The Caldwell tribune., 1905-12-09
CHAPTER ".

CdAPIER 1N.
Ethel Mallet knelt on a 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. It was q quarter past
Iseight, 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. II know the sight
Of stain on the tablecloth takes away
his appetite. With the very next few
shillings l make by my copying I'll buy
a couple Of tablecloths, and then we can
have an extra one without asking Mrs.
Phnpott for 1t and risking black looks
for the rest Of the week. Oh, here you
are, papal / thought you were going
to be late-and it is your Kensington
day, too. All, there's the postman!
wonder If he has letter for me2 Isn't
1t strange that Jack has written only
once in 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. 1.-The country round Mallingford
is particularly attractive and l can quite
understand that Jack Is feasting his soul
4 on its beauties"
"Oh, papa, do you know Mallingford
You never said so beforehand Ethel
r was just about to launch out into q
string of questions when her thoughts
!, were diverted by the appearance Of the
e servant with the fish for breakfast, anc
a letter.
e "For me, and from Jack" she ex
claimed, breathlessly; but she did no
, attempt to read it until she had ATTENDED
/, to every little want Of her fathers, ant
seen him comfortably settled for hi
3 morning glance over the leaders IN tn
l. newspapers.
Then she took up the letter and be
d gan reading it. AS she read, the swee
II anticipation of pleasure faded sloWl
from her face, and she laid the epistl
;" down, looking perplexed and troubled
~ She went on pretending to eat, filled he
lie fathers cup when he pushed it towar
her, and resolutely kept silence until
in had laid down his newspaper and caugh
l her wistful look.
n, "Well, what are you waiting to say!
m he asked.
II don't know; Jack has written
H. nice, long letter, and yet l am disal
g pointed. I'm never satisfied; am l, dad
He tells me here that he's very lonel
es and a line or two lower down he say
yh that Miss Mailing, of whom he gave sue
ul a glowing description In his first not
at has left for London. l know I'm ma
ut row minded, but I can't help fancyin
sc that it's more her absence than MIL
e. that makes him lonely. As if l did NJ
re know Jack to be one of the most no.
ID, orable men in the world! Please call II
tn a few hard names, dad, and make n
ny ashamed Of myself"
Sir But Mr.. Mallet did nothing Of the sol
of- 81 think it extremely bad taste
,e- lacks part to fill his letters to you wi
ng descriptions of another woman's bea
;er ty."
on "Noy. there you are wrong! It's Ju
Iss that that satisfies me as to Jacks go'
L." faith. If there was one scrap of unta
he ness to me In his admiration for MI
M Mailing he would not write so open
about it. 1t was only my nonsense abo
on being Jealous, you know"
hn "You are a veritable little bee, sue
;ss inp the honey and leaving the poiso
'os nj not say one word against your hel
no INV dear, But l don't like to hear
any slight being put upon you. Y
" know I don't think him worthy of L
lis little girl" ~
i Ui- with a smile, "to think your girl bett
III than any one else's! Why, Jack is mu
49, too good for me! Even you admit n
me clever"
l0 I "Granted. But who is he2 He has
~ straight nose and a good pair OF sho
sns san ders; but what was his grandtathe
toy e., Have you ever asked him"
~ ~ "Papal What an extraordinary gu
~ ton that would be for me to ask nj
ooa I dare say his grandfather was as go
na man as mine"
vas "My dear, your grandfather was Q
80 Of the oldest commoners in England
'Ss' Mallings of Mallngford hold themsel'
tet Ii, among the best people in Exbridsesnlr
ni Ethel looked at her father as II
not feared his reason had given way.
oDn oon 81 dare say you are very astonlsh
ohe o You have always known me as ma
her working drawing master, and OF cou
Ae- concluded | had never been anythl
- olse NV dear, that Mallingtord "a
" of which Jack writes 50 enthusiastical
ha Ia mine by all just laws Of successi
had But my elder brother, the late owner,
I ard ma off with a shilling because annoy
.on- %,u him about a trihing matter, and left
.nIf UR whole property to my niece your cous
,me Pauline Luton" 49,. !.
"a. "And am eighteen, and TINS ls
for first word have ever heard OF le' Co.
,ion M " yves, and most likely the last for
b.r I, a subject l don't care to talk aDo
!tnI @ = don't think should have spoken Of
lIul bad not felt extremely ammo!