Catoctin clarion., 1908-04-09

paternal tenderness-had ever yet en-
tered into his feeling for her. Indeed,
II ] had not just horror Of using an
affected term, l would say that (up to
the time when Clifford began to fall
in love with Jane Grand) Mr.. Follett's
regard for her was simply and purely
an aesthetic one; her fresh and graceful
youth ministering to his innate sense
OF refinement. as a fine painting or ex-
ouisite music might have done. could
such gifts have miraculously come to
him In his unlovely and prosaic life
among the Devonshire marshes.
However this may have been. Miss
Lynch. with the one instinct that re-
mains true even to tile most foolish or
women-Iiss Lynch had early seen the
SUPERIOR hold she maintained over the
vicar through little James agency; and,
seeing, had improved her position to
the uttermost.
Mr.. Follett was the only person to
whom she felt it her duty to confide the
past history of her charge. In James
childhood, Mr.. Follett must direct her
education; as she grew older. would 1t
be asking too much Of Mr.. Follett to 60
through a little course Of English read
ing with the poor girl himself? All or
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
vengeful 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 spasmodic praises
of the vicar. without designating him
more closely than by personal pronoun.
After not being Mt ball for nearly
twenty years, to think he should con-
sent to 20 because | asked him! 1t is
really most kind-I think without ex-
aggeration, might add, most particu'
lar!'
They were on their way to Yatton;
Miss Lynch occupied with thoughts OF
tellles, footmen, Mr.. Follett, and her
own black moire-Jane wondering. with
fee cold hands and flushing cheeks,
whether the first dance would have be-
gun when they reached Yatton-
whether Clifford would have delayed 1t
for her-whether he would dance with
her-whether (but she blushed In the
dark as she wondered) this long
looked-fo1 night was to bring her any
greater certainty of Mohun's feelings
than all his pretty speeches, and vague
questionings, 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 herself
on the threshold of Gifford's house
She had entertained childish hopt
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 stupefed
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 20 take OF
their cloaks.
"All 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 half dozen or so
great country young ladies, who We're
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
liant toilets of some young girls who
were standing near them. 1--WE needn't
have been so desperately afraid l
should be overdressed."
And with very meek sense OF her
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-
flected back (as no dress or hers had
ever before been reflected) from
cheval glass.
81 wish it was all over, auntie,' she
whispered nervously, when, after
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 a great
deal too much taken up with other
people to attend to u.s."
1--WE shall have the vicar, Jane" an
swcred Miss Lynch, who was herself
not without trepidation at the prospect
of being ushered into room contain
ing all the best people" Of the county.
"No one can feel at ease with niem-
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
,cicty, Mr. Follett happened to be drink
ing his coffee in of the other rooms
and Jane speedily realized to the full
the peculiar sensation of standing
and not so much unnoticed as unno-
ticeahlc In an immense room full of