Middletown transcript., 1905-01-14
TROUBLESOME LENORE
IooNrlSuED FROM LAST WEEK.
BY MARGOT MA UDE

anu nope Stafcu 0O '0a a.
she was 90 radiantly fair, SO bright and
merry. She was dressed in the simplest
of white dresses, and made such quaint
contrast to her mother, for Agnes, with
her air Of gentle severity, looked almost
Quaker-like beside Lenore with her oril-
liancy OF face and manner.
"When did you leave. school? = Angus
asked her half-absently. while they were
at dinner.
"Iw Lenore turned her beautiful
ewes to him pleasantly. "Oh, | ieit
school suddenly-there was an lndescrio-
able tone Of demure mischief ID the
words "eight months ago."
"Angus probably meant, when dio you
cease to be q schoolgirl p her mother
said hurriedly.
"Did you? Oh. well, little more
than a year ago, / think. was only
q ooverness for four months. Wasn't
it four, mother ?"
sYes-only four months" and there
was rebuke in the patient voice when
reached its object.
Ienore's fair face flushed crimson, and
she was silent.
"You are quite child STILL" Hope
broke in hurriedly. She saw that sudden
rush of color and pitied the girl. but the
next moment Lenore's face was as bright
as ever. and she was asking eager ques-
tions about the neighborhood Of -Frewely,
and when Hopes wedding was to be.
81 wish that you could be brides
maid" Hope began.
II don't think that would do-woulo
it mother ?" Lenore asked with little
eagerness in her fresh young voice.
"No-it would not do"
Mrs. Daintrey spoke very quietly, but
Lenore raised no further question she
repeated her mothers words, Not
would not do"
''But you will find Lenore very useiul
over the flowers and decorations" Agnes
added. and she smiled at her daughter.
The smile was instantly answered on the
vounoer. fairer face. "She has great
taste, think, in that direction"
"Yes-I wanted to 60 in for home dec
Grafton" Lenore spoke eagerly again.
II know a girl who does it. and she
really makes quite lot Of money. You
can hardly call it work, can you, though
it NAV be little tiring? She goes round
to arrange peoples rooms for them. or to
dress the tables"
''But think that you must be little
older first," said her mother.
"And a good deal steadierY' There
was Just a touch Of sharpness in the girls
voice, but it passed directly, and she
began to describe wedding which she
had seen or heard Of lately, and where
some new effects had been gained in the
floral decorations.
81 shall be very much obliged il you
will help me-" said Hope pleasantly. Il
am rather duffer at such things myself.
/ can't even arrange a vase OF flowers
decently."
sIet me arrange all the flowers =
HThat would be rather too much to
ask Of you, but you shall superintend it.,
at any rate; there is to be dance the
night before, you know"
"a dance - The great gray eyes
shone brightly. do you know, have
never been to a real grown-up dance
before We had breaking-up dance
at Miss Deleveps, but it was rather a
failure
'I suppose school dances aren't usually
very exciting?" Hope asked.
"No? / found it very amusing, only
-
She paused, and was evidently vexed
with herself for opening the subject her
mother turned to her again, with that
glance of reproof in her calm eyes.
'tOnly?" Hope could not resist the
question, though she was sorry directly,
for the girls face burned once more with
that red-rose flush.
"-I was sent away before it was half
finished" she answered abruptly. THAT
was the end Of my first dance ~
"You sha'n't be sent away from mine"
said Hope protectingly. Il am sorry
asked you, Lenore it was stupid OF me ~
And then, with one Of her qnick changes
Of expression, the girl laughed merrily
as she said
"Oh, never mind me haven't any
feelings to hurt, have |, mother?"
'They are very easily healed, at any
rate"
They were rising from the table as she
spoke, but once more that smile passed
between the mother and daughter. 1t
was smile of understanding and peace.
81 am going to take her to see some
of my pretty things" said Hope quickly.
Come, Lenore-let us leave the elderly
two to talk business
CHAPTER Ill
There was a great fascination in the
brightness and happiness of the girl. Il
am happy anywhere" she had said care
lessly as she had entered Frewely and
both brother and sister soon learned to
believe it. Surely, even at school, under
the disappearing eyes Of Miss Deleyel,
Lenore, dancing about with her saucy
speeches and her merry laugh, must have
been bright and radiant. She was quite
irrepressible, except to her mothers re-
proofs, which, though gently spoken, were
sometimes almost stern or even harsh.
In day or two she was quite at home
at Frewely. and was enjoying herself
very thoroughly, as everyone could see.
She tyrannized over Hope and the ser
wants in her laughing way, but seemed
rather to avoid Angus. She appeared
to stand little in awe of him, and no
doubt her motner had wished it to be 80.
Il wish the wedding wasn't quite SO
soon," she said half compainingly one
day to hope. 1T will be different :.leil
you are gone, Hope. You are quite tie