Northern Wisconsin advertiser. [volume] (Wabeno, Wis.) 1898-1925, 1902-10-23


self. That's what a mar always
thinks if one isn't covered with little
bits of fringe and buttons and bows
isn't it, Uncle Hugh?"
And she turned to shake hands with
Uncle Hugh, who was smiling upon
her with the indulgent manner which
was the farthest departure from abso-
lutte alteration that any man had the
heart to show to her.
Il don't think you make your own
frocks," he said, shaking his head 81
don't believe you know one end of a
needle from the other"
That is an insult. Will you with
draw it if | give you a kiss?"
Certainly"
There, them"
She kissed him merrily on the fore
head, and as she did so she appeared
to notice for the first time the pres
ence of a fourth person. Alma began
to introduce the young doctor, but
Lady Kildonan held out her hand, and
| looked at him with arch occurrences.
"Dr. Armathwafte has met me be-
fore, unluckily," she said, with a mis-
chievous laugh. you won't soon for
get the discrimination | showed on
our first meeting, will your"
| shall never forget any incident
| connected with you," said he, bowling.
Il am sure that is meant to be
very pretty speech; but as about half
the things I do are not much to my
credit, I fervently hope you will not
keep your word" Then she turned to
Alma, and drawing that ladys arm in
her own, led her to the sofa. ave
| called at this unearthly hour to ask
you something" she said, with pretty
seriousness, passing her own soft
fingers caressingly over the other
lady's hand. 1--WE just met Mr.. Cros-
mont in the village, and he tells me
you are getting quite i'll and depressed
because you never go out And so
I've come 70 ask you to let me take
you back to The Crags with me to
luncheon. We've got a few people
there now, and though l can't plead
that they are highly interesting, still
you'll have the satisfaction of giving
them pleasure, for they've all heard a
great deal about you, and are very
anxious to know you. Now do say
you'll come, please. Your husband is
going to lunch with us, as you know;
and if only these gentlemen also will
honor us with their society, we shall
be awfully pleased to have them"
Thank you, Lady Kildonan," said
Alma, with GOODNESS which could not
fail to seem ungracious after the eff
fusive warmth of the invitation. ct is
very good of you to think of me, but
| have very great deal to do today,
and cannot avail myself of your kind
ness"
ooh, don't be so disagreeablei
cried Lady Kildonan, pouting like a
spoilt child. "You never will come
and see me. You are as formal as if
we were two old dowagers. | wish
you wouldn't be so dreadfully digni-
fed. You remind me of what ought
to be with those regal airs of yours -
my position is not the same as
yours. If it were, should not require
regal airs either"
She tried to say this playfuTly, but
Armathwaite, who knew more of the
situation than anybody guessed, de-
tected a heartwrung break in her
voice which brought a lump into his
throat Lady Kildonan, who seemed
bent on conciliating the other lady,
tried a different tone, and spoke again
with plaintive note in her voice too
Your position is, at any rate, a
much happier one than mine," she
said, looking straight in front of her,
with child-like blue eyes, in distract
ing manner. "You haven't got a hus-
band who thinks of nothing but his
books, and looks at you as if he
thought it pity you were not bound
in half calf"
I She turned her eyes langufdly in
the direction of the gentlemen, and
seeing smile on their faces, she fell
to laughing outright herself.
Nobody will believe I'm unhappy;
and really perhaps things might be
worse" she said good-houmoredly
only the way in which you glide
about with mournful eyes gains every
body's sympathy, and makes me seem
vulgar and bouncing"
Would you care for the appearance
of unhappiness at the price of being
unhappy. them" asked Alma, gravely
"Pm not quite sure that could be
unhappy, Nothing seems worth the
while. | can be cross when anybody
thwarts me. but | suppose you won't
allow that that is the same thing?"
certain bright archness in her
manner charmed the gentlemen. but
seemed TO have different effect upon
her fellow-woman
at is a question of temperament"
said Alma. quietly, land perhaps also
of climate. This lake-country doesn't
agree with me, and I'm going away
shortly for change Of air"
Armathwaite, who was talking to
Mr.. Crosmont. but with eyes and ears
on the alert, saw a fierce light like a
fash struck from steel, dart out of
Lady Kildonan's handsome blue eyes.
For moment she made no answer;
then. with a bright laugh. she sprang