. slightly temper i by
a most agreeable sentimentality. for She
was undeniably in love with her com
panion; now she was froissee, piqued, an,
noyed. she felt angry indeed with heI
friend for not having more discernment.
She stopped short; the color came to
! her face, and she said, with extreme de
cision:
she is not at all a sweet woman, and
| should not have thought you were the
sort of man to be 50 easily taken in
/ Mr.. Carslake was astonished; he was
rather shocked, too, and he looked it,
oh, yes" exclaimed Madgc, you art
/ Mortified | see. You think the mere fact
/ Of a person being ones sister ought tc
/ make one adore her; but l assure you
/ the theory won't hold water You ar,
/ much more apt to dislike people who be
! long to you than any one else, because
/ YOU are obliged to see so much of then
/ and they have such immense opportuni
/ ties of aGCravating you
! The pair were standing face 10 face
| Madge talking herself angry, Mr.. Cars
/ lake preserving his scandaliZed express
! sion.
Pray. why do you think she is a sweet
woman?' asked the young lady, slightly
/ raising her voice and looking at him witt
/ rather an aggressive flash in her eyes.
/ Mr.. Ca rslake's face relaxed into {
! smile.
/ Well, really" he remarked. "sht
| seemed 10 me very sweet and kind an
| anxious to please every one. | caughr
| some of her remarks to our host during
/ dinner. and ! confess they gave me the
| idea that she was a very charitable gooC
/ person: and then | thought she behaved
! so nicely in offering to remain with hin
! afterward and TO 90 and see the child up
! stairs
/ That shows, then" retorted Madge
/ how little any one not behind the scene,
is able to judge. She only stopped Will
+ Tom and talked about going up to set
/ lutte Tom 10 aGgrayate June"
/ Really" with evident incredulity. -
/ thought Lady Nevil seemed quite dis
/ posed for tete-a-tete with Broke. anC
! Your sister good-naturedly offered to stay
/ and amuse Sir Thomas
/ oh" exclaimed Madge. growing still
/ nncrier. that is just the delightful way
/ Agnes has of giving people wrong i'm
/ prcssions. 10 you suppose" with some
/ vchcmence. that June cares two straw.
/ about Dallas: She is simply wrapped VI
/ in Tom and the child
Il am sorry / have offended you b!
/ saying what 1 thought would naturally
/ please sister, remarked Mr.. Carslake
/ gravely.
/ You have offended me very much" re
tortcd Madge, with unwonted petulance
/ Il thought you had more discernmcnt Al
/ our lives June and | have suffered from
Agnes sweetness which had the delight
I fl! knack of making us look in the wrong
/ No doubt" a little culver coming into he,
4 voice. when you have seen a little more
/ Of her sweetness. you will come TO tbs
( conclusion that l am not at all a nic,
/ person
That l shall not" he answered. ans
made rs though he would take MadCe':
hand but she eludel him