Aberdeen herald. [volume] (Aberdeen, Chehalis County, W.T.) 1886-1917, 1905-11-20
CHAPTER ".

Ethel hfallet knelt on chair. her
bonny face pressing closely against the
window pane. The room being on the
second floor. it was only by so doing
that she could see the steps that led up
to the front door. 1t was quarter past
eight, and she was watching anxiously,
as she had done for several mornings
past, for the coming of the postman. She
left her position presently. and hustled
about, putting little finishing touches to
the breakfast table.
1T Is hard on poor dear dad to have
to put up with petty Inconvenience"
she said, affectionately, as she laid the
morning newspaper next the roses, and
looked to see If she could do anything
further to beautify the unlovely lodging
house breakfast table. Il know the sight
| Of a stain on the tablecloth takes away
his appetite. With the very next few
shillngs l make by my copying I'll buy
a couple Of tablecloths, and then we can
have an extra one without asking Mrs.
Philpott for it and riskng black looks
for the rest Of the week. Oh, here you
are, papa! l thought you were going
to be late-and it is your Kensington
day, too. All. there's the postman! l
wonder If he has letter for mo? Isn't
it strange that Jack has written only
once in a whole week?"
Young fellows always find plenty of
occupation in the country; you must not
worry about it, my child" This remark
was rather uncalled for, as Ethel. the
whole week through. had scrupulously
avoided mentioning the subject Of Jacks
neglect The country round Mallingford
is particularly attractive, and l can quite
understand that Jack is feasting his soul
on its beauties"
"Oh, papa, do you know Mallingford?
You never said 50 before" Ethel
was just about to launch out into
string Of questions when her thoughts
were diverted by the appearance of the
servant with the fish for breakfast, and
a letter.
For me, and from Jack" she ex-
claimed, breathlessly; but she did not
attempt to read it until she had attended
to every little want of her fathers, and
seen him comfortably settled for his
morning glance over the leaders In the
newspapers.
Then she took up the letter and be-
gan reading it. AS she read, the sweet
anticipation of pleasure faded slowly
from her face, and she laid the epistle
down. looking perplexed and troubled.
She went on pretending to eat, filled her
fathers cup when he pushed it toward
her, and resolutely kept silence until he
had laid down his newspaper and caught
her wistful look.
"Well. what are you waiting to say"
he asked.
Il don't know; Jack has written a
nice. long letter, and yet | am disap-
pointed. I'm never satisfied; am |, dad?
He tells me here that he's very lonely,
and a line or two lower down he says
that Miss Mailing, of whom he gave such
n glowing description in his first note,
has left Tor London. | know I'm mar
row minded. but l can't help fancying
that it's more her absence than mine
that makes him lonely. AS if ! did not
know Jack TO he one Of the most hon
orable men in the world. Please call me
a few hard names, dad, and make me
ashamed Of myself
But Mr.. Mallet did nothing of the sort
Il think it extremely bad taste on
Jacks part to fill his letters to you with
descriptions of another woman's beau
ty."
Now, there you are wrong. It's just
that that satisfies me as to Jacks good
faith. If there was one scrap of unfair
ness to me in his admiration for Miss
Mailing he would not write SO openly
about it. 1t was only my nonsense about
being jealous, you know
You are Il veritable little bee, suck
ing the honey and leaving the poison.
III not say one word against your hero
nv dear. But | don't like to hear of
any slight being put upon you. You
know | don't think him worthy of my
little girl
You concetcd old dad" Ethel said
with smile. ito think your girl better
than any one else's. Why, Jack is much
too good for me- Even you admit he's
clever"
Granted. But who is he? He has n
straight nose and n good pair of shout
ders but what was his grandfather?
Have you ever asked him?"
Papa. What an extraordinary ques
ton that would be for me to ask him.
dare say his grandfather was as good
man as mine
My dear, your grandfather was one
of the oldest commoners in England. The
Mallings of Mallngforl hold themselves
among the best people in Exbridgeshire"
Ethel looked at her father as if she
feared his reason had given way.
Il dare say you are very astonished
You have always known me as a hard
working drawing master. and of course
concluded | had never been anything
else. My dear, that Mallingford Park
of which Jack writes SO enthusia stically,
is mine by all just laws of succession
But my elder brother, the late owner, cut
me off with Il shilling because | annoyed
him about triling matter, and left the
whole property to my niece, your cousin,
Pauline Luton"
"And | am eighteen, and this Is the
first word have ever heard of it,
Yes, and most likely the last. for 1t
Is a subject | don't care to talk about.
| don't think should have spoken of it
now If had not felt extremely annoyed
with Jack for his ungentlcmanlike neg