Chicago eagle. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1889-19??, 1900-07-28
CHAPTER XVIII.

CHAPTER XVIII.
Jack was pretty well as proud Of Rita
as man could be, though he laughed ut
himself for his delight In her not little.
IT suppose ! am fool" he said one day
to an intimate friend Of his, but when he
spoke 30 he only did It that he might en-.
Joy his friends contradiction. For the
lady-a Mrs. Lomas-to whom he made
this speech was mothcrly woman who
had a great regard for him, and who,
also, from her first introduction to Rita,
had taken a liking to her, too. She show.
cd Rita much kindness during her stay
In town, and did not little for her en-.
tcrtainment.
Mrs. Lomas was very bright and kind.
~ 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. II want
to introduce you to a number Of people,
my dcar," she told her. ''very nice pco.
pie, that II 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 rs yct-thc party was
arranged, and one bright May afternoon
Mrs. Lomas gathered hundred or no Of
her acquaintanccs together at her house
at Hampstead.
1t was sunny, summer.likc day. The
house stood In large gardens, and, early
In the season though u was, the guests
spread themselves over the laYns. 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 &C.
company his daughter. II 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 mum.
her.
After, however. q couple of hours or
no had elapsed, IN incident occurred
which had ut least the effect Of dissipnt.
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 i'm.
ply some special object In his approach.
II say, Helstone," he exclaimed, "look
out! There's jeanne Bercsford some.
where about the place."
JOanne Beresford" echoed Godfrey,
az II his friend had uttered the nnmc Of
a Rh,~t.
Eyes; I've seen her; saw her five min.
utcs ago. cant stop now to look her
up" cried Jack. but I thought you'd
like to know"
do You mean that you have spoken to
herr" asked Godfrey, almost incredu.
lomsly.
mo. I haven't spoken to her" an.
swercd Jack, "but I've seen her. I knew
her In a moment, almost, but to make
sure asked Mrs. Lomas. ! should have
spoken, OF course. only didn't like to
do II till was certain, and then she had
got out VI sight. But you'll find her In
a minute II you try. She's got Oh a
black Dress"
I'm look for her." said Godfrey, In.
stantly. He felt curiOusly braced all at
once, us II he had drunk some powerful
stimulant. without another word he
parted from Jack, and went straight t.
where the thrOng OF men aud women
was thickest. Suddenly. face to face
with him, he saw some one standing
whom he looked ut for q moment or two
and then with strange thrill recognized
He went up to her and put out his
hand.
II am afraid you will hardly remember
be-" he said.
But he had scarcely uttered the words
No. kn thot sna has a.1
him, for her color came with force that
for the moment she evidently could moi
| check.
II was hoping that l should see YOU
! have been talking to your daughter
She told me that you Were here" she re-
piled.
"r heard Of you only two minutes age
from Jack Dallas" Godfrey answered.
~ haven't seen Mr.. Dallas" she said
"but Mrs. Tomas told me just now
And then she hesitated.
Godfrey, however. ut once finished heI
sentence.
"she told you. I suppose, that Rita ant
he are going to be married? Yes; thai
seems odd, doesn't III In the old day,
we should have been rather surprised u
we had been told that ! should come I,
be his father-in-law. But many strang,
thing IL brought about. ! am SO glad I,
see you once more"
"And ! am glad" she answered. Sh'
had already recovered her self-posses
sion. The quick blood had gone bacl
again, and she was looking at him nov
with her old calm dircctness, aud witt
her old sweet eyes. too.
"Let us sit down." he said. II want L
hear about your people. Come here int
the shade. Now tell me first OF all abou
your father"
HE Ia very WELL" she said, brightly
"well and strong. He can walk ten mile
still without being tired, and he preache
every Sunday, and he IN AZ fond OF tishin
as ever" she added. laughing.
1T does one good to hear that" sal,
Godfrey. "And Mrs. Beresford?"
"Mamma IL not quite SO young as m
father, but still she 10 fairly well, too"
"And they IRE still In the old place