The Donaldsonville chief. [volume] (Donaldsonville, La.) 1871-current, 1905-03-25

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The letter had dropped from Hilton
Hey's hand and futtered to the floor.
He picked it up deliberately. Then he
said in his ordinary voice:
who is Ceci1?"
How stupid of me!' Joyce blushed
notify Hes the man I'm going to
marry. He's in an Office in town, and
he doesn't get big salary, poor darl-
ing; so we have to wait. You see, /
have no one else since my aunt died,
and I'm poor, too, SO I determined to
get this post, if possible, to help things
on bit
HE is Fortunate said Hilton Hey.
You are worth waiting for, Miss Chill
tern"
1t was his first compliment to her
Joyce blushed again.
Cecil is she said Now, must I
answer that letter, Mr.. Hey, or can
ignore it?'s
would you leave it in my hands?"
Joyce looked up in surprise.
t'Of course I would! Only I don't
want you to have any trouble about
it,
I'll shan't. OF course, I needn't
tell you that you can afford to ignore
it, but a lesson would do these-these
individuals good"
What shall you do?" queried Joyce,
with interest.
II don't know yet. But you can trust
me to do nothing of which you or
your-Mr.-'
clint" supplied Joyce
Mr.. Clint would disapprove.'
%, yes" Joyce rose to her feet.
IT won't tell him about it just yet
I'm awfully obliged to you
THE obligation and honor are on
my side" said Hilton Hey, as he
opened the door for her AS he came
back into the room he caught sight Of
himself again in the tall pier glass
and stood moment.
You old fool" he said, huskily.
A little twisted note slid into Miss
Hee1ey's letter box that evening with
a soft, small thud, which was the only
intimation Of It's presence. Miss Hee-
ley, passing through her hall. heard,
Investigated, nnfolded, and read:
Meet me in Primrose grove to-mor-
row at 3::3o-H. H.
Good gracious!" she said
Then she slipped it into her pocket.
There is only one H. Fl. in Paxton
who could send this" she whispered
exeitedly. He is going to appeal to
me to save him from that designing
grill"
Primrose grove was wooded dell
a mile out Of Paxton, where the little
yellow blossoms clustered in sweet
profusion.
Miss Heeley spent the hour follow
ing her dinner next day in arraying
herself in the village dressmaker's
latest creation, and black straw hat,
in which wallfowers waved unhappily.
And at three o'clock she sailed forth.
It was unfortunate that Mrs. Smurth-
waite should be passing the gate at
that moment, gorgeously attired. She
explained a little ineoherently that she
was going to visit friend and was
late, so must be excused for hurrying
On. Miss Heeley fell back willingly
until the good lady had disappeared
Then she turned at the sound Of rapid
footsteps behind her.
Miss Evans also seemed hurried. |
She passed at a quick, swinging pace
with Good afternoon!" and van
ished in apparent pursuit of Mrs.
Miss Heeley's backward
glance, however, had revealed to her
the presence of a distant but advanc-
ing form which each moment was
into Miss Flint.
One can't take a quiet walk she
gasped Indignantly, '.but the whole
village must needs turn out to spy!
It's abominablen'
she slipped into chemists shop
and purchased unnecessary 1ozenges
until the unconscious Miss Flint am
bled by. Then. finding the coast clear,
she started once more.
Primrose grove was reached by a
footpath breaking away from the high
road and terminating in an awkward
stile, which acted as entrance-or bar
rier-to the dell.
Thank goodness I've escaped
them!" gasped Miss Heeley. as she
picked her way along the muddy path
way. Il almost feared-why-''
There was sudden sound OF high |
and annoyed voices as a turn in the
path brought the tumbledoWn stile
into view.
Mrs. stansfeld was guarding It; |
While Mrs. smurthwaite. Miss Evans
and Miss Flint stood facing her.
It appeared that Mrs. SmurthWaite /
had found Mrs. stansfeld there on her
arrival, and asked the reason of her |
presence. Whereupon Mrs Stansfeld /
inquired at what date AIRS. smurth-
waite had purchased the right of way
to Primrose grove. Out Of which had
grown an unpleasant discussion, Miss
Evans and Miss Flint joining with fer
scr on their respective appearances.
Miss Heeley turned to fIy-almost in
10 the arms of Miss Lord, who was
aurrying along the slippery path.
%" painted Miss Lord. What are
Fou doing hera?"
Miss Heelsy drew herself up. /