Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1900-10-25
CHAPTER Iy.-lcontinued.l

came Of age there was no help for it.
Well, the only thing to do was to make
the best of things, and be as happy as
circumstances would permit. But this
was easier said than done; there was
not soul in Chalfont she liked or
trusted, and time hung heavily on her
hands, for she could cot always be
with the Anstruther's, even had ma
dame allowed 1t, and no one else came
near them. Madame. had she known
1t, was in rather difficulty. She great
ly valued the Anstruthers' acquaint-
'ance, making point of stopping to
speak whenever she met them in Rev
erton. and hoping those who kept aloof
from Chalfont would observe it; but.
strange to say, she had forgotten Reg
gle, who, indeed, was not often at
home. and now Kate had aroused her
suspicious she was much perplexed.
She had her own plans for Mollie and
II it came to a choice between them
and the Anstruthers' friendship, she
must reluctantly abandon their friend
ship.
Mollie soon found the difference; she
was never left alone for minute. Was
she going into Reeerton, madame was
going also. or Fl .nri would accompany
her; there was nothing he would en-
joy more.
What do you think of Henri,
Joyce?" asked Mollie the Saturday aft
ernoon preceding Easter Sunday, when
she had managed to evade both the
Dubois, and, taking Kate to put a
wreath on their mothers grave. had
gone on to the White house.
The White house was not so large as
Chalfont. but it had beautiful old
garden, and the two girls were wan
dering up and down the sheltered
paths, while Kate took solemn, digni-
fed ride on the old swing under the
trees that had recalled to Mollie her
childhood days.
He was very pleasant the few times
he has been here" Joyce responded
doubtfully, pausing to look at the yell
low daffodils, the sweet-scented jon
quils that lifted their heads from the
dark mould But do you like him,
Mollie?"
II am afraid not" said she, thought
fully. you see, Joyce dear, he acts
So strangely. He pretends to me that
he loves England and the country, and
! know he loves nothing but his be-
loved Paris. Yesterday he insisted up
on accompanying me for country
walk, and madam said nothing, though
she was angry when Reggie went with
me to get moss. l know he hated it,
for he had on French patent leather
boots, and really could hardly limp
home; and then, as l was going up
stairs, l heard him swearing awfully
to himself as he pulled them off. But
he paid me compliments all the time,
and he tells me that he adores lie
sport, but he does not understand a
gun, and he dare not drive the chest
nuts, know. And-and I cannot help
thinking that because l shall have
money"
She looked at Joyce, wistfully, and
Joyce not wishing to meet those sweet
gray eyes at the moment, contemplated
the daffodils, while she rapidly turned
over in her own mind how to answer.
Reverton both said and thought
great deal about the inmates of Chal-
font that it would be a great pity for
Mollie to know For good or evil she
was unfortunately, in Madam Dubois
care at present; therefore why make
her feet more uncomfortable than was
necessary.
That Henri was paying court to the
heiress seemed likely enough; her for
tune would be large one to French
man; and that her own darling, hand
some Reggie had more than a liking
for the lovely, slender girl herself was
equally true. Raising her eyes from
the flowers, Joyce caught sight of both
young men advancing towards them,
and Reggie called out:
II have brought you visitor, Joyce
Mollie, come and have a swing with
the child. for the sake of old lang
syne"
: They all turned back together to the
spot where Kate was slowly swinging
herself to and fro. But Joyce felt far
from comfortable as she stood with
the young Frenchman watching the
half-sisters, as Reggie's strong, brown
hand on the rope sent them flying I'D
and down-Mollie's -and-white
face like the spring day itself; Hates
1axen curls floating on the breeze
1t was pretty picture enough of
youth, and, perhaps, looking at two of
the faces, of love. But Henri did not
seem to appreciate 1t as he stood fierce
ly twisting his silky little black NOUS
tache, while his sharp black eyes roved
from one TO the other, and his remarks
grew fewer and fewer.
II shall have swing put up in my
grounds" announced Kate condescend-
ingly, as they came to full stop.
Mother had one made near the ten
nis-lawn," said Mollie, pushing back
her rebellious curls, and fastening her
hat.
ooh, that is not good enough" re-
torted the child, her deep-set gray
eyes fixed on her sister with cool in
science. "Chalfont is my property.
and shall have everything done that
! like"
Reggie took his hand off the ropes
with a muttered exclamation that
sounded not unlike little beast" and
asked Mollie to come down to look at
the tennis court. and as Henri seemed
determined to go also, Joyce disre-
garded her brothers appealing eye,
and watched them of, for she had mo-
ficad the sudden flush ON Mnllia,s face