The Plymouth tribune. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1901-1911, 1907-10-10
CHAPTER III.


Somewhat to his surprise, and much
to his delight, Roderick Vawdrey es-
capped that maternal lecture which he
was wont undutifully to describe as
"wigging" He went to Oxford, trav-
elled abroad, and came home in time
to celebrate his majority at a grand
party.
1t was a very grand party in the
way of blue blood, landed estates,
diamonds, lace, satin and velvet, and
selfimportance. All the magnates of
the soil within accessible distance of
Briarwood had assembled to do honor
to Rorie's coming of age. The dining
tables had been arranged in horse
shoe, so as to accommodate seventy
people in a room which, in its every
day condition, would not have been too
large for thirty.
There was a moderate and endur-
able amount of speechifying. The
Duke of Dovedale assured his friends
that this was one of the proudest mo-
ments Of his life; and that if Provi-
dence had permitted a son of his own
to attain his majority, he could have
hardly felt more deeply than he felt
today. He had known this young man
from childhood, and-had-er-um-
never found him guilty of a mean ac-
tion-or-discovered in him thought
unworthy of an English gentleman.
1t was past midnight when the Tenn
pest carriage drove through the dark
rhododendron strawberries up to the
old Tudor porch. There was a great
pile of logs burning in the hall giving
the homecomers CHEEKY welcome.
There was an antique silver spirit
stand with its Accomplishments on one
little table for the squire, and there
was another little table on the oppo-
site side of the hearth for Mrs. Tenn
pest, with a dainty tea service spark
ling and shining in the red glow. A
glance at these arrangements would
have told you that there were old SER
wants at the Abbey House-servants
who knew their masters and mistress
ways.
How nice!" said the lady, with
contented sigh. Pauline has thought
of my cup of tea"
And Forbes has not forgotten my
soda water" remarked the squire.
Hush, what is this creeping down
the old oak staircase? A slender white
figure, with cloudy hair, small, pale
face, and two dark eyes shining with
excitement; little feet in black velvet
slippers tripping lightly upon the pol
ished oak
Bless my soul and body" cried the
squire. what's this?"
A gush of girlish laughter was his
only answer.
Vixen"
did you take me for a ghost,
papa?" cried Violet, descending the
last five stairs with flying leap, and
then bounding across the hall to
perch, Hght as a bird, upon her
fathers knee. did l really brighten
your"
We'll, upon my word, Vixen, was
just the least DIT staggered. Your little
white figure looked like something un-
canny against the black cak balus-
trades. half In light, half in shadow"
| How nice!" exclaimed Violet.
But, my dear Violet, what can have
induced you to come downstairs at
such an hour?" asked Mrs. Tempest,
in an aggrieved voice
Il want to hear all about the party,
mamma" answered Vixen, coaxingly.
do you think 1 could sleep a wink
on the night of AGrie's coming of age?
l heard the joybells ringing in my
ears all night
THAT was very Ridiculous" said
Mrs. Tempest, "for there were no joy
bells after L o'clock yesterday"
But they rang all the same,
mamma. 1t was no use burying my
head in the pillows; those bells only
rang the louder. Ding-dong, ding
dong, dell. Rorie's come of age; ding
dong, dell, Rorie's twenty-one Then /
thought of the speeches that would be
made, and I fancied that l could hear
Rorie speaking. Did he make a good
speech. papa?"
Capital, Vix; the only one that was
worth hearing. He looked as hand
some young fellow as you need wish
to set eyes on"
my dear Edward" demonstrated
Mrs. Tempest, languidly. do you think
1t is quite wise to encourage Violet in
that kind of talk? He was very de-
voted to his cousin all the evening /
believe they are engaged to be mar
ried."
Mamma" exclaimed Vixen, start
ing up from her reclining attitude up
on her fathers shoulder, and looking
intently at the speaker: 'Rorie en-
gagged to Lady Mabel Ashbourne!"
80 / am told" replied Mrs. Tenn
pest. 1T will be a splendid match
for him"
The pretty chestnut head dropped
back into it's old place upon the
squire's shoulder, and Violet answered
never a word.
Past two o'clock cried her
mother. This is really too dreadful.
Come, Violet, you and / must go up
stairs at any rate
We'll all CO." said the squire.
Vixen locked her door and threw
herself downward on the carpet, sob
bling as If her heart would break.
Rorie was going to be married. Her
little kingdom had been overturned by
a revolution, her little world had
crumbled all to pieces. Till tonight
she had been queen in her own mind
and her kingdom had been Rcrie, her
subjects had begun and ended In
Rorie. All was over. He belonged to
some one else.
Had she ever thought that time
might come when he would be scme
thing more to her than playfellow and
frisnd2 No. never The young bright