Middletown transcript., 1904-10-01

remained a mystery. There was moth
ing in his very uneventfnl and simple
life wllichNit would give him the slightest
concern for the whole world to know,
| and he. racked his brains for solution
of the puzzle.
Altogether Mr.. .ChristopherW Warrender's
reflections were anything but pleasing
as be left the young Richmonds behind
and made his way towards evening in
the direction OF his own home. He was
too proud to try to find out any more
about Mrs. Richmond's affairs after her
very decided action, but he suddenly felt
very lonely as he entered the house.
He contented himself with sending
over his inquiries next day, and it was
not until some time after that he met
any of the Richmonds again. He came
on Kilmeny cantering along on hand
| some little pony, whose trappings were
7 in style which he knew to be far be-
yond Doctor Richmond's means to supply
Kilmeny herself was attiredin an elegant
riding-habit, and held a smart silver
mounted whip in her gauntletted hand.
She looked brilliant and brimming over
with good spirits.
:tKilnienyP' he cried, confounded. A
Sharp pain. shot through his heart. Was
the girl whom he loved lost to him as
/ well as everything else?
Gam l not magnificent ?'' she cried.
81 never thought that l should have
pony of my own, and be able to gallop
as please all over the country" Then
a softer look came over the wilful triumph
in her eyes. "Why don't you come to
see us, Chris? It is days since we have
seen you.'
"Should see you, if l called now? l
did ride over the day after you dined at
my house, but did not see you. You
were at Mr.. Daryl's then, and suppose
that you are going to the same place
| now ?"
"There are other people there, if /
| happen sometimes to be out"
Mr.. Warrender was silent, but the
grave reproach in his eyes made Xii
meny ashamed of herself.
''Please do not make yourself disagree
able, Chris" she said, bending down to
him. "Let me alone just this little
month, and let me enjoy myself for once
as l have often longed to do. II you will
come over for tea this afternoon, shall
be at home, and l can tell you Of the
great ball that there is to be at Mr..
DaryPs next week, and of the lovely
dress which shall wear, besides ever
so much more. You used always to care
to hear things about US. Won't you
Gomez"
"No, Kilmeny-you need not expect
me-"
Miss Richmond's pony made quick
movement away from him, ami its riders
eyes gave flash. The next moment she |
was gone. There was anger in her heart |
and also an unaccountable pain. Why
need Chris meddle and disapprove, and
make himself generally disagreeable, just |
as if he had any right over her?
Kimeny was riding to Mr.. DaryPs to
luncheon, and her pretty head had been
full Of the thoughts OF all the people |
whom she would meet there, when she
had come on Mr.. Warrender. When |
should she ever have the chance OF sit
ting down to luncheon with Lady Pen
ryth, Mr.. Daryls sister, the haughtist
woman in the whole county, if she gave
in to Chris's absurd scruples and declined
to Visit MIR. Daryl? To be sure, Lady
Penryth wore wig and rouged, and her
talk often shocked Kilmeny by its bitter
ness and disbelief in goodness, but she
had been able SO far to hold her own,
even with this cynical and wicked old
woman.
Everybody had been surprised at Mr..
Daryls reconciliation with his sister,
to whom he had not spoken for over
twenty years, and indeed his late move
nents had taken their breath away. His
house was being thrown open to the out
side world, and ball was now an
nounced to complete their amazement.
When the invitation bad come for Miss
Richmond, she had been almost fright
ened at the result Of her acquaintance
with Mr.. Daryl.
Il shall not go, mamma" she said
decidedly. What is he thinking of. to
ask me without you? I enjoy calling
and looking over his beautiful rooms and
all that, but this is different thing.
Besides, how could go alone? 1t is i'm
possible
Il have had note from Mr. Daryl
he has provided for that. He saysl
that his sister, Lady Penryth, will be
happy to act as your chaperon. She
will call for you in her carriage and take
you there"
Lady Penryth!' - kilmeny cried.
Lady Penryth to offer to come for her
Kilmeny Richmond-and take her to
a ball 1t was all dream The sight
OF her mothers face, pale and disturbed,
recalled her to herself. 1t had begun ,
to dawn on Kilmeny that her mother
was changing with everything else. She
was go much occupied with going to Mr..
Daryl's that she had not time to be much |
with the children now, and it seemed !
that her mother not only allowed this,
but arranged for it, and made things
easy for her, Mrs Richmond was grow {
ing pale, and had an anxious expectant ! !
look which was new to her. II
81 will not go!'' KiImeny repeated.
''Do you know, now that Chris is not :
here, do not mind saying to you that
am almost sorry that l ever met Mr..
Daryl? Do write, mamma, and decline
the invitation. If he had asked you it !;
would have been different, hut, as lie Z
has not seen fit to do that, will not
fhiuk of n Raci1oc urhorn ol,o,,ll <.ot l