The Washington herald., 1908-01-27

the situation carefully this unfattering
estimate OF himself frightened.
II he could have comfortably taken
himself away from Yelverton he would
/ have done SO: but as he had proposed
himself for this visit 1t would have been
difficult to find tangible reason fer
ending it In SO abrupt fashion
The quiet, comfortable influence of the
house. and particularly the presence Of
the children. worked pleasantly on his
troubled mood, however, and at dinner
time he sat chatting briskly away over
his American experiences, and noting
with some satisfaction (and a good deal
more veXatiou) that the girl in the white
gown on the opposite side of the table
matched himself in ease of manner and
flow of spirit
Il find him wonderfully improved,
said Mrs. Brenton, as she and Katherine
sat having their coffee in the hall
"Oh, he was always fairly gOOd-loOk-
ing said the girl carelessly.
She had let Betty decorate her for din
ner. and there was "a large red flower
tucked I'm among the masses of her dark
hair just behind one small ear She had
grown taller. but was Just as slim as
ever, although Mrs Brenton invented all
sorts of fattening dishes entirely for
Katherine's consumption, she refused to
grow fat
"Oh, I don't mean his looks, ] mean
his manner! Don't YOU find him ever 50
much brighter and brisker? lie seems
quite happy, too. ! am glad of that"
Miss Granger put down her coffee cup.
She heard the dining-rcom door open.
"I am just going to run upstairs to see
if Betty has dropped Off She looked very
wakeful."
Her White gown Whisked out of sight
as Mr.. Brenton and his guest came out
of the dining-ToOm. and though they Sat
a long time chatting and smoking Miss
Granger never came back
'I am trying 20 divide her a little from
this devotion to the children. but it is not
very successful" Mrs. Brenton said to
Rupert and yet she cannot remain with
them all her life"
II am afraid she is rather obstinate,
Haverford remarked. a trifie grimly.
The next morning he left YelvertOn
early-so early that the children were
only half dressed when he went.
Betty, lamenting recalled a score of
promises unfulhlled, and Wept bitterly;
and Katherine. as she listened 10 The
child felt almost ashamed.
Although" she argued with herself
'-he need not have gone away II he had
not wanted 10 go.
Mrs. Brent0n az luncheon gavV il as her
opinion that the change she had remarked
in Rupert Haverford denoted more than
a surface alteration
Il am convinced % she said "he is go
ing 10 marry an American. Isn't it too
abominabe? ] ana SO disappointed"
when I marry" observed Betty, I'm
going 10 keep hens. speckley yellow ones
You know the sort Baby, same as the
one you snooed out OF Aunt Brenny S
garden
Chased corrected Katherine.
CHASED" said Betty Then in a differ
ent tone: How red you are. Kathie;
quite like as if YOU was boiled
"Weu" said Mir. BTcnton. In his quiet
way. you were saying the other day
you wanted him 10 marry, You know
so I do, " agreed Agnes Brenton "but
did not suppose he would care about an
American wife"
They discussed the probable union for
sonIe time
1t struck Katherine as so strange that
both these people should regard It as
natural and certain that he should marry.
and not from a mere sense of duty. but
from inclination, even from affection.
'DO they forget so easily?" she asked
herself.