Middletown transcript., 1904-02-27
rcoSrrNUED FROM LAST WEEK.

But do not think Miss Mary is ever dull
here. She does too much good to be dull!
Stella gave her head an impatient toss.
II has been dreadful life for her. No
wonder she looks 80 sad. Oh, she does
look sad! She smiles, but her eyes never
smile-have you not noticed that? And
her voice goes to my heart. 1t is too
kind, too patient. Why is she so patientf
1 shouldn't be, know that Ishould be
horribly, wickedly discontented if had
lived all these years with nothing but
doing good to fill my life. How would
you like it?
But you love the country? said Anthony
eagerly. am sure you do.
should not love it if l had had to live
alone with Catharine, was Stella's hasty
answer. Darling Molly, she has had q
dismal time of it! But mean to look
after her now. Catharine must get
companion to tyrannize over, and Molly
shall learn what holiday means. She
has been taking care of other people long
enough.
l don't think that Miss Passingham
could do without her now, Anthony said,
and then, after momentary hesitation.
She has been very i'll, Miss Stella. You
must be prepared to find her greatly
changed.
Stella did not answer for moment.
She stood looking down the valley, her
bright face still very serious. Anthony
did not break the silence. He was con-
tent to watch her. Presently she looked
up at him.
I am dreadfully afraid Of her still-of
Catharine, mean. She wrote me quite
kind letter, but it makes me tremble to
think of going into her room to speak to
her. wonder if Molly is afraid OF her
still. She used to be. But must 20 in.
Tell Mrs. Deane that picked those white
roses for her. She has not forgotten me,
l am sure.
She is coming to call tomorrow. Deep
dene is greatly excited about you, Miss
Stella. Prepare to be stared at when you
20 to church on Sunday. l wish my Sis
ter were back, but she and her husband
are still away on their honeymoon, which
is to last for six months.
She married one Of the Hartleys, didn't
she? saw it in the Times. And do you
live at Northwood quite alone?
Yes-all alone. 1t is dreary exist
ence, he said gravely.
1t must be. Only sisters ought not to
marry. But you do not look as il your
life was very dreary one.
She had moved down the steps, but she
stopped as she said this, glancing back at
him with laughing eyes. And it was
that look which made her realise what
handsome fellow her old playfellow had
become. He had been rather an ugly
boy, freckled and sandy-haired; she re-
membered telling him quite frankly once
that he was ugly. But now, with his tall
frmly-knit figure and his fair hair and
blue eyes, he looked like the fairy prince
who had haunted her childish dreams.
The prince had always been fair and
blue-eyed and strong and stately of fig
ure. With an inward laugh, Stella re-
called this. She had never imagined a
swarthy prince, with black beard tinged
with iron-gray and deep sombre black
eyes.
Appearances are deceitful, Anthony
was saying to her. l am not bit like
that old fellow we used to read about at
Eaton, who was never less alone than
when he was alone. Iget deadly-tired OF
my own company. I hope | have not
bored Miss Molly by my constant appear
ance here. Shall bore you? This has
become second home to me.
Oh, please come as often as you canl
said Stella eagerly. l am afraid that l
am exactly like you. and find my own
company very dull. Molly says that she
is with Catharine most Of the morning,
50 we must entertain each other. It will
be like old times come back again.
CHAPTER III
1t was with very eager step that An
thony came up the drive the next morn
ing shortly before breakfast time. He
had been fishing, and carried his rod in
his hand, while well-filled basket of
trout was slung over his shoulder. Stella
was on the lawn, throwing sticks for Dan,
Molly's Irish terrier. Dan dropped the
stick suddenly and rushed to meet An
thony with joyful bark, and Stella fol-
lowed him more slowly, with smile Of
welcome on her face.
What beauties! she exclaimed, her eyes
sparkling, when Anthony showed her the
trout. Where did you get them?
Just below the mill. Don't you re-
member the two-pounder you caught
there with the rod which l made for your
Could I forget? It was the most glori-
ous moment Of my existence. When /
used to listen to uncle James and his
friends talking of the giant trout and sal
mon they had caught, I felt inclined to
cry out I, too, have livedl But what a
scolding Catharine gave me when 1 got
homel I was never allowed to go fishing
with you again.
She would not scold you now, he said
with an eager look. Couldn't you come
one morning or one afternoon, for the
sake of "Auld Lang Syne?''
She lifted her pretty eyebrows.
Would not Deepdene be shocked? But
wait-aren't you relation Of ours, Mr.. |
West? Third cousin fifteen times re-
moved, wasn't it? Don't you remember |
how you proved it from our family tree?
Even aunt Lydia could not blame me for |
going fishing with my cousin.
Of course not! Then you will come,
cousin Stellar l will bring my rods this
afternoon.
She shook her head, smiling.
l must stay at home this afternoon.
There are callers coming. Not Mrs. |
Deane only, but the Chilcots and the /