Middletown transcript., 1903-10-10
CONTINUED FROM LAST WEEK


Then why does she take it?
think she has some urgent reason OF
she would not do so.
A hundred year wouldn't be much
use to her, if she were poor, Chesteror
observed rather uneasily. That can't be
the reason.
To very poor people hundred year
may represent the difference between
hardship and comfortable living--but
do not wish to suggest that that may be
the case with-your wife.
should hope not. But you have
made me rather uncomfortable about it,
Finlay. Can you give me her address!
think will 60 to see her, and if have
the slightest reason to suspect that she is
in any difficulty about money matters
shall insist on increasing her allowance.
After all, she is my wife.
There is the address, though ! am
afraid I am going against one OF Miss
Delahay's-I mean Mrs. Chesteron
express commands by giving it to you.
Do her people still know nothing Of It.,
then? inquired Aldwyth.
/ believe so.
| call it ridiculous nonsense! She
seems as ashamed Of owning me for a
husband as
You do Of owning her for wife! IN
terpolated Mr.. Finlay.
Not at ali! have never given iffef I'll; J
grounds for such an accusation. How
ever, ] will call on her.
It was on Saturday afternoon that
Chesteron alighted from his hanson and
looked with dismay at the tiny row OF
cottages which bore the name of Alexan-
der Row. Could Adelaide possibly live
there? He knocked at the door Of the
Delahay's house and heard gay voice
humming as some one came along the
passage. Then fair, fresh-looking, young
lady, who looked unfeignedly surprised
to see him, presented herself.
Does Mrs, Aldwyth began, and then
he remembered that Addie refused to
bear his name, and changed the "Ches-
teron" on his lips into "Delahay"-Del-
ahay live here?
Yes, replied Monica pleasantly. Do
you wish to see her? Wonder was still
marked on her pretty face, for few people
ever called to see her mother.
If you please.
Will you come in, then?
Mr.. Chesteron followed her along the
narrow hall into tiny sitting-room,
which looked surprisingly homelike and
pretty.
If you will sit down, | will tell mother,
said Monica rather formally. She is an
invalid, and
Please don't disturb her on my ac-
count, Aldwyth requested. It is not
your mother, but your sister-Adelaide
I wish to see.
Addie? Oh, she isn't in! answered
Monica, looking at the clock. Ion said
Mrs. Delahay. Addie won't be in fer
an hour. Is it on business YOU wish to
see her?
Business-yes.
What a PITY In Adde'S desire for
work, any chance lost was likely to be
grief to her. Will you tell me, or can
you wait? the girl asked eagerly. She
might be in a little sooner, and if it is
anything about work you wish to order
she will be very sorry to miss you.
II you will allow me will wait, said
Chesteron, determined to snatch this
chance of learning from the frank-looking
girl, whom he rightly supposed to be his
sister-in-law, any information lie could
about the family. But it is not about
business that | wish to see-Adelaide.
He was determined not to call her Miss
Delahay, and SO used her Christian
name, to the astonishment Of Monica.
Adelaide! she repeated. You are
friend Of hers? Butt did not know
that she had any.
That sounds rather alarming, Aldwyth
returned pleasantly. met your sister
at Dellwyn's Hope.
Then you are Mr.. Dellwyn-Mr. Char
lie Dellwyn, remarked Monica | am
pleased to see you. And | heard about
you from Addie. You were very kind to
her, but she doesn't know that you are
coming?
am not Charlie Dellwyn, although he
is a friend Of mine. Have you never
heard your sister mention the name OF
Chesteron?
Aldwyth watched the girl as lie spoke,
but there was no change on the fair face
before him.
Never. | have never heard it before
My name is Aldwyth Chesteron, and |
thought it possible that your sister would
have mentioned it to you.
Do you know her well?
Not very.
She had to return SO soon on account
Of mothers illness. Poor old Addie! She
hardly ever gets holiday.
Holiday? Does she work, then?
Work? OF course! We both dol We
are very poor-at least, we were dread
fully poor until nearly year ago, when
Addie came in for legacy of hundred
a year from her godmother. Addie and |
I are both daily goyernesses, and she
works fearfully hard at her painting as
well. She is beginning to have de-
mand for her sketches, and she inyents
designs for china, wall paper, and Christ
mas cards.
l had no idea Of this, said Chesteron,
looking rather dismayed
No? Addie is dreadfully reserved, al
though | don't see that it matters. |
don't know why we shouldn't have few
friends, even if we are poor But Addie
hates the idea. | think she is afraid
they might offer to help us. l can't