The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-11-11

soft hair hardly tinged with gray Peo-
pie wondered that she had never mar
ried, and perhaps the busybedies Of
Wytham might have scented romance
had they seen Miss Leroy's vivid blush
the first time she caught sight of
"Clovelly'' in fresh white paint upon
the majors front gate.
Major Edmund's wife had been dead
about four years. Clovelly was a sub
StRntial house much too large for
single man, and several hearts began
to cherish vague and secret hopes as
the winter wore away. The Youngest
Miss Dalton, affectionately called
Baby" by her sisters. took up singing
eight years or so-the McDougal1 twins
blossomed out into floral toques of a
giddy description; while the third Miss
Falkner-Bessie-we up to town for
the special purpose of getting a really
first-rate coat and skirt"
The good man was gallant and
complimentary all round; a way, no
doubt, they had in the army. He went
toms Tuesday; to Mrs. McDougall' s
second Wednesdays, and Miss Alfredo
Gregory's first and third Thursdays.
Sur1 --as his apparent fondness for
afternoon tea fights that he was even
overheard asking Miss Leroy, in a
pleading tone. whether she did not in
dulge her friends with an 'at home"
day. Whereupon Miss Leroy, in her
nervousness. dropped her teaspoon ana
a slice of homemade sponge cake,
and somehow the majors question did
not get answered
When Cecily Leroy returned the
major, showing the fondness for
pretty face that characterized his sex,
( became Cecily's slave from the mo-
ment of their Introduction to each
ott--<.
Adorably young. she made other wo-
men look faded or dowdy beside her.
: ~
were sore hearts in Wytham before
she had been at home week. al
though feminine lips tried to smile as
before.
But it was of little use to talk. or
rather to think. Cecily was beautiful,
and beauty always has the whip-hand.
She invited the major to lunch. and he
went like a lamb. She rnonopolized
MIN at the bazaar in aid of the coal
fund, ard she made him come in after
dinner and teach her and her aunt
poke
Il think it is disgraceful of Cecily
Leroy to fiirt as she does with man
old enough to be her grandfather said
the eldest Miss Dalton.
Mrs. Cullen ehuckled.
"Oh, no; say her father" she an
swered indulgently. Major Edmunds
cannot be more than fifty-f1ve or six
CeciIy is very pretty girl and you
know what men are. my dear Miss
Dalton
Miss Dalton had never had much op-
portunity of knowing so contented
herself with shaking her head disap-
provingly. Miss Leroy lets her do
exactly as she Hkes"' she continued.
And again Mrs. Cullen's eyes
| twinlzlad.
We'll 7 must saw" observed the old
lady, that Miss Leroy has looked
wonderfully we'll since that little puss
came back She is positively getting
younger instead Of older like most OF
US. 1 regret to say. Miss Dalton.
Miss Lnrov has token to arranging
her hair in q different manner" said
her visitor with some asperity-'the
latest style in Paris I presume"
We'll. don't object to Cecfly trying
! to bring her aunt up-to-date," re-
marked Mrs. Cullen. with a smile
''Who is that going past? My eyes are
not what they used to be-
Miss Dalton's thin lips set into a line
indieatin~ severe dfsapDroval
Major Edmunds and Cecil Leroy,
she answered stiff1-
If look could have killed, the
lcoupie strolling along, chatting SO n1er-
srily. would have been in bad plight