Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1905-08-25

man, with rather hard unsympathetic
face; but he was OF good family and had
nice property between CheItenham and
Bath. | never liked the man, nor did
our aunt Hester. with whom We lived
after our fathers death; aud Ne both
strongly advised Janet TO have nothing
20 say to him. At first she was inclined
20 listen To us. admitted that she did not
care pin more for him than she did for
two or three others who were equally ELI
| yible; and | am sure she would never
nave become his wife but for the unfor-
innate peep she got at the Brownrgg
diamonds ON the day We invaded lie
lauIlly mauslon so UNEXPECTEDLY.
We had been for a long drive iato the
country AUNT Hester Janet. and Ito
see al old friend OF our fathers who was
ianerrou, lN III. and wnom we fouud ln-
visible and at deaths door We w4r,
not wen asked 10 alis git To let the horses
rest, aud janet was very cross at havin,
to return such distance without a glass
oil vine or cup OF tea.
i Vo DIR If We could find any friend
or acquaintance in TINS neighborhood. =
she murmurrd, looking round at the
wooded country. There's "A nice Oil
place on the top Of that hill opposite ia
ask al the lodge to whom il belongs.
Al uIe io Sc they told her that it b,-
lonSed To Eu,tace BroNnrigs. She clap
ped her bands in delight aud ordered ths
coarhtn3n 10 drive up to the house ON
liz la hu. Of.
suggestions Of the IMPROPERLY of such
All INVASION
Nonseus-." she laughed carelesslv.
1t IL absurd making such mountain
out OF mole-hill. tell YOU, aunt
lietiy. Mr. Brownrigg is most anxiou,
that should see his place-in fact. has
asked me several times to fix "A dav for a
visit. Besides, the chances are hun
dred 70 one against his being there at all:
he's always away ia the day time.
Ihen what ia the object ia going
there?"
The object? Why, to have a quiet
took round, rest the horses and enjoy A
nice cup Of tea, which I'm just dying Tor.
| presume there are servants and
housekeeper in possession Who viii min.
Ister 10 our wants. = :.
We found, as Janet had surmised, that
the master was not at home and that
there was no member OF his family to re-
,eive us; but Janet, nothing daunted 10y
his circumstance, ordered the horses
round to the stables. and. leading the
way herself into sitting room that
opened of the hall, told the somewhat
lstonished butler to send up tea at once.
1t was charming room, tastefully
furnished. and, when we were estab-
shed at one OF the windows, which
we're embowered in old Providence
oses and opened on TO beautiful +
pleasure ground, drinking most deli. 7
'ious tea and eating crisp hot cakes.
certainly did not feel inclined 20 fall .
oul OF my determined sister for the tins
,eiu-,
"This Is mamma IN the desert, isn't it,
Ianet asked uiumphantly. a good
hing for you two that one of the party
,as head on her shouldersl When We
re quite refreshed, I'll have the house
.eeper up and make her show US round
he place. Wen examine the premises
rom garnet to cellar. So far like tho
pot we'll enough. Don't you, Metz"
So far, had to admit, liked what
wi seen Of Mr.. Brownugg's property.
o was not oppressively ma. hcent, like
h show pisces about us in Hampshire.
here was no vast wealth Of timber IN
he park. there was no promise Of gho,ty
alleries or stately bauquet-halls; but t
Nas comfortable, elegant. aud honrlke.
However, the next II Mr. Browning
0eloagiugs brought under our notlce-his
,dy like hou-eSerper. Mrs. Jardine-diI
.ot please me az all aud | saw by the
uiH hich shrevd aunt lietty gave that
ne decidedly shared nay seutim-nts.
irs. Jardine, 20 Judge 10y appearances.
VAS scarce Older than Janet herself AID
yas a remarkably good looking woman.
With masses of far hair crimped becom-
ugly over her head. aud A dress more
ashiOnably made than mine. She had
ark eyes set close together, giving her
tealthy ill-tempered look that repealed
ne at the first glance. Then her manner
vas not respectful OF concilisting With
stiff bow she addressed aunt Hester,
skiing the nature Of the services re-
uired Of her. When IL was made
nown, she calmly inquired II we had AN
-der from Mr. Brownrisg, rs without
Ich authority she had no power 70
imply with our request. Al this, my
ster, with heightened celoy, burst