Lincoln County leader. [volume] (Toledo, Lincoln County, Or.) 1893-1987, 1909-11-19
MRS. ALEXANDER
&
CHAPTER l.

ment with yellow brocade curtains and
stained-glass windows. She was
small, slight woman, with regular, del,
fcate features, quick, dark eyes, and
hair nearly white, combed back and
surmounted by tiny cap of exquisite
lace with tuft Of scarlet velvet rib
bon. The small thin hand which held
her pen was loaded with rings that
flashed and glittered even in the sub
dued sunshine, while the other gently
caressed the head of small, silky,
pearlcolored dog which lay on chair
beside her.
She was speaking with fair, large
lady about her own age, who occupied
an arm chair at the other side Of the
table, and who was rather gorgeously
attired in outdoor dress.
Il am sure l interrupt you. You
are always 80 busy" said the latter,
with comfortable smile, but showing
no inclination to move.
II do not mind being interrupted
this morning." returned Mrs. Saville,
not too graciously; my eyes are very
tiresome. They smart SO when l read
or write for any time. I really must
get an amanuensis."
"Is 1t possible? I should never sus-
pect your eyes of being weak They
seem strong enough and sharp enough
to see through anything"
Thank you; they have served my
purpose well enough"
when do you leave town."
81 am not quite sure I do not care
TO go until Hugh returns. He ought to
be here now. This scare about trouble
with Russia may bring him his ap-
pointment to a ship any day, and he
ought to be on the spot. He has been
ashore now for nearly year."
Il wonder he chose the navy" said
the visitor. 81 should think the army
must be much the most agreeable pro-
fession"
my dear Lady Olivia! who can ac.
count for young mans vagaries? My
son Is positively enthusiastic about his
profession. He is very scientific, you
know, and will, I have no doubt, rise
to great eminence."
"Oh, dare say he Is very clever,
but he Is not a bit like other young
men. I confess I do not understand
him"
mo" returned Mrs. Saville, with
much composure, II don't suppose you
. do"
mot clever enough myself, eh?"
said Lady Olivia, with a good-humored
smile. Where is this bright particu.
lah star of yours just now?"
when he last wrote he was still
at Nice. He has stayed on there too
long, / think. trust and hope he
does not visit Monte Carlo too often;
am not much obliged to Lord Ever.
Son for introducing Hugh to his gam.
bling friends there"
II don't fancy poor Everton's friends
are generally what would be consid.
cred eligible acquaintances for the
young and inexperienced, especially
when they have pretty daughters who
sing like angels-or prima donnas,"
she added, with a comfortable laugh.
"Pooh!" cried Mrs. Saville with a
flash of anger in her keen black eyes,
Hugh is quite Indifferent to all that
nonsense"
as he? What an unnatural mon.
ster!" said Lady Olivia, rising. 81
wish | could say the same Of my
George! However, he has taken to
admire married women lately-which
Is a great relief"
Mrs. Saville also stood UP, and rang
the bell. Where Is Everton just now I?
/ want him so much to write to his
cousin, Captain Bridges, on Hugh ;
behalf. | don't understand how it was
he did not do so before on his own ac.
count"
"Oh, nobody knows where Everton Is
to be found. He is coming to us In
September at Herondyke."
Lady Olivia Lumley's carriage"
said Mrs. Saville to the man who an.
swered the bell.
Good morning, then, dear Eliza.
beth. Don't try your eyes too much.
Shall we meet you at the Montgom.
ery's tonight"
mo; l am really sick of society,""
my dear, you must be seriously
tIl?" cried Lady olivia, with another
good-humored but rather silly laugh,
and the sisters-in-law shook hands, and
parted.
Mrs. Saville picked up her little dog
and took turn up and down the room
with 1t under her left arm, look Of
extreme annoyance quivering In her
eyes what fool that woman Isl"
shs murmured to herself; mot even q