The times., 1899-10-08

1HS HldlDSdDy-IdceQ Olu lduleS near the
gateway of the ruins arranged their stock
of photographs and guide books as they
saw first one carriage approaching on the
Coventry Road, and presently second
carriage coming from the direction Of
bennington. "A few shining bicycles lean
ed in front of the hotel, doing; young
woman IN reasonable skirts and a soft hat
that seemed to have been invented by
some Conduit Street genius for the express
purpose of suiting her pretty face shaded
her eyes as she stood at the hotel doorway
and watched the approach of the carriage
from bennington. Each carriage was
coming in a cloud of dust; for some time
it was doubtful which of the two would
reach the hotel first. The two coaehmen,
alert for anything in the form of sport,
increased the speed of the horses, and the
horses entered into the spirit of the game
with great eagerness. When with csat-
ter they pulled up at the gateway leading
to the ruins the result was so much like a
dead heat that neither could brag of vic
tory.
Arrived at last, aunt?'' said the young
woman in reasonable skirts.
'At last?" repeated her aunt sharply.
What do you mean, Norah? Surely you
have only just arrived
Been here half an hour said the young
woman cheerfully. THE road was good,
and / came on very WELL
Wonder TO me, said her aunt, stepping
out carefully, that you don't come Off
Twenty years ago no girl would have
dreamed of riding a bicycle. Or rather she
might have dreamed of it; but she would
never have-0h, how do you dor
The white haired, white hated, well
preserved gentleman who had stepped
briskIy out of the landau from Coventry
hot ;.,d icta nt chA ci fad cn-
/ acknowledgement of the salutation. He was
giving directions to his coachman, and
giving them in sharp, peremptory way,
as one who was in the habit of being obey
ed.
You are quite flushed, aunt dear. Is it
the sun Or"
My dear!' in whisper. "Do you know
who that is? That is'' there she lowered
her voice impressively) 'Dr. Fraser
The complexion of the young niece for a
moment matched that of her aunt. 1t SEEM
ed odd that the mere presence of the
strenuous, white haired gentleman, just
then advising his coachman not to be a
fool should have this effect.
Seems said the elder woman, tanning
| herself, "as though it was to be-"
las though what was to be?'
MY dear, don't ask questions.
Il wish we hadn't met him. said the
niece.
Leave him to me-" She stepped forward
and waved her striped sunshade. DR..
Fraser, Don't let US pretend that We have
never met before"
And if you're minute late" said DIR.
Fraser fiercely, IN send you off. sir, con-
found your eyes, without character.
| beg pardon, madam
You were always shortsighted. Find
your glasses, like a good man, and put
them on and look at me and say Mrs. Mel
lish, I'm delighted to see you.' ="
Dr. Fraser, fixing his pince-nez, looked
at the buoxm woman, who had furled her
striped parasol and stood with rather an
anxious smile waiting for recognition.
God bless my soul!" said DR.. Fraser.
| Never mind about that" remarked Mrs.
Mellish. Say what Iasked you to say
"My dear Laura
'tNo, no!''
MY dear Mrs Mellish,'' he said, grudg-
| ingly. ''Fm-I'm delighted to see you
Good" said Mrs Mellish. clapping her
| hands softly. Letter perfect first time.
You always were a quick study. This is
my niece
DR.. Fraser's white hat came off with the
best bow that Wigmore Street knew. Mrs.
Mellish's niece seemed for a lady cyclist
unusually shy, and, having bowed, took
refuge near her aunt.
| "One of our athletic young women
| said DIR. Fraser, approyingly. Cad! II
| the young generation go on like this there
| viii be no need for DOCTORS"
'The young generation will marry
said Mrs. Mellish. with her purse open.
Not if it's sensible" said DR.. Fraser.
How much do we pay here?"
The pleasant woman at the small cottage
| that commanded entrance to Kenilworth
| said that the charges were sixpence, and
did the party wish for guidebooks Or
I'VE want nothing, my good woman .
| ing. Why on earth is Ii that these peo-
pie viii not recognize the fact?"
Perhaps such cases are rare" said Mrs.
Melish
by no means" declared Dr. Fraser
They walked through the garden of flow
| ers 10 the wicket gate which led TO the
castle and its grounds. Mrs. Mellishs
niece said oh in a tone of pleased sur
prise; the elders had seen, years and
| years ago, the red ruins and the open win
dow spaces and the soft velvety grass and
the foliage growing where Amy Robsart
had made her little slip, and the con
ceited peacocks strutting about Qike self
satisfied novelists), with a long perfect
| tail and the vocal powers of a rook. A
few American tourists were near the ruins
| with Sir Walter Scott's novel in their
| hand; from the apertures in the high
rooms of the ruins girls faces peeped.
There are the Jarets, aunt, who were
| at school with me-"
Go and speak to them, dear. DIR. Fra
ser will look after me-
DR.. Fraser coughed doubtfully as the
| young woman ran up TO a party of girls
near the right wing of the castle. Mrs
Mellish looked after her and sighed.
Pleasant, quiet girl" said DR.. Fraser
do you think she is at all like me as
was-as | was when We knew each
other?''
Like you.' said DR.. Fraser, bluntly
"but more refined
1T seems a long time ago." remarked
Mrs. Mellish, thoughtfully.
1T is long time ago.
Anyone would think that We had ar
ranged to meet here this afternoon
No one who knows me, said DR.. Fra
ser, promptly, would dare to sugges
that"
But surely it's an odd coincidence,
persisted Mrs. Mellish, that the last tim,
had long talk with you was at KeniI
worth, in eighteen hundred and-let m,
see, was it seventy"
Condolences are the most commonplace,
events in the world. Would you care t
rest on this wooden seat?'
Was it here said Mrs. Mellish, open
ing her striped parasoi and half hiding he
face. that you cut out my initials ant
yours, and around them
Mrs. Mellish," he said, Il try to for
get these absurdities. / came here for
quiet stroll in place that we-that | use'
TO know well; one that has certain remin
| iscences, and not to be fed with them b,
you"
Il hope you don't think that ! treate,