Middletown transcript., 1904-08-20
coNr1suEp FROM LAST WEEK

usual, and her devoted mother Wouis
not leave her side; SO it happened tha
Mrs. yalancy had a good many hours tt
herself. There were few distractions a
Ladyswell, and, with an invalid in th'
house, the piano was interdicted there
fore Mrs. Adaire was glad when Fret
Osterly arrived one day in his high dog
cart, and proffered to drive the widow
through the woods to Castle Cliffe.
Fred had not much to say for hlmsel
as they drove along, and for once TIN
widows flow of speech failed. 1t wa
not until the return journey that CONVEX
sation between them became more THAI
emonosyllable.
81 must soon think of returning to m.
own people," Mrs. Valancy said, with
faint sigh. 81 have enjoyed my sta.
here very much indeed; but, like al
other pleasant things, it cannot last"
"Are you returning to London?' th'
young man inquired eagerly. "Pm goini
there when the training is over; =
Perhaps We may meetY'
81 fear it is not probable" was tht
reply. ''This happy time must be alto
gether forgotten )" and again the widow
sighed.
Fred lashed his willing horse savagely
as Adaire returning" he askee
abruptly through set teeth.
'Not that | know Of" Mrs. Va!ancy
answered gently. "Eyen if that were
the case, it would have no effect Oh me-
mean no immediate effect"
Again the horse received punishment
and then the driver growled-
II wish l could be sure of one thing
I wonder what you would say to me il
/ asked you an impertinent question:"
ri might possibly decline to answer it. y
sWell, is it true that you are engaged
to Jack Adaire ?''
Mrs. Valancy turned deathly pale.
Engaged 2" she faltered. "Did Lever
say that was
'I never heard that you did but Clara
Convers has been telling me so, and Mrs.
Adaire believes it-every one in the place
believes it."
"Do you believe 1t r. she said softly.
"I don't know what to think. Look
here, Mrs. Nalancy-since fist | saw
your face and heard you sing, you have
spoiled me for every other woman under
the sun-on my honor, you have There
Il know I've offended you but l could
not help it-you know | couldn't y
II she was offended, neither the flush
on her cheeks nor the light in her eyes
seemed indicative Of anger. She held
down her head, and murmured-
"You must not speak to me SO, Mr..
Osterly-indeed you must rot r.
"But why ?" he insisted. 'If you will
not acknowledge your engagement to
Jack, why must not try to secure fol
myself the dearest little woman in all the
world?''
The spirited horse was chastised nc
more, but suffered to amble along at his
own sweet will, for Fred managed to
obtain possession OF the little hand that
was not occupied with the dainty sun.
shade and, to his great delight, it was
not withdrawn from his clasp.
81 never told them | was bound," the
widow whispered.
"Then you are freer the infatuated
youth cried eagerly.
Mrs. Valancy gave hasty glance into
the honest young face, and then her eyes
dropped.
"Can anyone say they are free?' she
whispered. "Please release my hand
Mr.. Osterly (; l never contemplated this 7
81 won't let go until you tell me yor
are not bound," he replied.
Then she looked up.
"But you," she said hastily-"you-
are you not Clara Conyers's lover? Sht
limited as much to me long ago."
81 used to like her well enough" ht
replied-"it was my poor mothers wisf
but, now that l have met you, it's o
no use my trying to think of any ont
else"
81 don't know what tosay," whispered
the widow.
The days slipped on, and summe
waxed and waned. Lily Adaire was bet
ter. The fair stranger was more admired
and sought after-in fact, she had TIN
whole county at her feet and no on
dreamed that Fred Osterly was her slave
81 am SO sorry to be compelled to sa,
goodbye to this happy time F' Mrs
Valancy was in the breakfast-room will
rs. Adaire, and in her hand she held al
ominous-looking blue envelope. 81 flint
must 60 up to London on particula
business; the Valancys are disputing-
She put her handkerchief to her eyes
"Oh, it is too painful p
'I am dreadfully sorryp' cried kindl
Mrs. Adaire, moving quickly to tn
widows side. "My dearest child, don
for an instant imagine that any pecuniar
loss will make the slightest difference t
us. We are we'll enough off not to mind
and Jack is the least mercenary of men.
For moment there were tears in til
gray eyes,. Something seemed to rise j
the fair guests throat, and her lips parte
as if to speak. 1t was only for moment
then there was a compression OF til
lips-a hard glitter came into the beauti
full eyes.
81 am sure it will make no difference,
the widow said "but, all the same,
must defend my rights"
"But you will return to us-you wi
be our guest until the dear boy come
home? told him in my last letter tina
l meant to keep you among us until yo
had the right to be with US always"
The widow grew very pale.
"You wrote that?' she said faltel
ingly. "When?'
"0h, forget-shortly after you came
The pity of it is that he's in Burnali. an
Al. IA il