Aberdeen herald. [volume] (Aberdeen, Chehalis County, W.T.) 1886-1917, 1905-12-18
CHAPTER XII.


and there was a general expression of
disappointment on the mems faces round
the breakfast table at Malingford Park.
But you know it is really too bad"
Cecil Danesford observed to Miss Mall
ing. 'Your head man had fixed to-day
for the north end covers, and he says
they are the best on the whole estate;
and now this rain comes and spoils the
whole thing. 1t is annoying, you must
allow"
Poor reimbursement" said the Hon.
Miss Collins, refiectively. The comfort
of their lives depends upon the one
amusement of the hour. Deprive them
of that and they are stranded helplessly.
Glad I'm woman"
well, l hope you will have got over
the first rush Of slaughter by the 18th"
Pauline interposed, bringing the CONVEX
sation back to the original object.
'Why by the 11th!' several asked.
Because l shall then attain my long
deferred majority, and adear old Lord
Summers insists that there will be big
affair on the happy OCCASION"
"A ball! Delightful" exclaimed the
ladies.
ANU 1 sHiH De mere. muuered Ce-
ell.
His attention was suddenly arrested
by an advertisement in the Times, which
lie held in his hand.
by all that's mysterious." he exclaim-
ed; and then he sat gazing at the news
paper IN mute establishment.
Bertha Collins leaned across, and look
ed at the place he was pointing at.
How extraordinary" she exclaimed.
For PHYS sake, let us into the mys-
terry" Pauline said; and Bertha read out
the following advertisements:
Mallingford park-If this should
meet the eye of Sir G. NJ, he will hear
of something to his decided advantage
by applying to Messrs. DAVIS & Raven,
lO l.eman street, T.. c."
There was general establishment and
various were the surmises as to what
it could mean. Jack, CHANGING at Pau
line. was surprised to see her agitated
and white to the lips. She motioned to
him not to notice it, and fought deter
mnediy with her emotion. The others
were too much absorbed by their curiosity
to take much heed, ana she bore herself
as usual until breakfast was finished.
Twill you help Mrs. Seton and me
to finish filling in the cards for the sew
enteenth! she asked Jack, as She left
the breakfast room.
Jack promised to join them in the
boudoir in a quarter of an hour He did
not like to think of Pauine's look. lie
was poor struggling artist, who had
hitherto lived by the exercise of his I'M
aided talent, and Pauline was n rich
hiGh-born woman, his superior in most
things that count in this world; VET he
would not make her his wife if he did nor
believe her life to be spotless and with
ont flaw. This was the idea that haunt
ed him as he recalled her look at the
breakfast table. If ever a woman's face
expressed suddenly aroused fear mis-
iiancees had done so when Bertha Col
Inns read that advertisement in the Times
lie went back to the breakfast room be.
lore he joined Pauline, read the adver-
tisement again, and copied tho address
into his note book.
IF | am in the neighborhood with
few moments to spare. l may look them
up and see what it MEANS" he decided.
Then he followed the ladies' to the
boudor Pauline. still looking unlike her
d
said nothing to them, but went straight
to his work of filling in the invitations
from the list of names given him. Mrs.
Seton left the room after a time; and
Pauline, turning to Jack. put her hand
entreatingly on his arm.
Il know what you are going to ask
me; but | can't talk about it just now
not to-day. l will tell you tomorrow,
or the day after; but don't speak of it
now. | ask it as favor"
Jack felt perplexed. He had expected
the moment they We're alone together
that she would tell him what had caused
her disquet. He felt unhappy and wor-
ried. yet he could hardly force her to
speak upon subject that evidently dis
tressed her.
"Of course, | don't want to worry you,
darling he answered; but | must CON