The Lamar register., 1900-11-28

child's fortune.
But she did not think of herself At
the moment, except to be glad that she
was no relation of theirs. And then
her thoughts drifted off to Reggie. and
there was a smile on her face as she
flung open the door, nearly running
over Kate. who was advancing conse-
quentially down the corridor, huge
box of distinctly Partisan bonbons in
her arms.
Il shall not give you one because
you would not take me to get moss"
she said, with solemn spitefulness, as
she displayed them,
You should have gone with pleas
ure had you asked nicely" returned
Mollie, unrufied. But will not take
you anywhere when you are unpleas-
ant"
And before the irate mistress Of the
house could find anything bitter
enough for her poor little tongue to
utter. the elder girl had passed her,
and, descending the stairs. entered the
dining room, where Madame Dubois
and her son were standing by the hrc.
There they stood. these aliens and
strangers. giving themselves all the
airs OF proprietorship in the house
that ought to have been quite as much
hers as Kate's. Standing, too, right
under the painting of her father in full
uniform that hung over the mantel
piece. 1t would have been removed
long ago but that It had cost some
hundreds of pounds. and. Mr. Barlowe
secretly thought. added distinction to
the room.
A hot wave of Indignation and
wounded pride swept over Mollie.
What business had these people at
Chalfont using everything as their
own. while she herself was but guest;
and it was a very frigid and naughty
bow that she gave In the direction OF
Monsieur Henri Dubois when his moth
er introduced him.
What am to cal you?" exclaimed
ins?"
Certainly not, madame" she broke
in quickly. with n polite smile. Il am
L'Estrange, and the only relation
have in my fathers house is my half
sister Kate" And her tone clearly
implied that no other would be al
lowed.
The elder woman's face darkencd
visibly; but before she could speak
Henri said, with graceful, sweeping
| bow:
"Mademoiselle is cruel; but I trust
in time to win and deserve her friend
shin"
With some murmured words Of as
! L. inf moi
ing luncheon took as complete sur
vey of the young man as the fact that
he was covertly trying to do the same
thing of her would allow. Small,slight.
dapper, with sharp, well-cut features. a
sallow complexion, and quick, black
eyes, he was indeed a contrast to the
young officer who already held large
place in her heart,
thorough Frenchman was Henri
Dubois, both in thought and appear
ance, though his English was very
good; and as he sat at the foot Of the
| table caressing his small. black mus
tache and endeavoring to make himself
agreeable, Mollie privately came to the
conclusion that she disliked and dis
trusted him only little less than she
did his mother, and that might only be
| because she did not know him so
well. Indeed his hish voice and cynical
air contrasted badly with Reggie An
struther's hearty tones and easy, we'll
bred manner. though 1t was plain that
his mother thought him perfect. and
rarely took her eyes from his face.
Where have you been this morning,
Mollie?" she dema nded at length, when
there came a break in the concetss-
ton.
"She has been for country walk
with Mr.. Anstruthcr | saw her." broke
in Kate's little voice. maliciously
"And she would not take me-"
Did swift glance of meaning pass
between mother and son? Molie could
not be quite sure, for this unprovoked
attack was disconcerting enough to
make her blush furiously. 1t was very
annoying, and madame's eyes were
turned upon her crimson visage with
unmerciful scrutiny.
Kate knows why l would not take
her." she said, breaking the pause with
somewhat naughty ring in her young
voice.
But this Mr. Anstruther-" began
madame coldly.
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