Middletown transcript., 1904-09-24

guests to his house.
| Mr.. Warrender's house was not in tlis
least like Mr.. Daryls. 1t was Cheerful
and modern, with no gloom or suggestion
of mystery about it. The dinner was
excellent, and the preferences OF eacf
gnest had been remembered and provided
for. Chris had no more romance about
him than his house, but lie was thor,
ougily kindhearted and wonderfully
thoughtful for man. He spoke to Kill
meny exactly as if nothing had taken
place, but there was shade Of reserve
or embarrassment in her manner. lie
determined to dissipate it and restore
| the old5freedom. He considered the best
plan would be to leave her free to do
as she pleased, and, when she and the
others went to ask the housekeeper tf
show them all over the house after dim.
ner, he remained behind with Mrs. Riclf-
mond.
"What did you think of Mr. Daryl Z.
the mother asked anxiously wheE they
were alone. "Kilmeny did not SEEM
inclined to talk, and fancied something
odd had taken place. | feel so helpless
| without Doctor Richmond, and trus
in you. How did things go yesterday
"Mr. Daryl seemed to be greatly ins
| terested in Kilmeny. He took immense
pains to please her."
"Surely you don't think that there Y
anything in it? He must be sixty OF
seventy, while she is barely twenty"
| ''No, no-I don't believe that there
is anything of that kind. Make your
mind easy on that score But it struck
me that be had some object in view
what it was l could not exactly make
out"
II wish he had never seen Kilmeny
1 should be so much happier if this ac-
quaintance had never begun. People
tell such stories about him, and Kill
meny's father is SO far away If any
thing unpleasant were to happen | should
never forgive myself What ought ! to
do. Chris?''
"Kilmeny would not thank me for the
advice which I should feel inclined to
give. Mr.. Daryl's desire to know her
without first making your acquaintance
does not seem to me just the right thing.
How does it strike you, Mrs. Richmond?'
Exactly as it does you. have felt
uneasy since he sent for her in that
abrupt unceremonious way. | should
not have consented at ell to her going
only she was so headstrong about it and
you we're with her. But shall tell her
if any more invitations come, that she
must not accept them until Mr.. Daryl
gives me an opportunity of becoming
acquainted with him myself"
Mr.. Warrender made no reply. He
knew that the blame would fall on him,
and he had no wish to injure himself
too deeply in Kilmeny's' eyes. Mrs.
Richmond seemed to divine his feeling,
for she changed the conversation by
asking him to look where the children
we're, as they must soon think Of driving
home"
81 shall stroll around the garden" she
said, "and you can come for me when
they are ready"
1t was sometime before Mr.. Warren
der could collect his young guests and
convince them that their mother really
intended~-to return home. When at
length they were gathered, the younger
ones remembered that they had not seen
Chris's own room, and rushed off in
body to inspect it, leaving their host
and Kilmeny together
"You have been talking over Mr..
Dairy with mamma, the girl said quickly
when they were alone. 81 was con-
vinced that that was both her intention
and yours when | saw you settle yourself
down with her. What have you been
saying"
'It is better for your mother to tell
YOU"
''No-I will hear you! II you have
advised mamma to put All end to the
thing, remember that | will not submit
to is. Mr. Daryl is quite ali old man,
and if it gives him any pleasure for me
to visit him | intend to GO. OF course,
if papa were at home and were to forbid
me, | should obey, or if mamma were
to think things out for herself should
not mind"
"What you object to is my interfer-
ence in the matter?"
'You are only eight years older than
| am !" cried Kilmemy with a laugh.
"Why should you be SO immensely wise?
|, for one, am not going to stand it p
She stopped, with her charming face
lifted to his and little audacious sparkle
in her eyes.
"Are you still bent on thwarting me,
Chris ?" she asked in a soft voice, going
close to him. 'After all, my acqnain- 4
tance with Mr.. Daryl must cease when
we leave this place, and that will be in
few weeks. And | cannot see any pos
sble harm in it."
''1f he comes to visit your mother, anJ
she accompanies you on your visits,
neither can |. Your mother is a good
deal older than You, Kilmeny."
Kilmeny dropped him little curtesy.
Il am going to see Mr.. Daryl" she
said gayly. 'See if don't p
CHAPTER III
Mr.. Warrender and his companion
went back to the drawing room rather
soberly after Kilmeny's declaration. They |
expected to find Mrs. Richmond awaiting
them, but she was not there. The girl |
looked round in surprise.
''Mrs. Richmond said that we should |
find her in the garden" Christopher
"This way, Kilmeny | can |
let You out without going rouud to tile |
door"
He opened French window, and they
passed through it. The summer dusk |
was falling, and tile garden was begin
ming to take on the solemn ghostly look
which twilight brings with it. The
colors OF the flowers had disappeared, /
and they looked pliantom-like as Kill
meny and Christopher went along. The
garden was large, and they walked to
the very end without perceiving anv