The Prince George's enquirer and southern Maryland advertiser. (Upper Marlborough, Md.) 1882-1925, 1908-07-24

CHAPTER XVII.
Continued.

But however desirous for truth man
or woman may be, no process olsen
chanting us of the last illusion of our
dead youth is, in reality, pleasant
one. Miss Grand assured herself that
Matty's advent had been to her mer-
ciful event, as tending to set right the
error which had so long made her own
lot miserable one; but none the less
did Matty's fair face oppress her eyes,
and Matty herself grow day by day
more intolerabe invader of the peace
and stiffness of her home.
t'The week is over. Clifford, and Miss
FERGUSON has said nothing as yet
about her plans. wish you would find
out from her whether she wishes to
have inquiries made among the ladies
of the neighborhood or not. l am not
very strong. and a visitor weighs upon
me-
Mr.. Mohun turned away toward the
window. thrust his hands rather help.
lessly into his pockets, and attempted
that noiseless description of whistle in
which so many men are prone to seek
for refuge under direct feminine at
tack. He had just arrived on his daily
visit to the cottage, and, Miss Fergus
son not having made her appearance,
Jane was summoning up courage to
broach the subject which had been so
constantly in her thoughts during the
last few days.
Eyes, she weighs upon me. 1 may as
well say it out. We have nothing in
common; and as l don't see any way
in which l can help her, I really think
it is time she should begin to think OF
going home.'
Clifford turned around with some
thing family like spirit
what do you mean by having moth
ing in common. Jane? What is there
against the girl? She isn't very much
trouble to you, should think. 1 don't
know what you mean by weighing on
you, and-all that
sI mean," said Miss Grand in a tone
whose calmnesS contrasted strangely
with Gifford's lack Of self-possession,
ST mean that Miss Ferguson comes up
exactly to the account of her that you
gave me, Clifford. 1 can we'll imagine
hSI lAH VI SUN u hiOtASA ~
you described Mrs. Ferguson to be. I
can distinctly see in her the effects of
such bringing up-running wild upon
the streets of foreign towns, as she her
self tells me Of Her ways and her
thoughts are not mine; and however
gladly 1 might have helped her if her
first story had been true, 1 do not feel
myself called upon to have my little,
plain, quiet household disturbed any
more by such a very fine young lady
as Miss Matty Ferguson"
IF her first story had been true! You
make out that Matty's an impOstor,
then, You don't believe in the poor
girls poverty, and her wish to help
herself!'
Clifford looked really indignant, and
Jane felt her heart become more and
more calm and still, her words more
chosen and icy and to the point.
NO, Clifford. 1 do not believe her first
story. When Miss Ferguson is off her
guard I hear of balls and picnics and
riding parties at Cheltenham; and do
not believe her mother has ever-as the
letter stated-been in want of the nee
essaries of life. From things Miss Fer
gusson has told me, rather believe
tbey live from hand to mouth upon
what they can get out of Mrs. Fergus
sons old friends, and from their own
scanty capital, but extravagantly. and
denying themselves nothing. I think
very cold and slow came this final
stroke-"that they are adventuresses.
/ think that the plan of the girls COM
ing to Haughton, in the first instance,
was Il scheme-a precOncerted scneme'
Jane did not know enough of modern
English to say. as Matty would have
done. "a plant''-''and I believe that
the very last intention Miss Ferguson
has in her mind is that of becoming a
governess-a situation, truly, for which
her birth. her bringing up and herself
most utterly unfit her!
There was a look in James eyes.
strength shining through their calm
ness. which Clifford Mohun had never
seen there before, and 1t exasperated
him horribly. When very patient and
long-suffering brute creature does at
length resist, its former patience will,
you know. incense cruel master but
the more against its present resistance
He broke out fiercely, and speaking too
Quickly to notice the immediate effect
his works took upon Miss Grand.
Il think you are very unjust in your
suspicious of poor Matty! | think her
very nice girl indeed; and she's always
most amiable-m0st amiable, by Jove!
In the way she speaks of you; and If
you don't like to keep her any longer
you had. better say so, and, by!
I'll lust ride over to Draycot this after
noon and get Mrs. Tenant to ask her
tlere. Her birth-her bringing up.'
and James unfinching eyes, and the
sound of his own angry voice. had now
worked Clifford up to white heat.
SPY the Lord, think this is the last
house in the country where birth should
lie spoken of! If Matty knew all, per-
haps she'd be no more anxious to stay
Nere than you are to keep her"
And with this noble speech upon his
lips. Mr.. Mohun dashed out in Il rage
through the open French window to
the garden, where he was very speedily
Joined by Miss Matty herself Stand
ing on tiptoe at the door of her Own
apartment this young creature had al
ready guessed at, if she had not ac-
tually overheard the greater part of the
conversation between Jane and AIOhun:
and she knew that if Yatton was ever
TO be gained by sudden and deter
mined stroke now was the time. If
Clifford were once allowed to cool ,Sand
TO think over James words. who could
say how much of the truth might not
remain even upon his most topelessly
stupid mindi -