The San Francisco call., 1904-11-27
CHAPTER XI
The Olive Branch.


Courtlands'-that 5uzetts who had
been at Mrs. Raymore's party, and
was, according to Christine Fanshaw,
a baby compared with Anna Selford,
although ten years her senior. She
had neither father nor mother, and
depended on her brother for a home.
He had gone abroad for a time, and
Lady Harriet had taken her in, partly
from kindness (for Lady Harriet had
kind impulses), partly to have some
body to grumble to when she was feel
ing too conscientious to grumble to the
children. This did happen sometimes.
Mono the less the children heard a
good deal Of grumbling, and in Su-
Eette's opinion knew far too much
about the state Of the household. They
were all girls. Lucy, Sophy and Vera,
and ranged in age from thirteen to
nine. They took to SuZette, and taught
her several things about the house be-
fore she had been long In 1t; and she
relieved Lady Harriet Of them to a
certain extent, thereby earning graft
tude no less than by her readiness to
listen to grumblings. Tom was little
seen just now; he came home very late
and went out very early; he never met
his wife; he used just to look in on the
children at schoolroom breakfast,
which Suzette had elected to share
with them, Lady Harriet taking the
meal in her own room. 1t was not a
pleasant house TO say in, but 1t was
tolerably comfortable, and Suzette. not
asking too much of life, was content
enough to be there, could tell herself
that she was OF use, and was happy in
performing an act OF friendship.
OF course the question was how long
Lady Harriet would stand 1t. The lit
tie girls knew that this was the queS-
ton; they were just waiting for
mamma to break out. They had not
disliked their mother IN the past; oc-
casional fits of temper are not what
children hate most. They endure
them, hoping for better times, or con-
trive to be out Of the way when the
tempest arises. Cracks with any i'm
plement that came handy were the
order Of the day when the tempest had
risen; but on calm days Lady Harriet
had been carelessly indulgent, and, In
her way, affectionate to the girls. But
now the calm days grew rare, the tenn
pests more frequent and violent. Fear
grew, love waned, hatred was on its
way to their hearts. They had never
disliked their father; though they had
no great respect for him, they loved
him. They regarded him with COM
passionate sympathy, as the person on
whom most Of the cracks fell; and they
quite understood why he wanted to
keep out Of the way. They had list
ened to their mothers grumbling; they
had listened to the talk Of the serv-
ants, too. Suzette was no check on
their speculations; they liked her very
much, but they were not in the least
in awe OF her.
"WiH you take US for a walk this
afternoon, Miss Bligh?' asked Sophy,
at schoolroom breakfast on Sunday.
Because Garrett says mamma's not
hAk
near her-she's going to stay in her
own room till tea time"
"Of course 1 will, dears," said 5uzette
Bligh.
"Oh, there's nothing the matter with
mamma, really" declared Lucy-"only
she's In an awful fury. met Garrett
coming out Of her room, and she looked
frightened to death"
"Ah, but you don't know whyl" piped
up Vera's youthful voice IN accents OF
triumph. "I dol I was In the hall, just
behind the curtain Of the archway. and
heard Peters tell the new foOtman-
Papa was expected last night and
mamma had left orders that she should
be told when he came In. But he did
not"
I'VE all know that, Vera" Sophy In
terrupted, contemptuouslv. He sent
word that he'd been called out Of town
and wouldn't be back till Monday"
And the message didn't get here till
IA o'clock. Fancy, Miss Blighl"
well, I'm glad you're going to take
US to church, and not mamma, Miss
Bligh."
"I hope she won't send for any Of Us
about anything
1T hope she won't send for me, any
how" said Vera, because haven't
done my French, and"
Then l shouldn't like to be you IL
you have to go to her." said Lucy. in
a manner far from comforting.
Lady Harriet was by way OF teach
ing the children French and had not
endeared the language to them.
''I wonder what called papa away!"
unused Sophy.
Now, Sophy, that's no business Of
yours" said poor Suzette. endeavoring
to do good. you've no business to"
well, I don't see any harm in II,
Miss Bligh. Papa's always being called
away now.
Especially when mama's-
ST can't listen to any more, dears.
Does the vicar or the curate preach
in the morning, Lucy dear?"
Don't know, Miss Bligh. I say,