Middletown transcript., 1904-08-13

tIluiintu WIFI uuiis jet seInDT0lueFyy anC
softened by folds of vaparous chiffon
making every other woman's gown look
out Of date; even sweet Ethel Darcy's
white irock appeared common, while she
herself looked less fair beside the widow
More than one person observed that the
belle of the county was not herself in
the widows presence.
The guest OF the evening seemed
strangely nervous as her courtly old hos,
led her to the head Of the table, and she
did not recover her equanimity until she
was back i'm the drawing-room, whers
she sang all the Baronet's favourite songs
and led him captive in triumph. She
scarcely noticed Fred Osterly that even,
ing.
There was only one person who refused
to acknowledge her charm.
81 know you will think ME brute
Miss Adaire,n said shrewd Doctor Gem
sbut I fail to see the wonderful fascina
ton in Mrs. yalancy which you all de
clare exists. / am also very sceptica
about Jack. / grant you that mems
fancies are unaccountable, bat, as l hap
pen to know that your brother was &
great, deal more than cousinly in his re
gard for Miss Daecy, | can't understand
all this. Then there is another thing
which puzzles me. What upset the little
lady 50 terribly at dinner the other even
ing? She was completely thrown off hel
guard. | watched her pretty closely,
and I saw there was something. There
was absolute terror in her eyes"
Lily Adaire was far too devoted to hel
Doctor to quarrel with him, but at the
same time their most charming guesl
had brought SO much pleasure into hel
restricted life that for the first time she
really felt inclined to be angry with Doc
tor Gem.
s'Mrs. Nalancy was probably nervous
at meeting all Jacks relatives" she re.
piled, with flush upon her cheeks.
"Put yourselfin her place, and. you will
easily understand her feelings"
Well, I'll acknowledge might have
mistaken nervousness for terror, if you
like. 1t is a good way OF accounting fol
it, he answered. sHere she comes
I'll try to like her because you wish it, =
he added, in softer tone.
As the widow came nearer TO them, the
Doctor noticed that she was paler than
usual although her eyes were sparkling,
as if from some excitement.
81 have been in the woods" she said
hurriedly; "they are very beautiful just
nowp'
Lily replied that it was years since she
had seen them.
After a few moments careless talk,
Mrs. yalancy left the Doctor and his
patient, and, mounting to her own room,
took from one of her boxes small brass
bound desk. With hands that trembled
slightly, she opened the desk, and, taking
from it roll of notes, selected two with
numbers well apart, and slipped them in
to an envelope.
ALI the county combined to fete the
charming stranger; it was the gay season
in the usually quiet neighbourliood-the
period of the annual Militia training,
when garden and tennis parties we're al
most daily occurrences.
One afternoon the gathering was to be
held at the residence OF High-Church
dignitary, and Fred Osterly had offered
to bring his drag for the use Of the ladies
at the Castle and Ladyswell.
'tTbe horses are wild from want Of
work. he said to Clara, with an embar-
rassment quite new toszn. And /
should like Mrs. Valancy to see the
country is pretty, you knowp'
"How grateful Jack will be to you for
showing her attentionp' Clara replied;
with asperity.
Mrs. Adaire felt intensely proud of her
guest as they mounted the figh vehicle
and drove away. But. when they
reached the Castle, Clara was not at all
delighted to see the stranger occupying
the seat upon the box which hitherto
had been reserved solely for her How
ever, there was nothing to be done but to
mount to the vacant place at Mrs.
Adaire's side and sit there in the dumps.
But the young lady loved the sound of
her own voice too dearly to be silent
very long.
Really" size. began, when they had
driven away from the extensive woods,
81 do not known what thinga are coming
to! Only imagine-that eood-looking
footman-Nevile, you know, who has
been such a comfort to us all the SUMMER
walked off quite early this morning,
remained out for over an hour, would
give no account of himself, and left the
place after luncheon, saying that be did
not like being questioned"
Servants are becoming dreadful!'' re-
sponded sympathetic Mrs. Adrire; and
they talked of domestic grievances for the
rest Of the way, Ethel not uttering a
word
Mrs. yalancy had not been her usual
bright self-when they started. but sud-
denly all her animation returned to her,
and Fred Osterly thought he had never
met such woman in his life.
The afternoon was perfect. The host
"a parsonage of no mean standing and
his stately wife were delighted with the
charming stranger.
'I'm going to ask service at your
hands," she said to osterly, when the
entertainment was drawing to close
The young man booked as he felt-de-
lighted.
anything in my power he stam-
mered; "only tell me.n
"It is not very nuoh.n she replied,