Custer County Republican. (Broken Bow, Neb.) 1882-1921, 1902-04-10
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BY MARY CECIL HAY
CHAPTER XIV


One of the prettiest riverside gardens
on the north bank OF the Upper Thames
and n party assembled there rs radiant
and as varied as the myriad flowers
among which they sat or strolled. a
beautiful picture 1t was For, beyond
the little crowd Of idle human forms, the
river flowed in wide and calm serenity;
upon the dazzling flower banks fell the
cool shadows Of rare old oaks and elms'
and even the dresses caught new love
Illness among the roses on the velvet
turf.
Mrs. Pennington, skillfuly concealng
The fact that she was in an irreprcssble
Hutter of excitement, went from one to
another of the little groups of elder
guests already scattered among the
shady, tempting seats; though while she
talked with each Tor time, in her easy,
gentle way, she was seeking one familiar
face.
"My DEAR" observed her husband,
speaking low as he passed her, your
old friend, Mrs. Brunton, is in the rose
tent, by the river. She would like few
minutes chat with you alone, Im sure,
after your long separation
Mrs. Pennington nodded with a smile
Of relief, and hastened her steps little.
81 fancied you would reach this spot
eventually" was the smiling greeting she
received as she entered the rose tent, ana
took her seat beside her old school
friend; your husband guessed | should
like a few minutes with you alone. How
delightful 1t will be to have you in Lon
don for time, Cts! don think ever
In, ,t.hn I
read your letter, which WIS awaiting me
on my return yesterday. | have not quite
accepted the story, even yet"
Nor have |, smiled Mrs. Pennington.
II cannot even yet believe In Noras
fortune, and can scarcely realize the fact
that this house is our present home"
"How beautiful ii ISL said Mrs. Brun-
ton. CHANGING around. And so exquisite
ly arranged both within and without!
Some one with perfect taste must have
selected 1t for you, Cis."
AIR Poynz did that. He says he
chanced to hear of 1t ut once, and had no
trouble at ALL 80 | expect he knew the
best agents to apply to, as neither MIR.
Doyle nor my husband would have
Known. We have taken 1t for the sum
mer. fancy Nora will wish to 80 abroad
after that"
She likes the house, of course?"
Likes it, echoed the Wears wife,
with q smile. "She seems happy here
beyond oil words. She enters into every
thing with the freshest and heartiest en-.
toyment; and yet. with all her merri-
ment. she is no wonderfully soothing
mo wonder that you look upon her az
daughter"
NO, indeed. The only wonder Is that
she Is 10 glad to be thought So No one
ever could learn from Nora that | was
not mistress of this house, and Of every
pound that we spend. And she would
not consent to anything but an equal al
lowance Tor herself and Celia"
is Nora changed by the change in her
POSITION
Not in the slightest" said Mrs, Pen.
nington. "She just goes on In her old.
independent, happy gravely merry way.
I'm sure you could never guess what was
the last thing in which she invested A
violin. Yes, you may well smile She
never plays 1t except in her own room:
but often listen, and, though she is
only feeling her way, as 1t were, and find
ing out tunes without learning the instru-
ment you have no idea how pretty it is.
She has concertina, too. but think the
violin is the favorite."
but she plays the piano, surelyY"
Not to content herself. so she never
plays to strangers She plays to herself
sometimes, but never really practices as
Celia does. and as girls must do now.
adays IL they would keep up with the
age"
II suppose" said Mrs Brnnton Miss
st' George Is now to he considered as a
suitable wife for the young curate, and
to be cultivated accordingly. And prob.
ably slight fastening OF the match, il
that be possible, would be- wise step un-
der existing circumstances. How long
have you known Mr.. Poynz?"
Though surprised little at the abrupt
~ question. Mrs. Pennington answered
without hesitation; and all the more
quickly because Mr.. Poyns was one OF a
group coming toward them.
well, bear this ia mind, Cis," contin.
ued the elder lady, in a whisper; "Im
more of Il woman OF the world than YOU
are, and. beyond that, I'm familiar
enough to be almost in the confidence OF
each party, Genevieve Fosters one aim
and desire is to be admired never mind
Interior motives at this moment. Now
and then her eyes have been tardily open.
cd to the fact that another girl could be
as attractive as herself; aud Miss Foster
has not assisted to make life a bed OF
roses for that girl, But the effort she IL
making to win her way now Is stronger
than all her other efforts put together
and whoever stands in her way will not
be spared. All, Celia. am glad to see
you. dear! How you seem to be enjoying
this hrst season Of yours! and your
mother have been having a chat abou,
old times"
CHAPTER XVI.
The games had all been lost aud won
The long, pleasant, dilatory meal, which
PanninU had al L.. a.