The Brandon news. (Brandon, Miss.) 1892-1961, 1907-12-12

VI.
Thomas said that he would be painfully
and regrettably circumstanced if she
did.
So she did.
The Carmichaels lived at Frayne
Hall, two miles from Lichield. They
had lived there, personally, or by
means of their ancestors, ever since
the big, ugly red, brick building had
been erected, shortly before the COM
mencement Of the Civil War. Many
noble castles were destroyed by the
parliamentary troops; Frayne Hall es-
capped because of it's excessive ugli-
ness, and successive generations of
grateful Carmichaels perpetuated and
developed this pleasing feature when
ever they found it possible to defeat the
efforts of time.
But though their residence was I'M
attractive, the Carmichaels were not.
Sir Thomas was tall, rather stout,
pleasant looking, wilful, and fifty. They
rarely quarrelled, though they some
times differed in opinion. These little
disturbances were usually settled by
compromise; Sir Thomas preserved his
dignity, adopted his wife's opinion and
carried out her wishes, which were now
his own.
But occasionally there was hitch,
and the compromise was unduly de-
layed.
Sir Thomas was aggrieved. 81 tell
you, once for ALL" he said severely,
that / won't have the girl. And
don't want to talk any more about the
matter
Very well, Thomas" said Lady Car
michael. But I may tell you, once
for all, that | certainly will have the
girl. That decision is quite final,
and, as you say, there is no use in
further talking. l will write at once
and tell her to come
IF you do" said Sir Thomas, "and
she accepts shall give orders that she
is not to be admitted"
Nonsense I should like to see the
person who would refuse to admit my
my own niece, tool"
eff she were an ordinary visitor |
shouldn't mind. But to have her in
the house for three months-a miser-
able, townbred girl, who has probably
never seen a decent horse, and will
want to chatter about art and litera-
ture, and all that kind of thing. Pah!"
"She is my niece" said Lady Car
michael, decisively, "and it is quite
time | did something for her."
81 see you have made up your mind,
and, of course, you won't pay any at
tention to my wishes. But / warn you
that if she does come | shall let her see
intruder; and if she has any nerves or
a proper sense of what is due to me
as-as titular head of this house she
won't stay long, That is all | have to
say" He turned toward the door.
Il shall write to her tonight, :" said
Lady Carmichael sweetly. II shall tell
her that you are eccentric, and she will
attribute any little brusqueness to that
cause; for, Of course, you cannot be
positively rude to her."
Cant I?' said Sir Thomas, with en-
phasis, as he closed the door.
Eileen Leslie was an orphan with a
small income. She lived with her faith
er's aunt, very old lady who resided
at Ealing, and waited for the end of
the world, which she said was much
overdue. Eileen had been at Ealing
four years when it. occurred to Lady
Carmichael, that it was quite time she
did something for her niece She wrote
politely, and received in return nice
ly written ladylike letter which quite
satisfied her. Then she had the I'M
fortunate dispute with her husband
which has been alluded to. She want
ed Eileen to stay with her for three
months. Sir Thomas didn't. So. she
sent the invitation, which was grace
fully accepted
A fortnight later Sir Thomas had to
go up to town on business. 1t was the
day when the City and Suburban was
run at EPSON and as the baronet had
been told that Velocity was sure to
win, he did his business very satisfac-
torily He returned the following day
by the Manchester express from Eus-
ton.
He had settled himself comfortably
in the corner of a first-class smoking
carriage. when the door was flung open
with unnecessary roughness. and an
anaemic young man sprang in. He
wore Norfolk suit Of an ugly check