Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1900-11-08
CHAPTER vI.-(Continued.)

Week after week dragged on in
weary sameness. No one ever came
to call, sometimes there was hardly
servant In the house. Madame grew
daily more silent and morose. and
while she absolutely adored the
ground her little French dandy of a
son stepped upon, they often had fierce
quarrels in private.
Madame's only amusement was reck-
less driving, and the sight Of the mail
phaeton with it's fiery chestnuts tear
ing about the country, and madame,
sitting square and grim in the driving
seat, grew familiar one round Rev.
ertOn. Henri generally declined to ac-
company her; he had not nerve to
stand it, nor had Kate; but Mollie Oft
en- went, for she rather enjoyed it, and
it had the great advantage Of taking
her out Of Henri's society for time.
'It 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
clatter before the post office, and
madame gone in, than Mr.. Anstruth-
er's 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.
81 don't mind; she drives very
WE'LL" she replied. "You never saw
such strong hands as she hast"
''She drives as If she were pos
sessed!" he retorted. 81 don't like
well, it is not fit for you to be whirled
round the country like a tornado"
ut is better than stopping at home, "
Noble answered. laughing. "You see,
there is no room for Henri
Henri" said Mr.. Anstruther, with
a slight grimace. "One rarely sees
you nowadays without that detestable
little tailor's 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 1t
true!'
II 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 shall
do the best"
eft is a burning shame!" he burst
out hotly. What right have they to
make you unhappy? I should like to
wiring their necks."
Don't be bloodthirsty"- and she
laughed. "And I 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 I have none?"
Il 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?"
well, 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, I hate to think
Of you miserable; it is more than L
than any fellow can stand. Oh,
bother! here she comes! 1 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, 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 Mollies smiling face.
"You are making long stay in Rev
erton this time, Mr.. Anstruther," she
said blandly, as she gathered I'D the
reins.
Eyes. there is no place like home,
and have heaps of friends here!" he
answered pleasantly. raising his hat.
by the way, Madame Dubois, I 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 a moment madame turned her
eyes with quick, wild glance on him
reminding Mollie somehow of savage
animal caught in trap; but the next
instant she had recovered herself with
determined effort, and answered
calmly:
This is news to me, indeed, for
have heard no such thing. How is ii
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. l am quite overcome at the
thought! Tell me all you know!"
She was overcome. She had worked
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