Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1902-08-08

Naneiebel. but then. on the other manu.
both his mother and cousin looked 30
naturally 10 him for escort and guild
ance that he was almost bound 10 re-
turn and take them 20 the Lyceum. as
they wished. There was an afternoon
train leaving Bristol which would
bring him 10 Paddington at $50; that
would Just give him time to get 10 the
hotel. snatch a bit OF dinner and dress
So he told Cousin Floss that she should
not be baked Of The Winters Tale"
on his account
He left London on the Monday morn
ing by the o o'clock express and reach
ed Bristol at L. During the journey
down he had been possessed not SO
much with Joy at the prospect OF meet
ing Nanciebel as with half confessed
fear that she might begin TO cross ex-
anime him and be petulant and cause
trouble. He was conscious that the
sorrow OF separation had not fallen
equally on him and her-he had bad
distractions, about which the less said
the better-and when on arriving at
HoliweIl vicarage and being ushered
into the drawing room he found that
along with Nanciebel there were his
two cousins and also the goyerness
perhaps be was somewhat relieved
Yet Nanciebel looked so gentle and so
pleased at his coming too. She regard
ed him coyertly with her dark, soft
eyes, and n mantling blush sufused
her cheek when he made bold TO adj
dress a word or two TO her direct. MIR.
Kingston" she called him before the
wears daughters and the governess-
There was something odd and unex-
pected about the way she wore her
hair now, and about her dress, too.
that did not escape his notice. She
seemed TO have undergone some kind OF
transformation, though he could not
define 1t exactly. She was hardly the
same Nanciebel who used TO walk up
and down the little courtyard with
him, crisp snow underfoot and shining
and throbbing stars overhead.
Luncheon bell rang. and the vicar ap-
peared at the same time. In a minute
or two they were all assembled at table
In the dining room. And Uncle Charles
was full Of questions about his brother
in-law Alexander and his plans and
also about his niece, or quasi niece.
Florence, whom he had never seen.
On this latter point Mr.. Richard was
frankly laxative. not to say ELUSIVE,
and Nanciebel, on the other side OF the
table, listened in silence. A stranger
! might have fancied that she and this
handsome young man had now met
for .the first time and that the quiet
! little country girl was rather impressed
| by his stories of the fine dolngs In
| London town.
After luncheon the various members
| of the small household discreetly went
their several ways. leaving Mr.. Rich.
ard and his sweetheart by themselves.
But still there were servants about. so
Nanciebel said shyly:
xviii you come into the garden,
RichardT -.
Anywhere you like, Nancy" he an
swered, and he followed her through
the open French window and down the
wide stone steps. 1t was a large, old
fashioned garden, and there were walls
of yew intersecting it.
81 am so glad to see you again, Rich
ard" she said, with downcast eyes.
She did not dare to take his arm, for
there might be spectator at one or
other of the windows.
"And l am glad to find you looking
would find my uncle and my cousins
as kind as you could wish. saw that
from the first in your letters, though
you weren't quite-quite as-as out
spoken as you might have been"
"Were you disappointed, RichardT''
she said humbly. But you don't know,
dear, how lonely have been since
came here. Yes, they are very kind
but kindness isn't everything" she con,
tinued, with bit of a sigh. when
think of those days at Stratford-ah
that was different
"Yes, l know, Nanciebel," he said
But you can't expect everything.
know you are very warm hearted, and
you like to have people say nice things
to you and be good to you and pet you
But that can't be always and every
where, and l don't think you are SC
badly Off"
'It's all very well for you to say so,
said Nanciebel, with some rebellious
spirit, when you are having every
possible enjoyment and amusement
along with that cousin of. yours. OF
course you don't feel dull OF course
you don't feel lonely"
WELL" said he sharply, 81 don't pine
and fret If there is no one by to say
pretty things and give me caresses."
J Il dare say she would if you asked
her." said Nanciebel, with a toss Of
her head.
} He drew in his breath, but stopped
ere any word of anger could escape
} No, he had not come down here t.
quarrel with Nancy. And, after all
might there not be some little justifica
ton? Had he quite realized her lone
illness? Had he honestly contrasted i
: with the gay time he had been spend
ing in London?
1--WE needn't fall out, Nanciebel,'
said he slowly. 81 have only shor
time to stay"
"a short time to stayw she repeated
"Why, when are you going back?"
by the 3:42," he made answer.
There was momentary silence.
Richard" said she, there is the tim
come we have been looking forward t
so long-at least that have been look
ing forward to-and you take advan