Middletown transcript., 1905-01-21
IcoNTINUED FROM LAST WEEK.

III was rough to you, am sorry!
"But why did you speak so? Tell mel
If have offended you in any way, tell
me how, SO that may not do it again p
Y "You have not offended me at all, and"
he held out his forgive me,
Lenore."
II will forgive you," she said slowly,
and gave him her hand shut don't do
it again don't like to be treated like
that p'
81 will try to remember" he said.
"And give me the roses"
She took them from his hand and ran
into the house triumphant, leaving An
gus angry that she should have put him
in the wrong. There had been no occa-
sion for him to speak SO roughly to her,
as he now acknowledged but why had
he not told her the truth when she had
is'sed him how she had offended him ?
1t was hard to scold her, lie told himself,
and doubly hard for him, who had no
real right to do so and there had been
tears in her eyes, and he supposed that
that had made it still more impossible
to him. Ali the same he should tell her
plainly on the first good opportunity he
had that he disapproved of her conduct.
CHAPTER "
Lenore, when she was dressed ready
for the dance, looked beautiful beyond
all dispute, though her dress was made
of cheap material. She stood for mo.
ment and looked at herself in the long
glass. She was not coEceited but the
sight of her own beauty was pleasing
to her. Then she went lightly down the
corridor until she came to her mothers
door. There was no answer to her low
call, so she concluded that her mother
had gone downstairs already, and per.
haps she was late.
She ran down the stairs. How pretty
it all looked How happy she was
This was her first real dance, and it was
not likely that she would want for part
ners. The double drawing-rooms had
been thrown into one and made spfer-
did ballroom.
When Lenore entered, there were
already good many people there. She
went up to her mother, but was drawn
away almost Immediately by Captain
Percival, who showed her programme
which hn said uas hars
Let me see it before you have quite
filled it up, then, if you don't mind"
And she laughed mischievously.
II have good mind to take you at
your word p
II will give you three dances. neither
more nor less," she said. And. obtaining
the programme, she coolly scratched out
several of the initials which figured at
short distances
She looked marvelously pretty. and
people were not slow to notice it. In
half an hours time she was surrounded
by men, who we're eager for introduction |
and dances. Her mother noticed it, and |
noticed also her radiant face and heard |
her saucy speeches. She beckoned to |
her, and then, as she found that it was
impossible to attract her attention in |
that way, walked up to her and tapped
her lightly on the arm.
'Lenore, my dear, I want 10 speak to
you."
The girl looked rather startled she
had quite forgotten in her happy excite
ment all her mothers cautions and warn
ings. She had been told to be careful
not to attract much attention. She I
looked round the group of men who were
surrounding her and then across to where
Lady May was sitting, utterly deserted,
at the other side of the room, and the
girls face fell. She caught Hopes
glance. Even she looked ANNOYED,
though she smiled as she met IGNORES
eyes, She followed her mother obedi-
emily into the hall, where among the
crowd it was quite easy to speak without
attracting attention.
"Lenore"-Agnes Daintrey's face was
pale and set-"have you quite forgotten
all that said to you? Do you think
it is suitable that you, who are not here
simply as young lady Of the house, free
to amuse herself as much as possible, but
are here in dependent position, should
try to attract 81 much attention."
Mother, didn't think at all, butt
didn't try to attract their attention p'
"You make your little sharp speeches,
you look at them encouragingly. Lenore,
is it to begin again here? Angus and
Hope both looked annoyed. have been
told that both Captain Percival and Mr..
Farquhar think that You will marry them
if they ask YOU"
She paused for moment, but Lenore
was silent. She very rarely replied to
her mothers reproaches. She only ,
looked up with her face little pale and
asked ,
"What do you want me to dor'
"Can you not keep in the background {
a little-surely it isn't much to ask. Lady |
May Melford and Hope ought to be the 9
principal attractions to.night-not you I
you must see that % 4
''Oh, I see it, butt can't do it,
mother" she said, rather recklessly. III
is OF no use my promising it to you when S
know quite well that l shall not be
able to keep to it, is it? l shall remem. {
Der for moment or two, and then l shall {
only see all the pretty lights and hear '
The music, and want to dance and enjoy Il
myself, and if they come to me l shall D
ak to them" b
'Then''-Agnes Daintrey swallowed '
ump in her throat as she spoke, though h
ler voice was quite still and even--''then
think that the wisest thing for YOU
o do will be to go back to your own L
oom." Il
go back to my room p' There was Il
onsternation in the girls lovely face. A
Not be at the dance at all! DO vou Ia
Al. nv