Kingsbury County independent. (DeSmet, Kingsbury County, S.D.) 1894-1929, 1905-05-19
C,RtHT bRlTAN R9aT} KE]ENtD

sist the temptation to jump into the
carriage after her?
Certainly sydney Paget was not stole
enough to pass on TO the next carriage
when he could sit opposite such a dam
~ little lady as his eyes rested on
when, with a shrek and a start. the
train slowly dragged its longth length
out of the London terminus.
Given youth, good looks and the slim
illus OF a glorious day in late spring
and the bridge need be but slight which
passes from silence to the ordinary
small ralk Of every day conversation
From the label on her handbag, Sgd
ney gathered that the lady's name was
Miss Smith, and that she was a pas
senger to Crawley, the small village
which was also his destination, there
fore it was with a feeling of pleasure
that he assured himself that he would
see more OF Miss Smith in the future.
Her rose leaf complexion, her bril-
liant hazel eyes and crisp, wavy brown
hair with ever such a slight inge of
red in 1t, and her bright, impulsive man
ner made such a charming personality
that the oun man never noticed thai
her clothes were not of the newest
fashion and her gloves of a cheap
make; details that a woman would
have seen with half an eye.
Having intimated to her that he was
also going to Crawley. and. In fact, had
lived there the better part of his life,
they embarked On the subject of the
beauties OF the village, n she showed
herself particularly anxious to hear
about the inhabitants of the houses
round the neishborhood.
He gave her a lively description of
the various oddities of the country
magnates in those parts, and at length
she said somewhat timidly:
DO you know any people called Pager
there"
Living at a place called the Hurst?
Why, certainly, there is the Hon. Mrs.
Paget. her daughter Edith, and two
sons. Do you know them?"
We'll, not exactly" she replied in an
embarrassed amer "I-er-know of
them; they are. l may say, sort of con-
nections of mine
sydney started and then exclaimed:
why, OF course, how stupid l am
you are the Miss Smith we have been
expecting. How is it ! did not guess
at once? But YOU must have come in
by an earlier steamer than we thought,
for we did not think you would be
here for another fortnight. How glad
I am that | met YOU"
"But-but.'' she stammered, IF you
expected me may / ask who YOU are?'
Why of course--I am sydney Paget;
John must have told you about me
! am his eldest brother. What a pity
he is not at home just now. Never
mind, you need not feel strange with us.
You will find the mater an awfully
good sort, and so is sister Edith if she
takes to you. And she must do that,
he added soto voce.
Seeing that Miss Smith appeared
somewhat iii at ease Sydney ratified on
at some length, asking about her voy-
age and Australia and quoting largely
from his brother Johns accounts of the
country.
In a short time the young lady's en-
barrassment passed, and she was soon
chatting away, her eyes dancing with
suppressed fun; n sydney was so
taken up with watching these said eyes
that he never noticed how much he was
telling her of himself and his family.
The journey, all too short as 1t APP
peared to one at least of the passen-
gers. drew To an end and soon Sydney
had the pleasure Of handing his charm
ing fellow passenger into his own dog
cart and driving off with her at a good
pace. pointing out the places of beauty
and interest 10 her as they proceeded.
Arriving at the Hurst he helped her
down and conducted her to the drawing
room. where they met a dignified look
ing old lady and a daughter. evidently
the eldest OF the family, pleasant but
not good locking. and dressed with a
style that was evidently something be-
ypitu ltJc .IGNCS il ut CIdNltS uIcSS-.
maker.
Mother. tust fancy" cried sydney,
as he ushefed Miss smith into the
room. Il came down in the same car
riage With Miss Smith and did not
guess who she was until she opened my
eyes by acquiring about US ali.
A look of surprise and pleasure came
into the Hon. Miss Paget's face as she
gazed Gil the sweet, embarrassed face
before her. and kissing her i'm a warm
hearted manner, she exclaimed:
Il am glad TO meet you. l hope you
will grow fond of us. Edith, dear"
turning TO her daughter, here is Miss
Smith,
Edith came forward and shook hands,
murmuring expressions OF pleasure.
''Of course, my dear" said Mrs.
Paget, you are prepared to stay some
time with us before you go off to your
friends in Liverpool. A room shall be
prepared for you at nee. If we had
known the exact date of your arrival
everything would have been ready.
Dear Mrs. Paget," replied Miss
Smith, with one of her charming
bushes, you are too kind. l am sure
i shall be most happy here"
Having had tea, Edith escorted the
visitor TO the room prepared for her,
and then with suppressed excitement
She sought her mother.
ILL WHY u tAAt ~ HG4t =
you? l was so afraid she would be
hardly pr~esentable. and really there is
no doubt she is quite a LADY,. and
though her dress is out OF date, it will
pass muster down here"
Indeed, yes my dear. ] feel we are
fortunate. for / never knew who John
might have got hold OF out in Aus
trAlia. What fault can he find with
her? I wonder why he is so anxious
we should not think there is any en-
easement between them?"
THE whole thing Is a mystery to me.
OF course we may lind out that on fur
Their acquaintance she is not what she
appears TO be at first, but we shall nave
excellent opportunities for judging while
she is here. What a good thing IL is
that Nellie Seymour has asked to have
her visit postponed. Surprising things
should not turn out all right. it would
be so much more disagreeabie to have
a stranger In the house, and II might
set her against us, and then Sydney
What are YOU saying about sgd
ney9" said that same person entering
the room.
only tina you should ave some of
the little attentions you paid Miss
Smith for Nellie Seymour when she
comes next month
Bother Nellie Seymour! You talk OF
her morning. 400 and night till / am
sick of her name, ne burst out strid-
ing about the loom Ia an irate man.
ner.
My dear boy broke In Mrs. Paget.
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