The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1907-12-25
CHAPTER xvn.-continued.

"1Ie told me-" said Lady Vincent
that you had urged him to return t.
u.s. Only he cannot do so. But. Miss
Crunden, your words were not without
effect. He has dined with us more
often-much more often than before
~. And, Miss Crunden, he is not fall
ing into any bad habits, is he?"
Then Lizzie. blushing holly under
the sense of vicnrious shame, felt com
PEELED to touch upon the final event.
of Champagne Day.
You know what / said. when yor
said about his--his doing--what yor
said. i forget the word"
"PeSging." said Lady Vincent solemn.
ly. 1T is a slang word"
.Well--after that, he did peg once
But ne has never pegged since then
And. Lady Vincent, don't think-1 feel
sure that lie has, made up his mind not
to peg again."
"Oh, Miss Crunden. do show him your
horror of that dreadful habit"
II did show It," said Lizzie. blush
ing more hotly still.
1t was curious how completed Lady
Vincent now seemed to count on Lizzie
as her ally. From the moment of her
discovery that Lizzie held such right
views on the all-important subject OF
Jack, she connded in Lizzie absolutely
She was the kindest, but certainly no,
the wisest OF women; and on one OF
her visits she made naive confession
Miss Crunden, you are so different
from what l had been led to suppose.
1t only shows how careful one should
be In forming an opinion about people
that one really does not know. very
much regret that In your case formed
q most erroneous opinion
II n rao mil 10 nc m, y,.
to Lizzie. as a right-viewod. person, for
news and for assistance. Indeed, rs
Lady Vincent had always thought, II
was the natural duty OF any one priyi-
legged to enjoy the society of Jack 10
take the strongest interest in his well
fare. She spoke of him to Lizzie with
out the least reservoirs to, another
matron full Of years; almost as IL Liz
zie had been n relative or the family,
some old aunt of Jack. lost sight OF
for long time, but now again brought
back to the family circle.
My dear boy Will want some holi-
day. Miss Crunden. have you thought
of that? II he works all through the
year. his health must fail. Mr.. Crun-
den can scarcely refuse some holiday
NO. my father Will give him a holt
day If he asks for one. My father is
taking no holiday himself this year
"Ali. but your father has worked all
his life, and Is therefore Injured to It.
But with Jack, that is not SO. Do,
Miss Crunden. use your influence and
get r. holiday for him. Make him take
a little rest before the autumn. -.
And Miss Crunden. could YOU man
nge this for us? Prevail upon him to
spend his holidays with us at Eourne-
mouth. We are going to Bournemouth
In order to BIO near my husbands poor
old cousin. You know. Miss Vincent is
dreadfully infrm-famentably afflicted.
I really do not believe that there is
the smallest chance OF poor dear Har-
ret recognizing us or even knowing
that we are in the neighborhood; but
my husband feels that IL. poor dear,
she did dimly understand that we had
come on purpose. she would take 1t
as a Kindness. But it will he so
wretchedly dull for him---whereas, II
he had Jack as n companion, we should
all be happy. He is such a wonderful
companion. You find that. don't you!
and, Miss Crunden, his father will
say nothing to upset Jack. l do not
pretend that my husband Is yet recon
ciled to Jacks work But he does
honestly begin to admire it, You see,
1t goes on. That is what surprises my
husband and has won his admiration.
1t was at the end of this visit that
Lady Vincent for the first time spoke
In almost friendly manner Of Jizzie's
father.
you have seen what this horrible
company are doing at Hill House,
What does Mr.. Crunden think OF that
They are pulling down our old home;
they are cutting down the dear old
.trees-it is far worse than what your
father is doing.
"Good-by, Miss Crunden. Tell Jack
his place is laid at dinner every night.
Short makes point of It. Short, !
think, is just as pleased to see him
as we are. ..z.I shall walk up Hill
Rise and look at our old home. 1t is
u painful slght-but 1t is cowardly TO
avoid it. The world, Miss Crunden, IS
always changing; and suppose II IS
foolish to wish to keep things as they
were forever. &
since this horrid company has come,
one can understand that perhaps what
your fat her is doing is only natural. Your
father, seeing the opportunity to make
a large fortune. could hardly be en-
pected to refrain-from consideration
for other peoples feelings. II It had
not been your father, i suppose II
would be some one else. Fof your
sake, now, ! will wish your father
continued success He has been "a
successful SO far, hasn't ~
"He Is getting on Very we'll, think
L Lizzie, standing at the door Of cere-
mony, watched Lady Vincent walk
slowly up Hill Rise. The World hau
indeed changed to bring her the great
Lady Vincent as a friendly, garrulous-
~ con tidential visitor. Once such visits
would hayn made her heart beat fast
with pride and hope. and iilled her