The Yale expositor., 1903-01-30
CHAPTER XIV.

thOuiutIs
StNthcrs had closed the front door.
and they were descending the steps,
rs n stylish dog-cart. drawn by mag
nidccnt looking pair of bays. clattered
slowly up the street The flush on
Eleanor's cheeks became deep red.
With n glance she had realized that
che young man who held the reins was
Owen Page. lie was looking inquir-
ingly at the numbers. and now. rs he
drew up before the house. he recog'
nized her and sprang down from the
box.
II hope am In time To catch you.
ne said. as they shook hands. VIII
you do me the honor OF driving with
me- had come 60 ask you"
For an instant. Eleanor hesitated:
then she said:
Il am very sorry. Mr.. Page, but
have, promised 90 walk with MIR.
Struthers this afternoon. We were
just starting In fact. as you drove up.
The two men exchanged looks, and
there was an awkward pause. which
was broken by her adding:
MIR. Struthers. this is Mr. Page. n
friend Of my aunt's and mine
They bowed.
Il regret exceedingly that | should
he SO unlucky." said Owen Page, with
evident chagrin. II shall hope 10 be
more fortunate another time"
Il beg that you will not allow me to
interfere with your pleasure, Miss
Baldwin. We can walk another day,
exclaimed Struthcrs. in n tone that
was gentle. but almost sad.
Eleanor looked from one 90 the
other. and. uncomfortable as the situa.
tion was. could not help being struck
by the contrast in their appearance.
Owen Page wore perfectly fitting.
dark drab coat, adorned by big but
tonholc bouquet. The standing collar
that cnCascd his neck. his closely
cropped whiskers. and short. pointed
auburn beard and his tan-colored driv-
ing gloves were equally trim. and In
keeping with his wcll.appointed equip
age. the horses OF which were now
held 10y an irreproachable groom. Be
side him. MIR. Struthers in nondescript
pepper and salt looked commonplace
and sober
Again she seemed TO hesitate.
II cannot go with you both. she
said. with n smile. and | think an
engagement Is an engagement Mr..
Page. must ask YOU To- excuse me
this afternoon"
moment later. Owen Page had
mounted TO his seat. and raising his
hat rather grayely. no drove his pair
down the street. CHANGING at Struth.
crs. Eleanor observed that be was
standing gazing after him with an
absorbed air that seemed far from
happy.
Are you ready" she asked. gayly.
opening her parasol.
She was conscious somehow. Of ella.
ton.
why did you not gu with him ?" he
asked quietly.
did you wish me To go with him."
Il did not wish you TO feel bound 10
40 with me"
You will have 90 put up with me
now" she said. with a smile.
II am afraid you think ! am un.
grateful" Then he said with marked
dircctncss 1T would have been
sricyous disappointment to me"
she made little curtsey.
Who is that gentleman. Miss Bald
VIM"
Mr.. Owen Page" Then she added.
IL have seen him quite frequently at
my nunt's and elsewhere. He Is very
rich. Z believe. and he owns yacht
and a great many horses. and-er-is
much interested In farming"
oh"
The melancholy In Struthers' tone
struck Eleanor. In her reply she had
spoken half ironically. without exact.
iy meaning Co do so. II had suited
her mood. which had become buoyant.
And now her companions mournful
ejaculation seemed to her very funny.
Why should he be mournful! What
was Owen Page Co him or he Co Owen
Page? " she had forsakcn him for
Mr.. Page. there might have been
ground for gloom. but here he was
walking with her as he desired. and
yet his humor had changed in mo-
ment from cheerfulness to detection.
What was the reason?
She was conscious herself OF being
On the best OF spirits What n lovely
day u was. and how agreeable the air
with It's bracing suggestion OF au.
tumn! She felt like flying. or. since
that was denied her. like talking vol
ubiy.
oh, MIR. Struthers, Uncle Phin
approves entirely. and he thinks that
no knows OF n position. In another
month ! hope TO be hard ut work. We
had just finished talking about II when
you came in
AZ her words. Struthers seemed To
start as one awakened from a maze.
II congratulate you" he said.
but you do not approved"
On the contrary. do. heartily"
There was 80 little enthusiasm in
your tone that was doubtful"
Can you expect me TO be enthusi.
.aflr that un,s ara s..t,w