Bonners Ferry herald. [volume] (Bonners Ferry, Idaho) 1904-current, 1906-03-31
CHAPTER XII.

and there was a general expression of
disappointment on the mems faces round
the breakfast table at Mallingford 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 spells the
whole thing. 1t Is annoying, you must
allow"
Poor creatures-menl" said the Hon.
Miss Collins, rehectvely. 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 a womanw
"Well, l hope you will have got over
the first rush of slaughter by the 17th,"
Pauline interposed, bringing the CONVEX
sation back to the original object.
"Why by the 17th?' several asked.
Because / shall then attain my long
deferred majority, and dear old Lord
Summers insists that there will be a big
affair on the happy occasion"
"A ballf DELIGHTFUL exclaimed the
ladies.
ell. W ~
his attention was suddenly arrested
by an advertisement in the Times. which
he 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. md look
ed at the place he was pointing at.
How extraordinary she exclaimed.
For PHYS sake, let us into the mvs-
tery!' Pauline said; and Bertha read out
the following advertisement:
Mallingford Park-If this shonld
meet the eye of Sir G. NJ. he will hear
Of something to his decided advantage
by applying to Messrs. DAVIS & Raven
III Leman street, Il. c."
There was general astonishment and
various were the surmses as to what
1t could mean. Jack, glancing at Pan
ilhe' was surprised to see her agitated
and white to the lips She motioned to
MN not to notice 1t, and fought deter
minedly with her emotion. The Others
were too much absorbed by their curiosity
to take much heed, and she bore herself
as usual until breakfast was finished.
"Win you help Mrs. Seton and me
to finish filling in the cards for the sew
enteenthf' she asked Jack, as she left
the breakfast room.
Jack promised to join them in the
boudoir in quarter of an hour. He aid
not like to think of Pauline's look. He
was poor struggling artist who had
hitherto lived by the exercise of his nm
aided talent, and Pauline was a 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 not
believe her life to be spotless and with.
out flaw This was the idea that haunt
ed him MS he recalled her look at tho
breakfast table If ever woman's face
expressed suddenly aroused fear MS
hancee's had done so when Bertha Col.
Inns read that advertisement in the Times
lie went back to the breakfast room he
fore he Joined Pauline. read the adver.
tisement again, and copied the address
into his note book.
III l am in the neighborhood with n
Few moments to spare, | may look them
up and see what it MEANS" he decided
Then he followed the ladies to the
boudoir. Pauline, still looking unlike her.
self, was sitting with Mrs. Seton. Jack
SAID nothing to them, but went straight
70 MS work OF filling In the invitations
from the list Of names given him. Mrs.
SEXTON 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 II
now. l ask 1t as a favor"
Jack felt perplexed. He had expected
the moment they were alone together
that she would tell him what had caused
her disquiet. He felt unhappy and wor-
ried, yet he could hardly force her to
speak upon a subject that evidently dis
tressed her
''Of course. l don't want to worry you.
darling" he answered; but | must con
Tess am curious, and l shall be glad
when you can tell me all without dis
tressing yourself"
Thank you very much. dear. And
now ! want to ask you if there is any
one you would like me to send a card to
for this ball"
Jack flushed as he replied:
Yes; there are two people l should
like you to invite-Mr Mallett and his
daughter. Ihey are everything desira-
Bile, or should not suggest it; and the
old gentleman was very kind to me in the
days that are gone"
WAS the daughter kind, too. Jack 2"
-playfully.
Again Jack flushed a little.
Il think you are a bit Of a witch"
he said, with a laugh. Il may as well
tell you, and then there will be no secret
In my past for you to find out by and
by. Yes, she was kind to me, and once
thought l liked her well enough to
make her my wife; bat that was before
| met you, you siren.'
'You don't think so nowT
IF | did, should | be herey"
The rain continued to pour down
steadily. and the scratch. scratch % the
busy pens went on without interruption
Pauline finished her list first. and SAT
back in her chair. with thoughtful.
chsstened look on her face which was
strangely unlike her usual imper.ous air.
Jack noted Il. ana thought her more
beautiful, il that were possible. although