The Red Cloud chief., 1901-05-03
CHAPTER X.

Lady Eagleton and her train" ar
rived at Kings Abbott. the train"
consisting Of one long-suffering maid,
one ditto man, one lapdog, and one
dilapidated canary.
THE canary always means three
months, does 1t not?" asked Eddie,
tragically, as the cortege swept up the
stairs.
Mildred burst into an understandable
laugh.
"Oh, what shall we do!" she gasped.
What is to become OF us? A little
Of Lady Easleton goes such very long
way. Mr. Blount'-to Roy. who had
walked over as usual, and who. having
seen the procession, was enjoying the
whole thing as much as any OF them
II will give you anything 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 a tree and deliberately Shoot her"
said Eddie. gloomily.
Edward, how can you speak SO dis
respectfully of your grand-aunt?" put
In Lady Caroline, reprovingly, 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
Eagleton, though smothered hints and
comments had been numerous. In a
covert manner she inveighed against
actions. habits. acquaintances, and all
that came beneath her notice. but
carefully subdued any open demonstra-
tions Of disapproval 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 a farewell
walk among the strawberries and
through the winter gardens where they
had loved to linger all through their
hurried courtship. AS he was not to
leave until late train the following
day, he parted from her with the as
surance that he would be down the
next morning.
Slightly flushed and wholly miser-
able, Mabel entered the small drawing
room. where she found her mother
Mildred, and Lady Eagleton assembled
How heated you look, child! What
have you been doing with yourself"
demanded the old lady. the moment
she came within her view.
Walking" returned Mabel, shortly
with that young man again, / pre-
sume?" grunted her grand-aunt, omin.
ously; whereupon Lady Caroline begaI
to look uneasy.
81 was walking with Mr.. Blount,'
said "the queen" defiantly. She was
sore at heart, and longing for sym
pathy, so that the old woman's word.
and manner grated cruelty on hel
overweight feelings.
II really think all decency and ordel
have gone from the world" went or
Lady Eagleton. Society nowadays 1,
widely different from what II once was
Even common propriety is a thing o
the past. In my time young woman
J would scarcely be allowed. under an,
circumstances. to walk alone with
young man for hours together-certain
ly not unless they were formally be
: trothed. having the consent of all par
= ties concerned-and probably not ever
/ then. / presume he has made you al
5 offer OF marriage?"
Mildred rose, as II to interfere; bu
l Mabel spoke again.
People In your time must have beel
/. very depraved people indeed, Aun
: Harriet" she said, with ill-suppresse,
e indignation. 'if they could make mis-
, chief out Of simple walk with one
= friend. At all events, am very gla
: live in the days do; and, II you ar
$ particularly anxious to know, I will
: tell you that Mr.. Blount has not mad
|, me an offer OF marriage. as you cal
Z It,"
e Her ladyship was triumphant.
O Has he not?" she said. Then,
g / were you, my dear, would have a
g little more to say to him as possibl,
Young men who dilly-dally, and pu
e off the evil hour, as he appears to
O doing. seldom or never mean anything
Y dare say he is only agreeably whi
l. ing away his time down here, and wi
e. think no more of you once his back
"a turned"
It Mabel was choking with rage, bu
= could think of nothing to say. Lad
" Caroline, who sat little behind hi
N aunt, put out her hand to her daughtt
ID with a gesture of sympathetic affe,
er tion. but she was nervously afraid {
ct this terrible old woman, and knew M
Sc how to interfere effectually.
Young men now are not whi
re young men were," continued Lad
ID Eagleton, impressively. "and l thin
to Mr., Blount one of the worst specimen
~ / have yet seen. His manners are
T. cool; and he is so insolentiy self-po
Mt sessed: and he has none OF the wei
he bred difildence. the courtly elegan
tn that distinguished the men Of my ge
e. Grafton. He is not half good enout
NJ for Won nv dear even were he