The Atlanta constitution., 1900-07-16


vensleugh to my lady's son. She was q
nne. clever woman and had all the cash
and all the brains. I'd never ask better
landlord-can hardly call her a landlady."
well. no! landlady conveys the Idea
OF female In a white apron armed with
small illegible account for rent and
suHndriesT The >place looks tirst-rate.
Erie Let us have a look forward"
They sailed forth and were seen no more
till dinner time. about o'clock in that
primitive place.
Lessons done the children scampered
of and Madeleine having regulated and
put away the books. states. etc, brought
forth huge work basket overfowing
with small garments. socks and stockings.
all needing repair Having placed her.
self in the farthest corner Of the stoop,
whence she had a wide view away to the
mountains. Madeleine proceeded to thread
darning needle. She even drew one OF
Dolly's stockings on her left hand. then
she paused. and resting the right on a
little table beside her. she let the other
drop into her lap and sat In profound
reverie.
This was a strange occurrence In one OF
Madeleine's busy days. for In quiet,
noiseless fashion she was an interchangeable
worker and unremitting In her applica-
tion to what she undertook. not so much
from anv natural tendency but from an
intense desire to prove her worth"
Today she yielded to curious mixture
Of memory and imagination which mas
tered her will.
Il must have turned suddenly silly!
she thought. The more l think. the
see the difference between the
two men, and yet the more L
feel as If that nice. kind. Mr.. Lsle looked
at mo out of Graham North's eyes. rms
man Is older and bigger and darker ahh'
not rough, but more rugged. IL Will De IN
teresting to watch my first Impression
fading. as no doubt It WILL But he Is
very pleasant, do not feel the least bit
strange or shy with him. and he is glad
to meet an English girl! How nice 1t Is 10
feel oneself of a little Importance even
for half an hour. and this elephant
smasher' IS exceedingly polite. How Is 1t
/ have such a strange Illusion about him
II is SO long since have seen or heard or
Mr.. Lisle that l have almost ceased 10
remember what he was like Indeed. he
is now a mere tradition. and only exists
because / was so much In the habit or
thinking about him. having so little else
that was comforting to think about.
must not let my fancy run away with mel
at all events l never can think OF this
elephant smasher as a stranger!
Then II must be admitted our little
heroineS thoughts flew away to her not
too abundantly supplied. wardrobe. and
she determined to put on very ancleht
but well-preserved black silk skirt ana
lilac muslin blouse (then called 'Garibal-
dP hut the thing was the same) when she
appeared at the evening meal.
"It IS rather foolish OF me to trouble
about my Dress" she unused. mo one will
notice me except poor Mrs. Sutton. Why!
there is Juno with the milk cans! l must
have sat here a long time" she started
into a more erect position and appIled
herself to her darning with great dill
gence.
Presently Dolly's voice summoned her
"Oh. Madeleine, Jim is such n naughty
boy. He will set Gellert loose, ana l IN
afraid he'll fly at Harry
Knowing her influence with both de-
unquents, Madeleine fastened to prevent
hostilities and then rewarded the big
hound for his obedience by taking him
to walk with Dolly and herself.
Dolly was much excited by the arrival
of so distinguished a man as "the ele-
nbant smasher" and could talk of nothing
else She had met him with father
walking through the big cornfeld.
$50 1 asked him to ask father to
: give me pretty little pony like Jim's
why should Jim have pony when L
IL
said he would give me one II Father
would let me have it
And what did Father say?"
"Oh, he said, Run away with you and
don't trouble Father is very unkind
sometimes. isn't he?"
mo. indeed, Doll, not 70 you, certainly,
you ought to think yourself very fortu-
nate little girl to have so good father
Now have none"
"Oh, yes. you havel Father is brother
and father both to you
"Oh, yes, of course" returned Made
leine with a sigh.
Though the autumn was creeping on
them, IT was stil too warm to mako a
walk at midday desirable so Dolly al
lowed herself to be coaxed back TO tho
house where from motives Of prudence
Madeleine permitted Gellert TO accom-
pany them.
Erie and his guest did not return TO
the house till some minutes past din
ner time. The rest OF the family were
waiting in the dining room. North made
n brief apology-the host took his seat
at once, and uttered In a low voice a
rather lengthy grace.
North noticed that Mrs. Sutton took the
head Of the table and Madeleine with
the two children occupied the sIdes.
It was a plentiful. simple. but well
cooked meal. diversified by variety of
splendid fruits North frequently adj
dressed himself 10 Madeleine, but her
replies were brief and what conversation
went on soon resolved itself into duo
| logue between host and guest.
The latter was pleased and fatterei
TO find the eyes of his fair neighbor rest
| Ing on him with a glance half amused.
I wholly Interested accompanied by "A pret-
! ty puzzled lifting and knitting of her
| delicate brows as IL she said to he.s If,
"who can he be-
"I'n try and have a little talk with
her" said North to himself, looking
/ round for some peg on which to hang :,
! beginning.
! You have some remarkably beautiful
| flowers here" he said at last. "Those
| deep red blossoms are new TO me, and !
! study the flora as well as the fauna OF
! the wild places / wander through"
II believe II is rather rare" returned
Madeleine "These flowers flourish in a
| little dell at the back of the kopje. /
noticed them soon after we came here"
"If you have nothing better to do
! perhaps you would show mo the spot"
| "Oh, yes" she cried with a frank COM
| plaisance.
81 will come, too!' said Dolly resolute-
| ly, ''but Jim had better stay and ride
his pony"
VERY well, but you must get your larg-
/ est sun hat, Dolly" returned her aunt.
CHAPTER w.
The morning hut one after the arrival
of Graham North at Ravenscleugh dawn
| ed fair and bright. and while the family