The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1907-08-18

Lady EcIborcugh, and here. at any
rate, Is under my protection. This Is
not Belborough Castle"
do you mean that. you deliberately
brought by son tosmeet that person
here, madam" a
Mrs. Taunton made no reply In
words. but her look wounded the elder
lady deeper thans any words. And AM,
then she turned Her back upon her.
Come, olive, my dear IL we cannot
have our tea in one place without
being disturbed in this way, we'll
have II In. another. Mr.. Fenwick. you
may prefer to remain here for tho
time" and, taking olives arm, she
led her away.
The girls heart warmed to her for
this championship. How can / thank
you. Mrs. Taunton? she asked as they
walked off.
'"rhat woman is what we Ameri-
cans call the limit, my dear child. /
am not vicious person.. but I'd have
given a thousand dollars to have been
able to slap her face. My fingers
positively itched. And that vt should
have happened to you when in my
charge--oh. Olive, i could have sunk
into tho earth In shame"
YOU can see now at any rate. why
1t would be impossible for me to take
your advice In regard to marrying"
replied Olive.
"NIy dear girl, II were in your
place I'd marry the son II It were only
to spite and shame that dreadful
mother" declared Mrs. Taunton be-
tween her closely pressed lips.
The answer was carefully and de-
Iliberataly word I'd. although uttered
apparently with the impetuosity OF an
ger. Olive did not at the moment see
the full current of its meaning, any
moro than she understood the light
that shone In Mrs. -Tauntons eyes as
she spoke. = ss.s
But when she recalled 1t afterward.
she understood that even in the opin-
ion OF her new friend. she could not
marry Jack without shame. And her
cheeks burned at the thought.
All the enjoyment OF tho day was
killed for Olive. And the abasing
sense OF humiliation made her anxious
to get away to her quiet rooms to hide
from all the world. even from her
lover, how bitter had been the drain
| ing OF the cup OF insult and degrade
ton.
When he rejoined them, Jacks face
was white and set with rage. He said
4 very little about his mother, except
| that she had left the place and that
| she had come in response to tele-
| gram sent to her that morning; and
| of tho three Mrs. Taunton was the
| most indignant on the subject Of peo-
| pie who could not mind their own
I affairs, and the most curious as to who
/ olives secret enemy could be.
The windup ofsthe little holiday was
thus q sombre business. They left by
the earliest train. spoke very little
on the Journey up. and parted at Pad
dington, Mrs. Taunton going on In
/ her sbrougham end Jack and Olive IN
a cab to Chelsea. =.
my mothers abominable conduct
has not changed my resolve In the
least, Olive; you won't let 1T make any
difference to you?" he asked anxiously
when they were about to separate
..My course was decided before, Jack.
] You know that. This has but steeled
it. I am very miserable. dear. Good
1 night" and with that she went into
the house.
once safely inside her room the pent
4 I'M flood of feelings broke out and hel
! grief end humiliation cYerwhelmed
Il her. 1T was unbearable, hopeless Kill
5Ii ing. Despair rent her soul. She hac
done and could do nothing. There wa.
4 nothing but failure in view. She
i would give It all up and wild idea
| of leaving the country and taking her
| misery to some place where he
wretched story would be unknown
/ took possession of her: until at las
she broke down and found relief In
| blessed flood of tears.
/ She so rarely gave way TO tears
that the very vehemence of her sohs
startled her; but when they ceased. the
new thought OF leaving England had
4 taken firm root in her thoughts.
Rising miserable and tear-stained
from the table she glanced at hersel
in the little gilt mirror over the man
tel. and then saw there was lette
for her from Mr.. Easement.
Opening 1t with only dull curiosity
!, she gave a start and then read IT ca
i gerly. 81, ~
There was an enclosure from Selma
Hammond making an appointment TO
4 the following day, as she had grea
i news.
In a moment Owes weakness ha
passed. and she was her own strong
resolute self once more.
4 CHAPTER XVIII.
A Daring Resolve.
\ "Guess that was rather blutf apou
. my having great news to tell you.
said Selma Hammond as soon as tn
y