Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1907-01-02
CHAPTER XVIII.

"HY tie way, dear" said Lady
* Cantourne to her niece one
fine day, 81 have asked
- a Miss Gordon to come to tea
this afternoon met her last night
at the Tltzmannerlng's. She lives in
Loango and knows Jack thought
you might like to know her. She is ex-
ceptionally ladylike and rather pretty"
And straightway Miss Millicent
Chyne went upstairs to put on ner best
dress.
We men cannot expect to understand
these small matters, these eNigencies,
as 1t were, of female life. But we may
be permitted to note feebly ell PEASANT
through existence that there are occa-
sions when women put on their best
clothes without the desire to please.
And, while Millicent Chyne was actu-
ally attiring herself, Jocelyn Gordon, In
another house not so far away, was
busy with that beautiful hair of hers.
patting here, drawing out there, pin
ming, poking, pressing with all the cum
ming that her fingers possessed.
Cantournes uncompromisingly solid
and old fashioned drawing room. one
may be certain that nothing was lost
my aunt tells me-" began Millicent
at once, with that degage treatment of
certain topics hitherto held sacred
which obtains among young folks to.
day, that you know Loango."
''Oh, yes. live there"
"And you know Mr. Meredith?"
"Yes, and Mr. DISCARD Also
'.Ah. yes" said Milllcent unblushing-
ly. That was her strong point. blush
ing in the right place, but not in the
wrong. Mr.. Oscard. He is associated
harebrained scheme!
II believe they are together in it.
The simiacine, you mean?' said Joce.
Ign.
Yes; the simiacine. Such singular
name, Is 1t not? always say they will
ruin themselves suddenly. People al
ways do, don't they? But what do you
think of 1t? I>should like to know"
II think they certainly will make a
fortune" replied Jocelyn-and she
noted the light In Millicent's eyes with
a sudden feeling of dislike-''unless the
risks prove too great and they arc
forced to abandon it."
"What risks?" asked Millicent, quite
forgetting to modulate her voice.
well, Of course, the Ogowe river
Go vi
ere other risks. The natives in tho
plains surrounding the slmiacinc pla
teau are antagonistic. Indeed, the
plateau was surrounded and quite be
sleged when we left Africa"
But" cried Millicent, .of course
something was done. They could never
leave Mr.. Meredith unprotected"
YES" answered Jocelyn quietly,
''Mr. Oscard Went UP and rescued him,
My brother heard yesterday that the
relief had been effected"
Milllcent smiled again in her light
hearted way.
THAT is all right" she said. "What
good thing we did not know! Just
think, auntie dear, what a lot of anX'
iety we have been spared"
In the height of the season, tool!
said Jocelyn.
"Yes-es," replied Millicent, rather
doubtfully.
Lady Cantourne was puzzled. There
was something going on which she dit
not understand. Within the sount
of the pleasant conversation there wa.
the cliquetis of the foil; behind the
polite smile there was the CLEAN O
steel. She was rather relieved to turn
at this moment and see Sir John Mei
edith entering the room with his usua
courtly bow. He always entered he
drawing room like that. All, that lttl,
secret of mutual respect! Some pep
pie who are very young now will wish
before they have grown old, that they
had known 1t.
He shook hands with Lady Can
tourne and with Alillicent. Then liz
stood with deferential half bow
waiting for the introduction to the cir
who was young enough to be his daugh
ter-almost to be his granddaughter
There was something pathetic and We
proud in this old mans uncomp"omis
ing adherence to the lessons of hi
youth.
.Sir John Mereditll-Aliss Gordon"
The beginning-the thin end of til,
wedge, us the homely saving has it
the end which we Introduce alnos
every day of oui. lives. little suspect
Ing to what 1t may broaden OFT.
II had the pleasure CT seeing 20,
last night" said Sir John Ut once al
Lady FltZmamnerna's evening party
OF at home believe We call then
nowadays. Some of tie guests reat
the Invitation too much an pied de |;
lettre for my taste. They We're 81
much at home that l, fearing to in
trude, left rather early"
He was beginning 10 wonder why hi
had been invited-nay, almost CON
mandcd--to come. BY an imperious lit
tie note. And of late whenever Sill
John began to wonder lie began also
to feel old
At that moment the DOR opened and
there entered Il complex odur of liail
wash and perfumcry-a collar which
must have been nearly related to Il
cuff, and a pair of tight patent leather
boots, all attached to and somewhat
overpowering young man.
.'-Ah, my dear Mr. GIubb." sale
Lady Cantournc, how good OF yor
to call so soon. You will haze some
tea. Millicent. give MI. Grubb som,
tea"
Then Lady Cantourne went to til,
conservatory and left Sir John ant
Jocelyn at the end of the long room
together. There is nothing like Il wo
mans instinct. Joce,yn spoke at once
Lady Cantourne." she said, KINDLY
asked me to meet you today on pur
pose. live at Loange: know you
son, Mr.. Meredith, and we thought
You might like II hear about him ant
about LoanSo."
YES" he said, With Il strange hest
tation, Eyes, you are kind. OF colrs,
am Interested. | WONDER he wen
on. with sudden change Of manner
AZ xvo,,tlar h,,y upi,ph v,lEi know F."