Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1900-07-15
CHAPTER XIV.

S1A 1900 2, INV uiNtnely perfect you
look! exclaimed Erleston with much
rapt, undisguised admiration in his
gaze and tone that for once her soft
cheeks flushed under it, even while she
laughed and swept him deep curtsey.
Tout vous, monsieur. Don't try
to make me vain with such nonsense. .
1t was close on eight o'clock of the
Saturday. Wilfred, ready dressed, was
lying on his sofa, and Glare. also dress
ed for the evening, had just come into
the room. She wore sweeping robe,
made In an antique, picturesque fash
ion that had medieval look about it,
perhaps partly from the open, square
cut throat and Medici collar of soft
cream lace that well matched the ma
terial It trimmed, at the throat, and
wide falling sleeves that left the arm
bare to the elbow. The robe itself was
of soft flowing Indian silk, undyed, it's
pale gold hues relieved by the rich col
or OF flowers and leaves embroidered
as a deep border. The graceful cos
tune was completed by set of gold
which Clare possessed, the gift-like
the silk and lace Of the dress-of her
husband.
1t is not nonsense, but truth, my
dear girl, retorted Wilfred in his
usual manner. Are we to go now?"
Yes. as suggested, so that we shall
besettled before anyoae comes in from
the dining ROOM
She wheeled up the dainty chair or
carriage, which was equally disable for
out or in doors, arranged the cushions,
and threw the train of her dress over
one arm ready to start
Erlston took his place silently, and
Glare felt that he almost held his
breath as, under her touch, the chair
passed noiselessly out from the ante
room to the wide corridors. She knew
by the intuition of her exquisite sym
pathy that he was deeply stirred by
this first return into the world of hui
man beings of old familiar faces and
rooms.
A few minutes and they passed into
the brilliantly-lfghted and beautiful re-
ceptiOn room, which, like the even still
larger ball room beyond it, had
southern aspect. All the four great
windows were wide open on 20 the
south terrace. and Glare brought the
carriage to & ssandstill near the fur,h-
est window from the door by which
phad en5ef5T and nearest the car
ealned wide archway which divided
the salon from the ball room, not to be
usad tonight, of course. Mrs. Savile
drew low fautueil to Winfred's side
and began softly chatting, insensibly
quieting by voice and touch now and
then the slight culver of excitement
which she knew had not quite passed.
They are coming, he said sudden
ly at length with quick, panied flush,
as distant feminine tones were heard;
Il hear them"
moment later Lady Flora and sew
eral ladies entered the room, but Clare
had spoken few words to her in the
morning, and in consequence Flo, as
they came in, adroitly followed instruc-
tions.
All, there's my brother already"
she said gaily. I'm agraid We mustn't
all overwhelm him az once, must we?
Mrs. Granger, Justine, my dear, come
and renew old acquainfkuccs and be
introduced to Mrs. Savile."
The three ladies crossed the room,
whilst Eveline Faber and Miss Heath
nodded across; and Mrs. Dexter, who
had been about to eagerly beg an in
slant introduction, turned to a table
of photographs. biting her lip angrily
and furtively glancing over to the
group about Erleston. Or was it his
handsome, mobile face she watched as
he greeted Mrs. Granger and her love-
" daughter? She would be there her
self soon. Yes. there was Lady Flora
looking this way, reckoning her to
come.
Yet the Americans hand shook lit
tie as she dropped the rho9o it held
shook with the rcrvons tremor that
went through her now the actual, Gag
erly-desir>d mon cat had come.
I'm fool" she muttered. 81 ain
safe. am so utterly cha BAH"
ALLOW me- came Lady Flora's
voice, Mr.. Erleston Mrs. Dexter, our
clever American hooking bird, you
know, VIII. I think You know Mrs.
Savile already?"
"Oh, yes bowling to Glare. "Mr.
Erlston, sir, I am delighted to meet
you, continued Aurelia, and there was
flash of relief in her pale blue eyes as
they met Wilfred's quietly searching,
but unconcerned glance as he shook
handsA I've heard so much of you
about here, and now I'm just real glad
i to know you. Are you better really
now, sir? Is this your first appear
ance in public?"
Il am better, thank you,'' he an
swered: but Clare knew how he WINGED
IL T. T.