The Prince George's enquirer and southern Maryland advertiser. (Upper Marlborough, Md.) 1882-1925, 1908-04-10

through a little course of English read
ing with the poor girl himself? All Of
which Machiavellian strokes led grad
ually on to a state of intimacy, very
sweet indeed to Miss Lynch's heart,
| and which awakened many dire and
yengefu feelings in the bosoms of other
! maiden women in the parish.
"And now to think he should consent
| to 20 to this ball, Jane" Miss Lynch
spoke as she thought. and frequently
| burst out into little spasmodfc praises
of the vicar, without designating him
more closely than by personal pronoun.
After not being at ball for nearly
twenty years, to think he should con-
sent to go because asked him! 1t is
really most kind-I think without ex-
aggerati ton, might add, most particu-
larr'
They were on their way to Yatton;
Miss Lynch occupied with thoughts of
iellies, footmen, Mr.. Follett, and her
own black moire-Jane wondering, with
fce-cold hands and flushing cheeks,
whether the first dance would have be-
gun when they reached Yatton-
whether Clifford would have delayed it
for her-whether he would dance with
her-whether (but she blushed in the
dark as she wondere6 this long
looked-fo7 night was to bring her any
greater certainty of MohuE's feelings
than all his pretty speeches, and vague
uuestionings, and lingering hand-pres.
sures of the preceding three weeks had
done.
Her heart seemed to stop when, for the
first time in her life, she found herseR
on the threshold of Gifford's house..
She had entertained a childish hope
that he would be waiting somewhere
near to bid her welcome, and all her
courage sank before the sight Of the
grand gentleman in livery who merely
condescended to thunder out "Half past
three" in the direction Of the stupefled
village driver, and then usher them on
to another and grander gentleman in
black, who deigned, by gracious in
Election of his finger, to show into what
chamber they might retire 10 take or
their cloaks.
Gall so beautifully managed" whis-
pered Miss Lynch, who, from having
assisted in the previous arrangements,
took quite a vicarious pride in the
splendor that chilled poor Jane. "The
cloakroom is in the late Mr.. Mohun's
study-I settled it so myself-not back
to the house-door again, child!-hoW
shy and foolish you are! here to the
right
And, in another minute, James ner-
vousness was further increased by
finding herself in the full blaze OF wax
candles, and the presence of the stately
housekeeper and Of a half dozen or so
great country young ladies, who were
arranging their silks and tarletons, be-
fore the glasses, and accorded only
the scantiest and most distant notice
to herself and Miss Lynch as they en-
tered.
''My dress is very plain. auntie," she
whispered, as she glanced at the bril-
liant toilets of some young girls who
were standing near them. eve needn't
have been so desperately afraid l
should be overdressed."
own deficiencies, Jane Grand stood
and waited till some break in the
ample waves of silk and lace should
allow her to see her plain white mus
lin and wreath of natural flowers re-
f1ected back (as no dress or hers had
ever before been re1ected) from a
cheval glass.
81 wish it was all over, auntie," she
whispered nervously, when, after a
very hasty survey on her part, and
very lengthy and critical one upon that
of Miss Lynch, they were at length
proceeding to the ballroom. 1--WE shall
not have creature to speak to except
Mr.. Mohun, and he will be great
deal too much taken up with other
people to attend to u.s.
eve shall have the vicar, Jane" an
swered Miss Lynch, who was herself
not without trepidation at the prospect
of being ushered into Il room contain
ing all the 'best people" of the county.
''No one can feel at ease with a men,
Der of one of the recognized profess
sions-above all, with the clergyman
of their own parish, to support them.'
But at the moment when Miss Lynch
and Jane Grand were first, formally.
:ushered into the presence of good So
.ciety. Mr.. Follett happened to be drink
ing his coffee i'll of the other rooms
and Jane speedily realized to the full
the peculiar sensation of standing
and not so much unnoticed as unno-
ticeable in an immense room full Of
strangers.