Los Angeles herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1900-1911, 1908-09-13


approving smile. eve won't tell mother where
we have been, for she would laugh at us for being
frightened out of our drive. Well it Is almost
four O'clock" consulting his watch, land I can
say truly that am too tired to remain out much
longer"
I'VE need not drive very fast" Threnodora said
as she turned the ponys head away from the
hospital II may be altogether wrong about this
storm but l don't like that sickly green sky
over there in the north west, and would rather
err ON the side of caution than on the side OF
recklessness We have good reason for sup
posing that Lafayette Park will be gone tomorrow.
We can come then"
AS the phaeton drove up before the house, Mrs.
Strand appeared in the doorway, generous palm
leaf fan in one hand and a saturated handker-
chief In the other
We'll, children, am glad to see you back" she
painted. isn't it simply dreadful? Did you ever
see such weather for the end of May? I haven't
done blessed thing for the last hour but fan and
mop the perspiration from my face. And we have
a falling barometer, too l am sure there will be
a storm before night Still, in spite of the heat
our neighbor, Chriskios, has been doing land
office business have seen four carriages drive
up since you left. l saw poor old Mr.. Frost who
has been paralyzed for two years. walk out of
there as nimbly boy of ten
The last remarks were made in subdued tone
as Austin and Threnodora assembled the steps,
Aunt Laura, where is Christine?' the girl
asked hastily, If to lead the conversation away
from dsagreeable subject
Cup in her room. I don't know what ails the
dear child. She has seemed so blue and unhappy
of late Do you think, Threny-"
mo, plead Not guilty 1t is too hot Might
cause brain fever, you know" Threnodora inter
rupted in merry tone but with warning glance
in her eye When Austin had vanished up the
stairway, she continued softly.
II knew what you were going to say. I very
much afraid Christine is brooding over her trouble
with Mr. Kent, and feel as If it my duty
to patch things up between Them but how to go
about it, I at loss to know. Her last letter
must have staggered him. I know he has not
piled to it, and that two months ago. don't
want her to make unconditional surrender. for
then he would be more tyrannica1 than ever
have revolved a dozen schemes in my mind; but
none of them seemed quite feasible I have felt
all along that something would turn up. If she
could only contrive to get violently ILL., it would
brighten him into his senses. for he has
idea of giving her up. l have no doubt he is
as wretched she is"
Turning from her aunt's side, she mounted the
stairs languidly and paused before Christnes door,
mo, won't intrude on her. She would probably
rather be alone and I have comfort to offer
her." she reflected Then she mounted the second
fight of stairs and entered the studio where Austin
lay painting the divan.
would 1 be very selfish and presumptuous to
ask you to fan me?" he said with a winning smile.
II can't get breath below my shirt stud"
Threnodora took a great Japanese fan down
from the mantel and began to fan him vigorously.
"By the time have melted into elusive nothing
ness you will perhaps have gained vigor enough to
fan back to existence" she laughed.
Suddenly little gust of wind caught up the dust
in the street and whirled it high in air. At the
same time low, dissatisfied muttering crept along
the heavens. Threnodora thrust her head out of
the window and watched for a moment, the sharp
play of lightning above the western horizon.
There! Who will say I am not good weather
prophet? shall apply for a position on Mr..
Frankenfeld's staff tomorrow she said gayly.
Wouldn't it be fun to sit up there in his aerie
where he manufactures all this atrocious weather?
should think old Typhon would be green with
envy. He may have gone farther in one or two
directions than God of Storms has, but am
sure he dreamed of the gorgeous variety that
Mr.. Frankenfeld runs in ON us in the course of