The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1903-09-16
General Lord Marchm0nt, v. C..
By LiLLiAS CAMPBELL DAVIDSON.

The village OF Charlton Bishop was
On fete, with evergreen arches and
fags and garlands of flowers and
bay. welcome to Our Herol" We'll
Done, Marchmontl" Charlton Bishop
Bids Welcome to Its V. c. Generall"
waved frcm banners stretched across
the street.
General Lord Marshmont, X. G. b.,
v. c., and most of the other letters OF
the alphabet was their own.
He was born and brought up In the
little creeper-grown rectory over yon-
der, and in spite of all tradition about
. prophet In his own country, Chari-
ton Bishop was going mad today In
its welcome to its world-renowned
hero, fresh crowned with his laurels
after the South African war.
AT the big house where the Vava-
Bours lived there was excitement, tco.
Old Sir John had fused over wreaths
and banners, and a house party of
eager and distinguished guests waited
for the arrival Of the hero's trium-
phant chariot 1t was an honor to be
asked to meet Lord Marchmont, an
honor eagerly sought
Adela Vavasour looked lovelier even
than usual in her Paris frock and hat,
the rose color of excitement and grati'
ned anticipation on her cheek. She
walked TO the open window and
stepped out On the terrace impatiently.
DO you want me, Adela?"
Grace Rawsons position at Charlton
Great House was not particularly well
defined. She was not exactly a poor
relation, not exactly a companion or
hcusekeeper. She was vaguely de-
scribed as the Vavasours' cousin, to
whom they we're kind.
She had been educated with Adels,
and when Lady Vavasour died she
took up the place of everybody's friend
to the household. Adela was too gay
q person nowadays, too immersed in
her social round and her ambitions
and her smart interests, too occupied
IN motoring, and being photographed
fol- society papers, and speaking at
club debates to have much time to
spare for her cousin Grace. Yet she
beckoned her out now, and drew her
along the terrace.
Grace, I feel quite absurdly flut-
tered. like girl in her first season, do
you know. l wonder how much he
has altered? One knows his face so
we'll from the illustrated papers, and,
Of course, he is older and sterner, but
he Is even more handsome than he
used to be. How little one dreamed
OF today, when he went away from
Charlton Bishop that last time, raw,
awkward gunner, Just expecting his
company! /. one had known then!
But how could one? Otherwise l
would never have refused him. But
one never dreamed of this!"
Il suppose not" said Grace, little
dryly. "Yet he was the same man
that he is today"
"Oh, hardly! One really couldn't
have been such a fool as to follow the
drum with him en- subalterns pay,
and spend ones life as a miserable
garrison gunners wife. 1t was really
. little more than he had any right to
expect, even II we had played to-
t6ther In the rectory garden when we
were both in the sublime innocence of
youth. Really. 1t was presumption then
almost impertinence-for him to
fancy would marry him. Now, of
course, 1t is another thing"
rs it?" Again there was a strange,
faint smile in Grace's gray eyes, a
smile sad in its tender memory.
Grace, don't be idiotic! You talk
absurdly sometimes. OF course
could not marry him then. Now 1t is
another matter; of course, he knows
that himself When papa wrote and
asked him down to stay with us, he
accepted so eagerly that it was quite
touching. He knows now he is In a
position any woman would be glad to
have"
1T ought to be more than flattering
"a man like Hugh Marchmont!"
Adela went on, regardless of any.
thing but her own thoughts:
1T will be kind of romantic com.
pensation for him-like a thing in
book. Here in this very house, where
he had his refusal; in the very draw
1ng-room-
mo; it was out here on this terrace.
You sent me to tell him, because you
would not do 1t yourself Adela, it was
atrocious of you! It wasn't womanly!
was too young to understand then;
can see how cruel 1t was"
Adela laughed. She had a musical
laugh, and she daintily snapped on the
head Of rose that nodded by the
terrace wall.
WAS 1t here? don't know" she
said, looking about her with interest.
'Of course sent you. He would
have stormed and been ddsagreeable.
He was always SO desperately serious.
What did he say? l never had the
curiosity to ask you. Now 1t becomes
interesting, In the light Of the pres
mt"
''Never mind what he said" The
sudden vision rose to her unbidden Of
eAs white. pain-drawn face. the In