The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1901-08-18

dificulties. and vanished. I couldn't tell
his daughter anything she'd like to hear;
and so. my boy. I'd rather you didn't tell
her / knew him."
Mr.. and Mrs. Payne look at each Other
rs BERTHE went indoors. The stepmother
spoke first.
II dom think there will be any difficulty
with Bertram. Things seem going we'll"
"And she's q nice little girl"
| Dead silence.
Don't you think SO. Sarahr'
81 don't nnd any fault with Miss Bell
she said slowly; but she has a great deal
more character than you think for. She
| won't be persuaded into anything against
her will"
| Very soon after her coming to Westcline
Lettuce mad discovered the whereabouts OF
the Rosery: but she had been at the Wilder
ness a full month before she was able to
make a call on Mrs. Beilairs.
| Lettuce was very q~uick-sighted. and from
the first hour OF her coming to the Paynes
she felt her employers would resent her
having any acquaintance outside the Wilder
ness. So she waited until Mrs. Payne had
taken the girls to London to buy them new
dresses. and. the smaller children having
been invited to a birthday party, she was
| quite alone. Even then she hesitated. II
was nearly Ave weeks since their Journey
together. Mrs. Bellairs might have forgot
ten all about the lonely little girl she had
b~efriended.
But q longing to see that kindly face
again conquered Lettice's doubts. and she
rang the bell at the Rosery about 4 o'clock.
and asked for Mrs. Bellairs.
The servant showed her through the cool
hall Into the garden beyond-a garden
which. even now in August, was full OF
late roses. and where q teatable had been
! spread temptingly under the shade Of Q
spreading chestnut.
81 am 50 glad to see you again." said
Mrs. Bellairs. How are you getting onT'
Lettuce said frankly Mrs. Payne had been
very kind to her. Then Mrs. Reilairs made
her lean back in one Of the big Madeira
chairs and make herself at home.
They we're in the middle Of tea, when
footsteps crossed the lawn. and a tall.
! dark. bearded man came to Join them.
Miss Bell. this is my son. Sir Lionel
Bellairs." said his mother proudly. "Lal,
| this is my little friend OF when I told yon.'
IT am very glad to see you. Miss Bell
said Sir Lionel frankly. My mother be-
gan to think you had forgotten her. as you
were so long in coming to see us"
Lettuce blushed.
Mrs. Payne Is very kind. but, OF course.
a governess has not much time for VISIT
ing"
81 know Payne and his son fairly well"
returned Sir Lionel "and I once called at
the Wilderness on business, but-shall
confess it, took a great dislike to the
lady of the house"
"She is very kind to me-" said Lettice,
"and It was very good OF her to try me
when / had no experience"
They are . wonderful family" said Il
onel Bellairs. How Payne manages on his
salary has puzzled US considerably. It's a
thousand pities he put his son into the
business. Bertram is an artist spoilt."
Il wish his father would send him to
italy"
Sir Lionel shook his head.
Payne couldn't do It. Miss Bell II
the same it's a pity. Bertram's the sort of
fellow to brood over a disappointed hope"
You shouldn't disparaee your own busi-
ness. LAl." said his mother.
81 don't" he answered quickly. IT should
be in q very sad plight to-day but for the
business. and I respect the concern which
gives me a comfortable income. But.
mother. I never had any artistic ieaninss.
My ambition In life was TO be a country
gentleman. As that was impossible with
out money. I went into the city. hoping to
make the money nrst and attain the ambi-
ton later"
Soon afterwards Lettuce Bell took her de-
parture. As she walked slowly back to the
Wilderness she por6 red over the scene she
had Just left: but 1t was the dark. glow
ing face Of Lionel Bellairs which fingered
longest In her memory. She did not WON
der his mother was proud Of him. he looked
a king among men.