Middletown transcript., 1904-08-13
lion indicated.

Little more than week later three
persons carrying tennis-rackets and shoes
were Walking swiftly along the same path
that Mrs. Adaire had taken when she
met Mrs. valancy. Two of them were
pretty girls; the third was big seuarely-
built young man, with frank honest
face and all air Of freedom about him
very pleasant to behold.
"And all the dear people know about
her is that Jack bade them be polite to
her; SC they have taken her entirely up.
on trust" The speaker was the younger
and more attractive of the girls, and, as
she spoke, there was quick droop of the
soft expressive lips and they quivered
slightly. 81 can't say like her myself, y
she went on, Though she is certainly
agreeable, sings and plays well, and is de-
cidedly clever"
"For my part, the elder girl broke in,
81 am perfectly fascinated by her! She
is quite delightful! The way in which
she has fallen in with things at Ladys-
well is amazing. / am certain there is a
motive for her coming here; Jack is the
last person in the world to send any one
to his mothers house without more rea-
son than is apparent. There is some
thing behind. Depend upon it, the en-
gagement will be made public soon.
Mrs. Valancy is exactly the sort Of per-
son to attract man like Jack Adaire-a
finished woman Of the world, you know
for, thoug he has often firted with
country hoidens, he never meant any,
thing serious. Mrs. Valancy is quite the
woman | should select for my cousins
WIFE"
"1 las he asked you to do so?" said the
younger and taller girl; but the other
went ahead without waiting for reply.
Ethel is put out" observed the last
speaker alphabetically. Poor girl,
Jack certainly did firt with her! l may
tell you so," she went on, in softened
tone-"you are such an intimate friend,
you know
The young man looked pleasantly upon
her.
"You fatter me-, Miss Clara" he said,
with a tender infection in his voice;
'still | did think old Jack was really
spoons in that quarter"
"Oh, only quite cousinly-nothing
more! But this lady is most charming:
and am sure you will be enchanted
with her."
Zone mustn't poach upon Jacks pre-
serves" the young man replied, with a
laugh. However, 1 never thought lie
would be caught by a widow, you know;
he wasn't one of that sort"
"Wait until you see her, and YOU will
understand, said Clara conyers. "Look!
declare Doctor Gem has coaxed Lily
out into the tennis-court! l always said
she could play as well as the best of us.
if she only tried"
The next moment they were in the
midst OF group of people alrin holiday
array. There was the contingent of
county magnates usually met at a country
tennis-party-the Rector, a couple Of
curates, a few half-shy half-awkward
youths from the adjacent town, and
sprinkling of military men from the near
est garrison. Amid such rural gather.
ing the graceful widow showed to the best
advantage, while the perfection of her
costume put all the country-made gar
ments to shame, its careful simplicity
emphasizing the contrast between her and
the rubicund country danes. As the
trio from the Castle advanced, it was evil
dent to them that the men of the party
had recognised this, little court of not
ables surrounding the fair stranger, whose
eyes were SO soft and yet SO keen. Fred
Osterly looked and wondered. Here was
a new revelation of womanhood. The
marvel had observed his approach. With
an easy air of passing interest, she in;
quired bis name.
"Oh," replied the Rector,s wife
that's Fred Osterly of Coombe Osterly
in the next county, He's staying at the
Castle; when Jack Adaire's away, lie is
our best cricketer, tennis-player, and
everything"
1t was lovely morning, but thun-
der-storm and torrent of rain. in the
evening rendered tennis an impossibility
Time seemed likely to drag. A bright
idea occurred to Miss Conyers,
Aunt Bell, why not ask Mrs. Valancy
to sing?' she said.
Mrs. Adaire could have kissed her
niece; but then difficulty arose. The
widow was nowhere to be seen, neither
was Fred Osterly visible.
Somewhat nettled by the coincidence,
Clara went in search of the missing pair.
and found them having a quiet chat in
remote corner of the yerandah. Fred
was leaning carelessly against pillar,
While the fair widow reclined in deep
cane-chair, her pretty face, oil which
there was look of infahtine softness. up-
turned to his. She was quite nncon>
cerned when Clara came upon them, al
though Fred looked sheepish; and long
before the country lady had recoyed her
equanimity- Mrs. Yalancy was singing
her sweetest, after fashion that was
captivating TO the male portion of her:
audience. Shesang nothing but simple
songs--Iris melodies, wistful and tender.
which almost brought tears into the old.
mems eyes-Jacobite ballads, and half
forgotten old-fashioned dities, sweet and
tuneful.
= Fred Osterly went home in a dazed.
confused, exquisitely pleased s.ate Of feel
ing, while old Sir We're Conyers hummed
the refrain Of Jacobite song all the
evening, until his daughter Clara told
him sharply that he gave her the fidgets.
Mrs. Valancy was the heroine If tile
day.
'Sucl a fascinating guest, my dear
Anha!' Mrs. Adaire said ,toiller sster.ins
L . =