Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1908-09-25
CHAPTER Tx-Continued.

able to indulge in SO much quiet reflec-
tion.'
did not the head groom show you
the stables?" asked Beryl.
"He graciously offered to do so, but,
In my time, l have seen so many sta
bles."
q told the gardener 70 take you round
the orchid houses"
"He did-round the outside. AS I ex-
planned to him, the air was fresher and
cooler there"
Il particularly ordered Blake to have
a motor ready in case you wanted one"
81 have no doubt that he obeyed your
orders, but one generally has some OBJ
iect in taking a run in motor car. l
had nome"
at is SO difficult, is it not, Mr.. Pey-
croft, to amuse people who do not wish
to be amused?" said Beryl, turning to-
the curate.
about as hard, Miss Vivian, as preach
ing to people who resent being preached
to'
"And that class, expect, comprises
nearly the whole world" observed
Franklin.
81 ike it," declared Beryl.
'eThat is, if you are allowed to select
your preacher" said Franklin.
'Of course. One naturally resents the
interference of a lay preacher who takes
upon himself an office to which he has
no title"
Il am extremely fond OF sermons"
said Mrs. Ducane politely TO the curate.
But, must say, l think they should
not be too long"
Can one have too much of good
thing Mrs. Ducane?" he asked.
"Oh, yes!" cried Beryl. "And of good
people Also" she added, stealing a glance
at Franklin.
Il should have thought not" he re-
turned placidly. "They are so rare as to
be, when found, Joy for ever"
|'Do you play much tennis, Miss Wv
ian?'' asked the curate, by way of Great
ing diversion.
Il am not particularly keen on it,
she replied. "Shall we have game this
afternoon? Or perhaps" a touch
of malice-"Mrs. Ducane and Mr.. Cover
would prefer croquetff"
1T is more suited TO my years." said
Mrs. Ducane. But you must not
bracket Mr.. Cover with me. am sure
he is good tennis player"
MY dear madam, / have not the least
objection to being considered past tennis
Age has its compensations / find, among
them being the respect and politeness
always shown to 1t by the young"
In spite of her annoyance, Beryl was
constrained to laugh.
Il should be respectful and polite
enough if you were really old" she said
'You are, in reality, made up for the
part like boy playing polo; and your
makeup is not sufficiently convincing
you see.'
"Thanlxs!" responded Franklin. sour
compliments, Beryl, are only to be
equaled by your sharp speeches. ] don't
know which are the more cutting"
81 thought" said Mrs. Ducane, "you
told me, Beryl dear, that you and Mr.
Cover were such old friends o.
$50 we are" Beryl FASTENED to assure
her. il
Really? Then preserve me from
such friendship. You both seem to carry
dagger in your tongues and a poisoned
one to boot"
They only inlict mere surface
scratches, given and taken in Jest" said
the curate.
''Shall we adiomn9'' asked Beryl and,
without waiting for an answer, she rose
and led the way to the eroquet ground,
where the four spent a weary afternoon,
the ennui of which was only dispelled
by the appearance of the necessary para
phernalia for tea.
The curate had gone home. dinner was
over, Sir Alured had once more hidden
tnr-rI 4ha
OF his own apartments. Mrs Ducane
was comfortably asleep in her armchair,
and Beryl, tempted out by the brilliancy
OF the moon, was leaning on the balus-
trade that bordered the wide terrace.
upon which the window of the drawing
room opened. Naturally Franklin, on
leaving the dining room, Immediately
joined her.
What do you muse on, meditating
maid?" he quoted, when he reached her
side
She looked up with her old sunny
smile.
4 was thinking what detestable lit
tie thing had been to you ever since
you entered the abbey" she replied, with
the shy penitenee of child.
oh, don't very about that!" he re-
sponded, Ticking the ash from his cigar.
1 dare say you didn't mean it,
But did. meant every word Of it"
Even then your little stings were
only pin-pricks, after all Not half so
dreadful as you seem to think"
"Oh!"-there was an accent of dismay
in her voice, "Then you did not care a
bit?"
Care! About what, Beryl?"
Whether / was civil or rude to you4"
One naturally prefers that ones hos
tess should be civil"
Hostess! What word between you
and me-"
You are my hostess, and very charm
lngiy you play your part. You remind
me OF an irresponsible little girl anus
ing herself with her dolls house"
I'm not a little grill" cried Beryl.
Why viii you always persist in treat
ing me as onep
I beg your pardon. In extenuation
OF my fault can but plead the yawning
gulf that divides us-T being as Won