Middletown transcript., 1904-04-09

/ "0Ao AtASA0S 0e SShOOi. !" go
and / did not wish to disturb her till sin
should be free-as / explained before
came into the house.
Grace! lie repeated, with an inssnua
ting infection.
Grace Hervey, Of course. Why do yol
stare at me so?
beg your pardon. ! was thinking
lie picked his way carefully-that moth
ing you have said yet quite accounts fol
your being herein my fathers house.
Your fathers house? Who are you2
John Derwent, if you please, but
| won't do so any more, he iested, in friendly
| nockery Of her severity.
Do you mean-Oliye clutched the raj
do you mean that I am in the wrong
house-all this time? How could make
mistaken Have the Heyveys moved
Where is this?
Perhaps it was mistake of your
drivers. What number did you give
him2 The Herveys live down somewhere
about Twenty-first street, don't they?
know Grace Hervey very well; she was
in my sisters dancing class.
Grace lives in Twenty-third street
number 81.
This is % Thirty-first street. Looks as
if your man just mixed the numbers.
More likely it was l, said Olive, hon
estly. These streets with numbers for
names confuse me. But what shall do
Her distress was evident, as the fulfawk-
wardness Of her situation began to unfold
itself. Is Twenty-third street far from
here?
Much too far for you to 60, by any
possible arrangement, so late as it must
be now, he said.
What shall do Olive walled. +.
The best thing see, he decided, after
some thought, is for me to take YOU to
my mother. the crowd seems to be
thinning out; this thing will soon break
up. Let her have the whole story; then
she will take care of you.
Oh Olive breathed. with a frightened
heart-sinking at though Of the necessary
explanations. can'tl Isn't there any
other way? If could only keep out Of
everybody's way for to night
There is no other possible way, lie said,
with decision, seeing what child she
was. for all her tallness and dignity.
Olive bowed, however unwiilingly, to the
authority in his tone, and at his sugges-
ton sat down, he also sitting, two or
three stairs above her, to wait till the last
lingering guest should be gone.
They fell into more intimate talk; they
we're by and by saying, at intervals: Oh,
have you felt that, too? or, | never sup
posed anyone but me dared think that
1t grew quiet below, and John Der
went rose to lead Olive downstairs. With
a hysterical catch in her laugh, she threw
aside the housemaid's apron she was still
wearing.
But wait ! he said, considering again.
Let me 60 first and make sure OF your
seeing my mother where you can talk
undisturbed. / will come back for you
in no time.
He returned few moments later, run
ming up the stairs with boyish haste;
and Olive was conducted to grand and
stately lady, attendeh by two girls in
their fluffy party gowns.
John Derwent remembered too late
that lie had forgotten to ask Olives name,
and so he had no graceful way Of pre-
senting her. Mrs. Derwent listened with
severity to the story, which, in truth,
was but i'll told; for her son betrayed en-
under her evident suspicion,
md Olive was angrily conscious that in |
ner timidity she was not doing herself |
ustice. But Olive was unmistakably a |
ady; and when Mrs. Derwent began to |
Zee the case clearly before her. she smiled |
We were expecting new maid, and |
he mistake was made possible from that
act, she said. 1t has been an annoying
experience for you, and we must arrange
hings as well as we can to atone for it.
)nly, my dear, you should not have gone
nto the kitchen to work that was delib-
rate putting Of yourself in false posi-
ion.
see, now. that shouldn't, Olive said
0 humbly and with such evident near
less to tears-her nerves being much
vorn on by the excitements of the eyen-
ng-that Mrs. Derwent took her hand
nd patted it in motherly way, saving,
here, my dear, we will not be too hard
n young people for their little mistakes
q judgment. My daughters are going
p-stairs now; you shall 20 with them,
nd they will make you comfortable.
,ou must be very tired il you have been
raveling all day. Adelaide, give orders
,r Miss
Torrey, said Olive, filling in the inquir-
ng pause.
For Miss Torrey's things to be brought
ON the maids room; and Julia. see that
ne is provided from your room with
she needs. And about your
'iends-will they not be anxious about
ou2 will send word that you are with
Q.
They will not be anxious, Olive ex-
aimed. There was little uncertainty
bout my time of starting, and it was
ranged that / should have a choice Of .
ro days. They will suppose / have
aited till tomorrow.
Very comfortable was Olive made, by
! that luxurious surroundings and kind
tentioh could do. The Derwent girls ,
ere go tactfully cordial that the awk- |
ardness Of her position was greatly re- |
sved. II
Even the dreaded ordeal OF breakfast |
lth the family passed with some degree | i
enjoyment. The son of the house con-
rned himself for Olives entertainment 1
ith an attention which was fattering.
,xok - l.