The Washington weekly post. (Washington, D.C.) 1878-1916, 1899-08-29

80 i've days has noe cured hun nj hi.
snfatustion Fer her. and he means q
/ daie." Lady Nsne thought. He turned
T TO shake hands with herself. and the
/ glance that accompanied the handsh1ks
/ was one Of defiance.
War between US" u1urmured Lady
/ Fane. in a very low tone.
He either did not or would not hear
( and turned away to join Muriel, with
I whom he ssuntsTed of to tie conserya-
I tories, for which Weldon Castle vas re-
nOwned. Lady Vane was intensely an
noyed and perplexed as to the line OF
conduct she should pursue. but being a
woman Of the world she talked glibly and
pleasantly with those around her, nor al
loved them 20 see her trouble.
The gardens were lovely. az the length
ering September shadows lay athwart the
&C ioring trees. She looked round in adj
miration, FOR townbred though she was
she was not absolutely impervious 10
country delights. A little cry burst from
her white throat but 1t was not aimira-
ton for the landscape that had called It
forth. claire Gordon" she said. "she
herei"
The lady to whom she had been talking
locked round al a woman who was sitting
alone under a tree at a little distance and
asked.
Who is shes Who is Claire Gordon?
Why should size not be here?'
But Lady Vane did not answer. She
advanced three or four steps as though
her Iirst idea was to 90 and speak to this
solitary woman. then second thoughts
prevented her, and retiring TO her uncle's
side. for he had been standing near,
though he had not heard her exclamation,
she took his arm.
Come and explore the grounds. uncle" "
she said invitingly. 'You were saying
al luncheon that, otter as you had Deen
at Weldon, you had never seen them"
Just so. my dear; always attentive to
the old uncle. Come along, but where is
Muriel?"
With Mr.. Lestrange in the conserva-
tory
All, that is well. I am glad those two
like each other. Perhaps-eh? What does
my little ladyship of niece Think"
Percy says / am too feather-headed TO
do much thinking" she replied lightly.
Look at that woman sitting under that
tree. Do you think her good loOkipg?"
well, no, not altogether; too fat and
run to seed. When you know that l like
young shoots. why do you ask if l admire
her? Whom does she belong TO. She
seems to be all alene."
Her husband is flirting with a girl in
the conservatory"
What girI?"
''MurieI."
Good Cod child. do you mean that
Lestrange is that woman's husband? No
wonder he gave up London and came to
bury himself at Grandtown. If he has
married that woman. And |, who hoped
that Muriel-wel, | am astonished."
"Oh. here is nothing wrong about her.
She has been going about in London in
the smart set for Years-Only last season
I did not see her in town"
"Going about as Mrs. Eyre Lestrange?'
"Oh. no; as Mrs. Colin Gordon; | be
Iieve her husband died abroad, and left
her well off"
Rich That's why Lestrange married
her, / suppose. though l always thought
he had plenty of money. Well, I'm sorry
1t takes the edge off ones pleasure in
meeting him again. He must introduce
her though; we can't let Lestrange's wife |
be out in the cold. Do you know her by |
the way?"
"A little. am on speaking terms with |
her.
"Well, let US go back and speak to her /
now"
Come and see the grounds first. perhaps /
we shall fall in with Mr.. Lestrange and 1
Muriel"
Squire Kavanagh was quite content to |
10 as his niece wished. He was single |
minded and honest, and saw no i'll in the 1
TACT the Eyre Lestrange should like to
talk to his little girl. He was only sorry
hat his idea of one day having him for
;on-in-law must be entirely set on one
side, for he liked the man and believed 1
n his speedy advancement. |
Lady Vane, however, was by no means
so calmly minded. She felt as if she
would like to shake her uncle for his
and she became more