The Cook County herald. [volume] (Grand Marais, Minn.) 1893-1909, 1906-06-23
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CHAPTER xl,
The Baron's First Move.

When Ursula looked back again the
stranger had gone. Somehow she felt
freer with his steady look removed
from her. She could not account to
herself for the uncomfortable sensa-
ton it left. She talked and laughed
'.;-;>in gaily with Winstanley, and tried
to engage Mrs. Shuttlewaite in the
conversation, but that good lady was
absorbed in her tea. II don't care for
these arrangements in the town hail."
she said, rather plaintively. "I never
can endure my tea when I stand in a
mob to take it and every one who goes
by pushes ones cup over on one and
treads on ones toes. The mayoress
does it much more comfortably when
she gives a reception then you sit
at little tables in the hall and can have
little peace. Don't you think some
one might suggest to the gunners, my
dear, that they should copy her plan?"
But the hall is filled with the
chairs for the concert" protested Ur-
sula. Il don't think they could man.
| think"
MY dear, at your age young people
seem pleased with anything. They
would stand on their heads if other
people did. I begin to think it was
wrong Of me not to have been more
certain whether it wasn't the day of
the drawing room meeting; it may be
a judgment on me for having neglect
ed it. And where is the admiral?
haven't seen him since the band play
ed God Save the Queen do trust he
isn't standing in draught or any
thing. He's such an imprudent man."
Shall go and look for, him." asked
Winstanley, with magnanimity be-
yond all praise, for he was forsaking
his place beside Ursula and the chance
Of holding her cup.
1T would be very kind of you-very
kind indeed. If you would just bring
him away if there's draught-and
see that he doesn't eat many sardine
sandwiches, they always make him I'M
We1l.'
Winstanley started off on his quest
and left his ladies, one OF whom
thought Mrs. Shuttlewaite's anxiety
trife ill-timed. She kept an almost
unconscious watch over the heads of
the crowd for his temperance. 1t
was growing little hard to have any
minutes docked off the time they
spent together, so far had their friend
ship already progressed.
But it was not the face she watched
for that made it's temperance first.
She had grown tired Of the big black
velvet hat with the red feathers and
the gold bonnet with the wings, that
blocked her view of the staircase, be-
fore her watch was rewarded by the
sight of any one Then it was the ad-
mirals hearty voice that made her
turn He had come up the corridor be-
hind her, as the waited-for generally
90.
Come. now! Still at your tea! |
thought you'd both have done long ago.
I've been after the carriage and it's
waiting outside Such a crush! l
shouldn't have got it at all till to-mor-
row most likely, if it hadn't been for
the kind help of this young gentleman.
By the way, my dear, find he knows
the Saragonis, who were so polite to
us when we were in Venice, don't you
know? I've, asked him over to shoot
at Nut691d next Tuesday; let me in
troduce him to you now. Baron-hem,
you must pardon me, never was good
at foreign names; ah, thank you'll
Taxona, to be sure. Baron Taxona,
nv dear-Mrs. Shuttlewaite, Baron
and this is Miss Hamilton, who's good
enough to be keeping two old folks
company"
The baron bent low. Ursula bowed
in answer. Odd that the very man
who had made her uncomfortable by
his gaze should now be introduced
Then she tAd herself she had been
foolish enough to suppose it was she
or her companion he had been motto,
ing. No doubt he had known who the
Shuttlewaites we're and was anxious
! to make their acquaintance. She said
something vague but civil about the
treat they had just enjoyed, and the
baron answered with enthusiasm. His
glance still roved beyond her; one
would have said he was in search OF
some one or somebody who did not
appear. Suddenly a. swift CLEAN
passed over his face and he. drew. a
little closer to her side. Winstanley
was returning from his stern chase ,ol
the admiral with blank look 81 BAT
He'd energy. He still looked from side