The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1906-12-09

/ was on the piazza roof. and I nearly
rolled of. You see. Kit wasn't going TO
have the dowager worry about Amy cap
turing her son. 50 she settled Amy with
a broken heart"
1T was dreadful" said Mrs. Baiy.
How could Kate. Has Lady Gowaa
gone?''
Yes. where's Amy? I've got 20 tell
her and Jack and Betty appeared at
tho side door. just as Kate burst in FROM
the hall
'oh, Amy" she cried. and then stopped.
ashast
Amy stood. a figure Of tragedy in blue
calico. still g~rasping her chair-back and
glared with %reproachful woe at the new
conner. Betty and Jack supported each
other In the opposite doorway. Kate saw
them as in a dream; but what held her
fascinated gaze was the tall, broad
shOuIdorod fresh-colored, Enthusiastically
English. strange young mar IN the centre
OF the room. How had he come thereE
Where had he been? why did every one
look 50 s~traDge7"
"where-?" she gasped
ave were on the side porch, said
Tragedy. icly.
The whole ccene flashed upon Rates
vision-Aerseh telling Aznys thrilling To-
nance. while Amy and her Engiishman
sat perforce and heard it, A "a
was visible on her saucy little brown
face. peniuence looked from her eyes;
then the corners % her mouth went up
AMI She leaned AGAINST the d%oorpost and
broke into hystercal laughter.
Jacks boyish roar chimed On. e at
that. with an apolegetc glance at AMY
MT. Gowan gave way TO M-tuned ih4ttis
Betty was smiling broadly. amy H@neN
one glance around. and then saved ger
dignity BY sweeping out Of the room with
as much endorsement as q toO-orief blue
calico would allow.
IL am ashamed" easpod Kate. f.
naIly wiping her eyes and looking Truly
remorseful. Il don't know how / could
have been 80 dreadful. Mr.. Gowan; but I
got into g.. and then 1 couldn't stop. shc
was 500 nice and sympathetic
He nodded approximately, it was evil
dent that he was quite without any proper
feeling OF resentment.
II know." be said. smiling NJ Kate vita
a ~f1endliness she did not deserve. "Ths
mater does love a romance"
1t was inexcusably rude said Mrs
Baily. severely.
1T was. Betty. 7 realize tt" Kit was
now sufficiently doleful TO have satisfied
her offended sister.
1T was the jolliest thing I ever heard.~
declared Mr.. Gowan. Don't you wor-E
Miss Kate: II never tell the mater you
were chatting. II was very nice and
clever Of you to be 50 entertaining"
"Just wait till you get Amy's opinion
OF your niceness and c~leverness. Miss
Kit" said Jack darkiy.
The tender. cOnfidence-inviting sym
patty with which Lady Gowan treated
Amy that afternoon was a source OF deep
joy to her son. He tried to catch the
bsreaved damsel's eye. but she firmly
ignored his efforts. Inwardly. she was di-
vided between mirth and wrath. Mildred
was nonplussed at the amount OF atten-
ton which her English guests bestowed
p Miss Palmer. who had worn muslin,
after all. and presented a very undis-
tnguished appearance. She, herself, wore
a New York gown and manner TO coz
respond She wondered afterward whether
a picture hat and a sweet unconvention.
ality would have been better.
Mr.. GOwan walked home with Amy. re-
fusing a seat In the carriage with his
mother and Mildred.
1--WE leave tomorrow he said regret.
fully. trying TO see the face under the
big. black hat. Only a round chin and A
pair Of red lips were visible. and the lips
murmured a polite ascent and settled into
a firm red line. 1t was not encouraging.
but he was English.
Il shall come back before I sail"
"Indeed?'
"Oh. I say. Miss Palmer" he protested.
Il think I've been punished enough.
Won't you please be nice and friendly,
as you were in LOndon?"
She laughed and melted. turning her
smiling face up to her companion.