Rocky Ford enterprise., 1901-06-21
CHAPTER Y.

Lazy EaEleton and her train" ar
rived at Kings Abbott. the train"
consisting OF one long-suftering maid.
one ditto man. one iapdog. and one
dilapida;ed canary.
The canary always means three
months. does II not7" asked Eddie.
tragiesiiy. as the coE,ege swept up the
stairs.
Mildred burst Into an understandable
laugh.
"oh. what shall We do" she gaspcd.
What is to become OF us! A little
OF Lady EaEleton goes such very long
way. Mr.. Blount''-to Roy. who had
walked over rs usual. and who. having
seen the procession. was enjoying the
whole thing rs much rs any OF them
Il will give you anythin. I possess. II
you Will show me some method OF get
ting rid OF her before Christmas time"
And l Will give you anything. II
you will Just take her out and tie her
to tree and deliberately Shoe, her."
said Eddie. .loomIiy.
Edward. how can you speak 80 dis
respectfully OF your rrand-aunt!- put
In Lady Caroline. rcprov!nsly. walking
away. her face covered with smiles.
For week everything had gone on
smoothly. or rather there had been no
actual outbreaks on the part OF Lady
EnElcton. though smo,hcrcd hints and
comments had been numerous. In
covert manner she invci.hcd against
actions. habits. acquaintanecs. and all
that came beneath her notice. but
carefully subducd any open demonstra-
tions of disapprovai until the day be-
fore Roy's departure. when she chose
to be particularly offensive.
Blount had come over rather earlier
than usual. II being his last day. and
he and Mabel had gone for farewell
walk among the strawberries and
through the winter gardens where they
had loved to iinger all through their
hurried eourtsh!p. As he was not to
leave until late train the following
day. he parted from her with the as
surancc that he would be down the
next morning.
Slightly flushed and wholly miscr-
able. Mabel entered the small drawing
room. where she found her mother.
Mildred. and Lady Eagicton assembled
How heated you look. child! What
have you been doing with yourscif7"
demanded tn. old lady. the moment
she came within her view.
Walking" returned Mabel. shortly.
with that young man again. pre-
sume?" grun,cd her grand-aunt. om!n-
ousiy: whcreupon Lady Caroline began
to look uneasy.
81 was walking with Mr.. Blount,"
said "the queen" dcHan;ly. She was
sorc ut heart, and longing for sym
pathy. so that the old woman's words
and manner grated cruelty on her
overwrought feelings.
'T really think all dccency and order
have gono from the world" went on
Lady Eaglcton. Society nowadays is
widely different from what II once was.
Even common propriety Is thing OF
the past. In my time young woman
would scarcely be allowed. under any
circumstances. TO walk alone with
Young man for hours togcther-certaih-
ly not unless they were formally be-
trothed, having the consent OF all par
ties concerned-and probably not even
then. I presume he has made you an
offer OF MARRIAGE
Mildred rose. as II TO interfere; put
Mabel spoke again.
"people in your time must have been
verv depraved people indeed. Aunt
Harriet" she said. with lll-suppresseu
indignation. III they could make mis-
chief out OF simple walk with one 5
friend. At all events, am very giad
! lIv, in the days do: and. II you are
particularly anxious to know. l Will
,,,l vou that Mr.. Blount has not mnue
mo an offer OF marriage, rs you call
It."
uer ,adyship was triumphant.
..II,s bo notg" she said. Then, II
I we're you. my dear. wonid haNe as
little more to say TO him as poss'uie
younp men who dilly-dally. anu pu'
o6 IN, evil hour, rs he appears 10 pc
doing seldom or never mean anythins'
7 dare say he is only agreeaDIE VIM,
ing away his time down here. anu w."
,bink no more OF you once his back Is
| turned" h,+
Mabel was choking with rage, W.
could think OF nothing TO say, H,ns
Caroline. who sat n little beh'hu me-
amt mn, out her hand to her dausn'e'
With n gesture OF sympathetic ane'
,,on but she was nervously atra'u u.
his his terrible old woman, and knew not
| 60. A.. l,t,rfcrp pffpCtuhIlN.
Young men now are no, wn%, adr
Earleton. imprcssively. and l nns tnlnS
Mr. plount one of the worst specimens no
II / have yet seen. His manners sois,pos. are ~
.,n,. and he is so insolently selt-pTS-
sessed: se and he has none Of the n,osSpee wp,se
bred dimdence. the courtly u,v ,. .an-
that distinguished the men OF my ,anrb mel
GRAFTON. He is not half soou e ho in
for you, my dear, even were