Rocky Ford enterprise., 1900-11-30

under the painting Of her father In FUN
uniform that hung over the mantsl-
piece. II would have been removed
long ago but that II had cost some
hundreds OF pounds. and. Mr.. Bariowe
secretly thought. added distinction TO
the room.
A hot wave of Indignation and
wounded pride swept over Moiiie,
What business had these people at
Chalfont using everything as their
own. while she herself was but a guest:
and II was a very friEid and naughty
bow that she gave In the direction OF
Monsieur Henri Dubois when his moth
er introduced him.
What am I TO call you!" exclaimed
madame playfuliy. is 1t to be eons'
!ns."
Certainly not. madame" she broke
In quickly. with a polite smile. II am
a L'Estrange. and the only relation
have In my fathers house is my half
sister Kate" And her tone clearly
implied that no other would be al
lowed.
The elder woman's face darkened
visibiy; but before she could speak
Henri said. with graceful. sweeping
bow:
"Mademoiseile Is cruel: but I trust
In time to win and deserve her friend
ship"
With some murmured words OF as
sent Mollie sank into her seat. and dur
Ing luncheon took as complete sur
vcy Of the young man as the fact that
he was eover,iy trying to do the same
thing of her woaid allow. Smail.siisht.
dappcr. with sharp. weii-eut features. a
saliow complexion. and quick. black
eyes. he was indeed contrast to tho
young ofiiecr who already held . large
place In her heart.
A thorough frenchman was Henri
Dubois. both In thought and appear
ane-. though his English was very
good: and as he sat at the foot OF the
table caressInE his small. black mus
taehe and cndcavoring to make himself
agreeable. Moilie privately came to tho
conclusion that she dislikcd and dis
trusted him only n little less than she
did his mother. and that might only be
because she did not know him 80
well. Indeed his high voice and cynical
air contrastcd badly with Reggie An
struthcris hearty toncs and easy. we'll
bred manner. though II was plain that
his mother thought him perfect. and
rarely took her eyes from his face.
Where have you been this morning.
Moliic!" she demanded at length. when
there came q break In the conversa-
ton.
''She has been for country walk
with Mr.. Anstruthcr. I saw her." broke
In Kate's little voice. maliciously
And she would not take me-"
Did n sw!f, glance Of meaning pass
between mother and son! Molllc could
not be quite sure. for this unprovokci
attack was diseonecrting enough to
make her blush furiously. II was very
annoying. and madamc's eyes were
turned upon her crimson visaxc. with
unmcrciful scrutiny.
Kate knows why I would not take
her." she said. breaking the pause with
n somewhat naughty ring In her young
voice.
But this Mr.. Anstruthcr-" bcgan
madame coldly.
IL met him when l was going to
gather moss. and he accompanied me-
rather deHantly.
Madame's lips went into the thin
line that gave such very unpleasant
expression to her face, and Mollie con-
tinued her luncheon with but hazy
notion of what was on her plate. and
a vague. uncomfortable presentiment
that picking moss in the bright sun
shine with Reggie for n companion
would not be allowed to occur again.
Two or three times already. when her
opinion had not agreed with madame's.
she had been obliged to yield, and as
the scene OF the fragrant earthly moss.
the fickering light through the bud
ding branches in the shady lane. and
Reggie's laughing brown face rose be-
fore her. so also did feeling of her
own helplessness in Madame Dubois
strong, shapely hands.
ITO be Continued)