The Red Cloud chief., 1900-05-18

the drawing room with speed and eX-
claims:
"The dogcart will be round in five
minutes. Jump into your bonnet,
mother mine, and well trot over to
Barrystown."
Mrs. Bouverie stands UP, with a look
of pleasure and qualification on her
sweet old face. Any little attention
from George touches her heart.
How good of you, my dear boy. to
think of me! So sweet of you, George!"
she says, reaching upon tiptoe to kiss
his brown cheek, pride and love in her
eyes.
George had refused to go to the
party at "Barrystown. He had made an
excuse, and his mother thinks, that.
seeing her disappointment, he has re-
GREETED his decision and changed his
mind.
But are you sure, dear, you don't
mind?" she asks, her sweet eyes on his
face. 1T is good of you to give up
your afternoon to take the old woman
out"
'Of course, I like going!" George re-
plies, half shame-facedly. "Trot off,
mother, and put or your toggery; I've
got to change. too
Twenty minutes later a very spruce
and well-groomed young man, with a
little tiny old lady with a bonnet with
violets in II sitting perched beside him.
spins down the avenue and out of the
gates of the Grange at n pace little
short of terrific. Mrs. Bouverie is
frightened, but has every confidence in
her son as a whip.
He is very fresh, dear, isn't he?"
she ventures TO ask. as the chestnut
performs various frantic evolutions.
Your aren't frightened. little moth
er. are you?" George says. 1--WE must
hurry along. you know, for we've a
good bit to GO; but there's nothing to
be afraid Of"
The chestnut is a rare good goer,
and steadies to his work presently; but
it is dark when they reach Barrys-
. town.
80 good Of you to come so far, dear
Mrs. Bouverie," Lady Barry says, in a
high-pitched, harsh voice; land you
have brought your son How very de-
lightful! / know it is hard to get
young men to do anything but hunt
The rooms are full. George Bou-
verie's golden head rises out of the
crowd. How handsome he looks! Mrs.
Saville, seated on a sofa amidst a bevy
Of friends. remarks witheringly that it
is a pity poor dear Mrs. Bouverie has
such a bad, unprincipled son.
He Is breaking his mothers heart"
she adds, lowering her voice. Poor
thing! she told me herself hat she
has never known happiness since he
tool to gambling. His father, you
know" And here she lowered her
voice still more, and shakes her head
till the osprey in her headgear shakes
like a field of barley when the wind
passes over it.
It won't be Mrs. Saville's fault II
George Bouverie's failings are not
magnified into crimes.
George is looking for Barbara. Per-
haps she Is in the tearoom, and thither
he wends his way; and then to the
conservatory, which is off the drawing
room, and lit with lamps to display
the beauty of blossoms there.
Yes, Barbara Is there, and Sebastian
is at her side. Barbara's cheeks are
flushed, and her eyes are sparkling
with anger. Sebastian looks moved,
too, out Of his usual cynical calm,
Barbara's face as George appears Is a
revelation, and the mans heart throbs
"You have come" the girl says soft
ly turning her back on her cousin and
looking up from beneath the brim of q
black velvet picture hat trimmed with
ostrich tips. 81 thought you weren't
coming"
"Sebestian's face is white, and his
eyes CLEAN. How dare Barbara trea'
him like that?
"Will you come back to my mother
now" he says pointedly to her. "Yol
have seen all the chrysanthemums."
Il am going to show them to Mr.
Bouverie," Barbara says, with a smile
that after all is forced. IF you ar,
tired of them, Sebastian, Mr.. Bou
verie will take care Of me-"
without a word Sebastian Savill'
walks off, and her all Barbara's care
less, easy manner vanishes; her lip
tremble, and II the lashes hide he
eyes 1t Is because she Is striving t
conceal the tears.
HE was cruel to me-" she falters
George, | am afraid OF him."
They are alone, and he takes bot
Ter hands in his in a close clasp.
Let us o our engagement
Barbara. and give me the right t
champion you"
mot yet" she whispers. I'VE mus
wait. George, till ! hear from father,
But hat will be weeks and weeks
Barbara" he urges. How am ! I
wait and see Sebastian Saville perse
cutting your"
"a faint smile curves her lips. 81
is foolish of me, George, but | fee
afraid OF him. he Is so cold, so cruel.
Does he make love to you, Bar
bara?"
Two troubled eyes look up at hir