The Kennewick courier. [volume] (Kennewick, Wash.) 1905-1914, 1905-05-10


each other with countenances of
amazement, not unmixed with GER
tain satisfaction.
II knew it." said Edla Joyce.
"Any one could see that there was
something wrong about her." said
Madalina Martin.
At that moment a new visitor was
ushered out on the sunny lawn, and
the tide of criticism was momentariiy
checked.
Miss Brubazon came back to the
hotel tea table in high spirits. She had
had letter from home, and her father
was to come for her in week, and
the walk with Seth Valance had given
new stir and impetus to her ideas.
She had always liked the handsome,
stately young farmer, but she never
had respected him as she did to-day.
Capt. Cardan was at the table, but
he seemed embarrassed and con-
strained, and devoted himself exclu-
sively to his plate.
Belle BrabaZon was at a loss to COM
DItutIu Luc SdlAuAI captain cuubSAA
GOODNESS. She addressed him as usual,
but received only monosyllabic re-
plies.
what does it mean?' she said to
herself.
There was an impromptu masque-
rade at the hotel the next evening, and
all the girls and cavaliers were there.
But, to Seth Vallance's infinite disaT-
pointment, Miss Brabazon did not ap-
pear.
She was lonesome, however, in the
silence and seclusion of her own room;
when the ballroom was full, and there
seemed no longer to be any danger OF
interruption on the staircase, she crept
down the back way, and, seating her,
self in a secluded corner, where she
could see the crowd and hear the
merry music through a vine sheltered
window, which was partly open, felt
more lonely than ever.
But Miss Madalina Martins high
pitched voice reached her ear pres
emily, uttering her name in unmistak-
able accent.
Miss Brabazonm she cried. "You
surely didn't expect to see her here
to-night?"
Eyes, 1 did," said Seth Valance.
"Why not?'
Now that her thin disguise is pene-
tratedY' said Miss Martin, severely.
"What thin disguise?" persisted
honest Seth.
Don't you know?" said Madalina.
Didn't your cousin Lucetta tell you
what she 1s-an actress7 That Miss
Manderill herself saw her playing
Lady Teazle, in the School for Scan
dal,' in London"
Eyes; she told me that" admitted
Seth. But what difference does that
make? Isn't she a beautiful and ac-
complished lady, just the same?"
"Seth, you don't understand les con-
venancesw exclaimed Miss st. Avon,
who stood smiling by, on the arm Of
Capt. Cardan. "Of course, she must
feel that she has gained our social rec
ogniton entirely under false pre-
fences. An actress, indeedr'
81 don't see." drily remarked Seth
"why an actress can't be as perfect
lady and as estimable a woman as
any one. And 1 am quite sure that
Miss Brabazon Is faultless in every re-
spect. And l for one am not going to
listen to any Of the gossip or back
biting in which the ladies here may
be inclined to indulge"
Il approve your spirit, Mr.. Val
lance" said a calm, quiet voice; and
Miss Belle Brabazon, lifting the cur
tain, glided in among them in the pale
blue dress she always wore, and
cluster Of half-faded roses in her hair.
without intending to be an caves
dropper, have heard the conversation
of these ladies. And l only wish them
to understand that could 1 rightfully
claim the title of actress it would be
the brightest star in my life's coronet
to me. But as it is, l regret to con-
fess that 1 am only an amateur |
acted Leady Teazle in the private
theatricals given by my friend Mrs.
Willoughby in Belgravia, and was for
tunate enough to win some little ap-
probation. Further than that, have
never aspired to histrionic fame"
And when she left the room, which
she did almost Immediately, it was
under the escort Of Seth Valance
And when Miss Helena Manderilrs
next letter arrived. explaining that Miss
Brabazon was a great heiress, -and one
of the most idolized favorites Of Lon
don fashionable society, the ladies at
the New York Hotel, Northbourne, Sc
cretly groaned over their badly man
aged campaign.
"How could we ever have made such
an awkward blunder?" cried they.
"But isn't it strange" said Lucetta
Dater, that Miss Belle Brabazon
should have engaged herself to marry
farmer like our Seth!'-New York
Daily News.
No Diner.Out.