The Black Hills union. [volume] (Rapid City, Pennington County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1889-1904, 1900-01-26

now BOOu ne was TO me!
She sat down on a garden seat, waiting
till she should hear the carriage roll away;
and soon she caught the expected sound
Then, rising mechanically, she made her
way again toward the thorn tree But she
had not gone many PAGES when she heard
her name pronounced behind her; and,
turning in surprise, she came face to face
with Lord Wynmore himself.
How do you do, Miss Charlford? Will
you forgive me for entering by the green
gate!' he said, shaking hands.
Mabel felt as if she could readily forgive
him anything, but she only said, with
charming blush:
II did not know whose carriage it was,
and so got out of sight, for my uncle and
sister are out"
And you will pardon me for coming
upon you like this?" he went on, holding
her hand for moment. II am afraid I
have presumed ON your informal intro
duction in my anxiety to introduce you to
my sister, who arrived unexpectedly last
night, and threatens to remain with ME
only eight days, as she is going abroad.
We are to hasten our fete; hence this visit
to beg you to grace it with your presence
as you promised;" and he looked anxiously
into Mabel's eyes for her answer.
"Oh, l shall be most pleased to come"
she exclaimed, 'if Uncle John permits til"
We must manage to persuade him.
But did he not promise? Without you
there l should feel as if cared nothing
for the fete;" and Lord Wynmore spoke
these last words insa tone which any girl
so young as Mabel would have been sure
to remember.
But there sits my sister waiting to
make your acquaintance" added he.
May bring her in here?"
Your sister? Has she been waiting all
this time? How rude must seemw cried
Mabel, raising her eyes and perceiving
that the carriage had been drawn I'D at
the roadside, and that groom in faultess
livery was Mt the horses heads. In an
other moment she was faltering out her
excuses to fashionably attired lady very
like Lord Wynmore, but year or two
older.
Soon they were all seated in the shade;
and in minute or two footman brought
out tea and Strawberries; then Mabel had
to turn hostess for the first time in her life.
They were still at their tea when the
family carriage drove up.
Uncle John approached his visitors with
smiles Of welcome on his usually cross
face; nor did Caroline allow any trace of
her anger against her sister to appear.
Indeed, on this occasion Mr.. John Charl-
ford was quite gracious and readily prom
Used to accompany his nieces and nephew
to the garden party.
Even when the visitors had departed
Uncle Johns good humor did not vanish.
He called Mabel to take turn with him
up and down the terrace, and asked her
questions about their visitors-how long
they had been there before his return, how
she had managed to entertain them. ct
cetera. Then Mabel told her uncle about
the program for the fete and the concert
OH the water. Mr.. Charlford smiled as
he listened, nodded approval once or twice,
and then inquired if Mabel wanted new
dress for the garden party.
II think have all / want, thank you,
uncle, replied the girl.
But here Caroline interpOsed
Uncle" shessaid, II am sure you would
not like Mabel to wear anything but a
new dress on such an occasion; and she
has nothing but washingsi that has
been worn dozen times, which is not at
all the thing for fete at the Manor.
When girl is not out she has not a
new evening costume always ready; SO
Mabel must get one at once, and had bet
ter. go to London and choose it for her."
Yes. that will be the best way, Caro-
line, replied Mr.. Charlford; "and you
will know what is suitable. Better 90 to-
morrow II
She has made my dress an excuse to 90
to London to do that mans bidding!'
thought Mabel, trembling, as she heard
her sisters words
The next day, when Caroline, with tri-
umph in her eyes, had gone up to town,
Nab and her brother felt that, MS Uncle
John had to meet his man Of business,
which would occupy him a large part Of
the day, they would have unwonted free
dom from restraint, and could do what
they liked and go where they plensed.
Isn't this delightful. Mab?" said Dick,
throwing his cap into the air with boyish
pleasure, az he and she watched Uncle
John ont OF sight. and realized that they
could do just AS they chose for several
hours to Gomez Il
IT would bc heavenly, !" replied Nab. s'if
4 could forget about Caroline But. oh!
Dick, I am certain that she has gone to
London on that strangers business! She
still denies everything; isn't that terri
bic "
Yes, its pretty bad. telling 4 downright
faisshood like that. and persisting in II, =
said Dick.
Dear Dick, I said Nab. Oh, What can
We ray 70 Caroline TO convince her Ok the
danger she IL iii r. II.
- don't know vet, Nab; I'll think about
u answered Dick, rising with d sup
pressed sigh .et US 70 down to the pool
now, Nab, and have row.. he added;
there we shall be nil to ourselves. mi