Hutchinson gazette., 1901-05-16

nlother'S despairing, and Mabel's dis
mayed expression, discovered for the
frst time that he had been the cause
OF much disturbance In the bosom OF
his family for the past Ave minutes.
Lady Eagleton maintained studied,
not to say omlnous, 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 iire--for II was more than ordinar-
lily cold even for Noyember-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 |
have been hearlng?" she said, SOL
EMMY.
"What thing, Aunt Harriet" asked
her niece, family,
Don't prevarlcate," said Lady
Eagleton, 81 warn you II Is best to be
open and aboye-board with me, Speak
the TRUTHS 1t possible that you have
had a cotton merchants family on
terms Of intimacy at Kings Abbot, en-
ioying free association with your
daughters, your sons?'
Poor Lady Caroline felt herself u
child once more, In hopeless bondage
to her aunt, and crossing her soft,
white hands helplessly upon her lap,
looked with implorlng eyes at Mil
dred, and Mildred looked straight into
the fire.
"They were friends of Georges Aunt
Harriet" she yenturcd to murmur,
"Then they were hero?" calculated
the old woman, In an awful voice
"Yes, they were here, confessed Lady
Caroline, IN n nervous whisper,
"Mabel, my smelling salts, said the
dowager, and Mabel rose to comply
with her demand
"Would you wish for some eau
de-cologne, Aunt Harriet she asked,
meekly 1T might do you good"
81 always felt George was q radical
she said, in an aggrieved voice; u al
ways knew his tendencies were low,
But that he should 20 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 imaglna-
ton How could you, Caroline, stand
tamely by and permit such proceedings
to be conSummuted IN your house
How could you allow low, vulgar per-
sons to associate with the members oi
your householder
"But they were not at all vulgar
Lady Caroline yentued to remon
strate
"Do not tell me" interrupted hel
aunt, warmly, "and do not try to eX
cuse your conduct by endeayoring t'
throw halo Of respectabllity rount
such people Edward spoke Of son
was he the sort Of person to be throw
in your daughters way-to aspire Il
the hand of one perhaps? Mildred,
appeal to you, as the most rightly
Judging individual in this house, wha
was your opinion Of this Mr. lounse?
Mjldreds long dark cyclashes quiy
cred slightly, and her color rose a de
gree as for q moment she hcsltated
but, when at length she did speak, !
was with perfect composure,
81 think that in bearing, look, an,
manner he was an unmlstakable gen
tleman," she said--"the warmest
hearted and the truest have eve
met
Lady Easleton was struck dumb
She was astounded She had so entire
ly depended upon Mildred for support
and now she found herself with NJ
language ready in which to express he
just indignation,
"You have made me acquainted witt
new phase in your character sh'
said to Mildred in what was meant Il
be a withermg tone--"onc with whcl
| have been hitherto totally unac
quainted. And, as have not an idei
in common with anybody in this housC
now that you have declared your
self think the sooner leave 1t the
better shall therefore hasten my de-
parture even more than | have done
and beg you all to understand that
depart on Wednesday,
(To be continued)