Marshall County independent. (Plymouth, Marshall County, Ind.) 1897-1902, 1900-11-23

daily more silent and mOrOSe. anu
while she absolutely adored the
ground her little French dandy OF a
son stepped upon, they often had fierce
ouarrels in private.
Madame's only amusement was reck-
less driving. and the sight of the mail
phaeton with its fiery chestnuts tear
ing about the country. and madame.
sitting square and grim in the driving
seat. grew a familiar one round Rev
erton. Henri generally declined 10 &C
company her: he had not nerve TO
stand it, nor had Kate; but Mollie Oft
en- went, for she rather enjoyed it. and
1t had the great advantage of taking
her out of Henris society for time.
at is all very WE'LL" exclaimed Reg
gle half angrily Let her break her
own neck if it pleases her, but she has
no business to break yours"
1t was a glorious spring afternoon,
bright sunshine was flooding the quaint
old RevertOn High street. and the
phaeton had no sooner drawn up with
madame gone in, than Mr. Anstruth-
ers tall, sOldiery form appeared at
the Conservative club doorway oppO-
site. and he lost no time in coming
round to MOllie's side. The groom
was at the excited horses heads. so
they could talk unrestrainedly, and as
Reggie's brown face was upturned to
Mollie's, and his blue eyes sought hers.
they were certainly making the most
of their chance.
IT don't mind; she drives very
well" she replied. "You never saw
such strong hands as she has,"
She drives as if she were pos
sessed," he retorted. q don't like
well, it is not fit for you to be whirled
round the country like tornado"
1T is better than stopping at home"
Mollie answered, laughing. "You see.
there is no room for Henri"
Henri" said Mr.. Anstruther, with
a slight grimace Zone rarely sees
you nowadays without that detestable
little tailOrs block. There Mollie,
beg your pardon: you may like him.
but you are not going to throw over
your old friends for your new. are
you? The mater and Joyce declare
that they believe you are not allowed
to come to see them. Tell me, is it
true?"
81 am afraid it is, Reggie" was the
response, given dolefully. Please beg
Them not to think me ungrateful. 1t
is not very nice at Chalfont; but I shall
do the best
''It is a burning shame," he burst
out holly. What right have they to
make you unhappy? l should like to
wiring their necks."
Don't be bloodthirsty'- and she
laughed. "And l do not intend to
be unhappy, especially if you will ex-
plan to Mrs. Anstruther-"
All right replied Reggie prompt
ly; then persuasively: "Mollie, don't
you think that it is very selfish of you
to wear those violets, when you see
that l have none?'
II had not thought of it in that
light" she said demurely. Poor lit
tie Kate gathered them for me-"
Suppose you see how they look in
my coat?"
We'll, 1 don't wish to be selfish -
she said, christening them, and lean
ing down to put them in his out
stretched hand
Reggie caught the hand, flowers and
all, and, as he looked up into those
beautiful soft grey eyes that had
played such havoc with his heart. he
said, with Quickening breath:
Look here. Mollie, l hate to think
of you miserable; it is more than I
than any fellow can stand. Oh
bother, here she comes, can see
her feathers bobbing through the door
When shall l see you again?"
Impossible to say, for madame and
Henri seem to have taken a dislike to
everyone. But don't worry, l am not
miserable; at least, not very; tell
Joyce"
And Henri-do you like him? Is he
a pretty good sort?" he demanded
hastily.
But madame had caught sight of a
pair of broad shoulders, a closely
cropped sunny head, and ere Mollie
could reply she had swept out, her
glance falling with equal disfavor on
Reggie fastening the violets in his but
tonhole, and Mollie's smiling face.
You are making a long stay in Rev
erton this time, Mr. Anstruther." she
said blandly, as she gathered up the
reins.
"Yes, there is no place like home
and I have heaps of friends here," he
answered pleasantly, raising his hat
by the way, Madame Dubois, / hope
the rumor | heard at the club this aft
ernoon is true-that the police have
some important clue respecting poor
Mr.. Barlowe's assailant?"
For moment madame turned heI
eyes with a quick. wild glance on him
reminding Mollie somehow of a savage
animal caught in trap; but the next
instant she had recovered herself with
a determined effort, and answered
calmly:
This is news to me, indeed, for
have heard no such thing. How is il
we have not been told-we, who have
the best right to know; we. who have
longed and looked for the truth to be
found out all this weary year? No,
cannot believe it; / fear to hope!
Look, | am quite overcome ut the
thought, Tell me all You know,'
She was overcome She had worked
herself LID as she nroceeded vet the