Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-11-15
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for -up-keep. wages and the housekeep-
ing bills of the Grange: it was a really
comfortable home-she and Eliza realized
the fact. Fanny ToOtle was married.
and they had replaced her with q niece
heavy, lumpsh. sullen girl-who had
been endowed with the ill-fitting name OF
"Clarice" 1t was nice little family
party with a strong boy to do the heavy
work. who occupied the premises; and
the JubberS had now an assured position.
and visited and entertained the upper
class Of tradesfolk and farmers. They
even subscribed TO foreign missions and
attended baZaars, Jonah Tudgoose, the
farmer. had all but declared himself and
playfully limited that the Grange was q
good enough place for any man to hang
his hat up. and that il would be a sin
10 disturb Miss Jane in such snug
nest: but "a single man was easily
moved. he added. with laugh.
dropping in and sharing their Sunday
dinner. and enjoyed a subsequent pipe in
Mr. Forbes special elbow chair.
Under these circumstances the return
of Miss Forde was not only unexpected.
but inconvenient. Jane had always cher
ished hope that her mistress would
spend her days rambling indefinitely
about foreign countries. just spending
money and seeing life; and here she was
all of sudden sitting opposite to her. in
hair grandly done up. rings on her fin
gers. and a sort of COOL settled look in
her eyes
The high tea proved to be of a most
meager description. and consisted of a
cold fowl-of certain age and yellow
complexion-a small shape of rennet.
bread and butter and tea.
The place seems just the same. Jane.
said Hester, struggling with cast-iron
wing.
Aye" with sour significance. There S
not much change about us and Jane
pinched in her lips.
Il see you have a number of new
cats
Yes" she answered, sourly; "a good
few"
Il think I saw dozens in the garden.
Is Mr.. Cave quite well?'
''Oh. yes, he's as usual: happen he'll
he up to see you-ahem! clearing her
throat. sure preliminary to nasty
speech. I'VE was told that you and Mr..
Lewin's cousin had fell out.
''Oh. no: but as / no longer required
her companionship 1 sent her back to
England
You sent her away fixing on Hester
an incredulOus stare.
Yes. 1 had no occasion for her as
chaperon."
She gave out it was the other way
round and she gave you notice"
We'll. 1 cannot help that; but it was
not the case. However, it is of no con-
sequence 800 90 -
Not to her. seeing she is about to
marry a titled gentleman; but if she says
one thing square and you another, what s
one to believe. e..:" demanded Jane, and
her face was full of aggression.
Il should hope you would believe me.
Jane" said Hester. who. by the force of
a habit of years, still feared this malevo-
lent and avaricious woman.
What change was here. What diff
ference in her surroundings. She. who
might have been the wife of a grandee of
Spain. sat at table with her own SER
want. enduring the insolence of one who
was the daughter of a laborer on her
grandfathers estate.
Taking her courage in both hands, she
added. in a rather tremulous voice:
please do not speak to me in this
way. Jane: / am not accustomed to it,
'Ill speak to you is | like cried Jane.
her face palld with passion-'you that
l reared.''
''Oh. no. indeed. I had a nurse. you
remember. protested Hester. You
were my mothers maid"
II was always over you, Miss Hessie
/ think you want some one to speak to
ye." continued Jane. and for your good
Ye will not deny that I've known ye from
an infant"
But you never liked children; you
have often said so-you did not care fol-
me-"
'Oh, yes. | did, just as much as L dc
now" protested Jane. with truth. These
grand friends and clothes and gewgaws
have made We strengthening: but
know you. to yer bones, and we'll
know ! need never look to We fer graft
tude or thanks fer all my care, and
giving up my life TO ye. And Miss Hes
ter. I'd have We to remember that | was
your mothers friend. and that in his
will. as may be seen. Yer father left me
and Liza a share in his house, as much
as yourself: and here We come, without
by yer leave. landing in a strange maid
and telling meme, Jane Jubber-how
am to talk to We and how I'm not. Now,
I'll have We know that there is plain
living here, same as We have all yer days
no teas at extraordinary hourS-such
ways. Early dinner always. and no Sun
day cooking
While Jane was recovering her breath
after this demonstration. Hester said:
Would YOU kindly open the window?
This room is Suffocating.
NO. these windows are never opened
snared Miss Jubber.
But Why"
Because of the cats since ye must
know. If the windows are open the out
side cats get in, and that's never allowed
of highland the inside cats get out
so are obliged to keep all fast
Overawed by James air of grim hostil-
ity. Hester presently withdrew into the
murky and stuffy drawing room. to scrib-
BILE line to Mrs. Tudor and report her
arrival at home.