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

any rate tor n while; and must try to
think OF some other scheme. own I'm
sorry; but I'm not such brute as to.I
try to urge you to do what is against
that strong instinct OF yours. Well see
how we get on with her to-day"
Mrs. Taunton was, IL anything. more
charming to Olive when they met at
Henley than she had been at her own
house. She expressed the greatest de-
light at meeting Olive again. She had
prepared lunch for them: and while
they had 1t she explained that she
proposed, to run up in the launch AZ
far as Pangbourne In the afternoon,
have some tea there and return all to-
gether to town by train. Olive must
have as much fresh air rs possible, she
declared.
Both fell in readily with the pro-
posal; and when they reached Pang-
bourne, Mrs Taunton said that she he'd
a call to- make and that she would 10
back In very short time.
II know you can get on without me
for half an hour or 3d." she said with
a smile as she left. "Have the tea ready
by then, Mr.. Fenwick."
Jack gave the necessary orders and
he and Olive sat on the lawn OF the
hotel to await her return. They were
chatting with their heads close to-
gether when very unexpected and
very unpleasant interruption came.
"Jack! What is the meaning of this7"
1t was Lady Belborough; and turn
ing quickly the two found her staring
down at them, flushed and frowning in
anger.
= "Motherw exclaimed Jack In intense
surprise and vexatfon.
How dare you bring that young per-
son here in such way? am not sur
prised at anything she would do, OF
course. but you ought to know bet
ter
You mustn't speak like that of Miss
Parmenter, mother.
Lady Belborough's eyes sparkled
dangerously, and with curl of the lip
she said. "If you know the young wo-
mans name, remember that / do not"
than blow. Her face crimsoned with
sudden shame and humiliation and her
head dropped.
Jack was furious. Mother! How dare
you? Any insult to Miss Parmenter is a
deeper Insult to me" he replied. Miss
Parmenter Is to be my wife. Please
never to forget that again"
Lady Belborough turned on Olive.
"Perhaps you are satisfied now that
you have made my son so forget him-
self as to insure me in public In this
way. It Is only what should have
expected from a person of your dis
graceful origin whose parents -
.Stop. IL you please, Lady Bel
borough" cried Olive, on fire at this.
"Of myself you can say what you will.
I know you and can bear that. But my
parents neither you nor any one In the
world shall insult"
Jack, send this shameless girl about
her business and come with me-"
For answer he grasped olives hand.
But she drew 1t away. you had bet
ter go with your mother. Jack" said
Olive.
Jack. indeed! And in my presence.
Come away at once. John
II am returning to town with Miss
! Parmenter. mother" he answered
| quietly. but very firmly.
You must choose between that drab
| and me. And once for all. Understand
| that"
tone.
/ 81 have no hesitation about my
4 choice. mother; IL you force 1t In this
/ way. Z shall return to town with
4 Miss Parmenter.'
we'll see what your father saws
/ to this" was the furious reply; and
at that instant Mrs. Taunton came up
! to the group. She had been watch
/ ing the little scene from distance
! and could guess pretty we'll what had
i taken place. She had indeed secretly
planned the whole affair; but she
4 sailed up with bright smile. as il
+ Lady Relboroughs arrival were the
4 pleasantest surprise in the world for
them all.
.My dear Lady Belborough! How
delightful. You'll join my little party
/ and have some tea. Have you ordered
I 1t, Mr.. Fenwick?"
Your little party. Mrs. Taunton?
i I don't think understand you." was
/ the coldly spoken reply.
The widow looked up with an ex-
4 cellent affectation of offended SUR
4 prise. II have merely asked my dear
i little friend, Miss Parmenter. to have
4 a day on the river, and we are just
4 going TO have tea. There Is nothing
! else to understand"
i ~ should not think Of sitting at
the same table with such an imposter
4 as that young person"
Mira Taunton drew herself up to her
4 full height and looked at Lady Bel
i borough for pause, during which
u her features appeared to harden. Then
4 she replied in voice OF ice: Miss
4 Parmenter is my friend and my guest,