The Washington herald., 1907-08-11

her mother in a strained whisper, which.
with the carrying power of a swhisper.
reached other ears beside those for which
it was intended, notably Evelyn Ashes,
seated close behind.
Yes. dear. you have been often here
with me-" said Lady Stormont, looking
uneasiIy at her. Her face was no longer
merely pale. but white as her gown,
while blush shadows showed under the
dilated eyes 1T Is very hot. certainly,
her glance following Isobers, which was
measuring the distance between her and
the dOor-a distance which seemed mys-
teriously to have increased; but IL you
can bear it for a few minutes longer, /
think we shall all be released soon.
At last, \ long breath, a scraping of
chairs, and a tapping Of gloved fingers on
the platform and a shrill hurricane of
cheers from the benches. in which relief
very fairly supplied the place Of enthu-
siasm, under cover of which Ashe leaned
forward. saying eagerly:
I am afraid Miss Stormont finds the
heat trying. May / not take her out to
the garden for a little2 ! understand you
have still to so through the dormirories
or some fatigue duty Of that sort"
Lady Stormont hesitated. but before
she could reply. Isobel took the matter
into her own hands.
Yes" she said. feverishly II will go
anywhere-anywhere away from here"
Il shall join you in q few minutes.
them said Lady Stormont, reluctantly.
As Ashe piOted his charge through the
shifting group 10 the door. he felt that
-. H.gc III
lost sport, and for those long. dusty ten
miles on the back seat of the StOrmont
barouche-long, it had TO be admitted
even with IsobeTs face before him.
The site of the Murray Modification
had once been that of an old monastery
of the Grey Friars, which had seen stir
ring deeds in its day, but which. in its
decay. had become a quarry for the
tOWnsfOlk, till. save for an arch or two Of
the cloisteTs. which formed part of the
garden wall, the last remnants had long
been swept away TO make room fer the
square solid Georgian buildings of the
school. But these pointed arches, with
their slender. clustering columns relieved
the garden from dullness and gave an
air OF conventional repose TO the sweep
Of grass set about, with a few formal
bushes.
Isobel sat down on the stone bench
which ran around the recess of the cen
ter arch. and Ashe. leaning against one
OF the pillars, gaZed at the picture pre-
sented 10 him. The old. gray, moldering
stone. arabesqued with velvety green
moss, and the creeping orange Iichen.
formed a background which would have
ravished a painters eve. and which en-
HANGED the girls delicate beauty and
young freshness.
1T is better out here, isn't it?'' said
Ashe. smiling Il was afraid for some
time that the heat in there was getting
quite too much for you I don't know
why ii should be. but so far as my very
limited experience goes. there seems 10
be some mysterious conjunction between
good works and bad air: at least, / sup
pose that teaching the orphan more or
less unnecessary things, and clothing him,
though not over-comfeTtdbly. would be
considered a good work"
Il don't know If it was altogether the
heat said IsObel slowly. and without
needing the last words or, indeed. Ashe
himself much. She seemed rather 10 be
trying TO account to herself for her
strange sensations. II had the oldest
feeling in there l can't describe il:
there are so many things I haven't even
words for with a perpexed frown Il
felt as If something was happening TO
me, some change going on. as II in a lit
tie / shouldn't know any longer whether
I was myself or one Of these poor little
mites on the benches. As Il was, I seem
ed 10 feel Just how tired their poor backs
were, and how they were wishing 20 lean
their elbows on the desks. and wearying
for that dreadful, duh old man-duke or
no duke. much they'd care-to stop. Oh,
/ know so wel''-she paused. abruptly, a
bafiled. bewilde-ed look upon her face.
Il suppose it's the concentrated dull
ness Of all the hot weary hours you've
spent in there glanCing toward the big
square building, descending upon you
all at once, though, mercifully. you can't
recall them. What blessing to forget
how often and how desperately one has
| been bored Just think. how you score
there. said Ashe, smiling. You've not
been bored out here, so you've no un-
comfortable sensations now-voila toutr'
Ihave not been bored out here.
am afraid you will be. if I inhict many
more of my fancies and feelings upon
YOU said IsObel. with the little society
smile she was already learning to as
sumo. Yes. l suppose that must be
the explanation, for, although I seemed
to realize their feelings so we'll. I do not
fancy that I was ever a charity school
child, with a laugh, partly 10 relieve her
slight sense Of annoyance at having spok-
en- out her thoughts so freely to Ashe.
She might champion him to Basil. but
she never felt at ease with him, and
though she had a shy, newborn wonder
and pleasure in the knowledge of her
young fairness, and was no more averse
to admiration than any other healthy
minded girl. the consciousness that Ashes
/ eyes were following her every movement
made her carry herself with a superb air
of indifference as she rose and moved
slowly down the tagged path to meet