Chicago eagle. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1889-19??, 1903-04-18

CHAPTER xvil.-(Continued.)

lNn A
On awaking next morning her resolu'
tion was partially shaken, and might,
perhaps, have been given up entirely, II
In looking from her window, she had moi
seen q sight which awoke within her the
demon Jealousy, by whose aid she could
do almost anything. The govefnese had
arisen early, as was her usual custom,
and gone forth into the garden, where
she came unexpectedly upon Mr.. Della.
Geld, who, after expressing his pleasure
at meeting her, very quietly drew her
arm within his own, and then walked
with her several times through the gar.
den, casting often admiring glances to-
ward the dropping figure at his side.
Ada went forth into the garden to
meet them, nodding coldly = Rosa, and
bestowing her sweetest smile upon her
guardian, who wound his arm round her
waist and playfully kissed her forehead
IA liberty he would not dare to have
taken with Rosa, who, thinking that Of
course she was not wanted, made an
EFFORT to withdraw her arm. hut Mr.
Delaheld's arm was strong, and he press
ed It closely to his side, at the same time
giving her look which babe her stay.
"Why don't you ask Miss Lee about
your Boston friendsT said Mr.. Della
Geld, when they had taken few turns
In silence.
Ada tossed her head scornfully, and
feplied, II don't think I had any &C.
Quaintances In common with Miss Lee;
unless, indeed, 1t were her old aunty;'
and with q little hateful laugh she lean.
"a across Mr.. Delafeld, and asked, "How
d shei Richard, you would like to
know."
was provoked at her manner, but
answered civilly that my aunt was well,
adding, a. one would naturally do, "Her-
bert Langley, suppose you know, 10
dead"
The news was unexpected, and com.
Ing a. 1t did, 1t produced upon her a
singular effect, blanching her cheek to q
marble wilderness, while her lips quiz
cred spasmodically. Mr.. Delaaeld was
startled, and stopping short, demanded
Of her what was the matter.
"Oh, nothing much" she answered, re-
covering her composure, and pressing
Der hand upon her side, nothing but an
9gly pain, which IL gone now. have
(elt It often lately" and her face looked
~ unruftled and innocent as II she really
thought It was the truth she had ut
tered.
Breakfast being over, I started for
ny room, accidentally dropping upon the
Stairs q handkerchief which had been
given me by Anna, and which had her
uame, "Anna Lee" marked In the cor
ner. In honor of Ada's return, there
was no school that day, and az the morn.
Ing advanced and the heat In my cham.
Der grew oppressive, went with my
book to the sitting room and took seat
by an open window, where soon became
so absorbed In reading % not to observe
on the piazza and sat down quite near
me. but still In such a position that
neither Of us could see the other. After
q time they were Joined BY Mr.. Della.
field. I resumed my book and forgot
my neighbors entirely, until my attsn-
ti0n was reused by the sound of my own
name. 1t was Mrs. Lansing who spoke,
and she asked, "What kind Of folks are
those relatives Of Miss Lee?"
"Oh, about 20 So" answered Ada, and
Mrs. Lansing continued, "And she was
then at school, believer
AT school!" repeated Ada, apparent
y In surprise. "Mercy, no! Why, she
was q grown-up woman, a. much as
twenty-five or twenty.three years old"
"There, thought so," answered Mrs.
Lansing, who, the reader will remember,
had. at my first introduction. taken me to
be twenty-five. II thought she must be
more than eighteen, didn't you, Rich
ard?'
Eighteen repeated Ada. ut isn't
possible she calls herself eighteen. She
dare not do It In my presence. Why,
she had been teacher, I don't know
how long, and, besides that, twas ssid
that she had once been engaged to DR..
Clayton, who for some reason Tilted her,
and was then married man rs much a.
thirty years old. Eighteen. indeed! I'd
like to hear her say So"
I was COMPOUNDED, but supposing she
had mistaken me for Anna, my first
impulse was to 20 out and tell her 80,
but fearing lest she should think I had
Intentionally listened, my second thought
was to 20 away where could hear loth.
ing further, and then, when Mrs. Ian.
sing questioned me, 40 felt sure she
would, ! fancied It would be an easy
matter to exonerate myself from the
falsehood Ada had put upon me. I had
reached the hall, and was half way Up
the stairs. when Mr.. DelaReld, who had
arisen and was walking back and forth
on the piazza, espied me, and called me
back.
There was troubled look on his face,
and fixing his piercing black eyes Ypon
me AZ II he would read my Utmost
thoughts, he said, with sometime Of
bitterness In the tones of his voice, II
did think ! had found one female who.
on oil occasions, spoke the truth; but II
what Ada has said IL true, I am uistak.
en-; though why you"-and his hand In.
voluntarily clutched my arm-"Or any
other woman should stoOp to falsehood,
or seek to deny her age, be she hum
dred or less, II secret which heaven
knows, perhaps. but do not"
I felt my face flush with indignation
and turning toward Ada, who, not hav-
Ing expected a scene like this, was very
pale, ! said, ut Ii not necessary, Miss
Montrose, for you to repeat what you
have asserted concerning me, for acci.
dentally overheard 1t. and thank Mr..
Deladeld for giving me an opportunity to
exonsrate myself from the charge you
are pleased to bring against me-"
been listening" muttered Mrs. Ian.
sing.
"Silence, Angeline. Go on, Rosa" In.
corrupted Mr.. DelaAeld, in a voice
which We both 0beyed, she resuming her
needlework, while ! continued: II had
taken my seat by The window ere you
and Miss MOntrose came out here, and
not thinking 1t necessary to leave, l re.
manned, without, however, hearing A