Middletown transcript., 1905-01-28
IooNr1NuEp FROM LAST WEEK.

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she said. "And we do very well as
we are, without either OF Them"
He was silent, but in his heart he
echoed her words-"We do excellently
we'll without either of them."
"Cousin Angus. it isn't nearly twenty
minutes ?''-with an anxious glance at
his watch. 81 hope not !"
"Not nearly" But he took his watch
up and replaced it in his pocket, fasten'
ing the chain with its dangling seal.
"Then do something more for me r
she said coaxingly. "Come and finish
our dance in the corridor. The music
is playing again. No one will see or
hear us. The carpets are sc. thick, and
have never danced with proper part
ner, except once with the French MASTER
and he danced vilely!"
"Come, then r'-he rose instantly. u
don't know that am proper partner
it ought to be some one younger,
Lenore-but, such as l am, am quite
at your service"
For five minutes they waltzed noise
lessly up and down the long corridor,
until the music died away and voices
were heard again below.
sIt was lovely y Lenore said excitedly
when they stopped. "You dance go
well, cousin Angus, and I-how do l
waltz"
"Exquisitely DO you need me to
tell you that?''
81 hoped you would say SO. Well,
a1r dance is over, and you must go. l
h,ye enjoyed it immensely"-and she
sigsed-"but everything must come to
an end, mustn't it? Now I will 60 and
pile all the things on to the tray, and
then, If you will tell them to send Phoebe
up, everything will be all right. Good
night, cousin Angus, and thank you again
for thinking of me. After all, have
enjoyed my dance' She laughed mer-
rily. "I shall tell mother, afterwards,
how good you have been. She will be
pleased to think that l have not been
dull"
81 suppose that it would be at the risk
of disturbing our newly-formed treaty
of peace if I suggested that still venture
to think that Agnes is little hard on
you?'
"It would" She frowned for mo-
ment. Besides, it isn't true. She is
not hard. She couldn't be hard to any
living creature, and she loves me as much
as l love her-and that is more than
anything or anybody else. But she can
see when l am wrong, and I am not
always good"
"Why not try to be good. then ?'
''Do you think I don't?'' And then
she laughed. ''This isn't the place or
season for lecture" she said gaily.
"You are neglecting all your duties to
give, SO think that you had better 60
back to them. You will have plenty Of
time to tell me all about my lack OF good
ness another dayp'
'"I hope that 1 shall''-and his tone
seemed contented.
"Only"-he had left her, and the words
followed him in her low voice-"don't
watch me any more as if were thief.
1t makes me behave badly out of self
defence p
Angus went downstairs again and found
his neglected partner. He made half
apology, which she received graciously.
Don't apologize" she said amiably.
II know what it is to be host. My hus-
band is absolutely useless if we have
anything going on"
II hope that am not SO bal as that,
but something went wrong, and l have
been seeing to it."
Upstairs, Lenore tidied up ier mother
room, and then went off to bed quite
eontentedly. She listened for few min
utes over the balustrade Of the corridor
to the music which was still sounding
uninterruptedly below, but she no longer
felt that keen regret.
She was sleeping soundly and peace
fully when her mother came softly in.
Agnes bent over her and kissed her
gently. She breathed few low words
a blessing-as she watched the sweet
face.
"My poor little Lenore-my dear little
girl What will be the end of it, / wen-
der? Surely she is not born for an un-
happy fate ! And yet she has her fathers
fatal want Of thought for anything but
the present hour-his inability to count
the cost of his actions, with all his sweet
temper and his charm. Oh, my darling.
if only happiness may be yours, if only
you may have strong hand to keep you
from harm, to keep you safe away out
OF temptation, out of sorrow y
She kissed the girl again, breathing her
"Heaven keep you from all evil, my
child !" and left the room.
The next morning was Hopes wed.
ding-day. 1t was perfectly fine, and
Lenore was very busy and most helpful
until the ceremony was over and the
bride and bridegroom had come back
from the church.
Hope Fairford received all the good
wishes which were lavished upon her
with shining eyes. She was very happy
bride, and it was only quite at the last
that she clung to Angus with a few tears.
"We have been so happy together"
she said to him. II love you 80 much,
Angus, and / want you to be happy too"
81 shall be all right. Now don't cry,
little girl. You have been so good. Here
is Fairford, and You must go, Hope"
"Yes-I must 60" She dried her eyes
and smiled at her husband, who came to
warn her that their time was getting
short "But shall never forget all your
goodness to me, dear old boy, and, above
all things, shall hope for your happi-
ness r.
She kissed Lady May rather coldly