Chicago eagle. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1889-19??, 1902-01-04
CHATTER Nv.
1900

'Ou the n0ftu UuuA VI tue Oppc' IH"uVSs
and a party assembled there. as radiant
and as varied as the myriad flowers
among which they sat or strolled. A
beautiful picture It was. For. beyond
tke little crowd Of idle human forms, the
river flowed in wide and calniN serenity;
upon the dazzling flower banks fell the
cool shadows OF rare old oaks and clms,
and even the dresses caught u new love-
Illness among the roses on the velvet
turf.
Mrs. Pennington. skillfully conccaling
the fact that she was in an irrcprcssible
hutter Of excitement, went from one to
another Of the little groups Of elder
quests already scattered among the
shady, tempting seats; though. while she
talked with each for q time, in her easy.
gentle way, she was seeking one familiar
face.
MY DEAR" observed her husband.
speaking low Ms 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. I'm sure,
after your long separation"
Mrs. Pennington nodded, with a smile
of relief, and hastencd her steps a little.
II fancicd you would, reach this spot
eventually" was the smiling greeting she
received as she entered the rose tent. and
took her seat beside her old school
friend; "your husband guessed I should
like few minutes with you alone. How
delightful 1t will be to have you in Lon
don for time, Cts! I don't think I ever
was 80 surprised In my life ns when
read your letter, which was awaiting me
srsv pots la. 4 4.
accepted the story, even yet
Nor have l." smiled Mrs. Pennington.
Il cannot even yet believe In Nora's
fortune. and can scarcely realize the fact
that this house Is our present home"
How beautiful 1t ISL said Mrs. Brun-
ton, glancing around. "And 30 exquisite.
~ arranged both within and without!
Some one with perfect taste must have
selected 1t for you, Cis."
Mr.. POynz did that. lie says he
chanced to hear Of Il at once, and had no
trouble at all, 40 expect he knew the
best agents to apply to, us neither Mr..
Doyle nor my husband would have
known. We have taken 1t for the sum.
mer fancy Nora will wish to 60 abroad
after that"
likes the house, of coursc!'
Likes III! echoed the Wears wife,
with a smile. "She seems happy here
beyond oil words. She enters into every
thing with tho freshest and hcarticst en-
joymcnt; and yet, with all her merri-
mcnt. she Is 30 wonderfully soothing"
mo wonder that you look upon her as
\ daughter"
NO, irleed. The only wonder IL that
she Is SO glad to DO thought 10. No one
ever could learn from Nora that I was
not mistress Of this house. and or every
pound that We spend. And she would
not consent to anything but an equal al-
Iownncc for herself and Celia"
rs Nora changed BY the change In her
positiOn"'
mot 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;
hut I often listen. and. though she il
only feeling her way, us Il were, and lind.
jung out tunes without learning the instru-
mcnt. you have no Idea how pretty It In.
She has concertinn. too. hut ! think the
violin Is the favOrite."
But she plays the piano. surely!'
mot to content herself. so she never
plays TO strangers. She plays to herself
sometimes, hut 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. Brunton, "Aliss
NJ. George Is now to he considered as a
suitable wife for the young curatc, and
TO be cultivated accordingly. And prob.
ably slight Fastening OF the match, ir
that be possible, would b. Il wise stem I'M.
der existing circumstances. How long
have you known Mr.. PoynxY"
Though surprised little ut the abrupt
question, Mrs. Pennington answered
without hcsitatiou: and all the more
quickly because Mr.. Poynx was one OF
group coming toward them.
well, bear this In mind. Cis," contin.
ucd the elder lady, In a whisper; 'I'm
more Of 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 = to he admired; never mind
Interior motives ut this moment. Now
aud then her eyes have been tardily open.
ed to the fact that another girl could be
as attractive rs herself; aud Miss Foster
has not assisted to make life bed of
roses for that girl. But the effort she Is
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. l am glad to see
You. dear! How you seem to be enjoying
this first season OF yours! ! aud your
mother have been having chat about
old times"