Heppner gazette. [volume] (Heppner, Morrow County, Or.) 1892-1912, 1907-11-21
LIZ
CHAPTER TX.

ner of the grounds, came stealing into
the handsome parlors, where Agnes Rem
ington, in tasteful toilet reclined Ian
guidly upon the crimson-hued sofa, bend
ing her graceful head to suit the height
OF Jessie, who was twinng some flowers
among her curls, and appealing to Guy te
know IF it was not pretty"
In his favorite seat in the pleasant bay
window. opening into the garden, Guy
was sitting, apparently reading book
though his eyes did not move very rapidly
down the page, for his thoughts were or
some other object. When his pretty
stepmother first came to Aikenside, three
months before, he had been half sorry, fol
he knew just how his quiet would be dis.
turbed, but as the weeks went by, and he
became accustomed to Jessie's childish
prattle and frolicsome ways, while even
Agnes herself was not bad picture for
his handsome home. he began to feel how
he should miss them when they were
gone. Had she been more agreeable to
him he would not have hesitated to offer
her home as long as she chose to re-
main, but, as it was, he felt that Lucy
Atherstone would be much happier alone
with him.. Lucy, however, was not COM
ing yet. and until she did come Agnes
perhaps might stay. 1t certainly would
teacher in the house, and it was upon
these matters that he was rejecting
AS If divining his thoughts, Agnes said
to him rather abruptly:
Guy, Ellen Laurie writes me that
they are all going to Saratoga for a time,
and then to Newport, and she wishes
would join them. Do you think l can
afford it?"
"Oh, yes, that's splendid, for III stay
here while you are gone, and I like
Aikenside so much better than Boston.
Mamma can afford it, can't she, Guy?'
Jessie exclaimed, dropping her flowers
and sprnging upon her brothers knee.
Smoothing her bright hir and pinching
her soft cheek, Guy replied:
That means, l suppose, that l can
afford it, don't it? but, puss, l was think
ing just now about your staying here,
where you really do improve
Then turning to Agnes he made some
inquiries as to the plans proposed by the
Lauries ascertaining that Agnes plan
was as follows He should invite her to
go with him to Saratoga, or Newport, or
both, and that Jessie meantime at Aiken
side, just as she wished.
Guy could not find much pleasure in
escorting Agnes to a fashionable water
ing place, but he decided to martyr him
self and 60 to Saratoga. But who would
TaSOia2 ha hn Ioft
wholly with the servants. A governess
of some kind must be provided, and he
was about speaking of this to Agnes
when the doctor was announced, and the
turned into another channel
Agnes Remington would not have confess
I'd how much she was interested in DR..
Holbrook
His arrival dissipated her sadness in
A measure, and after greeting him with
her usual expressions of welcome, she
said half playfully, half spitefully:
BY the way, doctor, who was that old
lady, all bent up double in shawls and
things, whom you were taking out for an
airing"
That old lady, bent double and bun
died up in shawls. was young Maddy
Clyde, to whom l thought ride might
do good"
"Oh, yes; that patient about whom
Jessie has gone mad. l am glad l have
seen her"
There was numistakable irony in her
voice now, and turning from her to Guy,
the doctor said:
THE old man was telling me today of
your kindness in saving the house from
being sold 1t was like you, Guy: and
wish |, too, had the means to be so
generous, for they are so very poor"
"I'll tell YOU" said Jessie, who had
stolen to the doctors side, You might
give Maddy the doctors bill. l remember
how mamma cried. and said she never
could pay papa's bill when it was sent
in"
jessie. said Agnes and Guy, stimuli
taneously. while the doctor laughingly
pulled one of her long, bright curls.
"Yes, | could do that. I'd thought Of
it. but they might not accept it, they are
proud as we'll as poor"
"Mr. Markham has no one to care for
hut his wife and this Madeline, has he"
Agnes asked, and the doctor replied:
Il did not suppose so until a few days
since. when | learned from a Mr.. Green
that Mrs Markham's youngest and now
only brother has been an inmate of an
asylum for years; and that though they
cannot pay his entire expenses, OF course
they do all they can toward providing him
with comforts
Agnes cheek was very white, though
her face was turned away. For a mo-
ment there was silence in the room, and
then Guy told the doctor of what himself
and Agnes were speaking when he ar
rived.
II suppose it's Of no use asking you to
Join us for a week or so.'
There was not" the doctor said. His
patients needed him, and he must stay at
home"
Doctor, how would this Maddy Clyde
do to stay here with Jessie while we are
gone, partly as companion and partly as
her teacher" was Guys next question,
which brought Mrs. Agnes at once from
her reverie.
Guy" she exclaimed, ARE you crazyl
That child Jessie's governess! No. in
deed l shall have teacher from Bos-
ton-one whose manners and style are
unexceptionable."
Guy had a will Of his own, and few
could provoke 1t into action as efectually
as Agnes, who, in thus opposing him, was
working directly against herself. Paying
her no attention, except to bow In token