New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-08-26
XVII.

1
permitted to go to church the next morning.
Since coming to Htghgrove Hall she had never
suggested my going, and had always seemed In
special need of my services on Sunday. Her
readiness to grant permission made me regret
had been too shy to do earlier. I excited
as 1 made my toilet for church. resuming for the
morning my own black bonnet and gown. I had
not passed the gates since the rainy day when
had come to the Hail. 1t seemed more than
month ago. Madam could never be induced to
leave the shelter of her high brick walls. al
though she liked driving. she said. and proved
by her frequent visits to the stables her fondness
for horses. Almost every day, her pockets filed
with sugar she was wheeled into the box stall
of her favorite, Captain Kidd Mr.. Erranti's sad
die horse. a light chestnut of splendid appear
ance and most uncertain temper. 1 sometimes
trembed to her chair pushed close to his
very active limbs but he always controlled him
self in her presence. A thoroughbred he showed
his breeding by his respect for the old lady
Often I longed to ride him. The putting down
of my saddle horse was the deprivation that
had caused me a tear when poverty came.
To my surprise I found Mr. Errant on the
veranda when I went to look for the carriage,
| evidently intending to accompany me to church
He looked very staid and conventional, quite I'M
like my partner of the night before.
Don't say mayn't go. Athena" he SAID smil-
ing at my very visible establishment. Surely
you won't throw cold water on my good inten-
tions"'
I should have preferred going alone but said
was pleased he wished to go. I did not say it
nicely, white lies never slipping gracefully from
my lips. The carriage. victoria with wheels
picked out in yellow. swept up to the house. and
we dashed away down the avenue. The men on
the box yellow liveries. the harness was
/
| everywhere But the horses were perfect, going
like the wind. I delighted in the rush through
the warm sweet scented air, and sighed with
relief as we dashed between the brick pillars
of the gateway out into the broad white high
road beyond
Poor Gagged bird" said Philip; she is glad
to escape for time from behind the bars You
shall have freedom to-day, Athena. think you
need it, Take to-day to rest, tired child. and
| forget your chain"
I thanked him. but said I might not leave
Madam for so long.
Not with her devoted SOM" he asked. smiI-
ing. 81 shall spend the afternoon with her my
self No"-as I would have remonstrated-"the
matter is settled, Let me talk to YOU of some
thing else. Did you know I had been brought
up, like you. in Europe"
He told me of leaving home when a lad of nine
to go to Elton; from there. later, to Heidelberg
for year. then to Paris, finishing with a long
stay in Italy, and after, for pleasure only, see
ing many foreign lands.
II came home when [ was nineteen. and left
again when was twenty-in August 1861"
Here I stupidity dropped on the floor of the
carriage a piece of money had held tight in my
hand all the way. 1t was to put in the plate,
and my pocket being hard to find I had carried
it. My awkwardness stopped Philips story. in
7
money but did not return it,
You didn't know I was going" he said. an
| odd smile playing around his full lips so
brought your mite2 I shall confiscate" putting;
it I'm his pocket. Failing to how his going
affected my offering. asked explanation, but
got none. He said I was an ''absurdIy generous
chiIdr'-whch meant nothing Glad of a pocket
to keep the silver in even if not my own, / let
him harbor it.
We finally stopped before a handsome church
in Droneton and were ushered into pew well
in front. Scarcely were we seated before my
feelings of devotion were suddenly put to flight
by my catching sight of Richard Thorpe. He
was behind us. on the opposite side of the aisle
between Randall and upright little old gentle
man. Mr.. Beverley, I said to myself. The owner
of Nemesis was soldierly looking. His long
upper lip hidden by a stiff white mustache;
his stiff white hair brushed up fercely
from beneath white eyebrows cleaned a pair of
steey blue eyes. Yet he showered favors upon
Randall ST John!
1t was in turning to give Mr.. Erranti
prayer book-he carried none-that I caught this
glimpse of Mr.. Beverley and his nephews; but,
though brief a glance it suficed to show me
that ALI three men were staring intently at
Philip and me.
For moment 1 felt conscious of their scru-
tny-for a moment felt regret that Mr. Thorpe
was no longer my friend. Then the service be-
gan and I forgot th4m-forgot Mr. Thorpe's lost
friendship. forgot everything save the joy Of the
hour. When the collection taken up was
recalled to the petty vexations of life. I held
out my hand to Philip for my silver, and he
placed in it a bill for a large amount
Il wish my own" I said stln holding out my
hand He leaned toward me till his cheek al
most touched mine. and crushing my fingers to-
gether over the bill, murmured:
This is your own foolish little princess
Ny obstinate pride caused the church TO lose
the money. | let the bill fall the seat be-
tween u.s. would put nothing in the plate.
then, and sat, erect and angry, unmindful OF my
prayers. This seemed TO amuse Philip. After
he had put In what he wished he took up the
money dropped and tucked it into his pocket.
smiling as he did so. BY the time the service
was over / had softened What l. In Mr..
Errantfs eyes. but the spoiled child of an old
friend whom he wished TO help?
on our way down the aisle came up with
the Beverley party Randall turned. greeting
as in friendly fashion; Mr.. Beverley marched