Middletown transcript., 1903-11-07
GLADYS THE HEIRESS
TCoNTINUED FROM LAST WEEK
CHAPTER II
BY VILOT WHYTE

CHAPTER Ill
On the following day Gerard Fame set
tied himself in his new quarters at San
dune. He professed himself highly de-
lighted with the change. His new land
lady seemed to be good cook, and her
rooms were a picture of cleanliness and
cheerfulness.
really don't know how to thank you
sufficiently, Miss Branscombe, he said to
GLADYS, when he called to ask after hel
hand. am afraid that after two days
more of Rudkirk and the landlsdy of the
Falcon, should have gone back to the
beaten track in sheer desperation.
Poor Mr.. Fame! the girl laughed. lex
pect you will soon get tired of Sandune
Just at first it is novel, and SO are we; but
after a week you will find it all very tire
some.
Shall II he asked, in dangerously low
voice, at which Mrs. Mcdonald smiled
over her embroidery and Gladys laughed
aloud.
OF course you will. There's no one
in the village to speak to except ourselves
and the minister, and you'll not make
very much of him; and, as for us, oh, We
are dreadfully stupid, are we not, auntlel
do not consider you stupid, my dear,
replied Mrs. Mcdonald.
Well, no, perhaps not stupid, but rather
flighty, which is infinitely worse, Gladys
said. Oh, l assure you, Mr.. Fame, that
sometimes a whole day passes, and we
have never evolved single original re-
mark, not out Of the two of US!
believe there is nothing original or
new under the sun, Gerard answered.
Perhaps not. No, dare say most
people have remarked upon the weather
and the state of their health at sometime
or other.
Miss Branscombe, he said presently, do
you know that you never sang to me last
night, as you promised you would?
Did not? l believe we we're too busy
theorising to remember more frivolous
pursuits. Do you know, Mr.. Fame, have
friend who really considers music friv-
olous?
Really?
Yes; not for me-she will listen to me
for hours-but for herself. She is so
wonderfully clever that che has no time
to devote to the study of such frivolous
accomplishments as music and drawing.
Then she is blue-stocking?
OF the very first degree.
And what is she like-to look at, l
mean?
oh, well-I- What is Mary Trevor
like, auntie?
Little, slender, colorless, returned Mrs.
Mcdonald promptly, quite colorless-or
stay, rather a whity-brown, hair, eyes
and complexion-and her mouth is not
very straight.
Humphl muttered Mr.. Fame. And is
there nothing else she considers frivolous?
Oh dear, yes! laughed Gladys. Marry
ing, for one thing. She looks upon me
as a most unfortunate girl, because
Then she blushed, and looked at her aunt.
You are not going to be married! cried
Mr.. Fame.
dare say l shall, some day, Gladys
answered rather awkwardly. At all
events, I do not renounce marriage as
Mary does; and SO she looks upon me as
little weak, decidedly misguided, and as
holding most unfortunate opinions.
1 dare say, if any one asked her to
marry him, Mr.. Fame remarked with
great scorn, that your very learned friend
would change her opinions.
Perhaps she might, answered Gladys
gravely, if the man were exceptionally
charming and handsome, and rich and |
learned also.
But Gerard Fame, thinking OF Mrs. Nc |
Donald's "whity-brown" description of
Gladys's friend, seemed to think she
would never be put to the test. Then he |
asked Gladys to sing to him.
Very well. What shall it be?-moving |
to the piano and opening it. No; can
play myself, thank you. prefer my
own accompaniments; 1 get over weak |
points better, don't you see? Now, what |
is it to be?
don't mind, really. I have no choice,
he said, taking the chair next to the
piano. You may fancy am your music |
master, if sit here.
My music master, laughed the girl |
softly. Oh, I was never afraid of him!
Then she began to play dreamily a
strange, half-weird, half-crooning melody |
which made Gerard's pulses beat faster
by the force Of its very quaintness; but |
after few bars she broke off suddenly.
cannot accomplish that, she laughed.
My miserable hand hurts me a little. |
had intended to play for you, but you
must just put up with singing to-day.
And SO she began "The Three Fishers"
Perhaps it was some prophetic instinct |
which prompted her to sing that song to |
him for the first time.
Gerard Fame sighed as the song ended. |
Why do you sigh? she asked brightly. |
I do not know. l could hardly tell |
you, he answered. l might ask you why |
you chose so sad song?
Yes; I suppose it is sad, she said |
thoughtfully; but I never think OF it as
being SO. am not very sad person,
and have no memories connected with |
any Of my songs.
Yet, he added, as if to finish her SEN
tence for her.
Now, what do you mean by that2 she
laughed.
Oh, 1 don't know, Miss Branscombel
People who have been in India get the
habit of saying very stupid things. You
will find me very weariseme after while.
Very likely, she said demurely.
What do you mean BY that? he asked,
in great amazement, and almost in huff.
Mr.. Fame, people who live in Sandune
get the habit of saving very stupid things: