Custer County Republican. (Broken Bow, Neb.) 1882-1921, 1903-07-30
CHAPTER XVii.-lContinuedJ
(SnBny Bash Farm)

htllOu JtuIUuSN, ny MiboN 'AN ''' Nf''.
do almost anything. The governess had
arisen enrly. MS was her usual custom,
and gone forth into the garden, where
sho came unexpectedly upon Mr. Della
field, who, after expressing his pleasure
at meeting her, very quietly drew her
arm within his own, and then walked
with her several times through the gar
den, casting often admirng glances to-
ward the dropping figure Mt his side
Ada went forth into the garden TO
meet them, nodding coldly to Rosa, and
bestowing her sweetest smile upon her
guardian, who wound his arm round her
waist and playfully kissed her forehead
"A liberty he would not dare to have
taken with Rosa, who, thinking that Of
course she was not wanted, made an
effort to withdraw her arm. But Mr.
Delafed's arm was strong, and he press
ed it closely to his side, at the same time
giving her look which bade her stay.
"Why don't you ask Miss Lee about
your Boston frendsY said Mr.. Della
field, when they had taken a few turns
in silence.
Ada tossed her head scornfuly, and
replied, 81 don't think | had any ac-
Quaintances in common with Miss Lee;
unless, indeed it were her old aunty;"
and with little hateful laugh she lean
ed across Mr.. Delafield, and asked, How
is she? Rich ard, you would like to
know"
/ was provoked at her manner, but
answered civilly that my aunt was well,
adding, as one would naturally do, Her
bert Langley, l suppose you know, is
dead"
The news was unexpected, and com
ing as it did, it produced upon her n
singular effect, blanching her cheek % a
marble whiteness, while her lips Quiv-
cred spasmodically. Mr.. Delafeld was
startled, and stopping short, demanded
of her what was the matter.
ooh, nothing much" she answered, re-
covering her composure, and pressing
her hand upon her side, nothing but an
ugly pain, which is gone now. have
felt it often lately" and her face looked
as unrufiied and innocent as if she really
thought 1t was the truth she had ut
tered.
Breakfast being over, started for
my ROOM accidentally dropping upon the
stairs handkerchief which had been
given me by Anna, and which had her
NANNY anna iStNp . laihcd III bDG WI
ner. In honor of Ada's return, there
was no school that day, and as the morn
ing advanced and the heat in my cham
Der grew oppressive, | went with my
book to the sitting room and took Il seat
by an open window, where / soon became
30 absorbed in reading as not to observe
Mrs. Lansing and Ada, who came out up
on the piaxsa and sat down quite near
me, but still In such position that
neither of US could see the other. After
time they were Joined by Mr.. Della
field. l resumed my book and forgot
my neighbors entirely, until my atten-
ton was reused by the sound Of my own
name. 1t was Mrs Lansing who spoke,
! and she asked, what kind of folks are
those relatives Of Miss LeeY'
"Oh, about so so" answered Ada, ard
Mrs. Lansing continued, And she was
then at school, believer
AT SCHOOL," repeated Ada, apparent
ly in surprise. mercy, no! Why, she
was grown-up woman, as much as
twenty-five or twenty-three years old"
There, | thought So" answered Mrs.
Lansing, who, the reader will remember,
had, at my first introduction, taken me to
be twenty-five. 81 thought she must be
more than eighteen, didn't you, Rich
ard?"
"Eighteen!" repeated Ada. 1T isn't
possible she calls herself eighteen. She
,dare not do it in my presence. Why,
she had been n teacher, l don't know
how long, and, besides that, twas said
that she had once been engaged to DIR.
Clayton, who for some reason Tilted her
and was then a married man as much as
thirty years old. Eighteen, indeed! I'd
like to hear her say So"
was confoundcd, but supposing she
had mistaken me for Anna, my first
impulse was to go out and tell her so
but fearing lest she should think l had
intentionally listened, my second thought
was to go away where | could hear 10th
ing turthel, and then, when Mrs. Ian
sing questioned me, as | felt sure she
would, | fancied it would be an easy
matter to eXonerate myself from tn,
falsehood Ada had put upon me- | haC
reached the hall, and was half way III
the stairs, when Mr.. Delafeld, who haC
arisen and was walking back and fortl
on the piazza, espied me, and called M
back.
There was a troubled look on his face
and fixing his piercing black eyes lpol
me ms If he would read my limos
thoughts, he said, with something o
bitterness in the tones of his voice; -
did think ! had found one female whC
on all occasions, spoke the truth; but
what Ada has said is true, am mistaI
en-; though why you"-and his hand II
voluntarily clutched my arm-"or an
other woman should stoop to falsehooC
or seek to deny her age, be she Il hun
dred or less, is a secret which heave
knows perhaps, but / do not"
| felt my face flush with indignl tiol
aud turning toward Ada, who, not ha'
ing expected scene like this, was yer
pale, | said, at is not necessary Mi,
Montrose, for you to repeat what 20
have asserted concerning me, for ] acc
dentally overheard it, and l thank NJ
DelaGeld for giving me an opportunity
exonerate myself from the charge SC
are pleased to bring against me-"
Been listening" muttered Mrs. La
sing.
"Silence, Angeline, Go on, Rosa" &
terrupted Mr.. Deaheld, In vol