Middletown transcript., 1903-12-05


he asked, taking courage from the Incl
dent of the hand-warming.
l dare say they will bring some tea, she
answered; and, you know, We all had
cherry and sandwiches with us.
| She had taken off her hat by that time,
and established herself in chair close to
the fire. Gerard took possession OF one
next to hers, and Mr.. Lorrimor, being
too tired-too lazy, Gladys said-to fetch
chair from the other side of the hall,
souatted down in the middle Of the great
bearskin learthrng and roasted himself to
his hearts content.
Where's Coley? Gerard asked presently
when they we're having tea
Gone round by way of the Vicarage, |
should think, Gladys answered, with a
laugh.
| What all i:npressionable family they
are! put in Lorrimor.
Gerard WINGED, and wondered if he had
noticed anything that went on the prev
ious night.
Who are they? asked voice at the door
leading into the outer hall.
The Smiths of Culverhampton, an.
swered Mr.. Lorrimor promptly. Come
in, Miss Coley. Have you been for
drive?
Yes, and we are nearly perished with
L
cold, she replied. Mother and Mrs. Nc
Donald are being lifted out in state of
crystallisation. Oh, no-here they are!
Why, where's Jack?
Gone round to the Vicarage, Gladys
answered.
Poor Jackl All, am afraid we're like
the Smiths of Culverhampton-a sadly
impressionable family, she laughed.
You'll have to alter all that when you
are married, said Gladys gravely.
All, yes-when I'm married!-with a
look-the first che had given-towards
Gerard.
Gerard caught the look; but he turned
his eyes directly in the direction Of his
fance's face, and wished she would not be
quite so hard upon him. There was no
doubt that he was in love with her as he
had never been with any other woman
during his whole life; and equally certain
was it that he was not in love with Chrys-
tai at all. She was very pretty-a meek,
yielding, soft, impressionable little girl,
of the kind highly dangerous to the peace
of mind of the sterner sex, but not cal
culated to leave very lasting impression
when their presence was removed; and,
although Gerard knew that he could no
more resist meeting her on her own
ground, and flirting with her as much as
she firted with him, he was equally GER
tain that, so far from breaking his heart
if he never saw her again, he should
hardly think of her with regret.
Gerard went up to dress that evening
sorely puzzled. He did not know what
the end OF all this coldness and this shilly-
shallying would be; he really was afraid
to look into the future; and there was
only one thing of which he was absolutely
certain, and that was that he would not
again ask Chrystal Coley such an idiotic
and absurd question as he had put to her
in the boudoir that morning. Having
made up his mind SO far, he went, feeling
fully strengthened and fortified, into the
drawing-room.
Miss Hawthorndean and the new ar
rival we're the only occupants of the room
when Gerard entered it. Gladys rose at
once, and introduced them with few
graceful words. They met with the usual |:
politeness newly acquainted Englishmen
show to one another.
How do you do? asked Gerard.
Thanks, Lord Sweetwilliam returned.
Congratulate you. |,
All, thanks! said Gerard pleasantly.
Here is Chrystal, said Gladys.
Chrystal's approach was heralded by
such rustic of silk that Gerard turned
instinctively to look at her, though he
had previously determined that he would
do nothing Of the kind. However, in
spite OF good and determined vows to the
contrary, he did turn his head, and an
angry indignant pang shot through his
heart at the sight of her.
Little flirt! he said within himself an
grily.
Before be had only seen her dressed in
black, for slfe was in mourning; but that
night she appeared in a lovely dress of
white silk, profusely adowned with some
soft thick fringe, which looked, Gerard
thought, like velvet, and which was in
fact chenille. She wore huge pearl,
apparently without setting of any kind,
at each ear, and string Of large pearls,
by diamond clasp, round her
throat; and worst Of all, she had on the
third finger of her left hand ring set
with cluster of diamonds. That Gerard
had not seen before.
And, oh, how he revolted at the con-
scious siding way in which the little
mink entered, with first half-glance at
him, and then whole glance at Lord
Gerard leaned against the end OF the
high carved chimney-shelf, with his hands
behind him, in an attitude Of elegan. ease
and nonchalance; but how those hands
;lenched themselves in a perfect fury
against the little dark-eyed girl boldly
with the new guest no one but
himself ever knew. Heavens, what a
ool she had made of him! Why, the
title monkey was actually engaged to
'weetwilliam all the time, and had been
in her sleeve at him ever since
Ie came into the house.
CONCLUDED NEXT WEEK.