News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1908-04-08
when he refused to handle a golf I


the house in Gloucester Place, how
ever-at least, when Mrs. Cathcarl
happened to be at home.
He did not blame Mrs. Cathcart
he only cursed his fate, which certain
ly seemed sufficiently contrarious.
II was difficult to see the slightest
favorable prospect, unless Joan should
marry again, a possibility which he
hardly saw reason to count upon. He
possessed nothing besides his pay
ard the presents, OF which she was
| liberal.
But now that he stood in Amabel's
presence the hopelessness of his
cause was forgotten. He thought she
looked even more enticing than usual
this afternoon in her light blue frock,
though his opinion would probably
have been the same had the dress
been red or yellow.
Il only left Colchester this morn
ing, he cried L thought it was moth
| ing less than my duty to come at
once.
You need not have Inconvenience
yourself Amabel answered
1 haven't he continued; but |
came to see Pauline, | wanted to
congratulate her, you know
she's not at home
Then | shah have to come again.
he said,
lie is away from London
We'll, III congratulate her through
you he retorted. 1 rather like doing
things through you, Amabel.'
Pauline and my mother are staying
at Horsemere,' she explained. They
have been away since Wednesday. So
/ am alone
That's immensely jolly, cried Bern
ard, and taking chair, he stayed half
an hour, dwelling for the most part
on the enjoyment he anticipated dur
ing the ensuing three weeks.
When do you expect Mrs. Ven
ables?' asked Amabel presently.
I am on my way to Waterloo to
meet her. he said. L sent the car
riage off first. BY Jove, it's time
started he added. taking his watch
from his trouser pocket
Are you going to Mrs. Bishops
dance on friday she asked.
Rather
My mother and Pauline are coming
home on Thursday for the express
purpose of taking me- said Amabel.
But | don't suppose Pauline will go
when it comes to the point. She
always shirks that house.
We'll, | don't wonder he answered;
and having said goodbye, Bern ard
left Gloucester Place and took a cab
to Waterloo station.
Amabel sat down by the open win
dow and gazed out at the street. Bern
ards visit had made an agreeable
diversion; but she was beginning to
feel rather lonely again. when a han
som stopped a few doors away.
She saw man alight, pay the driv-
err, and glance obviously at the near
est house. He appeared to be in
doubt about the number.
Amabel was struck by something a
ance. He wore glossy. new tall hat,
collar like Demands, and conse-
quently of the correct shape, an ordi-
nary white silk necktie; but his
short-tailed black coat looked strange
whilst his rather tight, blue serge
trousers were a little short in the
legs and baggy about the knees.
His face was striking if only be-
cause of its deep bronze, yet it was
thin face, with somewhat delicate
features. Amabel had an excellent
opportunity to inspect him as he
stood staring in perplexity at the |
houses.
She arrived at the conclusion that !
he was a handsome man, and not too |
old to be interesting. His dark hair. |
it is true, was a little grizzled, but |
his moustache was quite brown, and |
his heavy black eyebrows almost met |
She judged that he must be nearly |
ison with Bernard, who made most |
other men look short. But this mans !
figure was more closely knit, his |
shoulders were higher, and his ap- |
pearance seemed generally more com |
pact.
Presently, making up his mind, he |
approached the house: Amabel heard |
the bell ring, and a few minutes later
the parlor-maid opened the drawing
room door.
A gentleman wants to see Miss !
Cathcart, miss.
VINO is he?'
don't know said the girl.
Didn't you inquire his name?' ASK
ed Amabel.
No, miss
Did you say my sister was not at
homer
Yes, miss, and then he asked for
Miss Cathcart's address,
Amabel hesitated a few moments;
she could not conceive who could re-
quire Pauline's address, and nothing
was further from her mind than the
truth
But she had nothing in particular
to do, nothing very interesting to
read, and her curiosity was awaken
ed.
You may as well ask his name
she suggested, and the servant quilted
tha room TO reapDear after a short |