The Delta independent., 1901-05-10

MISS FRANCES SylVertOn, only daugn-
ter and heiress of Lionel Sylverton.
Esq, of Sylverton Park, was the most
Intimate friend that the Trevanions
possessed. She was about Mildred's
height, and was not altogether unlike
that young lady in respect OF features.
though differing widely from her both
in expression and general demeanor.
She had handsome eyes and fair brown
hair, good-humored mouth. and u
beautiful manner OF holding herself.
She was quick-witted. clever and affec-
tionate, conld talk a good deal of slang
without appearing in the least vulgar.
and was rather fast and independent,
according to the usual rules laid down
for the proper guidance of young wom-
en-.
She was stanch friend to all the
Trevanions. from Sir George down. ex-
cept indeed. Charles. between whom
and herself there seemed to exist a
perpetual warfare, a guerrilla sort OF
entertainment that smoldered occa-
sionally only to break out again with
redoubled energy. Just now the con-
test was at its height. and Charles
Trevanion had left home the last time
TO Join his regiment without SO much
as riding over to Sylverton to touch
his enemy's hand before his departure.
This was an unheard-of piece OF In
civility. and proved clearly that some
thing more even than common had
occurred between the belligerents.
though what that something was his
tory reported not.
Eddie was a prime favorite Of Miss
Sylverton's: his affected insolence just
suited her rather excitable tempera-
ment. and SO they argued, and quar-
relied. and abused. and liked each 9TH
er persis,ently from year to year.
She had gone, week before
iounges' arrival Mt Kings Abbott. TO
spend a month with an uncle OF hers
in an adjoining county and SO was not
expected back for some time-a great
source OF regret to the Trevanions.
Said Lady Caroline to her daughter
Mildred about week after the
founges' advent:
Mildred my dear. whom shall we
ask to meet them the day after tomor-
row."
You mean Monday said Mildred
we'll. let me see. We have shown
them to the Grantleys and the Blounts.
no I suppose we had better say the
Deverills. and perhaps the Stanleys.
and-oh. two or three OF those men
from the barracks. and that will be
enough
Yea. quite enough" her mother re-
turned. though rather dejectedly. THE
only thing In. Mildred, those Dcverill
girls are 20 provokingly stupid. Mary
IL well enough II her mother would let
her alone: but Jane is Oh. how
do wish Frances Sylverton was at
home,"
so do L. said Mildred. with all
my heart. But where is the use OF
wishing! We all know Frances Is
worth half dozen Of them put togeth-
er: but saying that won't bring her"
Wont i,?" cried Frances Syiver-
tons own voice gayly; and then the
door was pushed farther open. and
Frances herself entered joyously
dressed In blue cloth from shoulder to
foot. with the daintiest riding-hat i'm
aginabic. and proceeded to kiss them
both Immediately.
so l an worth half n dozen OF
them" she exclaimed. Poor crea-
tures. How ! do wonder who they
nre!"
Good gracious. Frances cried Mil
dred. who could have expected your"
My dear" said Lady Caroline. Il
am so very glad to see you. You
have come Just at the very time we
most wanted you. and were beginning
to feel your loss most severely. But
how is 1t that you are hcre7 | fan
cied your uncle had you safely for n
month to come"
"Oh. We Quarreled. rs usual" cx-
planned Miss Sylverton. airily-"all but
came to blows, you know. and separ-
ated by mutual consent, which was
great relief for all parties concerned.
] cannot think why he asks me down
there TO his musty old Grange--as he
persists In doing once year regular
1y-as It always ends in the same way.
We are at daggers-drawn now, but.
bless you, shall get long. affection
ate invitation from him. II he Is alive,
this time next year precisely. l sup
pose he feels that a downright good
'blowing-up,' such as he gets from me.
is beneficial to his constitution-some
thing like tonic. or a douche bath
and that is why he continues his OBJ
stinate hospitality
Il am afraid you are terrible
child laughed Lady Caroline: but
! am sufficiently interested In your re-
turn to make all manner of excuses
for you. as want your help next Mon
day night to entertain some friends
we have staying with u.s."
"Oh. yes-papa was telling me Of
them" said Frances: and then she
stopped. ..a.-.
They are cotton merchants. old
friends OF papa's. and OF no family
whatever" Mildred explained. calmly;
and. though she neither blushed nor
looked confused, Miss sylverton could