The new enterprise. (Madison, Fla.) 1901-1908, 1908-02-06
BY R. MURRAY GILCHRlST.

I
the rest Of the letter, which contained
naught of interest; then, ringing a
silver handbell, she summoned Mrs.
Shellcock, her housekeeper, a dame
we'll nigh as old as herself
AT your ladyships service" said
the woman, curtesying low and stretch
ing the hem Of her apron.
"See that the yellow chamber is in
order, good Shellcock," said her mis-
tress. my son has written word that
Lady Elizabeth is on her way here"
Mrs. Shellcock nodded with a re-
tainer's familiarity. ut shall be done
at once, my lady" she said. "And II
I'm not making too free, I'd like to
say that I'm main glad. Lady Eliza
beth, though it's long since saw her,
gave promise of being the most beau
tiful of beautiful clutchi"
She retired, but came back in an
other moment. your ladyship's par
DON" she said. "But the groom my
lord sent asked me to state that his
mare cast her shoe thrice, and t has
been necessary to spend many hours
at the smithy."
When she disappeared again Lady
Heathylees took up her ebony gold
handled stick, and passed through the
great hall and out upon the terrace.
The roses were in full bloom; the air
was heavy with their fragrance. The
summer heat was tempered by a
splashing of fountain that was shap-
en- like a chubby boy with a couch
There was no sound save the hum
ming of countless bees and the tired
singing of the larks overhead. Lady
Heathlylees's quaintness was in per-
feet harmony with the place; she had
the air of fairy godmother-not one
Of the most amiable, It is true, but
none the less endowed with surpass-
ing dignity. Her gown was of rich
brocade, green and crimson on an or
ange ground; the skirt was spread over
a monstrous hoop; she had the tiniest
feet, shod in undressed leather, with
heels handbreadth high. She car
ried in her left hand heavy fan, with
which she occasionally waited her
face, more from force of habit than
from necessity. She made her way
slowly to a Belvedere at the end OF
the terrace, and, entering, crossed 20
\ the latticed window that overlooked
the glade, along which all corners to
Hall-i-th'-Wood must travel And
there, before she had gazed one mo-
ment she gave a sudden start and
closed her fan so urgently that one Of
the pierced tortoise shell sticks split
from end to end.
"Egadl" she said. Here comes the
mink, and with a squire beside her
carriagel Heaven grand it may be my
Lord of Allithwaite-tho to speak
the' truth, the fellow looks too young
and sits his horse too well to be a
WORKOUT man from town."
Her eyes sparkled more brightly than
ever; It seemed. as though she had
already tasted some pretty quarreling.
She left the summer house and went
through the garden to a postern by
which the visitors must enter In an
other five minutes the heavy horses
stopped, and the cavalier dismounted,
oponed the door and helped to allght
a young woman who wore a lilac rid
ing hood and dimity skirt She was
tall and graceful Of figure; her eyes
we're In color and brilliancy like the
dowager's, but more kindly; mighty
pretty color warmed her cheeks. She
curtesied In the latest, most elegant,
most deferentIal fashion, then she took
No.. - 5o,,,,sc h,,a ,.a -,t-.a a. A.,
her lips Il vow, child, that I'd not
have known you" said my lady. The
last time we met you we're scarce in
the hoyden stage; now you're grown
up In every way" Then she pointed
with her stick TO the gentlemaA Pre-
sent him, child. Twas wise and
thoughtful OF your dear father to in
sure your safety"
Lady Elizabeth's color deepened.
MY dearest grandmother" she replied.
you're crediting my father with a
consideration quite foreign to his ma
ture. The gentleman Is neIghbor
and good friend. Madam, permit me
to Introduce Mr.. Eyre"
The dowager eyed the stranger very
sravely. in spite Of her age she had
still an eye for q proper man. and
here was certainly one Of the hand
s0niest she had ever beheld. Moreover,
be bore a curious likeness to some one
she had known IN youth
II confess myself honored with his
acquaintance" she said very coidiy. /
u thank him, moreover, for his most
hind attention %