Chicago eagle. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1889-19??, 1899-06-10


But did he not promise2 Without you
for the fete;" and Lord Wynmore spoke
these last words In n tone which any girl
SO young as Mabel would have been sure
to remember.
But there sits my sister waiting to
make your acquaintance" added he.
MAY bring her In hereY'
"Your sistcrY Has she been waiting all
this time! How rude must scent" cried
Mabel. raising her eyes and perceiving
that the carriage had been drawn up at
the roadside. and that groom in faultlcss
livery was ut the horses heads. In an
other moment she was faltering ont her
excuses to a fashionably attired lady very
IKE Lord Wynmore, but year or two
older.
Boon they were all seated In the shade
ana In a minute or two fOOtman brought
out tea and Strawberries: then Mabel had
TO turn hostess for the first time In her life.
They were still ut their tea when the
family cnrriage drove mp.
Uncle John approached his visitors with
smiles of welcome on his usually cross
face; nor did Caroline allow any trace Of
her anger against her sister to appear.
Indeed. on this occasion Mr.. John Charl-
ford was quite gracious. and readily prom
Used to accompany his nieces and nephew
to the garden party.
Even when the visitors had departed
Uncle Johns good humOr did not vanish.
He called Mabel to take turn with him
up and down the terrace, and asked her
questions about their visitors--how long
they had been there before his return. how
she had managed to entertain them. ct
cctera. Then Mabel told her uncle about
the program for the fetc and the concert
on the water. Mr.. Charlford smiled as
he listened. nodded approval once or twice,
and then inquired II Mabel wanted new
dress for the garden party.
II think have all want, thank you,
uncle" replied the girl.
| But here Caroline interposcd.
Uncle" she said. II am sure you would
not like Mabel to wear anything but a
new dress on such an occasion; and she
has nothing but a washing.silk that has
been worn dozen times, which Il not mt
oil the thing for q fete at the Manor.
I When a girl IL not out she has not a
new evening costume always ready; so
Mabel must get one at once. aud Ind bet.
ter 20 to London and choose It for her."
| "Yes. Tint will be the best way. Caro-.
line" replied Mr.. Chnrlford: "and you
will know what is suitable. Better 20 to-
morrow"
| "Shc has made my dress an excuse TO 20
to London to do that mans bidding!'
thought Mabel. trembling. rs she heard
her sisters words.
The next day, when Caroline, with tri.
| m Ii. hnp hnI
Nab and her brother felt that, as Uncle
John had to meet his man of business,
which would occupy him large part OF
the day. they would have unwonted free.
dom from restraint. and could do what
they liked and go where they pleased.
Isn't this delightful, MabY" said Dick,
throwing his cap into the mir with boyisll
pleasure. as he and she watched Uncle
John out Of sight, and realized that they
could do just as they chose for several
hours to come. s
ut would he heavenly" replied Nab, I'll
I could forget about Caroline. But, oh!
Dick. ] am certain That she has gone to
London on that strangers business! She
still denies everything: isn't that terri.
bicy
Eyes. It's pretty bad. telling downright
falschoOd like that. nnd persisting In It."
said Dick.
Dear Dick" said Nab. "Oh, what can
We say to Caroline to convince her Of the
danger she IL int"
II don't know yet. Nab: I'll think about
it," answered Dick, rising with sup.
pressed sigh. LET us go down to tho pool
now, Nab. and have a row." he added;
there We shall be all to ourselves. III
pull you under the old willow tree on the
other side OF the water. and we will have
u few hours pleasant idlencss ut any
rate"
They walked on through the rich grass
down to the pool.
Here we are" exclaimed Dick, as he
unmoorcd the boat. after having ARA sged
the cushions fol, Nab.
"Oh. Dick. almost wish we had not
come after ALL" she remarked. In a tro,,.
blcd tone. ut makes me think so much
Of what ! saw here that nisht"'
Discuss the matter rs they might they
could not get enlightenment. direction, as
they sought. Caroline was the mystery
They decided to make another strong up.
peal to her upon her return.
They were seated with their uncle that
next evening. wondering why Caroline
had not returned OH the late afternoon
train, when bell echoed through the
house, and Immediately aftcrward Bailey,
one Of the men servants. entered aud pre-.
scented to his master an envelope on u sill.
yer tray.
ut IL a telegram! Oh. what has han.
pcnedy" cried Nab, starting up, unable to
restrain her anxiety.
Mr.. Charlford opened the telegram leis
urely and read:
blouse Surgeon Of st. James Hospital
to Mr.. Charlford, Of the Court. Milton
Surrey:
"a young lady, supposed to DO your rel
alive, lies ut hospital. Brought In this
afternoon. Picked up insensible nea,
Westminster Abbey. IL recovering con
seriousness. Letters found induce this
communication. Telegraph reply"
"NOw, uncle. ! must go! said Dick, We
hemcntly. my own sister lies insensible
Mt u hospital. Nab and ought to 70 to
her directly"
"One Of You IL enough at time, thank
you," replied Mr.. CharlfOrd. "Of course
In the circumstances, l must permit You
ance. which might easily have been avoid
ed. Caroline has been knocked down,
presume-an accident which would moi
have happened had she had her maid with
her. Was she carrying out something un
derhand without my knowledge? III.
sooner your father comes back the bet
ter"
In half an hour Mabel was alone In the