Chicago eagle. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1889-19??, 1903-04-11

pIeuscu. Ihe consequence was tnnt my
bcnumbed faculties awOkc again to life.
and everything which. for the last ten
days, seemed to have forgotten, came
back to me; while even the children no.
ticed how differently / appeared.
CHAPTER XVI.
The day was drawing to close. The
clildren's lessons were over, the last
was to hear. Their books were piled
away, awaiting the arrival of my sue
cessor, and at my request I was left In
the school room alone--alone with my
grief. Through the open window heard
the shouts of the children. An hour went
by, and then In the hall I heard the
voice of Jessie. and the words she ut
tered sent an electric thrill through my
nerves. and brought me to my feet. for
they were. Come this way, Uncle Dick.
reckon she's In the school ROOM"
The next moment he stood before me,
the dark man, scanning me curiously, but
still without anything like rudeness In
his gaze. A bright, beautiful smile broke
over his strongly marked features, and
felt as II a CLEAN of sunlight had shone
for an instant over my pathway. Taking
my hand In his, he bid Jessie leave us, us
he wished to see me alone. She started
to obey, but ere she reached the door,
she turned back and asked him to stOop
down, whispered In his car, loudly enough
for me to hear, II want you to like her,"
"Of course shall" he replied, and
again that smile broke over his face.
l did not expect him to recognize me.
for with the exception Of the night at
the theater he had never fairly seen my
features. When I spoke, however, and
he heard the sound Of my voice, he
started and looked me more fully In the
face; but whatever his thoughts might
have been. he seemed to be satisfied that
he was mistaken, and seating himself Mt
my side, he commenced conversing with
me a. Familiarity as II he had known me
all my life. Gradually our conversation
turned upon books, and ere was aware
Of It passed through what now know
to have been a pretty thorough examina.
ton OF oil the branches which Mrs. Ian.
sing had wished me to teach.
"You play, I believe. would like to
hear you," he said at last, laying his
hand on my shoulder, as II he would lead
me to the parlor.
Instantly the blood rushed to my face,
for since the night Of my disgrace l had
not touched the piano, neither did I wish
to again. So tried to excuse myself,
and when he insisted, / finally said, with
my eyes full of tears, "Please excuse me.
sir, for can't play. failed before
your sister, and l shall do the same be.
fore you."
mo you WON'T" he replied. at the same
time drawing my arm within his and
leading me toward the door. "You have
nothing to fear, Miss Lee"
He spoke rs one having full authority
to do rs he pleased, and instinctively
felt that though nominally Mrs. Lansing
was mistress there, he, In reality, was
the leader. the head. whose bidding every
one obeyed. At last, when thought
his patience was nearly exhausted,
wiped my eyes, and starting up, said,
You have made me very happy, Mr..
Delafeld, for I could not have borne the
disgrace Of being sent home ~ incompe.
tent. can play for you now, Of for
Mrs. Lansing, either"
And the result proved that was right,
for exceeded my own expectations, and
was astonished at myself.
"Angeline." said he, In q slightly com.
handing voice. as that lady looked curl.
ously IN ut the door, "Angeline. come
here" and she crossed over to his side,
where he detained her by placing his arm
about her waist.
For II moment then wavered. for
though l could not see, could feel the
naughty gaze Of the large black eyes,
which knew were bent upon me.
"You have done web, Miss Lee," he
said, when at last arose from the In
| Inn v,IN fs,1l, q,
touching my cheeks, which were burning
with feverish excitement.
That night, after had retired to my
room, Halbert and Jessie came to the
door, requesting permission, to come In.
l admitted them, when Jessie, Jumping
into my lap, said, "Oh. I'm 20 glad you
are going to stay. Hal says co."
EYES," put In Hal. "Uncle Dick told
me that you mustn't be sent away. fol
you were a heap better scholar than she
had represented you to be-"
When I went down to the breakfast
room next morning Mrs. Lansing greeted
me rather coldly, and appeared slight,
embarrassed. ! had purposely donncd
my travelling dress, for though Mr.. Della
field had said was to stay, felt thai
che. too, must do the same ere had 4
right to remain. The sight Of my dresi
seemed to annoy her. for It brought t.
her cheeks two bright red spots while ",
were at breakfast. When 1t was over
and the children had gone out, I vsry
composedly asked her show long bsfor,
the stage would call for me-"
Turning her flashing black eyes upor
me. she said. do you mean to insult me
Miss Lee? The stage has been gone NJ
hour. ! supposed you knew you wer'
to remain"
"Mr. DelaReld intimated a. much,"
answered; but my engagement was will
you, not him, and until hear from 70,
that ! am expected to stay. ! do not o.
course feel at liberty to do So"
She frightened up perceptibly, nnt
after saying something about Richard
n,eddling In her affairs, replied, ~ pre-
sumo you were embarrassed when 70,
first came, and so could not appear {,
advantage; and as my brother thinks 20,
are a tolerably fair scholar, l have dc
cidhd to keep you"
bowed In acquiescence, and she con
tinued, "There IL something, however
which must first say to you; but as THU
! IL not the proper place, you will 90 will
me to my ROOM"
complied with her request, and clos
ing the door, she began with long pre-
amble az to the proper way for a youni
lady to conduct herself In the presenc,
L - I'LL. H.. h..