The Cook County herald. [volume] (Grand Marais, Minn.) 1893-1909, 1907-06-29
Lady Isabel shook her head. 81

Shall come in tomorrow and take
her out in the automobile?"
Lady Isabel hesitated. mo, she
wouldn't get upset; those sort of peo-
pie never do. Any way, don't come to-
morrow, Marjorie. Come one day next
week-Monday-will that suit? Yes,
all right. Goodbye then, dear, and
thank you SO much; and be sure you
come again on Monday afternoon"
The following Monday I therefore
went round early after luncheon to
see Lady Isabel and help her entertain
her aunt, but found the house in
state of great commotion, and the hall
full of boxes and parcels and pugs and
the parrot.
"Are you going away, Lady st. Al"
mond?" I asked the old lady, as she
loud directions to her maid about her
luggage and her pets.
Yes, yes, am going at once" she
replied hurriediy. 'Such a dreadful
thing has happened, Miss Anstruther"
She drew me into the morning-room.
Don't be alarmed" she said tragic.
ally, looking exceedingly frightened
herself; don't be alarmed, my dear.
Here, put some of this on your hand.
kerchief.' She poured something ex~
ceedingly pungent on to my handker-
chief as she spoke with so shaking
hand that most of it unfortunately
fell on my new white blouse. There
! jc H9noor
whatever"
What is it," l. asked; whatever is
the matter?"
Poor Isabel! l am sorry I mis-.
judged her. I really thought her i'll.
ness was fancy; but they say it is
measles-German measles-the most
virulent and contagious kind. I only
hope it's nothing worse Doctors often
make mistakes. am not at all ner-
vous for myself" said the old lady,
who was obviously in state of the
most violent alarm; "but my maid is
quite young girl, and these infec-
tious things are SO trying, I thought
I had better return home at once. My
nephew is unfortunately away" she
continued. HE was obliged to go out
OF town yesterday morning-so very
unfortunate for him. I wanted to
wire, but Isabel would not hear of it"
Il will go up and see her at once"
I said, turning to leave the room.
"Oh! my dear, the old lady
looked horrified-"p do not run so
needless a risk; it would really be
most unwise of you; I must protest"
But am not at all nervous" I re-
assured her
She held out her hand every we'll,
then, if you really will; but it is not
ever, you know best-I will say good
bye, though, as I daresay you will not
be down before I CO."
i "Oh, I can easily come down and
see you Off"
mo, no. said the old lady sharply;
Il must really beg of you not to do SO
there is my young maid, you see;
for her sake must not run any need
less risks. Is your cab there
Barnes?"
She was evidently in a fever to de
part, but luckily was not kept much
longer in suspense, for, as turned VI
the corridor towards Lady Isabel's
bedroom, I heard the first of the
boxes bumped heavily against the toy
of the cab and the brougham drive w
, to take the Aunt.
Elise came to the door to meet me
"How is Lady Isabel?" l asked. 90
am sorry to hear she is so i'll, Elise
Elises conduct was certainly re
markable, if not actually heartless.
She passed me, and leaning over the
stairs, looked eagerly down into the
> hall below. Returning momen
later, she ushered me. with many
, apologies into Lady Isabel's bed
room
The blinds were drawn and the fur
:. niture was carefully covered will
dust sheets, but beyond a faint odo
: of some delicate perfume there wa!
= no sign Of Lady Isabel.
"Why, Elise ?'-I turned to the cir
in utter where on eartl
Hair ladeeship is away to the sea
side, to Eastbourne,' said Elise, he
eyes demurely fixed on the tip Of he
: shoe. Hair laideeship, she think j
the quickest way to-" Elise hest
tated-s'tO-
yes, I understand" I interposet
hurriedly.
And so she go away yestairday il
the morneeng, but I telegraph he
now, this moment, mademoiselle, ant
: she return in the morneeng HON,
again. Will madamoiselle come bacl
l tomorrow afternoon?" she added anx
iously.
. Eyes, I will come" I replied.
AS l went slowly down the step
and into the sunny street again car
1 riage, weighted heavily with tw'
months luggage, turned clumsil,
: round the corner, and I caught a las
glimpse of the solemn face of black