The Washington times., 1905-09-17

the household. brought little delight
when IL came Maud reported for duty
next day. and soon learned the routine
Of her work; but she grew more and
more silent at home. and Saurs hope Of
a wedding in the family died away.
x x
Arthur Farnham walked away from
the meeting with the feeling Of a school,
boy who has finished difficult task and
who thinks he deserves some compen-
sating pleasure. The day had been fine
and warm, but the breeze Of the late
afternoon was alreadv blowing in from
the lake. lending freshness and life to
the air. The sky was filled with soft
gray CLOUDS, which sailed along at q
leisurely rate, evidently on very good
terms with the breeze As Farnham
walked up the avenue. he cast about In
his mind for the sort Of dissipation with
which he would reward himself for the
days york and he decided for ride
But as he was drawing On his boots.
1t occurred to him, for the first time
In his life. that IL was a churlish and
unneighborly proceeding for him TO go
riding alone day after day. and that he
would be doing no more than his duty
to offer his escort to Miss Bedding. He
said Miss Bedding to his own thought
| making II as formal and respectful az
possible So. sending an order to his
gron to keep his horse at the stable
| for a moment, he walked over the lawn
to the Bedding cottage and asked for the
| ladies'
| Il believe they are upstairs, SIR Walk
into the drawing-room. and VIII see.''
said the neat housemaid, smiling at
Farnham. as indeed was the general
custom of women He took his seat in
the cool and darkened room facing the
doorway, which commanded a view Of
! the stairs He sat in a large willow
chair very much at his ease. looking
about the pretty salon. enjoying it's pic
lures and ornaments and the fragrance
of the roses in the vases, as If he had
a personal interest in them The maid
came back and said the ladies would be
| down in a moment
/ She had announced Farnham to Mrs.
Bedding, who had replied. Tell him. in
! a moment" She was in the summer
afternoon condition which the ladies
call "dressing-sack.' and after an in
! spection at the glass. which seemed I'M
satisfactory. she walked acros the hall
to her daughters room She found Alice
standing by the window, looking out
! upon the lake.
There, l am glad you are all dressed
Arthur Farnham has called. and you
must go down and excuse me- / said I
would come. but il viii take me so long
to dress. he viii get tired of waiting.
You run down and see him I suppose
there is nothing particular"
"Oh. mamma" said Alice, Il don't
want to see him. and especially not
alone.
Mrs Bedding made large eyes in her
| surprise. why, Alice, what has got
into your
Alice blushed and cast down her eyes
Mamma she said. in low voice,
do not ask me to go down You know
what you told me last night"
There. that will do said the mother.
with tone of authority Perhaps 1
was foolish to tell you that silly little
story. but l am the judge of who shall
visit this house You are too young to
decide these questions for me, and !
insist that what / told you shall make
no difference in your treatment of Mr..
Farnham. You think too much of your
OWE part in the matter. He has come TO
see me. and not you, and l wish you to
go down and make my excuses for
keeping him waiting. VIII you go?'