The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1901-02-16

was listening to the correction; but
he was nowhere to be seen.
I'VE had not met before did not
know that he was Captain Merivale
BY intuition: but he was very anxious
that you should not be frightened on
his account, Miss Seymour He told
me that you we're not strong"
A smile crossed the narrow face--a
mirthless smile.
Il am not Miss Seymour. II is
many years since any one troubled
himself to consider my feelings. am
Mrs. Mortimer, Miss Seymour's lady
honsekeeper. Until lately I believed
myself also to be her companion; but
I'm dull. apparently. and getting old
I'm not enough for her, and am TO be
supplanted By you"
Janetta stretched out her hands
eagerly. appeallngly. a great sorrow
hlling her heart for the woman before
her. with whom the world had evil
IDENTIFY dealt 90 hardly.
Not supplanted. she said. only
supplemented. I don't know what
Miss seymour's wants may be, but let
me help you any way / can. ! don't
care what ] do. You can put me into
the way Of things. tell me my duties.
and give me a hint when / make a
mistake"
"You will have no duties." replied
the elder woman coldly, looking at
the outstretched hands. but not taking
them into her own. You are young
and good-looking: they are the only
qualifications which Miss Seymour
seems to require. She will see you.
she says, after dinner. Shall ! show
you TO your room?"
Janetta followed her up the thick
ly-carpeted stairs into room so lux
uriously furnished that she could
hardly believe that IL was the one
intended Tor her. except that her fur
coat had been already carried up
there, with such other possessions as
she had with her In the carriage
She found Mrs Mortimer still alone
when she went downstairs.
Captain Merivale dimes tonight
with Miss Seymour IN her boudoir,
she explained as she led the way into
the dining room. Sometimes Miss
Seymour is well enough 70 dine with
Us. but today she has been oyer-excit-
Ing herself. and was so tired that ]
advised her remaining upstairs"
Janetta would have liked 70 have
Z .rf.aa 4. N,.-1 1-oA r,smntfnf4 nhott Mics
Seymour. but the presence Of the par
lormaid and the forbidding manner OF
her companion made her curb her curl
osity.
They had scarcely returned to the
drawing room before a message was
delivered to Janetta to demand her
presence IN Miss Seymours room.
you can show Miss Howard the
way 70 your mistress room. Mason,
said Mrs. Mortimer. And Janetta fol
lowed the maid.
She was ushered into a sitting room
more perfect Ia detail than any she
had ever entered Il was a general
sense Of beauty and luxury that struck
her al frst. for her attention eentered
itself at once upon It's only occupant
a fragile, fair little lady. quite young
who lay upon the couch that wai
drawn near the IRE.
She raised herself to a sitting pos
ture. and held out her hand with
smile Of welcome.
"Fm afraid you must come to me
Miss Howard. I'm too tired 10 get up L
. greet you. SIT down near me. vii
! your sent Harry on TO the smoking
J room, as I told him I wanted TO tall
TO you alone for a bit"
Janetta shook hands. seated hersel
In the easy chair to which Miss Sey
mour pointed and wondered II sh'
dreamed. This. then. was the Mis-
I Seymour she bad pictured as an &c
I centric old maid. devoted to poodle
? and parrots.
Even her Views about Captain Meri
vale needed readlusting Clearly b
c was not a nephew with expectations
< More probably cousin. possibly
+ lover.
! The thoughts passed rapidly throug
a her mind until. raising her eyes. Sd
{ was conscious that she was beln
E watched eagerly by her companion.
e There was something intensely a
y tractive In the face that looked int
+ her own. It must have been yer
pretty until ill-health and delicacy ha
e written their lines on t. Even no'
e the shape Of It was charming. tn
/ faxen hair that waved on the forehea
/. was abundant and beautifully dresse'
a the folds Of white silk and soft-fai
r ing lace were becomingiy arrange
J. round the tiny throat; but OH ho'
d delicate she looked. Something Of th
/. pity that Janetta felt must have foun
A expression In her face. for Miss Sel
d mour broke the silence with petular
o laugh.
a "You are sorry for me. like ever
J. one eise-I read Il IN your eyes; bt
I, I'm not going to die. I'm going 20 s.
l. wen. or all the doctors lie"
II devoutiy hope you viii. an
r quickly" replied Janetta gently; "an