The Plymouth tribune. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1901-1911, 1908-07-09
CHAPTER XVII.

bis own private brougham, to Madam
O'Flaherty's hall, a decision that was
warmly encouraged by his nearest and
dearest. He has come very late indeed
when supper is well on-but Madam, see
ing him, swoops down upon him instantly.
She is always beautifully unconscious of
the fact that he detests her, and has in
deed been often heard to say that she is
sorry she can't come oftener to see poor
Lucien."
so you've come. Better late than
never!" cries she with all the loud bon
homie" that makes him hate her. "Glad
Of it! Look here, there's old Lady Xii
burn over there-see her?-in a brand
new white satin gown Go and ask her to
dance the next set of lancers Do now
It'll do you both good Oh, Amber, my
darling, here you are again, and looking
lovely-lovely. Your cheeks like lilies
blended with roses / hope you are TAX
ing care of her, Mr.. Everard?"
Il don't know" says Everard, who is
looking very distinguished, and extremely
quiet. you must ask Miss O'Connell for
character for me-"
ITS such a delightful Dance" says
Amber, laying her hand on Madam's arm.
who lays her big fat one over the little
slender clinging fingers, and taps them
kindly. lovingly. "Oh - with little sigh
Of deepest content, Il feel so happy
: Come into the library-a rest will do
rs both good" says Everard suddenly. A
well of feeling, such as he never known
before, has sprang up within his breast.
1t is the one pure passion of his life. This
child, SO sure that al the world is good
80 unsuspicious of evil. so ready to believe
In the sweetness. the goodness of Iife-so
ignorant of the evil.
They move away, unconscious that
Madam's eyes are following them. But
Madam's eyes are terrible things that
roam about here, there and everywhere,
seeking WHOM, they may devour. Her dis
like to Mrs. Clearance is hardly a stronger
feeling than that she entertains for Ever
ard. And to see that dear innocent"
with him. well, anyway" says Madam
to herself with inward consolation, lit
will make Mrs. Know-Nothing sit up a
bit I"
with Mrs. Know-Nothing, who is sitting
On lounge, with big fan and general
air of almost insolent boredom
Hope you are enjoying YOURSELF says
Madam, with a maleyolent smile and
snort.
"Oh, immensely Immensely responds
Dolly rapturously, making a great matter
Of sitting yawn behind her fan.
''You look it." says Madam tersely.
Then, "How's your husbandY"
Il don't really know" says Dolly. He
always directs his letters to our place in
Sutherland, and so of course-servants
are so dilators-I can't tell you if he
wrote last month, or the month before
that-or any month";
Expecting him homer" with increasing
volume in the usually 100 loud tones
II don't know. Sit down, dear Madam,
and let us talk about it. You look very
fatigued-"
I'm my opinion" says Madam, with a
burst of virtuous anger, hell never come
home Never And small blame to him
say Il again. He'll never come home.
You kno-; that, anyway"
Il don't indeed" says Dolly with more
Eruthfulness than she usually betrays. 1t
Is to her extreme discomfort that she
knows her George is already on his home
ward way. She raises her long glasses
and surveys Madam with an air of sur
prised but placid inquiry. You haven't
heard he is dead, have you?"
Madam, distinctly routed, makes a ges-
ture of supreme disgust, and without
trusting herself to say another word,
makes a martial stride past her, and see
ing a window open that leads first to a
balcony, and then TO the gardens beneath,
lnstinctively makes for it, with the idea,
perhaps, of cooling her fevered brow.
Really, all these Castle people are unfit
TO be known That shocking little wom-
an, and as for the man called Everard-
she feels it almost her duty to follow him
and Amber. and drag the dear girl away
from him, by force if necessary-but she
nas gone through far too much already.
Now she will go and warn her. But
how to warn Amber, who is at times
little difficult? She meditates; and then
a bright thought comes to her. Hilary
will be the very one to whom to tell her
doubts. OF all the Carrig party. he alone
Is approved of Ivy her. Yes, she viii get
Hilary to look after Amber.i 1t i. just
when this thought has occurred 10 her
that she meets Hilary.
MY dear boy, your" says she. She
had known him off and on since he was
very young. THE very one l wanted"
Cant you want me a little later,
Madam asks he, smiling I'm in q
hurry now. I'm looking for your favor
tie. Amber"
"Ah! That's my want" says she.
$50 you don't know where she is, then ?"
NO" A sense Of fear lays a cold
hand upon his heart.
''She went to sit out the last dance
with Everard," says Madam. THAT |
know; I'd be glad, my dear Hilary, if you
could find her, and prevent her from sit
ting out the next with him. But from
what l could see, Il"
She says good deal more, but Hilary
hoes not hear her. He has gone back to
the house.