The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1899-04-16
CHAPTER v.

pleasant smile of expectancy was on Mrs.
Bellairs, face as she sat by the window of. her
boudoir in Wander Hall, for she was EXPECT.
ing her grandson. 1t was fortnight since
he had left Paris, but he had as yet been liri-
able to come north s.f3
He had reached Bournemouth to find his
friend Verest still alive, but rapidly nearing
death, and had stayed with him to cheer him
as far as a friend could under the shadaw of
that awful visitant ts
His presence had been a great consolation
to the dying man, who had rallied with the
last flicker of his flame of life his arrival
but in little more than week all was over
and, after seeing TO the last sad offices for
his friend Alured at length was free to
start for Wander Hall.
The carriage had been despatched to meet
MIN at the station, and every minute Mrs
Bella1rs expected TIC see it appear against the
horizon on it's return journey 1t was for
this that she had hurried her toilette; the mo-
ments Of watching for him were pleasant to
her. .
Wander Hall was full Of guests. for TO re-
ceive an invitation there generally ment to
accept it, as it one of the pleasantest Of
country house to visit. Mrs. Bellairs was
born hostess. and besides providing her Wis
tiers with every kind of amusement and an
tertainment. she had the rare art of knowing
how to allow them to follow their own de.
wees as they thought, and still keeping
them. as it were, each in her own special
charge. She was perfect chatelaine
The men had nearly all gone out with the
guns, and had not yet returned, for the drive
to be shot over that day was at some dis
lance. The ladies, who had driven over r,
take luncheon with tnem had however re-
turned for tea, which Mrs Bellairs had dis
pensed; and, after hearing their account Of
the shooting, she had left them to their own
resources, and retired to dress for dinner in
order that she might have the Longer tir,a
to talk with Alured before she must divide
him with her guests. He had been surav
some months, and although she was accns,
toned to his absences, still She was aI1va,.s
glad of his return; for at her time OF life st
felt that it was not unlikely that she rnie,bt
never see him again after each separation
AS the carriage appeared crawling like
beetle on the road in the distance. a mare
black speck against the sky, Mrs. Belia ire
rose standing by the window leaned 49,
out Beneath the well-kept oldfssb;ona,.
flower garden, with its terraces, boxnra ssi,,
ed walks graduated steps, and lozen % en-,
ed BEDS now glorious with the gorgeous 81
orings of autumnal flowers looked nea,ot..,
in the soft light of the slowly fading ds.s
girl in dainty walking costume Of al.
gray cloth, with little cap of tha So 81
perched jauntily on her head and a f,,l, Sane
ed skirt of white nainsook with valenciencas
lace, turned down One of the walks n,;ts
hands full of roses and white baat I'm ner
she saw her hostess she quickened bas AS
until she was in the terrace benea tb AZ steps
dow stis1tt1 VII
MAY come up to you?' She asked
Certainly, my dear, I shan he ni.a
Mrs. Bellair answered with a smile aseo'
The girl disappeared indoors. and Mr. -, 2
lairs turned from the window and seata5 -
self again in the chair from which sho uSi