The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-10-20

the street door," asked Lady Catharine.
mo, your Ladyship. That is to say,
before thought allowed the tall one
to come within"
ooh, well then you see, Mary
Connynge," replied Lady Catharine, with
the pink flush rising In her cheek, 1T
were rude to turn them now from our
door, since they have already been adj
mitted." .-ta r.. i
Eyes, we will send to the library for
your brother" said Mary Connynge,
dimpling at the corners Of her. mouth i
mo, I think it not needful to do that"
replied Lady Catharine "but we should
perhaps learn what this young man
brings, and then Wen see to it that we
chide him so that he'll not presume upon
our kindness. My brother need not know,
and we ourselves will end this forward
ness at once, Mary Connynge. you and I.
James, you may bring the gentlemen i'm
Enter, therefore, John Law and his
brother Will, the former seeming thus
with ease to have made good his promise
to win past the door of the Earl Of Ban
bury. -
John Law, as on the morning of the
| roadside meeting, approached in advance
of his more tinid brother, though both
bowed deeply as they entered. He bowed
| again respectfully. his eyes not wander
| ing hither and yon upon the splendors of
| this great room in an ancestral home Of
| England. His gaze was fixed rather upon
the beauty Of the tall girl before him.
whose eyes. now round and startled, were
not quite able to be cold nor yet to be
quite cast down; whose white
throat throbbed bit under its
golden chain; whose bosoms rose and fell
perceptibly beneath it's falls of snowy
| laces.
Lady Catharine Knolys,'' said John
| Law, his voice deep and even, and show
ing no false note of embarrassment. I'VE
| come, as you may see, to make our re-
| spects to yourself and your friend, and to
thank you for your kindness to two
| strangers"
'To two strangers, Mr.. Law said Lady
| Catharlne pOintedly
| Yes" and the answering smile was
| hard to be denied-"to two strangers who
are still strangers. l did but bethink me
| it was sweet to have such kindness. We
were advised that London was cruel cold,
and that all folk of this city hated their
| fellow So, since twas welcome to
| be thus kindly entreated. believed it but
| the act Of courtesy to express our thanks
more seeming than we might as that we
were two beggars by the wayside. There
fore, I pay the first oliver Of my perpetual
| tribute" He bowed and extended, as he
spoke. a deep red rose. His eye, though
still direct, was as much imploring as it
was bold.
Instinctively Mary Connynge and Lady
Catharine had drawn together, retreat
| ing somewhat from this intrusion. They
were now standing, like any school girls,
looking timidly over their shoulders, as he
advanced Lady Catharine hesitated, and
yet she moved forward half pace, as
| though hidden by some unheard voice.
"'Twas nothing, what we did fCl' you
and your brother,' said She She eX-
| tended her hand as she spoke. LAS for
! the flower, l Think think a rose is a
| sWeet-pretty thing
She bent her cheek above the blossom.
and whether the cheek or the petal were
the redder. who should say? If there
were any i'll at ease in that room it was
not Law of Lauriston. He stood calm as
though there by right. 1t was an esca-
pade, an adventure, without doubt. as
both these young women saw plainly
enough. And now, what to do with this,
adventure since it had arrived?
Sir" said Lady Catharine at length, II
am sure you must be wearied with the
heavy heats of the town. Your brother
must still be weak from his hurt Pray
you be seated She placed the, rose
upon the tabouret as she passed. and
presently pulled at the bell cord.
James," said she, standing very erect
and full of dignity, "go to the library and
see if Sir Charles be Within
When the buffers solemn cough again
gave warning, it was to bring information
! which may or may not have been news
to Lady Catharine. Your Ladyship,'
said he, Sir Charles is said to have taken
carriage an hour ago. and left no word. -
Send me Cecile James, said Lady
Catharine. and again the butler vanished.
"Cecile,' said she. Is the maid at length
appeared you may serve us with tea
Go be continued tomorrow .