News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1908-06-17
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raised no objection. That the mar
riage state was desirable for Pauline
she had no doubt whatever.
4 am sure | have not the slightes
objection, she said-'if you have made
from adding.
Yes, we have quite made up oul
minds, said Pauline.
In the meantime Bernard was en-
tightening Joan. Nothing could eX
coed his enthusiasm; and though she
read him a lecture on the absurdity
of being jealous, she might as well
have talked to the wind.
I hope you won't mind, he inter.
rupted, but l thought | would dine in
Gloucester Place. have a sort OF
general invitation, you know
You will be quite family party,
said Joan.
But how about yourself" he asked.
oh, | shall go to Mrs. Westma-
colts At Home she answered. I had
not intended to go, but somehow she
added, 4 don't look forward to the
prospects of a lonely evening"
She presently went upstairs, intend
ing to dress before her solitary din
ner She had ordered the meal for
half-past seven this evening, and
quarter of an hour before that time
she entered the drawing-room.
Bernard had already set forth. Joan
was standing at the window, staring
out little dejectedly, when, to her as
constituent, she saw Wray approach
ing the house.
He wore a thin overcoat over his
evening clothes, and lifted his hat as
he recognized Joan.
I know | have no business here at
this ungodly hour, he said, when she
offered her hand.
AT any hour you please, she an
swered.
4 feel restless he answered. 4
can't settle down. l have to go to a
meeting later on, but I thought I
would take my chance of finding you
on my way to dine at the club
L shall propose an amendment
said Joan.
Well, whatever it is I'll second it, |
Dine with me instead Joan sug- |
gested. --s'sssS1.
But aren't you going out? he asked |
She shook her head.
Then you expect guests he said.
You have put on your war-paint,' and
he looked down at her evening frock.
Isn't that rather dangerous re-
mark-to a woman of my age?' she
exclaimed
Yours is the perfect age he in
sisted.
DO you like my dress?' she asked
quickly.
You might as reasonably ask
one admires the moon on a
summers night he said, or date
rec eet ta tas aasssEB::-
A't lat is very pretty OF you, II a
title hyperbolical,' cried Joan. Now,
AXE off your coat
: You are not going out, then?'
4 was going she rejoined. but
have changed my mind.
"A thing you are not often guilty
IT., he said.
Yet you said l was "a womanly
woman! But she added, there is
1our meeting!'
L can't improve on this, said Wray,
aking off his overcoat.
During the dinner she led him to
ak of his adventures abroad; and
no fob Jnon |
usgested he. should smoke in the
garden.
Anywhere, so that you promise
lot to leave me- he answered.
1T has been usually the other way
bout, said Joan.
She strolled forth, but Wray would
lot sit down until they were at dis
ance from the house. Their bench
vas surrounded by foliage, so that as
ar as secluson went they might have
,een in some country solitude
1t was half-past eight o'clock on a
Tune evening. A faint breeze was
flowing after hot day. When they
ooked upwards through the chimney
# tall trees, they saw only the blue
ky.
4 came here with special purpose
his evening said Wray.
You did not warn me of that
ITO tell the truth, he continued, I
vas not sure | should be able to mus
err sufficient courage-or foolhardi-
ess-to breach the subject.
Joan sat silent few minutes, her
ands resting by her sides.
Are you going away AGAIN. she
uietly asked.
That is quite likely
'Soon?'
But it was not about that wanted
D talk to you,' said Wray.
About what?' she asked.
4 am not sure | am doing wise
hing he continued.
Nobody can deny you have done a
ew foolish things lately, Wray.'
Still, have escaped disaster SO
ar. he said. Now l stand to lose a
God deal
you make one curious! cried Joan.
What do you stand to lose?
He leaned towards her.