Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1908-01-24
CHAPTER Ill. Continued.

such a celebrated parsonage. laughed
heartily. And altogether there was sui
ticient attention aud sufficient laughter
TO make very respectable noise. This
being the maior's cue for an exit. nc
rose. one sleek hand raised In spright-
ly protest ~ though 10 shield the III
visible ladies. TO whose bournes he
was bound. from an uproar too mas
culine aud mighty for the ears of such
sex.
Ass" muttered Alderdene. getting
up AMI pattering about the room In
his big shiny pumps. Give me
peg-somebodyr'
Mortimer swallowed his brandy. lin
gered. lifted the decanter mechanical
ly considering its remaining contents
and his own capacity, then:
Bridge. captamT
Certainly" said Captain Voucher
brlskly.
"Ill go and shoe the major into the
gunroom." observed Ferrall-''unless'-
looking qucstioningly at Siward.
"I've date with your wife" OBJ
served that young man, strolling to
ward the hail.
The Page boys. Rena Bonnesdel and
Eileen Shannon were seated at card
table together. very much engaged
with one another. the sealed pack ~
Ing neglected on the green cloth.
vast pink box Of bonbOns beside 1t not
neglected
O'Hara and Quarter, with Marion
mersed in the game. already stony
faced and oblivious to outer sounds.
About the rooms woe distributed
girls Ell tete-tete, girls eating bonbons
and watching the cards. among them
Sylvia Lands. hands loosely clasped
behind her. standing at Quarters ell
bow to observe and profit by an ex.
pert performance.
As Siward Stroled in she raised her
dainty head for an instant. smiled In
silence and resumed study Of her
fiance's game.
A moment later, when Quarter had
emerged brilliantly from the melee
she looked up again triumphantly, sup
posing Siward was lingering some
where waiting to join her. And she
was just Il tritle surprised and disap
pointed TO find him nowhere in sight.
She had wished him to observe the
brilliancy Of Mr. Quarters game,
But Siward, outside on the verania,
was saying at that moment to his
hostess. II shall be very glad to read
my mothers letter at any time you
choose"
TT must be later, Stephen. I'm to
cut IN when Kemp sends for me. He
has lot Of letters to attend to. Tell
me- what do you think OF Sylvia Ian
dis"
81 like her. Of course" he replied
pleasantly.
Grace Ferrall stood thinking mo.
ment. "Ehat sketch you made proved
great success, didn't 1T" And she
laughed under her breath.
did it? thought Mr.. Quarter
seemed annoyed
Really? What a muff that cousin
Of mine is. He's such mutt, you
know. that the very sight Of his point.
ed beard and pompadour hair and his
complacency sets me in fdgets to stir
him up
II don't think you'd hest use me for
the stick next time" said Siward.
"He's not my cousin. you know"
Mrs. Ferrall shrugged her boyisl
shoulders: by the way" she said Gu
riousiy. who was that girl?'
what girl?' he asked coolly, look
ing at his hostess. now the very incar
nation Of delicate mockery with heI
pretty laughing mouth. her boyish sun
burn ami frecklcs.
"You won't tell me. suppose?"
I'm sorry
"Was she pretty. Stephen
Eyes" she said sulkily. Il wish yot
wouldn't
Nonsense! Do you think I'm goinl
to let you off without some sort Of con
fesson? If had time now-but
haven't. Kemp has business letters
He'll be furious. SO I've got to take BIZ
cards or we won't have any pennies
to buy gasoline"
She retreated back ward. with ga,
nod Of malice. and turned to enter tn
house and met Sylvia Lands face t
face IN the hallway.
you mink" she whispered. "Aren'
you ashamedT
Every much. dear. What forT And
catching sight Of Slward outside In tn
starlight. OWNED perhaps something
Of hero hostess meaning. for she laugh
ed uneusily. like a child who vince
under stern eye.
"You don't suppose for a moment,
she began. that have
Eyes. do. You always do"
mot with that sort of man." she re
turned naively. He won't"
Mrs. Ferrall regarded her suspicious
ly. "You always pick out exactly tn
wrong man to play with
They had moved back side by sid
into the hall, the hostess arm linke
in the arm of the younger girl.
'rhe wrong man." repeated Sylvia
1nstinctively freeing her arm. he
straight brows beginning to bend II
ward.
II didn't mean that-exactly. 70
know how much | care for his mothe
and for him." The obstinate dOwr
ward trend Of the brows. the narrow
ing blue gaze. signaled mutiny to tn
woman who knew her so well.
What Is 80 wrong with Mr.. S
wardT" she asked.
Nothing. There was an Affair."
This spring In town. know it.
that allY''
Yes. for the present" replied Grae
Ferrall intentionally. Then: "Fc