Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1907-04-01

nearer and kissed her.
"afv dear" she whispered. II am be-
ginning to understand why Jack loves
you. lie is my only son. but you are
worthy of him"
Mrs. Yansittart's appearance created
n timely diversion. She had obtained
black lace dress. 1t accumulated the
settled pallor of her face, but she was
perfectly self possessed and uttered
nice womanly compliment to the two
girls. who wore white demitoilet cos
tunes
You look delightful she said
when all is said and done we women
should never despise our wardrobe
That marvellous lighthouse had one
grave defect in my eyes 1t was
dreadfully callous to feminine require
ments."
| Here was a woman rejuvenated, re-
stored to her natural surroundings.
They accounted for the subtle change
in her by the fact that they bad seen
her hitherto under unfavorable condi-
tons. Even Pyne, not wholly pleased
with her in the past. found his critical
judgment yielding when she apologized
sweetly TO Lady Margaret for her
hardness.
There were two children saved from
the wreck. Poor little mites, how they
| reveled in a hot bath! | could not
| leave them until they were asleep"
Il needed two hot baths" said Pyne.
mo. dug me out of the shell. and No.
| % 30, ,,,r-caIf
During dinner there was much to tell
and to hear. Mrs Vansittart said lit
tie. save to interpOse a word now and
then when Constance or Enid would
have skinned too lightly the record
of their own services.
They did not hurry over the meal
All were i'm the best possible spirits
and the miseries of the Gulf Rock
might never have existed for this lively
company were it not that four among
them bore clear tokens of the depriva
tons they had endured.
\ waiter interrupted their joyous
chatter at its highest. He bent over
Mr. Trail and discreetly conveyed
some communication.
Il am delighted" cried the million
aire heartily. "Show him in at once"
He rose from his chair to do honor
to an unexpected guest.
you will all be pleased to hear" he
explained, chat Mr.. Brand is ashore
and has come to see us
Mrs Vansittart stifed the cry on her
lips The slight color which had crept
into her pale cheeks yielded to death
ly hue. 1t Glanced that the others
were looking expectantly toward the
door and did not notice her.
Brand entered. In acknowledging
Mr.. Trails cordial welcome he smii-
ingly explained his presence.
My superiors sent me emphatic or
ders to clear out" he said, $50 I had
no option but to obey. l conveyed Mr.
Emmett to suitable quarters and has
tened home, but found that the girls
were playing truant My housekeeper
insisted that l should eat, else she
would not be satisfied that l still lived
but l came here as quickly as posi-
BILE"
At that instant his glance, travelling
from one to another of those present,
fell on Mrs. Vansittart.
He stood as one petriied. The kind
ly words Of his host the outspoken
glee of the girls at his appearance,
died away in his ears in hollow echoes.
His eyes. frowning beneath wrinkled
brows, seemed to ask if he were not
the victim of some unnerving halluci-
nation They were fixed on Mrs. Van
sittart's face with an all absorbing in
tensity. and his set lips and clinched
hands showed how utterly irresistible
was the knowledge that indeed he was
not deceived: that he was gazing at q
living. breathing personality and not
at some phantom product of a sur
. charged brain.
She. too yiel&ing before the sudden
n ness of an oreSNal she had striven tt
:. avoid, betrayed by her laboring bosom
- that she was under the spell of som
excitement of overwhelming power
She managed to gain her feet. TIL
. consciousness that Constance, Eni(
II Lady Margaret even, were looking a
her and at Brand with amazed anXiet
= served to strengthen her for a suprem
- effort.
Mr. Stephen Brand-and I-are oil
- acquaintance she gasped. He ma
- misunderstanding presence here-tc
i night. Indeed-in this instance-I al
- not to blame. l could not-help N!
= self. l am always-trying to explain
&c but somehow never succeed. Ohp
With an agoniZed sigh she swaye
listlessly and would have fallen ha
= not Pyne caught her.
~ But she was desperately determine
not to faint-there. This was ht
world. the world of society. She woul
not yield in its presence.
Her eyes wandered vaguely, helples
ly, from the face of the mar towal
~ the others. Constance had FASTENED
~ her assistance. and the knowledge tn
this was so seemed to stimulate her
a n higher degree With fine cOura.