Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1901-01-19
CHAPTER 1.


which swept over Lyndhurst, an old
colonial mansion on the Hudson near
New York. The big trees on the ter
raced Lawn and in the dense wood be-
hind the house were shedding their
sere and yellow foliage, and in the ex-
tensiye garden on the left of the en-
trance not even a belated flower could
be seen in the well-arranged parterres-
Here stood a marble statue, there a
playing fountain; the entire aspect was
cold and cherries.
Within the mansion quite different
scene presented itself. A footman in
livery stood in the vast hall; white
capped, white-sproned maid-servants
moved about with soft tread and So
hcitous mien. Five o'clock tea was be-
ing served in the quaint Elizabet than
drawing room. A man less than 20
years of age, tall, handsome and with
military bearing, reclined in quaint
~ carved easy chair before the glowing
wood Ere with its old-fashioned brass
fender and dragon-shaped andirons
The mans face was full, dark and
round; his high, broad brow suggested
considerable power of intellect; he
was touched with gray. He had but
one questionable feature; an expert
physiognonist might have said that it
was pity such a strong face should
be married by mouth slightly in
clined towards weakness. His wife,
who sat near him, was a handsome
woman; she was perhaps as old as he.
Her complexion was clear and good;
her teeth were fine and even; between
her parted lips they caught the red
freight and threw il back broken into
tiny gleams- Her hands and feet were
small and well shaped, her body pos
sessed an undulsting ease of movement
that gratifed the visual sense of the
beholder. Her hair was dark brown,
her eyes black and sharp, and these
things. with the general contour of
her shrewd face, limited at French ex-
traction.
When the tea was brought in young
tady who had been playing Beethoven
sonata on the grand plano in the large
bow-window turned to another girl of
about her own age who stood by her
ready to depart.
You really must stop for a cup of
Tea, Lottie," she said. laying her Jew
eled hand on the ara of the visitor.
Il am sorry, but / shall miss my
train II stay even a moment longer;
rs 1T Is shall have to urge your coach
man 70 drive rapidly"
"Oh, surely you are not going, Miss
Dean" protested Maj. Goddard, rising
and coming towards them. 1--WE really
sec so little of you, you know, and when
'sou do honor us it is generally only to
the extent of a pop call. / am really
going TO incite my ward to downright
rebellion against you and all the rest of
her old school friends"
THAT is right, Guardian" The plan
list smiled as she roseI you must stand
by me. Lottie has such a nice time in
the city that she is getting above such
quiet retreat as this"
'Oh, it isn't that" laughed the &C
cused. 81 do enjoy it so much here and
am coming to pay you a good visit
before long. Really, am looking for
ward to it with a great deal of pleas
urs."
swell, until then we shall have a
truce cried the major, and he escorted
the guest to the door where his car
r1age was waiting. Ashe reentered the
drawing room the expression OF his
w1fe's face riveted his attention. Mrs.
Goddard was watching Miss Briscoe,
who had left the piano and was pouring
the tea at the low brass table in the
center of the room. The look she was
giving his ward was so full of malig-
nant dislike that the genial face of the
major grew grave. He seated himself in
the chair he had just left and eyed his
wife attentively. Just then Miss Bris-
coe brought cup of tea to him.
You'll find it exactly right, Guard
ian" she said with a smile. al not onIy
know the number but i now under
stand the size Of the humps of sugar
you want"
at is always right, Blanche, when
you pour it for me-" He would have
added further pleasantries to this
had he not felt the rigid stare of his
wife upon him.
You have nice manners, must say"
Mrs Goddard suddenly jerked out,
but presume you were taught in that
Fifth Avenue school to serve gentle
men before ladies'"
The beautiful girl flushed to her
Wavy golden hair.
-'Oh, do pardon me, Mrs. Goddard I
am so forgetful; Guardian looked so
tired after his journey to town that L"
"Oh, it doesn't matter in the least -
and this retort was emphasized by
Mrs Goddard's rising, pushing past
the girl and pouring her own tea. Her
face was dark with suppressed rage as
she took her cup to a window-seat be-
hind the piano and hastily drank it aft
er the manner of angry individuals.
Never mind" said Maj. Goddard to
Blanche, who, with look of deepening
mbarrassment on her face, had taken
a seat near him; "never mind, it can't
be helped"
Il wouldn't have displeased her for
the world, on-on your account, il for
nothing else. do try my best to get on
with her, but somehow 1 never make
the slightest progress in the right di-
rection. / am so awkward"
Their voices were so low that they
did not reach the toa-drinlxer in the