Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1905-09-22

| mouse ana Lady Betty rose to look IN
| the mirror the reflected face was of
a kind to cause surprise that. at the
| age Of twenty-siX, she remained Lady
| Betty Crawford still. Certainly it had
not been the fault of the tall, slenderly
| built man with the fair mustache who
| was at that moment in the act or
| alighting. whereas Betty would have
insisted that all her energy was re-
| quired to look after her brotherhood
| Breakdown, who had lately passed his
| twenty-second birthday.
| ~ am terribly troubled about
| Arthur" she exclaimed, as Eustace
| Rainsforth entered the drawing room.
| What has he been doing this time
| "He came yesterday, declared mat
| HI wouldn't marry Laura Macdonald
| after all, and threatened to break on
his engagement at once"
| "After all the trouble you took to
bring it about" said Eustace. with
smile. "that must be Immensely disap-
| pointing"
| Gould anything promise better for
him?" she demanded. "The estate IS
| observation-disclosures has amy amount OF
| money. She is very fond of him. and
| month ago he pretended TO be fond of
| her.
| What has caused the change"
| ooh" cried Betty, che is infatuated
| with Anita Prince. He insists that he
will marry her"
1.-The last woman in England to
| dream of marrying him." said Eustace.
| "Miss Prince is as admirable off the
stage as OIL don't think it's possible
| TO say more. She is thirty if shes a
| day, and absolutely devoted to her art
unfortunately Arthur seems at pres
ent absolutely devoted to her," WAS the
| answer. .'If he is not At the theatre he
| is at her house In st. Johns Wood
| Road, and after all, suppose ne oilers
| :: certain temptations.
| Eustace shook his head.
"You have u mistaken impression OF
! the woman" he said. when Betty
| eagerly interrupted him.
| you seem thoroughly to understand
| her" she exclaimed. And if she is
| all YOU make her out to be. there will
| scarcely be the slightest difficulty. The
niereSt suggestion will induce her TO
| give Arthur his congo, and YOU must
| make it," Added Lady Betty. with an
entreating glance.
Good gracious" cried Eustace, Il
would sooner"
II should be more grateful than can
| tell you" said Betty.
| What" he asked, 'dO you do when
| you feel grateful"
ooh, all manner Of nice things" she
| returned.
| "Seriously?" he urged.
"I assure you that I am perfectly
| serious"
| about the gratitude"
| THAT among other things" she an
swered "If Arthur can only be disil-
| lusioned about Miss Prince he will soon
| settle down again and marry Laura
| when the time comes, but unless some
| thing is done l am really and truly
| afraid he may go to Bishopdown and
| break his engagement"
Eustace rose and walked to Betty's
| side, resting a hand on the back of her
| chair:
'It isn't n very pleasant thing to do,
he said, "but if | knew the reward was
certain. by Jove. there isn't much |
sould stick at"
She glanced up charmingly into his
face. her own unusually flushed. Il
don't think / should care precisely TO
make "a bargain about it," She muir
INJURED.
"How many years have you
kept me on tenterhoOks? he suggested,
"Oh. dear said Betty, II have no Idea
of-of anything of the sort this after
| noon" and so she surrendered herself
at last, and after delightful hall hour
had been spent Eustace reluctantly be-
gan to say goodbye. "When shall You
sec. Anita Prince" she asked.
Tomorrow" he answered. as he took
his hat.
you will try to be very tactful.
| she cried by way Of warning.
ar realize the absolute necessity,
| said Eustace. for it certainly seemed
TO be a mission for which he felt emf
nently unsuited. His solitary conSo-
lation when he set forth To st. John
Wood Road the following afternoon
was q conviction that Anita, on hear
ing the circumstances. would be as eager
| TO bring them to an end as Lady BETTY
| herself.
| He found Anita reclining on wicker
lounge in the large conservatory Whict
formed a part of the luXuriantly fur
nished drawing room. The sun shonf
| upon her Whitehead figure ana sht
kept her recumbent position unti
Eustace had enjoyed an opportunity OF
approaching its gracefulness. Anitas
demeanor was perhaps, seldom uncoh
sidered. OF rare talent and unsulliec
: reputation. she was tall, slender grace
full. with a rather thin and curiousiS
, mobile face, pair Of remarkable darF
eyes. and a great abundance of auburn
hair. Receiving EustaCe with unsus
$ pecting graciousncss. She Indicated al
? armchair a fewfeet away. while she still
half-reclined on the wicker lounge. Pro
pinuuity, combined with her friendly
manner. seemed to augment the dill
| culties of his task.
rs there any news" she inquired
and Eustace began to laugh.
"Oh, WELL" he returned, "the onl!
\ item is that | am going to be mar
| ried-"
ITO Lady Betty Crawford?" criet
Anita. "Then I may congratulate you