The Atlanta constitution., 1900-07-09
CHAPTER /.

CHAPTER /.
High tea was proceeding somewhat
noissIy at No. Clifton terrace. West
bourne Grove. one soft drizzling May az
fernoon a good may years ago-the con-
wives being at an age when there Is but
ore step from silent shyness 10 uproarious
mirth-
A little girls birthday was being cele-
erated at Mr. Stenner's private hotel.
as ne liked TO call It. an establishment
well known TO Angio-Indians OF moderate
means
The guests were few. though they
sounded numerous. two little girls. besides
the heroine OF the evening and two boys
OF perhaps ten
The young ladies' were accompanied by
their ayaA. a sraIl. sad-looking. dark wo-
man. swathed tightly In gay colored prin'
with kind OF muslin veil over her neaa'
who assisted to carry round cakes ana sop
up SpiIt tea and milk. and occasionally
to keep the peace between Master Boileau'
son OF General Boileau. C.B.. and Freddy
Innes. youngest son of an Irregular cav
airy" captain
Freddy's sisters were exceedingly de-
mure and conscious OF their best frocks.
also silently antagonistic TO Herbert
MOntnorenci Boileau. the spoiled onH
SON OF an elderly father. The little host
ess was shy and silent. and by no means
sIatel by her prominent position
what n row those children are max
Ing said the taller OF the two ladies
as they ascended the hall dooTsteps. NJ
he rnornent when every one had grown
familiar and thrown on their company
manners II hope they are enjoying
themselves. poor ut;Ie souls, For my
part. cannot say believe much in the
5nys OF childhood. YOU are always MADE
10 do something you don't want To do.
ana IL vou get your own way you gener-
aIlv regret Il bitterly. I've had pretty
had times since J was grown up. but /
don't want to go back TO the nursery!
Sh.. rang sharply az the door as shc
spoke Il was Immediately opened oy
n stout. elderly man whose appearance
bespoke respectability so high that 1t oor-
sered on nobility
II * strong testimony. by the way. 10
the Infinite superiority Of creations lords
the different impression made by houses
where the door Is opened by man in
hruzdcIcth: compared TO those where
mere female slavey. In scanty skirts. IN
spectS the inquirer through half open
portal The one stamps itself apart
rnentS-- the other meeily suggests fur
nlshed lodgings
We'll. Mr. STEINER" continued the
sneaker with 4 bright condescending
smile II hope my young friends are not
turning your house ont Of the windows" ="
by uo means. Mrs Merrick. m. chill
dren will be children. we was all young
once. I've put your tea In the drawing
room. Iafi-ss Nr Isle called about an
hour ago. and begged me 10 say he would
call again as he wanted to see you very
particular"
'-D.d he, Come. Mary. I'll Just look IN
on the halrns. then we must renayate.
This horrid weather takes ones hair out
% curl"
The speaker was a tall. handsome wo-
man With dark gray eyes. a brillis sntly fair
Complexion. lot ~ fiufrv fair hair. golden
hut not dyed. and what was generally
~onsiiercf a fine figure.
She Nas becpm.agiy dressed in slight
mourning ani had an air 81 being thor
ongnly. good humoredly well pleased with
herself
Her COMPANION was small. slight. neat.
but pleasing with a soft kindly express
sion and certain unpretendiug air OF
refinement
She looked rather eagerly into the dining
room as Mrs MerrIck opened the door.
END her quiet face clouded a little as she
perceived the occupants were only chill
Cren-
well. nv farIinEs,'' cried Mrs. Merrick
have you been getting on7 Have had
enough cakes and strawberries? What
are You going 10 do next2 Wei have the
things cleared away. and as soon as we
can take or our bonnets Miss Gilmore and
viii come and have a grand game Of
forfcirs with you. see. have some
funny prizes here!' and she held up a pa
per parcel
.'oh. make haste. do, Mrs Merrick''
cried freddy. jumping up 60 kiss her and
nearly knocking her pretty airy bonnet
on You are such dear We have had
lots ~ cakes. feel "a II must lct out
hole IN my belt Beriie Boileau must be
precious uncomfortable n he doesn't let
out three"
''Tha--s no business % yours" retorted
the Iort'y Bcrtse with some scorn.
Freddy. you are m irnPudent little
tacksuaurs, ! don't envy yoIr dear moth
sr' cried Mrs. Nerrick laughing
..Ah. but mother would not give me
f1- ms weight in Eald," replied that prom
isiu- young gentleman
sIrs 1ierrick shook her finger al him
arI rang the hell for the house servant
10 remove th. ten things. addressing some
y ae.le Iu IIladoostauce - the ayah which
Cauzal ghat sad looking female 20 brighten
u and apply herself With rctoubled dill
gone t1 clear away the fragments 81 the
f,1st-
Haste or no haste" cried Mrs. Mer-
rick as she mounted lightly and swiftly
e. the bedroom occupied By both ladies.
- must cr,mp M hairi / could not see
Cenf-rrv ILsIe as / am. did you ever SEQ
such an object wonder what he wants
to ~.c me - particularly forc'
PERHAPS 10 ask tor your lily white
hand suggested her companion. "Ho
1.-1-r.- ..Irufrrs Won immensely"
.-,Fn. fiattsr myself he does. but as 20
Issatvsrnanv. that's another pair OF shoes!
Tor one thing I an almost nine years
older ;h.u he Is. and GeoT. though in
some ways a Jolly good fellow. will want
q cne Iady for wife. No. no. that is all
uCa~euSr-F
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