The Lexington intelligencer. [volume] (Lexington, Mo.) 1901-1949, 1908-03-07
CHAPTER II.
Needles and Pins.

OHRF ZEN ~,
Needles and Pins.
Sir" began Ellen imperiously,
while settling herself comfortably in
a chair before the open fire. you have
been pleased to find fault with me
about many things which l have borne
with what patience l might"
"Patience!" laughed Darlington In
pleasantly.
Ellen's eyes flashed.
you repetition Of the word at this
juncture serves to emphasize the quail
ity in me, think you not so?" she re-
torted.
Pray proceed, madam" answered
her husband, lodging the question
which indeed was unanswerable from
the woman's point Of view.
81 shall do so. This morning you
actually laughed at me-"
"'Fore God, madam, what would
you have had me do? Weep? l con-
fess felt more like It and If l laughed,
it was but to turn of an awkward sit
uation."
And you call 1t an awkward situa.
ton that l was thrown from my
horse, do you, and pumped into the
brook, and covered with mud. and
nearly Killed? What made you give
me such a horse anyway"
Il protest. 'Tis the gentlest beast
in the stables, and the tamest, l do
believe, in all England" returned
Darlington bitterly. "a girl Of ten
could have ridden it."
yes, l suppose So" answered his
with with equal acerblty, IF the girl
of ten had been taught to ride all her
life. l told you that l couldn't.
hate the animals. Yet you needs must
mount me to have me thrown of tc
make a spectacle to all your fine
friends"
IF you remember" said Darlington
Il advised you to stay at home ant
you insisted upon going"
What! And have them say that
was afraid to ride to hounds"
Darlington in the face Of this i'm
passe could only shrug his shoulders
You're Just about as helpful nov
as you were then. Why didn't you
come to my assistance?"
you lacked no help. madam. l oh
served that two of the gentlemen a
least we're by your side"
You refer to Lord Strathgate ant
Sir Charles?"
"a good guess, madam, though al
easy one, for they are aver by you
side"
And all you could do was to laugh
to join that painted, powdered co
quette, your cousin, and that otheI
bedlzined fromp by her side, in jeer
ing at your wife. If l had them OF
the deck of a ship or a topslyardarm
or at a wheel, I'd show them"
mo doubt" returned Darlington
s%arcastically, and perhaps If you pu
On boxing gloves with them, or triet
them out with the broad sword. the,
would be equally at a disadvantage
but n doesn't look for these thing.
in women to-day"
There was a time" interrupted Ell
len swiftly, her lips trembling, anC
indeed despite these things she wa.
quite woman enough then, but Car
rington was so blinded with passion
as to be unable to Sc It.
Il have had enough of reminis
cence," he began CURLY.
Was It in Renaissance" erie,
Ellen shrilly, that you had your arm
around Lady Cecily in the arbor thi
afternoon?"
Did you spy upon me, MADAME
SPY" exclaimed the woman
Lord Strathgate and +"
Damn him!" burst out Darlington
What was he doing with you in tn.
arbor?"
He is my friend returned Ellen
he and Sir Charles"
Il would not have thought it o
Charles" cried Darlington angrily.
1T was they who came to my res
cue It was not they who laugheu
when I fell.P
4 tell you / never felt less lik
laughing in my life to see you mad
a fool OF and those popinjays rushin.
to your assistance"
Il have been made a fool Of" sal
Ellen steadily. q am just beginnin
to realize it. / was well enough whe
you we're alone with me and 70
were well enough then, but whe
others came"
by heavens, madam, are you cor
tfasting me with that dandy and rogu,
strathgateg
He has mover spoken to me othe
than in terms Of the utmost respec
and consideration in my life" az
swered Ellen bravely. and -
He had better not" burst out m
lord grimly.
And would to God that I coul
say the same OF my husbandl" sh
continued disdaining his threat
III you treated me with any defer
ence and paid more heed to my wishe
these difficulties would not arise.
said Darlington. If you would b
guided by me-"
And what pray, would you hav
me dot"
Dance, game. act as the rest dS