The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1900-01-23


ment OF one or two songs upon the pl-
ano and had even executed long solo
during the general conversation, with
out attention from the others and APP
parently with little irritation to herself, /
subsiding afterward into an armchair,
quite on the fringe of other peoples |
conversation. She had been called "my
dear' by one or two dowagers and by
her Christian name by the earl, and
had a way of impalpably melting out
Of sight at times. These trifles led Miss
Desborough to conclude that she was
some kind of dependent or poor rela-
tion. Here was an opportunity to begin
her work of ''doing good" She quick
ened her pace and overlook Miss Ame-
lyn
'sLet me walk with you9" she said
graciously.
The young English girl smiled as
sent, but looked her surprise at seeing
the cynosure of last nights eyes unat-
tended
"Oh,'' said Sadie, answering the
mute query, ST didn't want to be
shown round by anybody, and I m not
going to bore you with asking to see
sights either. Well just walk together.
Wherever you're going is good enough
for me-"
y'sI'm going as far as the village"
said Miss Amelyn, looking down doubt
fully at Sadies smart French shoes, eff
you care to walk so far. y Sadie noticed
that her companion was more solidly
booted, and that her straight, short
skirts, although less stylish than her
own, had certain character, better
fitted to the free outdoor life of the
country. But she, only said, however,
s.The village will do" and gayly took
her companions arm.
'But I'm afraid you'll find it very
uninteresting, for I am going to visit
some poor cottages" persisted Miss
Amelyn, with a certain timid ingenu
BUSINESS of manner which, however,
was as distinct as Miss Desborough's
holder frankness. Il promised the rec
tors daughter to take her place today"
ssAnd I feel as if I was ready to pour
oil and wine to any EXTENT said Miss
Desborough, $50 come along
Miss Amelyn laughed and yet glanced
around her timidly, as if she thought
that Miss Desborough ought to have a
larger and more important audience.
Then she continued more confdentially
and boldly: "But it isn't at all like
stunning, = you know. These poor
people here are not very bad and are
not at all extraordinary.
ssNever mind - said Sadie hurrying
her along. After pause she went on,
''You know the Priory very well, I
guess?''
81 lived there when 1 was a little
girl, with my aunt the Dowager Lady
Beverdale, (" said Miss Amelyn. "When
my cousin Fred, who was the young
heir, died and the present Lord Bever-
dale succeeded he never expected it,
you know, for there were two lives, his
two elder brothers., besides poor Fred $,
between, but they both died-we went
to live in the Dover House. -
HThe Dover House?' repeated Sadie.
"Yes, Lady Beverdale's separate
property.
.sBut thought all this property, the
Priory, came into the family through
her..
cit did-this was the Amelyns' place
but the Oldest son or nearest male
heir always succeeds to the property
and title.
EDO you mean to say that the pres
entLord Beverdale turned that old lady
out3"
Miss Amelyn looked shocked. 81
mean to say, " she said gravely, "Lady
Beverdale would have had to go wher
her own son became of age, had hi
lived" She paused and then said tim
idly, 'Isn't it that way in America p
''Dear, no!'' Miss Desborough had {
faint recollection that there was some
thing in the constitution or the Decla
ration Of independence against primo
geniture. "No, the men haven't it al
their own way there Not muchl''
Miss Amelyn looked as if she did no
care to discuss this problem. After
few moments Sadie continued, ''Yo1
and Lord Algernon are pretty oil
friends guess.
s'No,' replied Miss Amelyn. "H
came once or twice to the Priory 70
the holidays when he was quite DO,
at Marlborough, for the family weren'
very we'll off, and his father was in In
dia. He was a very shy boy, and 0
course no one ever thought of him sue
ceeding.'
Miss Desborough felt half inclined
be pleased with this and yet half in
clined to resent this possible snubbin'
of her future husband. But they wer
nearing the village, and Miss Amely:
turned the conversation to the objec
of her visit. 1t was new village-a
unhandsome village for all that it stoo
near one of the gates of the park.
had been given over to some mines tina
were still worked in it's vicinity an
to the railway which the uncle of th
present earl had resisted, but the raj
way had triumphed, and the station fc
Scrooby Priory was there. There was
grim church on the hill, of blackene
and weather beaten stone, with fey
rrr;,,, A,no1vpc ropocino GROSS 1aooa1 i