Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1900-07-31
CHAPTER XVIII.

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| tertainment.
Mrs. Tomas was very bright and kind
| ly and social. She took Rita to several
parties, where the little country girl en-
| joyed herself moderately, and one day
she gave a great entertainment specially
in her honor at her own house. Il want
to introduce you to a number of people,
my DEAR" she told her, very nice peo-
pie, that it will be good for you to know"
And though Rita felt rather nervous at
the prospect of it-for the world of Lon
| don was very new to her, and she was
| pretty shy of it as yet-the party was
arranged and one bright May afternoon
Mrs. Tomas gathered hundred or so of
| her acquaintances together at her house
| at Hampstead.
| 1t was sunny, summer-like day. The
house stood in large gardens, and, early
| in the season though it was, the guests
| spread themselves over the lawns, and
an abundance of color and sunshine and
music made the scene very gay.
! There was, perhaps, no great enjoy
ment to Godfrey in these gatherings, to
which circumstances forced him to ac-
company his daughter. If he had ever
cared much for entertainments of the
sort, his relish for them had died out
long ago; he had few friends in London
and not even many acquaintance, nor
did he much desire to increase their num-
ber
After, however, a couple of hours or
so had elapsed, an incident occurred
which had at least the effect of dissipat-
ing his WEAKNESS very effectually. He
was standing alone, looking on rather in
differently at the scene before him, when
he saw Mr. Dallas Fastening toward him
with decision that seemed to him to inn
ply some special object in his approach.
II say, Helstone," he exclaimed, look
Quit There's jeanne Beresford some
where about the place"
jeanne Beresfordr' echoed Godfrey,
as if his friend had uttered the name of
ghost.
Yes; I've seen her; saw her five min
utes ago. l can't stop now to look her
up" cried Jack. but | thought you'd
like to know"
do you mean that you have spoken to
herr" asked Godfrey, almost incredu-
lousy.
mo, L haven't spoken TO her," an
swered Jack, "but I've seen her. / knew
her in moment, almost, but to make
sure l asked Mrs. Tomas. should have
spoken, of course, only | didn't like to
do it till l was certain, and then she had
got out Of sight. But you'll find her in
minute if you try. She's got on a
black dress"
IN look for her." said Godfrey, in
stantly. He felt curiously braced all at
once, as if he had drunk some powerful
stimulant. Without another word he
parted from Jack, and went straight to
where the throng of men and women
was thickest. Suddenly, face to face
with him. he saw some one standing
whom he looked at for moment or two,
and then with n strange thrill recognized.
He went up to her and put out his
hand.
Il am afraid you will hardly remember
be-" he said.
But he had scarcely uttered the words
before he knew that she remembered
him, for her color came with force that
for the moment she evidently could not
check.
Il was hoping that / should see you.
| have been taking to your daughter.
She told me that you were here she re-
piled.
II heard of you only two minutes ago
from Jack Dallas" Godfrey answered
Il haven't seen Mr.. Dallas she said,
''but Mrs. Tomas told me Just now"
And then she hesitated.
Godfrey, however, at once finished her
sentence.
'She told you, l suppose, that Rita and
he are going to be married? Yes; that
seems odd, doesn't it? In the old days
we should have been rather surprised if
we had been told that | should come to
be his father-in-law. But many strange
thing is brought about. | am so glad to
see you once more"
And l am glad" she answered She
had already recovered her self-posses-
sion. The quick blood had gone bac,.
again. and she was looking at him now
with her old calm directness, and with
her old sweet eyes, too.
Let us sit down." he said. Il want TO
hear about your people. Come here into
the shade. Now tell me FIRST of all about
your father"
HE IS very well" she said, brightly
well and strong. He can walk ten miles
still without being tired, and he breaches
every Sunday, and he is as fond of fishing
as ever" she added, laughing
ut does one good to hear that" said
Godfrey. '.And Mrs Beresford?"
Mamma is not quite so young as my
father, but still she is fairly well, too"
And they arc still in the old place?
How many of you are there with them?
What shout yourself?'
"Oh. l have always lived at home"
- =,
too--Sgt she is a widow now. She lives
with US. along with her two little girls.
And my brother Tom is dead-and
Femie." she added. after moment. in
lower voice.
What! little Femie?n he exclaimed.
regretfully.
Yes. she died when she was fifteen.
II was a terrible grief TO us. Do you
reoollect what dear litsle child she was?
Do yoiu remember that FIRST evening you
spent with usg' jeanne asked. suddenly.
'and how you carried her about the gar
den on your shouldersT'
Yes. / remember he said. with
food Of memories indeed rising as he
spoke 4 remember; l have never for
gotten her.
They are nearly all Of them married
and scattered abroad except these. she
said. after moments silence. Dick
and Harry are farming in Canada. and
Victor Is a soldier in South Africa. and
Felix is clergyman. and has a living in
the north. and Lillian and Edith are
married here in London. and Maude is
luarriesl az York II IS with Lillian thar
am staying p0w. She has Eve chill
iren. Thare are a great many children
smong rs altogether. Just Think and
She lsughed-.-T have eigheen nephews
and nieces now"
And you have lever married. be ex-
claimed. abruptly.