Middletown transcript., 1904-01-23

had had her rest and came down to tea,
Godfrey had not yet had the chance for
which he was waiting.
Custance felt a hysterical desire to
laugh, as she watched the impatience
with which he made himself pleasant,
sticking doggedly to his post and quite
unconscious that he was defeating his
own ends; for the presence Of the philan-
thropist was an added attraction to Mrs.
Standards guests, who fingered on until
it was time to dress for dinner.
Never mind; there is tomorrow and
the next day-and all our lives after
wards, thought Custance, as she changed
her gown.
For the first time since her mothers
death sEe laid aside her black dress. The
hot weather was ample excuse, and God
frey would understand why she did it
because this was a red-letter day, and
she wished to celebrate it. That he did
understand and was rather elated, she
noticed, when he looked up and saw her
enter the drawing-room-aw white-gowned
figure, with ler beautiful face framed in
the mass Of cleaning hair, which was
held back with silver arrow.
But there wau some one else there
some one who took in every line of her
face and figure with covetous magnetic
eyes. Thorn Nngent was leaning against
the mantelpiece, as graceful and hand
some as a panther. His evening dress
made his pale dark face appear more
sinister than ever to Custance, and as he
kept her hand in his a second longer
than sl.e would have preferred, she be-
came suddenly possessed with the old
terror Of him and wished that she could
prevent Godfrey's eyes following her
movements as she knew that they were
doing.
But Mr.. Standard saw no reason to dis
guise his devotion and proceeded to make
it as evident as unuttered eloquence
could do. Custance grew cold and sick
as she saw the steely glitter in Nugent's
eyes, and the fash of sneering compre-
hension on his face at each more obvious
sign from his host. The presence Of
Custance seemed almost to intoxicate
Godfrey-she looked SO sweet in her
white gown, with dreamy look in her
eyes, and a startled flush on her face.
He was quite aware that his voice took
different note whenever he spoke to her,
and was rather inclined to emphasize the
fact than not.
Miss Madison was admiring your house
to-day, Thorn, lie remarked, during din
ner.
Indeed!
Yes; we rode past it, and she appeared
quite struck with it in the distance.
am thinking Of rebuilding the Park.
To suit Miss Madison's taste?
Yes-as she admires the Tudor style
How could Godfrey be SO reckless,
Custance thought despairingly. She
looked fxedly at her plate, refusing to
meet his expressive glances, or the deadly
anger in the light eyes Of the man oppo-
site.
All, that is very galia't nf ynu! remark
I'd Nugent, a. suayely and deliberately
as ever. In the meantime, while your
castle is still in the air, shall he de-
lighted to put my house at Miss Madison's
disposal.
Was there veiled satire in the speech,
Or a threat? Custance looked at him
across the table.
That is most generous Of you, she OBJ
served coolIy. But | am quite comfort
able in my quarters at present, thank
You!
She flushed angrily and detiantly as
slie spoke, and Godfrey looked at her
quickly and little jealously. lie re-
membered that she had said that she
would admire Nugent, and although SHE
had been SO sweet afterwards in speaking
of the Park and was even now declaring
her preference for it, lie wished that she
had not crimsoned and resented the
,pen admiration in his guests eyes.
Custance was rather glad to leave the
able. The men were not likely to smoke
ong, she thought, and when they came
nto the drawing-room it wonld be easier
o avoid Nugent and get Godfrey alone.
As soon as she had settled Mrs. Standard
II her favorite chair by the window she !
vent to the piano and, with happy
little smile on her lips, began to play
'oftly.
In the dining-room, when the door had
closed behind the ladies, Mr.. Nugent sat
;rifiing with his wine glass for few
seconds. Suddenly he looked up.
So you ride with Miss Madison, God
rey? he said tentatively, with an affecta-
ion Of confidential candor in his tone.
Do you know that l think it is rather
,ood Of me not to mind? If it had been
any one but you, old fellow, | should
'eel inclined to raise Cain!
Godfrey's astonishment seemed to
:tupify him for minute.
What do you mean? he demanded at
asst.
Oh, know it's all right with you!
Sugent replied quite affectionateIy, and
with sweet smile. But still it isn't
exactly satisfactory to have ones lady
Owe taking lonely rides with some one
slse-even with such a good fellow as
you!
A sudden shadow fell on Mr.. Standards
kindly open face. He set lis glass down !
lntasted and turned his eyes on his guest
.ather strangely.
Will you kindly explain what you
mean, Thorn? lie asked quietly. Miss
Madison is not-cannot be-engaged to
ioul
Custance hasn't told you, then? Nu-
'ent inquired seriously, with an appear
snce Of concern. hoped that she had