The Delta independent., 1901-06-28

strained, stin tone that Eddie looked
up amazed, and, catching sight of his
mothers despairing. and Mabel's dis
mayed expression, discovered for the
first time that he had been the cause
of much disturbance in the bosom of
his family for the past five minutes
Lady Eagleton maintained studied.
not to Say ominous, silence during the
remainder of the meal, giving no vent
to her outraged feelings until the la
dies rose to return to the drawing
room. leaving the happier sex to dis
cuss their wine in peace.
When the former were seated round
the fire-for it was more than ordinar
lily cold even for November-and the
old lady had comfortably ensconced
herself In the snug armchair specially
brought down from the upper regions
to meet her wants. she began:
Caroline. is this thing true that I
have been hearing?" she said, SOL
emnly.
What thing. Aunt Harriet" asked
her niece, family.
Eagleton. Il warn you it is best to be
open and above-board with me. Speak
the truths it possible that you have
had a cotton merchants family on
terms of intimacy at Kings Abbot, en-
joying free association with your
daughters. your sons"
Poor Lady Caroline felt herself a
child once more, in hopeless bondage
to her aunt. and crossing her soft.
white hands helplessly upon her lap,
looked with imploring eyes at Mil
dred, and Mildred looked straight into
the fire.
They were friends of Georges Aunt
Harriet" she ventured to murmur.
Then they were here?" calculated
the old woman, in an awful voice.
Eyes, they were here, confessed Lady
Caroline. in a nervous whisper.
Mabel, my smelling salts" said the
dowager; and Mabel rose to comply
with her demand.
would you wish for some eau
de-coIogne. Aunt Harriet" she asked,
meekly. 1T might do you good
II always felt George was radical"
she said, in an aggrieved voice; Il al
ways knew his tendencies were low.
But that he should go to the length OF
introducing to his private circle peo-
pie connected with trade never for an
instant occurred to me as possible.
even in my widest flights of imagina-
ton. How could you, Caroline. stand
tamely by and permit such proceedings
cd in
How could you allow low. vulgar per-
sons to associate with the members OF
your household?"
But they were not at all vulgar"
Lady Caroline ventured to remon-
strate.
DO not tell me-" interrupted her
aunt, warmly. 'and do not try to ex-
cuse your conduct by endeavoring to
throw halo of respectability round
such people Edward spoke Of a son:
was he the sort Of person to be thrown
in your daughters way-to aspire to
the hand Of one perhaps? Mildred. I
appeal to you. as the most rightly
judging individual in this house. what
was your opinion of this Mr.. iounge"
Mildred's long dark eyelashes quiv-
cred slightly. and her color rose de-
gree as for a moment she hesitated,
but. when at length she did speak, ii
was with perfect composure.
II think that in bearing. look. and
manner he was an unmistakable gen.
tleman." she said-''the warmest-
hearted and the truest have ever
met"
Lady Eagleton was struck dumb.
She was astounded. She had SO entire
ly depended upon Mildred for support:
and now she found herself with no
language ready in which to express her
just Indignation.
You have made me acquainted with
a new phase in your character" she
said to Mildred, in what was meant to
be withering tone-"one with which
l have been hitherto totally unac-
quainted. And, as l have not an idea
in common with anybody in this house
now that you have declared your
self think the sooner l leave it the
better shall therefore hasten my de-
parture, even more than l have done.
and beg you all to understand that
depart on Wednesday"
Ito be continuedD
WHERE COFFEE CAME FROM.