Pullman herald. [volume] (Pullman, W.T. [Wash.]) 1888-1989, 1906-01-06
CHAPTER ".

bonny face pressing closely against the
window pane The room being on the
second floor. 1t was only by so doing
that she could see the steps that led up
to the front door 1t was a quarter past
eight, 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 il 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 | make by my copying I'll buy
couple of tablecloths, and then we can
have an extra one without asking Mrs.
Philpott for 1t and risking black looks
for the rest of the week. Oh, here you
are, papa l thought you were going
to be late-and it is your Kensington
day, too. All, there's the postman!
wonder If he has a letter for me2 Isn't
it strange that Jack has written only
once in a 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 Jack
neglect. 1.-THE country round Malingford
is particularly attractive. and | can quite
understand that Jack is feasting his soul
on its beauties"
''Oh, papa, do you know Malingford?
You never said so beforehand Ethel
was just about to launch out into n
string Of questions when her thoughts
were diverted by the appearance ST the
servant with the fish for breakfast. and
a letter.
For me, and from Jack"' she ex-
,, Fl med; breathlessly; but she did not
tmpt to read it until she had attended
to every little want of her fathers, and
seen him comfortably settled for his
morning glance over the leaders in the
newspapers.
Then she took up the letter and be-
gan reading it. AS she read, the sweet
anticipation of pleasure faded slowly
from her face and she laid the epistle
down, looking perplexed and troubled.
She went on pretending to eat, filled her
fathers cup when he pushed it toward
her, and resolutely kept silence until he
had laid down his newspaper and caught
her wistful look.
"Well. what are you waiting to say z"
he asked.
II don't know; Jack has written
nice, long letter, and yet | am disap-
pointed. I'm never satisfied am |, dad?
He tells me here that he's very lonely
and a line or two lower down he says
that Miss Mailing, of whom he gave such
a glowing description in his first note
has left for London. l know I'm mar
row minded but | can't help fancying
that it's more her absence than mine
that makes him lonely. As if | did not
know Jack to be one of the most hon
orable men in the world Please call me
a few hard names, dad, and make me
ashamed of myself"
But Mr.. Mallet did nothing of the sort.
81 think 1t extremely bad taste on
Jacks part to fill his letters to you with
descriptions of another woman's beau
ty."
Now, there you are wrong, It's just
that that satisfies me as to Jacks good
faith. If there was one scrap of unfair.
ness to me in his admiration for Miss
Mailing he would not write so openly
| about it. 1t was only my nonsense about
being jealous. you know"
You are a veritable little bee, suck
ing the honey and leaving the poison.
| I'll not say one word against your hero.
my dear. But l don't like to hear of
any slight being put upon you. You
know | don't think him worthy of my
little girl"
You conceited old dad" Ethel said
with smile, Ito think your girl better
| than any one else's. Why, Jack is much
too good for me! Even you admit he's
clever"
Granted But who is he? He has a
straight nose and a good pair of Shout.
ders; but what was his grandfather
Have you ever asked him?"
Papa! What an extraordinary ques
ton that would be for me to ask him
dare say his grandfather was as good
a man as mine"
My dear, your grandfather was on,
OF the oldest commouers in England. The
Mallings Of Mallngford hold themselye,
among the best people in Exhridgeshire. >
Ethel looked AT her atRer "a If sh,
feared his reason had given way.
i dare say you are very astt..Ghed
You have always known Ms as card
working drawing master and of c,uvs,
concluded had never been anytatni
else. My dear, that Malingford PARK
Of which Jack writes so enthusiastically
is mine 10y all just laws Of succession
But nay elder brother, the late owner. Gu
me off with shilling because I annoye,
him about a triiing matter. and left III,
whole property 10 my niece. your cousin
J Pauline Luton"
"And am eighteen. and this is IN,
: first word have ever heard of it,
Yes. and most likely the last. for /
{ is a subject ! don't care 10 talk about
don't think should have spoken Of i
now if had not fell extremely anaoye.
with Jack FOR his unganfleuan-lil.e ne.