Middletown transcript., 1904-01-23
[coNrrNUED FROM LAST WEEK.
CHAPTER v

ious for companion, but the lady was
with was ordered horse exercise, and she
was too nervous to ride alone, so ] had to
learn.
She was standing by Godfrey Standard
side in the stable, looking at his favorite
hunter. He had invited her to accom-
pany him, and she had done SO bare
headed, laughing at his fears about her
catching cold. AS she stood ankle-deep
in straw, with the wide shadowy loose
box as back ground, and ray OF sun
light making glory Of her bright hair'
Godfrey thought what picture she
made, and that be should like to see her
painted as she looked then.
wonder if the bay would carry lady?
She has never been tried, but think she
would, Standard remarked, patting ms
chestnut hunter absently as he glanced
at the mare in the next stall. Have q
look at her, Miss Madison. What 90
you think?
think che might, but
You are not nervous, are you? One OF
the grooms shall try her with skirt hrst'
Of course. Have you your habit with
you?
NoI got rid Of it long since, Custance
answered.
She had her back to him as stood, ana
be did not see the hot flush that rose to
her very forehead as she remembered
that her riding-habit had been SOLD %
the beginning Of her mothers last illness.
Oh, we'll, you must have another! we
can easily send to town for it. suppose
YOU remember your measurements? They
will send it down in day or two.
Custance was uncomfortably silent.
She wondered if he had forgotten that
she was taking no salary, and that the
little money which she possessed had TO
be carefully boarded. She felt tongue
tied and did not know how to explain,
although as rule she was perfectly at
her ease with Godfrey. He had been at
the Park for nearly week and seemed
like an old friend. Indeed, Custance
often feared that she was not respectful
enough, and that she treated him too
much like an ordinary individual. IL
shocked her to find herself demanding
little services from him. But he was SO
ready to put himself at her service, and
so totally without the slightest idea Of
regarding her as paid dependant, that
she found it very hard to remember.
Thorn Nugent had not been invited TO
dinner, and Godfrey had not said word
more about fishing. He transacted some
business with his bailiff for short time
in the morning, but the remainder OF the
day be spent with his mother and Gus
tance-with the latter alone when his
mother was resting-and seemed per-
fectly satisfied with the state OF affairs.
thought it an awful nuisance to run
up to town to-day, Mr.. Standard re-
marked as they strolled on. But out Of
evil good cometh; can order your habit.
The distress on the girls face deepened.
Will you be long away? she inquired
: hastily.
No longer than | can help, I can assure
you. If I can get my business done, !
shall be down again tonight. | suppose
YOU couldn't drive to the station to meet
me? he suggested, with quick, half
difident, and half daring look at her.
A little demure smile curved Custance's g
lips.
Am | to come to see if you will be
there? she asked meekly.
Oh, / will wire if I find ! can't get
down. he replied. Then, after pause,
he added, Well, will you come?
If Mrs. Standard can spare me, Gus
tance returned hesitatingly.
She suddenly felt little alarmed and
shocked at herself. Was it possible that
she was on the brink of Irritation with
her employer, to whom she owed fifty
pounds? After all, lie was young man
as well as great philanthopist, and it
beloved her to be careful. There was an
expression OF satisfaction in his eyes
when they rested on her that began to
make her uneasy.
We will have some jolly rides together,
Godfrey declared, with pleasurable an
ticipation. You won't forget to give me
those measurements, will you?
am afraid cannot give them to you,
Mr.. Standard Custance answered, in q
rather hard tone, and then added, with
an effort, do not mean to order a habit.
You will not ride with me? he de-
manded, the disappointment in his tone
somehow striking an answering note in
her own heart.
Oh, do not mean that! she exclaimed
hastily, thrown off her guard. 1t isl
cannot afford to have habit made.
There, you see-I am perfectly frank
with you. Please do not mention it
again.
4b Was 0OIlicy tuiu w ktOW uuCOu-
fortably red. and his eyes were very
troubled indeed as they rested on her.
Miss Madison, he said-of course |
won't speak of it again if you wish it,
but just this once do please let me! Is
it-haven't they Confound it, !
don't know how to put it! Look here, |
leave those things in Richards's hands.
Hasn't he sent you cheque?
I beg your pardon, Mr.. Standard but
for what?
Well-your-salary, supposel-hesi-
tating at the third word.
You forget, I think, that am drawing
none, Custance said iciIy.
You are drawing no salary! he repeated
in open amazement. But is Richards
mad? What does he mean by il?
It was my own arrangement. offered
my services in payment for the debt
owed you. could not return you the
fifty pounds, but agreed to work il out.
The girl was moving on as If the sub
iect were concluded, but Godfrey stopped