The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1901-02-03

WIN you oblige me by not telling David
tonight that | showed them to you?"
I bowed my head. and just at that mo-
ment David entered the room.
He went to the piano, and almost with
out prelude began to sing. He had a mag
nificent voice. like great organ. Lady
Sarah Joined him. He and she sang to-
Gether. the widest werdest most eX-
traordnary songs | had ever listened to.
They We're mostly Spanish. Suddenly La
DIV Sarah took out her guitar and began to
play. David accompanying her on the pi-
ano.
The music lasted for about an hour.
Then Lady Sarah shut the piano.
The bttle white English girl is very
tired" she said. Flower, you must so TO
bed Immediately. Good night"
When reached my room l found Jessie
waiting TO attend on me. She asked me at
once If | had seen the reptiles.
Yes | said
And aren't you nearly dead with terror
of them. miss"
II am little afraid of them" I said
rs there any fear of their escaping?"
Law. no. miss Who would stay in the
house If there were? You need not be
frightened. But this is a queer house,
very queer. all the same"
The next day after breakfast David ask
ed me If l had seen his mothers pets.
Il have" 1 replied but she asked me
not to mention the fact to you last night.
David I am afraid of them. Must they
stay here when l come to Longmore to
live?
THE madre goes. and her darllngs with
her, he answered, and he gave a sigh,
and shadow crossed his face.
on are sorry to part with your moth
err" / said.
II shall miss her." replied. Even you,
Flower, cannot take the place mother &C.
c,upies in my heart. But l shall see her
daily. and you are worth sacrificing some
thing for. my little white English bios
SOM
why do you speak of me as if were so
essentially English?" I said.
You look the part. You are very much
like a flower of the field. Your pretty
name, and your pretty ways, and your fair
complexion foster the idea. Mother adj
Inires you; she thinks you very sweet to
look at. Now come into the morning
room and talk to her."
That day, after lunch. II rained heavily.
We were all in the morning room, a some
ed to his mother.
By the way. madre,' he said, "I want
to have the jewels reset for Flower"
What do you say?F enquired his
mother.
IT mean to have the diamonds and the
other Jewels reset for my wife" he re-
piled. slowly.
81 don't think 1t matters" said Lady
Sarah.
Matters" cried David: 81 don't under
stand you Flower must have the Jewels
made up to suit her petite appearance. I
should like her to see them. Will you give
tn, m into this room?"
You can show them. of course" said
Lady Sarah. She spoke in careless tone
He looked at her. shrugged his Shout
ders, and ] was surprised to see an angry
hght leap into his eyes. He took the key
without a word and left the room.
sat down on the nearest window ledge
"a small. slight, very fair girl No one
could feel more uncomfortable and out of
place.
David returned with several morocco
cases. He put them on the table. then he
opened them one by one. The treasures
within were magnificent. There were
necklets and bracelets and rings and IT,
aras innumerabit David fingered them,
and Lady Sarah stood close by
This tiara is too heavy for you, Flow
er. said David. suddenly.
AS he spoke he picked up a magnificent
cfrclet OF flashing diamonds and laid them
against my golden head. The next mo-
ment the ornament was rudely snatched
glass which stood between two windows
and fitted the tiara over own head.
Too heavy for Flower, and II suits YOU
mother, said the young man. his eyes
ton.
She laid the tiara on the table.
Leave the things as they are for the
present, she said; TT is not necessary to
have them altered. You are marrying q
Hover. remember, and flowers of the field
10 not need this sort Of adornInent."
She tried to speak quietly. but her lips
trembled and her words came in jerks.
And don't want to wear them' I
cried. Il don't like them
That is speaking in a very childish
way" said Lady Sarah.
You must wear them when you are pre-
5ented. dear remarked David. But
here Is time enough; | will put the things
away for the present"
The Jewels were returned to the safe.
md | breathed a sigh of relief
t yr-oG fr.H rfa II
md as the next morning was glorious |
me. more like spring than midwinter, Da- |
I'D proposed that he and I should spend |
he day driving about Salisbury Plain and |
Ieeing the celebrated stones
He went on to the stables to order the |
log-cart to be got ready, and I ran up to !
ny room to put on my hat and warm |
Jacket.
When came back to the hall my future
ncther-in-law was standing there Her
ace was calm and her expression mild |
md genial She kissed me almost affec-
ionafely. and / went off with David in
high spirits my fears luIled to slumber.
He knew every inch of the famous
a0 told me many Of the leg
nds about its origin There was one
tone In particular which We spent some
ime in observing It was inside the circle.
, nat. broad stone. with a depression In
he middle.
This said David sis called the
slaughter Stone On this stone the Dru-
How interesting and how horrible,''
ried.
1T is true" he answered These
tones dating back into the ages of the
asst. have always had a queer fascination
or me. ! love them almost as much as
ny mother does. She often comes here
'hen her nerves are not at their best and
Sanders about this magic circle for
David told me many other legends. We
Inched and had tea in the small town of
Wilton. and did not return home until time
or late dinner.
] went to my room and saw nothing of
.ady Sarah until entered the drawing
Dom. ! there found David and his mother |
I earnest conversation. His face looked !
uli Of annoyance.
81 am sorry" said Lady Sarah; II am
fraid Flower. you will have to make up
our mind TO having dun day alone with
10 toTorrOw."f
Put why dull?" interrupted David. |
Flower Will enjoy Il day by herself with |
on, mother. She wants to know you; sh.
ANTS to love you. as / trust you viii soon !
I'VE her"
Lady Sarah made no answer. After a | /
ause. during which an expression of an
oyance and displeasure visited her thin
ps. she said:
IAN argent telegram has arrived from |
ur lawyers for David. He must 20 TO |
lwn by the first train in the morning.
Il Will come back tomorrow night. little
in he said.
He patted me on my hand as he smoke {
nd did not attempt to raise any obi
on. A moment later We went into the {
lningroom. I
DuriEg the meal ! was much disturbed
y the persistent way in which Sambo ,
'atched me. Without exception. Sarnbo l
ad the Ggliest face | had ever seen. His
yes were Ear apart, and wildly staring
ut OF his head. His features were twist
!; he had very thick lips. and the whole
the lower part OF his face was In undue
rominence. But. ugly as he was in fea :