Middletown transcript., 1903-10-03
TcoNT1NUED FROM LAST WEEK

as she deserved. He liked to see the
brilliant color flicker for moment in
the thin cheeks, the light come into her
great gray eyes, and her lovely soft golden
hair shine in the sunlight. Pity is akin
to love, it is said, and Charlie came dan
gerously near to falling in love with the
girl whom he felt to have wronged. He
asked her great many questions about
her life in London-questions which she
either evaded or answered 80 vaguely
as to leave no very definite idea in his
mind.
You are looking i'll again, lie remarked;
and remember that only two days ago
Nita was saying that you seemed so much
better than when you came. | wish you
wouldn't worry about that affair, Miss
Delahay. 1t is sure to end satisfactorily.
People are always SO eager to predict
evil.
Do you really think it will?
l think it will turn out all right. ii
not-Chesteron is an awfully good sort
of a chap, Charlie added rather vaguely
and half reluctantly. You like him?
No-I don't! l dislike him! Add:e
calculated.
She had not forgotten or forgiven the
coldness of Mr.. Chesteron's greeting on
the morning before he went away. 1t
had wounded her pride and hurt her
by its injustice. He certainly was more
to blame than she.
Really?. The young man did not look
displeased. Everyone likes him, You
know. He is jolly good chap. This
time his tone was much more cordial.
He may be, the girl granted.
But you don't think SO?
1 don't know him sufficiently we'll to
Judge.
l wish to goodness the confounded
thing was settled, said Charlie gloomily.
met that ass Manderton yesterday, and
of course he must ask all sorts Of ques-
tions. The pater has written to him from
Edinburgh to ask him to try to keep
the thing as quiet as possible. But one
never knows what to expect from fool
like Manderton.
Who on earth should he interfere?
asked Addie angrily. What can it mat
ter to him whether we are married or
whether we are not?
He interferes in everything, and this
is a good opportunity for him. Unfor-
tunately it took place in his house, and
so he means to make the most of it.
Besides, don't think he likes Chesteron
much
So he wishes to emphasize his dislike
by marrying him to me?
No-of course not. | didn't mean
that. If Chesteron we're free
Is he engaged? Nita said Addie
paused abruptly.
Nita? Charlie echoed. She knows
nothing about it.
Didn't you mean your sister?
When 1 said Chesteron wasn't quite
free? No-of course not! There isn't
any idea Of anything Of that sort, is
there? the young fellow asked, with
shade of uneasiness.
You must know best.
Well, you gave me shock for mo-
ment, but that is all right. Nita doesn't
care rap for him, and Chesteron is half
engaged to cousin--a Miss Juliet Gres-
ham.
Then he too will be anxious to keep
this thing quiet? suggested Addie eagerly.
Oh, don't think he cares much for
Miss Gresham! 1t was a boy and girl
affair-they are not engaged.
Miss Delahay was silent. Her thoughts
reverted to Nita, and she felt more angry
than ever with Chesteron. Surely he
must have done something to make Nita
care for him, as Addie was certain she
did. Poor Nita! Even if everything
could be arranged, he was, it seemed,
bound to this cousin.
You are looking dreadfully serious
again, remarked Charlie. Come, the
others are having tea on the tennis lawn!
Let us go to them Nonsense! It is
no use hiding yourself You are not
to blame. Miss Delahay-Addie- wish
could help you.
You do-by your kindness.
You are the incest girl l ever met,
Charlie blurted out
Thank you! Addie smiled involun-
tarily.
And the prettiest, when you smile like
that
She laughed outright.
You mustn't pay me too many COM
pliments, she said amusedly. l am not
used to them.
Are you engaged?
No.
Isn't there anyone-fond of you?
No one.
That state OF things won't last long,
Charlie told her. I say, may drop
the Miss Delahay and call you Addie,
as Nita does?
| don't know, she answered rather
obviously.
Why not? Would you mind?
l? Not at all, only
Never mind the only 1 shall call
you Addie, and shall expect you to
consider me as friend who is very
anxious to do anything for you that
is in his power. You are sure you have
forgiven me for my share in Thursdays
contretemps?
Quite sure.
Then if it turns out all right, we will
have jolly time after all. That is to
say, if Chesteron-
Addie frowned.
Don't mention linn, she said peremp-
torily. There are no more trains, SO
he is not coming back to-day. Let us
forget him as long as possible.
CHAPTER Nv
Late that night, and quite uncxpect.
edly, Mr.. Deilwyn and Chest,ro, ro.