Middletown transcript., 1903-09-19

in him, and therefore she studied him
when she could do SO unnoticed. He
was tall, broad, with fair sunburned
face, and simple cordial manners. Mis-:
Delahay soon decided that her friend
would be very happy with him if they
should ever marry, and then dismissed
him from her mind. She kept very
much aloof from the other guests, partly
from shyness, and partly from a desire
to keep from them the knowledge of her
poverty.
The following day they all drove to
the Mandertons' distance of nearly
eighteen miles; the road being very hilly
it was slow journey.
You must prepare yourselves for very
dull evening, Nita warned them. l
never knew house where the hours
drag SO. There never seems to be any
thing one can do-the piano always
seems to be out of tune, and the rooms
are SO large that one feels lost in them.
Let's have charade, advised Aldwyth
Chesteron. ! know a stock one which
always trot out on such occasions, and
which is always great success. How
many people will be there?
They have house party of about ten,
| think. and some of the people who
live near are sure to be there; but they
are also dull.
Does Mrs. Manderton object to acting?
l don't know. / have never seen any
thing of the sort there.
Well, said Charlie decidedly, anything
is better than undiluted conversation
with the Mandertons' friends. Father
can't forget that once upon time lie
and Mandertons' dead brother were
chums, and so he wishes us to go. But
we'll try the charade. | am sure they
will be very grateful to you, Chesteron.
What is it?
| sha'n't tell anyone except those who
act in it, declared Aldwyth. The others
have to guess the word, you know.
You have acted it before?
Yes-twice.
Then that makes it easy, said Nita con-
tentedly, because you will he able to tell
Us what to do.
After the CHEEKY meals at Dellwyn's
Hope, the dinner seemed very depress-
ing. There were great many elderly |
people present, and Mr.. and Mrs. Man.
1erton, very quiet and precise couple,
ooked upon mirth at the dinner table |
Is out OF place. So long as the viands
we're good and the wine beyond reproach
hey thought that nothing more was to
,e desired.
In the drawing-room the ladies had a
title music and great deal of conversa-
ion. Addie sat in corner near Nita
md watched them all with amused in
crest. 1t was go long since she had
'een among strangers, and she had never
'efore been to formal dinner party.
II this were fair specimen, she thought,
Inner parties were not remarkably en-
ertaining functions. The people all
ooked SO bored, and to her simple taste
here was much more food than was
necessary. She very much preferred
ne meals at Dellwyn's Hope, where
aughter and conversation were the order
t the day.
Isn't it dull? asked Nita, in rapid
side. Thank goodness, liere are the
len at last! l thought they were never
oming. | shall get hold of Mr.. Ches-
sron and make him propose his charade
'ou shall come with us, Addie.
Oh, no-I can't aci
Nonsense! You can take some small
art, in which you have not much to
~. | am not going to leave you to be
ored to death here. How do YOU like
i'm, Addie?
Mr.. Chesteron?
Yes.
Very much; but | have only spoken
} him once or twice.
Of course. Mr.. Chesteron, do propose
our charade to Mrs. Manderton, Nita
lclaimed, as Mr.. Chesteron came over
her. She will allow it if you propose
she has taken fancy to you.
That is very kind Of her. I'll see what
can do.
TO BE CONTINUED