Middletown transcript., 1904-06-11

= 80 80 es'esS -
calm-far too calm He must have some
other plan in his head. Some other
plan? Clearly lie was not the kind I +
man to be baked.
The entrance OF one OF the walters with
a tray of coffee cups diverted her thoughts
for moment. Moving slowly towards
the window again, she stood gazing out
at the starlit night. Lady Howard, en-
crossed in an interesting conversation
with Major Brown, turned with a stat
at her approach.
Is that the coffee at last, Evelyn? You
might bring it to MS out here-the air is
so pleasant this evening.
Miss Luttrell drew faint sigh. Re-
turning to the table where the tray had
been placed, she found Falkland hover
ing over the cups and saacers somewhat
uneasily, sugar basin in his hand.
Let me see, Miss Luttrell-will you
make your aunt's coffee believe you
always do.
Yes-I will make it, replied Evelyn,
taking up the half filled cup of coffee
which was nearest to her, filling it with
cream, and then carrying it off to Lady
Howard without offering SO much as a
glance in Falkland's direction.
She wished he would not thrust his
company SO persistently upon her. As
he knew how detestable his presence was
to her, she wondered he had not the
delicacy of feeling to remain on the ver-
anda or to absent himself entirely from
her aunt's room for the rest of the even
ing. But not seemed as though he
took delight in torlnenting her this
evening, for, looking around again, she
saw him still standing by the table con-
templating the, coffee cups in the most
meaningless fashion.
Evelyn gave gesture of impatience
and marched boldly past him; even if
Falkland was annoying her, it would
never do for Major Brown to suffer in
consequence, and to imagine himself for
gotten. With this object in view, she
took up the cream jug, aud was trying to
reach another cup OF coffee, when Falk-
land stretched out his arm before her
and gave her one into her hand.
For Major Brown, l suppose he inter-
rogated, with unusual Difference.
Evelyn murmured some word of thanks
and turned away. But what was it that
suddenly arrested her attention? What
was it that made her start, bend hastily
towards the cup, and then, growing
whittier than ashes, look round at Falk-
land?
By fair means or any means. Those
were the words he had uttered and now
back in her ears they were ringing,
whilst a horrible idea struck her-an
idea which seemed almost to paralyze
her.
In an instant however she had recov-
cred herself Quick as lightning. she
turned to the table again, seized the
china slop-basin, and, raising the cup,
was just about to empty the whole OF the
contents, when, as though detecting her
intention, OBTAINING hand was laid upon
her arm, and Falkland, in his suavest
tones, said
Ah-that is for Major Brown! Will
you not give it to him?
Oh, do not trouble, please, Miss Lut-
trell exclaimed Brown, who at that
moment appeared in the window. Let
me fetch it myself and, before e, elvn
was even aware oi what w;t< i.arpeniIg,
he had taken the cup of coffee from Ter
hand and, turning to the sugar basin,
was carefully searching for piece Of
sugar of the exact size he required.
You-you will not like that gasped
Evelyn, making quick movement for
ward, with an expression of perplexity
upon her face. Let me get you another
cup-that is not strong enough!
No-certajnly not, thank you! This is
delicious! declared the Major, helping
himself to some cream and, before she
had even time to utter another word,
Evelyn saw him pass out on to the YER
anda and, to her horror, actually raise
the cup to his lips.
1t was too terrible She made one
despairing effort to reach him, one vain
attempt to dash the cup from his land.
But what was it which seemed suddenly
to hold her back, to rise up like cloud
before her eyes? She passed her hand
in dazed bewildered manner across her
forehead, made one staggering step for
ward, and then, with an instructive sense !
Of preservation, grasped hold Of the arm
of chair and sank back amongst the
cushions perfectly unconscious.
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