Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1899-02-14

fiected with tarly remorse. ut could
have been done 10 easily tool"
Well, ut all events be was not wo-
man; so that the hair dye was surely
safer in his possession than it would
have been in that Of Mira Nsylor. If he
did not find an opportunity Of deliver
| ing Il up honorably when the travellers
Quilted the train-and unfortunately
he did not-he would doubtless manage
to do so as they descended from the
omnibus which had been sent 10 meet
them at the station.
But the luckless lady was doomed to
o prolongation Of suspense, for when
she reached her destination those Off.
cious, overhospitable Longworths must
needs come tearing down the steps to
welcome their guests There they all
were--tall. ruddy Mr.. Longworth. with
two huge hands outstretched. his come
", middle aged spouse. who war far
too fond of alluding to the circumstance
that sne had been at school with Mrs.
Alston, aud their yellow haired slip Of
daughter Annie, and goodness only
knows how many grinning children and
hobble6ehoys in the background!
"You're just in time" Mrs. Long
worth announced cheerfully. "We are
having tea in the hall; so that you can
refresh yourselves while your things
are being unpacked. p"
| The servants, OF course, bad seized
the hand bags and had made of with
them. The only thing to be done was
10 practice the patience recommended
By Panurge and be thankful that tea
may be partaken OF without the re-.
moval Of a gauze veil. Mrs. Aston
pushed hers mp, 80 as t0 conceal her
fringe, took possession Of an armchair
close 70 the blazing wood fire. by which
the great entrance hall was barely
warmed, and kept an anxious eye upon
Lord Arthur, who did not appear to
think that any apology or explanation
was duo terber in respect OF his remiss-
ness.
Some measure Of consolation was in
the meantime TO be derived from watch
ing the assiduity with which he placed
himself nc the orders Of Annie Long
worth, who was pouring ont the tea.
Annie was mere child, and in the
character Of rival would have been
beneath contempt. but Mrs. Alston bad
ceased 10 be competitor for Lord Ar
thurs affections. and IL was amusing
to note the displeasure OF Mrs. Naylor, q
jealous and exacting woman, whose
flirtations were always conducted upon
the crudest and most inartistic princi-
Piles. II was however, matter o. COM
paratively trifiing consequence whether
that lady was pleased or displeased.
Mrs. Alston had much more important
things 10 think about. and when Lord
Arthur approached her with cup OF
tea In one hand and plate Of small
cakes in the other she took occasion to
whisper TO him under cover Of the loud
conversation which was going ON all
sronnd her:
"What have you done with my bot.
tley ! want il at once. please. Z"
"Your bottles" he returned compos-
sdly. by George! forget al about
IL. It's in my bag. unless my fellow
has taken IL ont by this time. Shall !
go and get ii?"
Eyes; fetch II Immediately. or, rath-
er, no! Don't bring II here. 1t isn't
cordial to he handed round for every
body TO taste. I'll tell you what you
must do IL you really want me to give
you those two dances that you spoke OF
only ! thought you had quite given
mp caring 10 dance with me. You must
slip up stairs as soon as you can and
join me presently in the library, bring
| ing the bottle with you. You know the
geography Of tho house, suppose!"
Lord Arthur signified that he did,
and in few minutes she had the satis-
faction Of seeing him make his way up
the broad, shallow staircase. She her
self contrived to edge adroitly away
from her hostess, and was soon in the
library-a vast, dimly lighted chamber,
which, as she knew. was seldom invad-
ed by any member of the household.
She was kept waiting long time
20 long that she had worked herself up
into fever of alarm and apprehension
before at last the door was opened and
the other party TO the assignation ad.
vanced toward her with leisurely steps.
where's the bottle;' was her first
question, for indeed that was the first
thing to be ascertained and the rebuke
which he had earned could wait
Instead Of producing her property or
replying to her query that exasperating
young man raised his forefnger and
shook it ut her with arch reprobation.
"Oh, Mrs. Alston." said he, "this Is
| too bad Of you You shouldn't go in
for that sort Of thing-you shouldn't
really, you knowp'
"You wretchr' cried the justly in
censed lady. "How dared you examine
what doesn't belong to you! No gentle
man would have behaved in that way,
and the very least you can do now Is to
keep what you have found out to yonr-
SELF"
"Oh, I'll keep it to mysclfP answer
ed Lord Arthur coolly. "In fact, ] may
say that have kept il to myself, and,
of course, shan't split. AS for exam
lining the bottle, that / couldn't help,
because my man had taken it out of the
paper, and there il was upon my dress
ing table as plain as pikestaff, but
didn't think it would be right to hand
the stuff over to you. You may take
my word for it, Mrs. Alston, that all
those expedients are Q snare and dc.
lusion.
Mrs. Alston was too infuriated to
argue with him. "Go and get that bot
tie instantly!' said she "When want
to be favored with your advice. ! will
not fail TO let you know"
He remained calm and immovable.
He made some remarks, which seemed
to her irrelevant, about Clutch cour'
age" and the folly Of imagining that
anything save clear head can enable
| man or woman to ride straight q
hounds, but she was not concerned to
dispute with him. When commands
and entreaties alike failed. she had re.
| course to tears.
Dear Lord Arthur" she sobbed, 81
know haven't treated you very well.
but you can't wish to punish me &c
cruelty as this. Only give me my bottle
and will do anything-anything foi
you that you like to ask Of mel
Lord Arthur shook his head solemnly.
II foresaw this, he remarked, land