The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1909-09-16
BY Barbara carus-wilson.


Lord Scarsleigh Is coming this aft
ernoon," remarked Mrs. Winstanley as
she arranged herself carefully in the
chair she usually occupied on her
days" She looked across at her
daughter meaningly.
Very we'll, mother"
Victoria spoke quite ~unconcernedly.
She was accustomed to Lord Scars
leigh's visits, and they did not interest
her in the least. Besides, her mind
wa extremely busy over other mat
tiers just now.
She went on with her embroidery
without even looking 70.
He remarked his morning that
your color was pretty and natural look
ing
Very kind of him, I'm sure"
Mrs. Wlnstanley put up her lorg-
nettes and surveyed her daughter
critically.
He seems to have a curious preju-
dice against anything in the way Of
what he calls makeup; l have heard
him ak of other girls. l wish, love.
you would run upstairs and wipe the
powder off your face before he comes.
1t might make him suspicious Of your
coloring."
Victoria hesitated. She had had to re-
turn from her trysting place in rather
a hurry lest II should be late for
luncheon, and was hot and tired. 1t
was two flights Of stairs up to her
bedroom, n her mother had made
her use powder since she was II, and
always old her she looked unfinished
and gauche without it. An express
sion of mild annoyance crossed her
pretty face.
Don't you think you had better take
the same precaution?"
Don't be rude. Victoria
Victoria's slim figure arose, and a
smile quickly replaced the frown. 1t
had suddenly occurred to her that
Lord Scarsleigh's frequent visits might
help to expedite her own little plans.
Very well. mummie. I'll dc my best
to make your environment all that his
lordship would approve Of"
Lord Scarsleigh had arrived when
she reached the drawing room again.
he was an elderly man, tall, with a
military aspect. He sat down near
Victoria and watched her and PLAYED
with his mOuStache.
Her mother was at the other side
and talked gaily to him across her.
Il suppose o will soon be leaving
town now. London is beginning to get
a cheap, secondhand appearance that
is quite unpleasant, isn't it? The best
people are all going"
I-er-hadn't noticed It,"
oh, everybody is making plans for
the autumn now. Next week sees the
last of the opera. l saw dear Lady
Flora this morning; she is just off to
Cowes.'
Lord Scarsleigh left off lingering his
moustache for a few seconds.
"Does-er-Miss W~instanley like
y%achting?'
Intensely"
Il have a yacht"
How delightful! 1t has always been
one OF the dreams of my life to possess
a (-orhf Hnu- 1,,11y,,
Tea was brought up and other callers
arrived. Lord Scarsleigh promptly de-
parted, but graciously signified his in
tention OF coming again the following
afternoon.
When Mrs. Winstanley told Victoria
they must stay at home again she was
as much annoyed as such an amiable.
well brought up girl could be.
But surely l need not stay, too"
Nonsense! OF course you must
But, mother, it's very tiresome.
promised to go to tea with Mary Les
ter. How long is this going on? I
shall be glad when something is set
tied"
80 shall l." returned her mother
fervently.
: The next afternoon Lord Scarsleigh
sat at one side Of Victoria again and
fondled his moustache and watched her
pretty head bending over her embroid-
cry, and Mrs. Winstanley sat at the
other and talked to him.
Are you going abroad for the win
ter?" she asked pleasantly.
II depends on circumstances"
Il do not wish to be unduly in
qulsitive." h laughed, but one likes
70 near what ones friends are doing.
! am still very uncertain in my own
mind where Victoria and 1 will co.
she paused 1t was as we'll t. give
MIN ODDOrfnniffoa for ~oL,n- ..-0o,
tons II he wished to.
Apparently he did not.
OF course. Scotland is very pleas