Middletown transcript., 1904-02-27
The Youngest Miss Passinsham


accountably nervous for an instant or
two. 1t was ridiculous that her heart
should beat because Mr.. West chose to
look so absurdly delighted at being asked
to take morning walk with her.
Molly was not in the breakfast.room
when they went in, and presently Cath
arine's maid came to ask them to begin,
40 Miss Mary would not be down just yet.
/ am afraid that Catharine has had q
very bad night, Stella said as she seated
herself at the head OF the table and began
to pour out Anthony's coffee.
He was watching her so intently, find
ing new charm in everything she did,
that he had to think for moment before
he could answer her.
| am sorry, he said then. 1 suppose
Miss Mary has been staying up with herr
l am afraid 30. You know that told
you should be frightened when went
into her room. Well, I was frightened,
but / was sorry too. How terribly changed
she is! I never saw any one so haggard.
Her eyes burn at you from deep hollows.
Molly says that she is much better, but
she looks very, very i'll. She told me
that she was glad that had come. That
was great thing for her to say, wasn't
it?
Miss Mary told me that she was very
anxious to see you.
Yes. She was going to write and ask
me to come home. 1t was strange that
just at that very time aunt Lydia should
have come to the conclusion that the
Grange was the best place for me. You
know that I left them in disgrace, don't
you? Oh, aunt Lydia and the girls were
very angryl
What had you done? Tell me, asked
Anthony, smiling at her.
She colored, but there was sparkling
mischief in her eyes.
A cousin is not father-confessor, she
said gaily; and 1 don't take aunt Lydia's
view Of my character. How could help
it if people found it more entertaining to
talk to me than to play golf with Harriet
or to mix the colors for Bellies palette?
He laughed.
] Iguessed as much, he said. No won
der your aunt was glad for you to leave
them! And then, with sudden change
of tone. he added, l suppose you went
out q great deal. Won't you miss the
balls and parties? The season is not over
yet, is it2
She shrugged her shoulders with a
touch Of scorn.
How long does the season last in Streat-
ham? Uncle James is a very rich man,
cousin Tony; but we were not in Society
Society with a big 8. Our gaieties were
mostly suburban ones. In Scotland we
ranked higher. A man with uncle James
fishing and shooting rights is parsonage
Of Importance there. And some of our
Scotch friends found Us out in London,
though We did live at Steartham.
A sudden pang of jealousy darted
through Anthony.
You met Creighton in Scotland, didn't
you? he said.
She smiled gaily at him across the tea
cups. Having made up her mind to keep
her secret, she was not going to betray
herself because Anthony was curious.
Yes. He was one Of those who found
his way to Streatham. His visits were
great events, I can assure you. His fam
lily is a very old one, isn't it? We heard
that his uncle had refused peerage.
Yes-that is true. He thought it a
greater distinction to be Squire Creighton
of Creighton than to be man of title. l
heard rumor that the present Squire is
engaged. Is it true, do you know?
Again Stella's eyes met bis, clear and
sparkling with fun.
How solemnly you ask the question.
cousin Tonyl Why do you object to the |
poor man seeking a wife? But 1 know
why it is. You dislike him. I heard it |
in your voice yesterday. Why do you
dislike him? He is nearly old enough to |
be your father.
The suspicion that for a moment had
found unwelcome lodging in Anthony's |
mind took fight at Stella's gay raillery.
He drew deep breath Of relief and told |
himself that it was for Miss Mary's sake
that the suspicion had weighed so heav-
lily upon him.
You have quick ears, cousin Stella, he
said, with boyish laugh. 1 must be
careful how speak Of people before you.
Then it is true that Creighton is engaged?
Do you know the lady?
Oh, yes-I know her! But 1 would
rather not tell you her name. She does
not wish it to be mentioned till Mr..
Creighton comes back from America.
That is why did not speak of it yester-
day. But she is a great deal younger
than he isl can tell you that; and some
people think her pretty. do not think
SO my self, but I should call her attrac-
live.
A girl who ought to be in the school.
mere child-that is what nv
friend said of herl exclaimed Anthony
with strong disgust in his tone. How
can girls marry men who were grown I'D
before they were born? What can they
know Of their lives2
Poor Mr.. Creighton! How you do dis
like him! cried Stella. And he never
struck me as SO very old. But q squire
of high degree can afford to be older than
other people. Let us hope that the young
ady who ought to be in the schoolroom
will treat his gray hairs with respect.
But really must not talk OF her, cousin
Tony. You will want to know her name
md all about her, and only few of her
friends know as yet l assure you they
hink her lucky young woman. But
what frown! You can look yery dis
'greeable when you frown.
Anthony's brow cleared instantly.
Did l frown? But do not let US talk
inv more OF Creighton. IL is ou;to trra