The Press. (Stafford Springs, Conn.) 1883-1935, 1905-09-13

ted. If there was one thing she d1slik-
ed it was obstacular people. She had
been brought up to expect people to
agree with her.
"Of course" she sighed, struggling
her beautiful shoulders discreetly, 81
feel sorry for poor little Dorothy. Moth
er won't need her after the autumn,
and I'm sure don't know what's going
to become of her then. Besides, she
hasn't any practical sense. Just look at
her now lying asleep in all that sun.
She'll be simply black with frecklesv'
That afternoon when everybody was
resting for dinner dance in the even
ing the Earl Of Stowbridge wandered
into the library, cool, dim apartment
banked with books and made comfort
able with couches.
He had just discovered one Of his
favorite authors and settled down to
read when the sound Of feminine
voices In the adjoining room disturbed
his attention. Six seconds had not
elapsed when he became aware that
1t was no ordinary interview and that
he should make step forward to an
nounce his presence. 1t was not In his
character or traditions to be an caves
dropper; nevertheless he found him
self curiously unable to move or utter
q sound.
Angling for him-IT' 1t was Dor
othy's voice, low and imprisoned, but
with quick little gasp or two, such
as would come from one who had sud
denly received an unexpected douche
of cold water.
There can be no doubt Of that,
came Mrs Shannon's icy tones. "Only
yesterday Joan was telling me Of her
own misgivings''-
"Misgivings" There was still that
tremulous catch in the breath.
"Oh, of course young men will be
young men," continued Mrs. Shannon,
with a pur in her we'll bred tones.
"They will pursue the girl who holds
out the angling iron. You are clever
1 don't dispute the face; you are clever
and calculating-but one thing 1 have
to tell you: If you wish. to remain in
this household you must assume a diff
ferent pose. And, remember, not an
other conversation alone with the Earl
Of Stowbridge while he is under this
roof. You may go now"
There was silence just for an ap-
preciable fraction Of a second; then
little Dorothy seemed to be drawing
herself up to her full height as she
flung defiant, passionate answer into
her aunt's face:
81 thought at least you were a lady,
but you're not. You're cowardly and
cruel and vulgar. Oh, how can you be
SOP" Dorothy, sobbing miserably in
her hot anger and insulted glrlhood,
was obliged to leave the room. Mrs.
Shannon, cool and collected, as always,
touched a bell and sent the cook some
orders about the salad.
After dinner, while they were dane
ing, the earl sought Dorothy out in the
star sprinkled night, where she had
wandered to a hammock under the
trees, far from the chattering groups
on the veranda.
1--WE been wondering who was be-
hind that lighted cigar" she said light
ly as he Joined her, and then, more
seriously, drawing in her breath deep
ly: Isn't it splendid out here tonight?
l like to catch that strong brine from
the sea. 1t gives one courage"
SIS that what you want-courageT
asked the earl, looking at her tenderly
in the starlight and feeling his big,
honest heart a-throb. He sat down on
a stump of a tree close by. you're
plucky enough, fancy"
81 shall need it all, all the courage
have. p She faltered, and under
the sweet, sudden spell Of sympathy
her lips trembled piteously. The earl
leaned forward impulsively and gently
one of her hands.
81 know" was all that he said. She
him, not understanding.
You see," he started to explain in
his straightforward fashion, 81 was in
the next room this afternoon when your
aunt
She drew away from him with terror
in her eyes. "Oh," she cried bitter
", you overheard all that cruelty,
and-and it's made you pity met"
Its made me love you, little one"
be corrected solemnly. II liked you
from the first moment saw you, but
now 1 know that love you. OF course"
he added, seeing that she still shrunk
from him a little, "a thing like that's
easily enough said, but just give me
little hope, and I'll make it my life's
business to prove it to you, dear" He
held out his hand to her like a knight
of old.
Dorothy tried to speak, but her lips
would not respond. Then she did a
curious thing. She took his outstretched
hand in her own and pressed it close
against her eyes, and they were wet.