The Kennewick courier. [volume] (Kennewick, Wash.) 1905-1914, 1906-01-12
CHAPTER V.-(Continued.)


Pauline had net much soul, and she
did not really care much for music as
music; but she liked the pleasant, sooth-
ing effect it had upon her. So she went
to the opera two or three times a week
and in the intervals whispered scandal
ate ices, drank coffee, or dozed gracefully
behind the curtains Of her box. This
evening Mrs. Seton and she were scarce
" settled in their seats before Lord Sum-
mers begged admission.
The goodnatured old gentleman look
ed rather worried, as he took the chair
behind Pauline and exchanged civilities
with both ladies.
II have had a visit from Bennoir this
afternoon, Pauline" his lordship began.
"The poor boy is terribly upset by your
refusal"
He will get over it."
But, my dear girl, have you no heart
at all? To my knowledge this is the
seventh most satisfactory offer you have
refused. l dare say you have had quite
as many Of which 1 have heard nothing.
l begin to think you are heartless."
Perhaps you are right" she said, in
differently. But you must allow there
are two sides to the question: On the
one hand. you ask why l do net marry.
answer your question by asking, on the
other, Why should l marryY l do not
love these men who propose to me. l
am my own mistress: l have everything
l wish for-and am happy as I am"
There is the estate, you know, to
think Of. The succession lies between
you AID your Cousin Ethel, the sweet
E0A ~ h. 9Th
day. If you die unmarried, the estate
will revert to her children at your death.
OF course, there is nothing against that.
But l am sensitive about the trust i'm
posed on me by my old friend, Sir Paul.
As l read it, his will lays the whole re-
sponsibility of this question of success
sien on my shoulders. In other words.
he leaves me the power to pick and
choose a fitting head for the House of
Mailing. Now, in the event Of your not
marrying, the next heir will be the off
spring Of this Ethel and her artist hus-
band, Mr.. Dornton."
Pauline had kept herself we'll under
control, but she could not avoid an ex-
clamation as Lord Summers put this
point before her.
That MIR. Dornton, to whom you have
been kind, is engaged to your cousin, you
know. Well, he is a very nice young
man-clever, well looking. nice manners
and all that; but don't think Sir Paul
would have chosen him as the perpetual
tor o. the Mailing family"
why not?' The question was put
quickly almost, it seemed, in spite of
herself
oil 70 %hof khn
answers itself. Who is he? What is he?
Whence comes he? Who are his people?
What were his father and grandfather?
OF course he will make an excellent hus-
band for poor little Ethel for he is bound
to come to the 'front.'
do you know, whenever you talk Of
that child, l fancy you regard me as an
interloper? l am sure your sympathies
are with her"
mot at all-not at all! You are too
sensitive. am glad to know that
GeOffrey's child is not likely to suffer
hardship. This Dornton seems a manly,
honorable young fellow, and will take
good care Of that pretty little creature.
l shoulJ not like to think that nay old
friends daughter was fated to spend her
life in copying from the old masters of
the KensinYfOn Museum, as she told me
she does now"
1t was we'll for his lordship's opinion
OF his wards disposition that she was
citing with her face turned toward the
stage during his kindly little speech. He
was a shrewd old man, and, had he seen
the hatred and malice in her eyes when
. he spoke Of Ethel, his previous judgment
of her character might have been con-
siderably shaken.
=
The next day Miss Mailing drove to
the Kensingten Museum, taking Babette
with her 1t was a students day, and
the visitors made the round of the gal
leries in quietness, Pauline stopping in
apparent interest by the side Of every
lady student. At last she found what
she sought She passed on until she
reached a quiet corner, and then beck
oned Babette to her side.
You see that very young girl In the
rray dress with her holland apron? That
is the person whose address l want. Keep
her In sight until she leaves; follow her
home. get her address, and then go to
some Of the shops close by and find out
her name"
"Mademoiselle does not even know her
nameT'
Il know her real name, but not the
one she is going by just now. Whatever
you do don't miss her."
Miss Mailing returned to her carriage,
feeling that she had accomplished a
good afternoons work.
CHAPTER VI.
I'm not give way! If l stay away
one day, l shall want to do it again, and
then my copy will not be finished
Ethel uttered this aloud. though she
was alone. evidently with the idea tina,
merely hearing the words would. per
haps, streagthea her waning resolution
Poor child! Her head ached, and hel
eyes locked quite pathetic with the heavy
circles ~rouad them; bat she refused to
pity herself, aud resoiutely plunged he,
head into large basin of water. rubbed
her hair half dry, and started for the
museum.
Though her head still ached good
deal. the copy made fair progress, and
there was 40 sign of neglect or hurry il
d the work, her t--robbins temples notwith
kstanding.
She always were hat with a rathe