The Nezperce herald. (Nezperce, Idaho) 1900-1957, 1907-01-31


Edith. at the sound of wheels. fingered
Ia the gasdea. The Countess of Avon's
carriage drew up. and stopped at the
gate Miss Dane went oat TO IT, Grace
spoke FIRST, her eyes running ia all d.
rections while she did SO, as II they were
IN search Of some object not in view
Edith. We could NOT go home without
driving round TO ash after your mamma
thank you. Lady Grace. Mamma Is
in little pain to-day and her cough Is
not Troublesome. / think her breathing
is generally better in hot weather. WIN
you not come ins"
Couldn't think Of II, my dear" spoke
mp the countess. sour dinner will be
ready you know have 10 take It early,
Grace forget to order James round till
we were half way home"
''Iias Mr.. Ranmgarsen got back from
church yetF' earelessly spoke Lady Grace,
adjusting the lace Of her summer mantle.
ale is in his study. | fancy" replied
Edith. and she turned round to hide the
blush called up BY the question, just as
Mr.. Raumgarten approached them At
his appearance the blush in Grace tsr-
Iael's face rivaled that In Edith's.
sIou surpassed yourself to-day" cried
Lady Avon, as she shook hands with
him. Il must hear that sermon again.
Would you mind lending il to me7''
''Not at all" be replied. IF you can
only make out my hiereglyphics-"
when shall | have it, win you
bring it up this evening. and take tea
with usf But you viii find the walk
long, perhaps, after Your services to-day
and the weather Is hot" she added.
Very long; too far. Could you not
return with us now. Mr.. BaumgartenFF
interposed her daughter. Mamma will
be glad Of you to say grace at table"
Whether IL pleased the countess or not, !
she had no resource. in good manners,
but TO second the Invitation SO uncere- i
moniously given Mr.. Baumgarten may
have thought he had no resource but TO \
acqniesce-out Of good manners also, per-
haps. He stood leaning over the car
riage. and spoke. half laughing:
Am l TO bring my sermon with met 4
IL so | must go in for II. | have just
taken ii from my pocket"
He came back with his sermon in its
black cover. The .seat of the carriage
was exceedingly large, sweeping round in
a half circle. Lady Grace drew nearer
to her mother, sitting quite back in the
middle of the seat. and Mr.. Baumgarten
took his seat beside her. Edith Dane
east a look after them as the carriage
rolled away. a panied, envious look for
her the sunshine Of the afternoon had
goe cut.
Miss Dane did not like these visits OF
his to Avon House. and be seemed 10 be
often going there on one plea or another.
There, he was surrounded BY all the glory
and pomp Of stately life, and thar l. apt
to tell upon a mans heart: Grace Car
mel. too, was more beautiful than she.
and singuiarly attractive. Not that Edith
lid. or could. suppose there was any
real danger; the difference in their 80
,ial positions barred that.
Some cloud. unexplained. and nearly
forgotten now. had overshadowed Lads
Avon's later life. IL had occurred, what.
.ver Ii was. during the lifetime of her
ord. She had chosen ever since to live
Il Avon House In retirement.
An inward complaint. real or fancied,
lad set in, and the countess thought
lerself unable to move to London Lady
trace had been presented by her aunt,
md passed one season In town then she :
lad returned to her mother. TO share per- ,
orce in her retirement, at which she
nwardly rebelled- Over and over again
id Grace wish her brother would marry
md come home for the place was his,
nd IL would oblige her mother to quit IT, y
sut Lord Avon preferred bis town house q
o his country Que. and told his mother r.
he was heartily welcome to stay In IL. Il
lie liked a gay life better than a dull n
ne as all the world had known when /,
e was young Viscount Standish.
IL Is just possible that the ennui of .
traces monotonous life at Avon had led q
D her falling in love with Mr.. Baum e
arten. That she had done so. that she
wed him, with strong and irrepressi p
Ie passion, was certain and she did not
~ to overcome it. but rather fostered h
!. seeking his society, dwelling upon his b
mage. Had it occurred to her to fear b
nat she might find dangerous rival in q
'dith Dane2 No, for she cherished the u
otion that MFR. Banmgarten was attach a
] 10 herself. and Edith was supposed to II
. engaged to a distah. cousin. young I
AN who had been reading with her faith a
during the last year Of his life. The n
oung fellow had wanted Edith he asked y
sr parents for her, he implored her to a
ait until be should be ordained Edith Q,
I'd only laughed at him but the report 81
lat they were engaged had in some way n
,t about and Lady Grace never thought
doubt 1t. IA