Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-06-16

at the right moment OF an exceptional
nefghbor. Now. he told himself. he would
show Mclean and HIS braggart set that
good birth and old family was for once
allied with plenty of money. and he also
promised his wounded sensibilities some
VERY desirable reprisals. every one Of which
| he felt fully competent to take.
| II was after all, a poor compensation, but
there was also the gold. He thanked his
| father that day for the great thoughtful
ness and care with which he had amassed
| this sum for him. and he tried to console
himself with the belief that gold answered
all purposes, and that the yellow metal
was better possession than the house and
lands which he had longed for with an in
| herited snd insensate craving.
| Two days after this event Ethel at her
/ fathers direction. signed number of pa
/ pers. and when that duty was completed,
| the squire rose from his chair. kissed her
hands and her cheeks. and in voice full
| of tenderness and pride said, Il pay my
/ spects to the future lady of Rawdon Manor,
/ and l thank God for permitting me to see
| this hour. Most welcome. Lady Ethel to
the rights you inherit, and the rights you
have bought. II was a moment hardly
| likely TO be duplicated in any life. and
Ethel escaped from its tense emotions as
| soon as possible. She could not speak,
her heart was too full OF Joy and wonder.
There are souls that say little and love
| much. How blessed are theyi
On the following morning the invitations
were sent for the dinner and dance. but
4
August. In every ones heart there was
/ hope that before that day Mostyn would
/ have left Rawdon, but the hope was barely
mentioned In the meantime he came and
| went between Mostyn and Rawdon as he
desired. and was received with that mod
1 ern poiiteness which considers 1t best to
| ignore offenses that our grandfathers and
| grandmothers would have held for strict
| account and punishment.
| 1t was evident that he had frequent let
| tiers from Dora. He knew all her move
ments. and spoke several times of open
| ing Mostyn Hall and inviting the STAN
| hopes to stay with him until their return
| to America. But this suggestion did not
| bring from any member of the Rawdon
| family the invitation hoped for, 1t was not
| acted upon. He told himself the expense
would be great. and the hail. in spite of all
| he could do IN the interim would look poor
and shabby compared with Rawdon Court;
| so he put aside the proposal on the ground
| that he could not persuade his aunt to do
| the entertaining necessary. And for all the
| irritation and humihations centering round
| his loss of Rawdon and his liabilities with
! regard to Dora he blamed Ethel. He was
| sure If he had been more lovable and en-
! couraging he could have married her, and
| thus finally reached Rawdon Court: and
| then, with all the unreason imaginable
| nursed hearty dislike to her because she
| would not understand his desires. and pro-
vide means for their satisfaction. The
| bright, joyous girl, with her loving heart,
| her Astounding vitality, and constant
| cheerfulness, made him angry. In none
| of her excellencies he had any share, conse-
| quently he hated her.
| He would have quickly returned to Lon
| don, but Dora and her husband were stay
| ing with the Stanhopes, and her letters
| from Stannope Castle were lachrymose
| complaints of the utter WEAKNESS and
| dreariness of life there-the preaching and
reading aloud. the regular walking and
| driving-aH the innocent method of lives
which recognized they were here for some
| higher purpose than mere physical enjoy
q ovn1 hat 4aff lnr
| Ruth nor Ethel felt any sympathy for
| Dora's ennui, and proposed no means of
| releasing her from 1t. He considered them
| both disgustingly selfish and ill-natured.
| and was certain that all their reluctance
| at Dora's presence arose from their jeal-
| ousy Of her beauty and her enchanting
grace.
On the afternoon of the day preced-
| ing the intended entertainment Ruth, Ethel
| and the squire were in the great dining
| room experimenting its decoration. They
| were merrily laughing and chatting. and
were not aware of the arrival of any Wis
| itors until Mrs. Nicholas Rawdons rosy,
| good-natured face appeared at the open
| door, Every one welcomed her gladly, and
| the squire offered her seat.
| Nay, squire she said, I'm come to
| ask favor. and 1 won't sit till / know
whether get 1T or not; for If don't get
| it, shall say goodbye as quickly as I
morning and his friend with him, and I
| want invitations for the young men. both
| of them. My great pleasure lies that way
| If you'll give 1t to me-"
| Most gladly" answered the squire and
Ethel Immediately went for the necessary
passports. When she returned she found
Mrs. Nicholas helping Ruth and the squire
to arrange the large silver and cut crystal
on the sideboard, and talking at the same
time with undated vivacity.
Yes" she was saying. 1.-The lads would
have been here two days ago, but they
| stayed in London to see some American
lady married. John Thomas's friend knew
her. She was married at the ambassadors
house. A fine affair enough, but it bewil-
ders me this taking up marriage without
priest or book It's new commission. The
church's warrant 1t seems. is out of date.
It may be right, it may be legal, but 1 told
John Thomas If he ever got himself married
in that kind of a way he wouldn't have
father or me for witnesses"
IT am glad" said the squire, that the
young men are home in time for our dance.
The young like such things"
ITO be sure they do. John Thomas
wouldn't give me moments rest till
came here; / didn't want to come.
thought John Thomas should come himself,
and 1 told him plainly that I was ready
to do any one a favor If l could, but If he
wanted me to come because he was afraid
to come himself 1 was just as ready to
shirk the journey. And he laughed and
said he was not feared for any woman liv-
ing, but he did want to make his first APP
pearance in his best clothes-and that was
natural wasn't 1t? So / came for the two
lads" Then she looked at the girls with
a smile, and said In a comfortable kind of
way: You'll find them very nice lads,
indeed. I can speak for John Thomas. 1
have taken his measure long since; and as
far as 1 can judge his friend. nature went
about some full work when she made
man of him. He's got sweet temper and
a strong mind, and a straight judgment,
If I know anything about men-which
Nicholas sometimes makes me think l
don't. But Nicholas isn't an ordinary man,
he's what you call an exception. Then
shaking her head at Ethel, she continued
reprovingly: You were neither of you
in church Sunday. 1 know some young
women who went to the parish church.
Methodists they are-specially to see your
new hats. There's some talk about them,
I can tell you, and the village miliner is
pestered to copy them. She keeps her
eyes open for you. You disappointed a lot
of people. You ought to go to church in
the country. It's the most respectable
thing you can do"
I'VE were both very tired said Ruth,
land the sun was hot. and we had a, good
Sabbath at home. Ethel read the Psalms,
Epistle and Gospel for the day. and the
squire gave us some of the grandest or