Pullman herald. [volume] (Pullman, W.T. [Wash.]) 1888-1989, 1906-02-03
CHAPTER XII.

The rain was coming down in torrents,
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 spoils the
whole thing 1t is annoying, you must
allow"
Poor creatures-menw said the Hon.
Miss Collins, rehectively. The comfort
of their lives depends upon the one
amusement of the hour. Deprive them
of that and they are stranded helpessly
Glad I'm woman!"
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 18th 2" several asked
Because | shall then attain my long
deferred majority, and dear old Lord
Summers insists that there will be big
affair on the happy occasion"
"A ball? Delightful" exclaimed the
ladies.
And | shan't be herew mutsered Ce-
Gil.
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 astonishment.
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-
tery! Pauline said; and Bertha read out
the following advertisement:
Mallingford Park--If this should
meet the eye of Sir g. NJ. he will hea,
of something to his decided advantage
by applying to Messrs. DAVIS & Raven
III Leman street, +. c."
There was general astonshment and
various were the surmses as to whot
It could mean. Jack, glancing at Pau
line, was surprised to see her agitated
and white to the lips. She motioned te
him not to notice it, and fought deter
minedly with her emotion. The other,
were too much absorbed by their curiosity
to take much heed. and she bore herself
as usual until breakfast was finished.
"Will you help Mrs Seton and m,
to finish filing in the cards for the sew
enteenthY she asked Jack, as she left
the breakfast room.
Jack promised to join them In IN,
boudoir In quarter of an hour. He die
not like to think of Pauline's look. IT,
was poor struggling artist, who hae
hitherto lived by the exercise of bis nm
| aided talent, and Pauline was a rich
high-born woman, his superior in mos
things that count in this world; vet h,
would not make her his wife if he did no,
| believe her life to be spotless and with
out haw. This was the idea that haunt
ed him as he recalled her look at the
breakfast table. If ever woman's fase
expressed suddenly aroused fear M.
hancees had done 50 when Bertha Col.
ms read that advertisement in the Times
lie went back to the breakfast room no
lore he Joined Pauline, read the advar.
tisement again, and copied Ii. rr,lress
into his note book.
III am in the neighborhood with n
lew moments to spare, | may look them
up ana see what it means" he decided
1hen ne followed the ladies To the
oondoir. Pauline. still looking unlike her
sen, was sitting with Mrs. Seton. Jack
saia nothing to them, but went straight
10 MS work of filling in the invitations
from the list of names given him. Mrs
Seton left the room after time; an6
Pauline. turning TO Jack, put her hand
| entreatingly on his arm.
Il know what you are going to ash
me; but l can't talk about it Just now
not to-day. | will tell you tomorrow
or the day after; but don't speak of 4
now. l ask 1t as favor"
Jack felt perplexed. He had expected
the moment they were alone togetbei
that she would tell him what had causet
her disquiet. He felt unhappy and wor
ried, yet ne could hardly force her Il
speak upon a subject that evidently dis
tressed her.
"Of course, don't want TO worry You
darling, he answered; but | must con