The Democratic advocate., 1907-12-06
Seleft Stnrp.
LADY CARMICHAEL'S NIECE.
BY ARTHUR HOOLEY.


and regrettably circumstanced if she did
So she did.
The Carmichaels lived at Frayne Hall
two miles from Lichfeld They had livet
there, personally, or by means of thei
ancestors, ever since the big, ugl,,
red, brick building had been erected
shortly before the commencement OF tn
Civil War. Many noble castles were de
stroyed by the parliamentary troops; Frayn'
Hall escaped because Of its excessive ugli
ness, and successive generations of CRATE
full Carmichaels perpetuated and developed
this pleasing feature whenever they foune
it possible to defeat the efforts Of time.
But though their residence was unat
tractive, the Carmichaels were not. Sil
Thomas was tall, rather stout, pleasant
looking, wilful, and fifty. They rarely
quarrelled, though they sometimes differed
in opinion. These little disturbances
were usually settled by a compromise; sil
Thomas preserved his dignity, adopted his
wife S opinion and carried out her wishes,
which were now his own.
But occasionally there was hitch, and
the compromise was unduly delayed.
Sir Thomas was aggrieyed. Il tell
you, once for ALL" he said severely, ''that
[ won't have the girl. And I don't want
to talk any more about the matter.
every well, Thomas said Lady Car
michael. "But | may tell you, once for
all, that certainly will have the girl.
That decision is quite final, and, as you
say, there is no use in further talking
will write at once and tell her to come. ~
eff you do, said Sir Thomas, 'and
she accepts l shall give orders that she is
not to be admitted.
"Nonsense. [ should like to see the
person who would refuse to admit my Wis
itors when say am at home. And my
own niece, toor'
'If she were an ordinary visitor |
shouldn't mind. But to have her in the
house for three months-a miserable, town
bred girl, who has probably never seen a
decent horse, and will want to chatter
about art and literature, and all that kind
of thing. Pahr'
''She is my niece, said Lady 'Carmi-
chael, decisively, 'and it is quite time [
did something for her.
II see you have made up your mind,
and, of course, you won't pay any atten'
ton to my wishes. But I warn you that
if she does come [ shall let her see pretty
plainly that | consider her an intruder; and
if she has any nerves or proper sense OF
what is due to me as-as titular head of
this house she won't stay long. That is
all I have to say He turned toward the
door,
sI shall write to her tonight" said
Lady Carmichael sweetly. II shall tel
her that you are eccentric, and she will
attribute any little brusqueness to that
cause; for, of course, you cannot be posi-
lively rude to her.
"Can't I?'' said Sir Thomas, with en-
phasis, as he closed the door.
Eileen Leslie was an orphan with a
small income. She lived with her faith
er's aunt, very old lady who resided at
Ealing, and waited for the end of the
world, which she said was much overdue.
Eileen had been at Ealing four years when
t occurred to Lady Carmichael that it was
quite time she did something for her niece.
She wrote politely, and received in return
nicely written ladylike letter which quite
satisfied her. Then she had the unfortu-
,ate dispute with her husband which has
been alluded to. She wanted Eileen to
tay with her for three months. Sir Tho
mas didn't. So she sent the invitation,
which was gracefully accepted.
A fortnight later Sir Thomas had to 60
lp to town on business. 1t was the day
when the City and Suburban was run at
EPSON and as the baronet had been told that
Telocity was sure to win, he did his bust
less very satisfactorily. He returned the
day by the Manchester express
rom Euston.
He had settled himself comfortably in
he corner of first class smoking carriage,
When the door was flung open with unnec-
ssary roughness, and an anaemic young
nan sprang in. He wore Norfolk suit
# an ugly check pattern, large cap and
arge brown shoes.
He left the door open, and porter ap
,eared, carrying Gladstone bag, which
vas deposited on the rack. The anaemic
-oung man placed his stick and a bundle
f papers in the corner opposite to Sir
Thomas, and then got out and stood by the
pen door, whistling.
"A Bounder,' thought Sir Thomas,
adly.
The Bounder passed along the platform,
nd Sir Thomas hastily inspected his bag.
t was labelled Rugby" and the Baronet
ave a sigh of relief. 'Thank heaven, he
Won't be with me all the wayr' he murmur-
ID. He had scarcely resumed his seat when
he carriage was again invaded. A woman,
'oung. extremely pretty and we'll dressed,
topped in quietly, looked around, moved
he stick and papers which the Bounder
ldu pidCcu w ohN o"o "o"A
here. Sir Thomas gasped at the fagrant
-iolation of the rules of travelling.
The Bounder returned and jumped in
ust as the train was starting. He banged
he door and turned around. A look Of
surprise and annoyance passed over his
ace.
''Excuse me, that was my place r he
;aid brusquely.
II always choose this corner, said the
yirl, in the most musical of voices. "There
ire two others vacant"
"Cool" muttered the young man.
sDeuced eoolr' He sat down and began
TO read "The Sportsman.
The girl began to read "The Ladies
Field"
Sir Thomas perused "The Times. /"
At the end of FIVE minutes the Bounder
threw down his paper, took from his pocket
a large pipe and a tobacco pouch, filled the
pipe and struck match.
The girl looked up and gazed at him