The Minneapolis journal., 1904-04-11
Chapter v.

E ~ . : IL
will you get down and speak to
the old lady?" asked Lord Gathering
ton, as he turned his head to watch
the approach Of Miss. Froyle, who
was advancing along the. pavement
with her mouth very tightly closed
and with her eyes fixed intently upon
the phaeton in which her nephew's
widow was sitting side by side with
an unknown man.
For Miss Froyle had never seen
the viscount, and had not the least
idea who he was. It was enough for
relation of the Froyles, who had come
SO. humbly to beg her. intervention with
Sir Johnstone and his wife, was hyp-
ocrite of the first water, neither friend
less nor poverty-stricken. And to the
austere spinster there was something
improper, go-ahead about a mail
phaeton and a pair Of good horses
in deep mourning to be seen in such
a turnout, was undoubtedly a social
crime.
AS he spoke, Lord Catherington
raised his hat and began to put back
the apron which covered their knees.
Miss Froyle took no notice whatever
of his salutation, but came steadily
marking every detail concerning its
occupants with an observant eye.
Beatrice, who had turned her head
also, uttered a little exclamation, reck-
less, despairihg.
''I'll get down if you think I'd bet
ter" said she. But it will only be
to be insulted. Can't you see that by
her face?"
Lord Catherington put up his hand
with the instinct Of stroking the beard
that was no longer there.
! ~ can't allow that said he. Let
her try her hand on tougher material
! And the groom being long before
this at the horses heads, the viscount
jumped down and met the grim lady
| Miss Froyle, believe?'' he said in
the blandest tones Of courteous inter-
rOgation:
| But the lady, who had stopped
| short, only gave him one, glance, and
| then, looking down upon the ground
said stiffy:
"You must excuse me. I can hold
no intercourse with persons who are
utter strangers to me-"
| Lord Catherington was too angry
to take this as a definite and fina
repulse. ....
,"But you cannot say, madam, tha
| the lady with me, your nephew's wild
oW, is a stranger to you," he said II
no very low voice, and with great pre-
cision. -- 81.
Miss ,Froyle threw an acid glance ir
the direction Of Beatrice, who was
very pale, and who trembled very
much. The ,spinster's answer to thi
challenge. came after a few. seconds
delay, but was very much to the poin
when it did come. ~. -
Mrs. Latimer Froyle's notions O
propriety are SO different from min
that I, intend to treat her as 1
stranger for the future" ~
Lord Catherington was furious.
well, happily for her, she's no
without friends" said he, sharply.
) But the little old maid was read!
80 I see. But she concealed tina
} fact from me- said she, more acidl.
I than ever and with. her head still
higher in the air. 5rg =
Lord Catherington was too in
dignant, torlet her have the. last word
confidence = said ,he:S 'sMrs. Froyle i
earning her living in the most hon
orable way, as a goVerness in m
family, and you would certainly hav
heard from. her all the facts if yo
had encouraged her to tell you them.
And without giving her time to sa
+ anything more, he raised his hat agai
very stiff1y and got up into tn
phaeton.
They saw that Miss Froyle wake
on at once, stiffy and steadily, as
nothing had happened, without S
much as. another glance in their direc
, ton. And they drove on again, an
had reached Princes gate befor
: either uttered a word.
t Then it was Lord Catherington VIII
, spoke, without looking at his com
panion, and in a voice :: which be
trayed considerable irritation. s.'
. why didn't you tell her you wer
: my daughters governess?" he asked
: abruptly.
0 The answer came very prompt.
, and was rather surprising. It was vi
e tered in a tone Of absolute reckless
ness, and came straight frol
g Beatrice's heart.
I because I never do the right thins
under any circumstances. Because
g can't tell the truth when I think
), will get me into trouble. 'Becaus
h I'm a weak, wretched creature, Dor
f to get into difficulties of all sorts, an
a Ito be too weak and too wicked t
), find the best way out Of them,'' sal
;, she.
And the heart-broken misery in he