The Plymouth tribune. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1901-1911, 1909-09-23
CHAPTER X.-(Continued.)

studying some unusual signs of discom-
posure in her husbands manner, but of
what kind she could not exactly define.
Il hardly think we require an introduce
tion," the little woman said, holding Ma
thilde's hands. Il am sure that Jem
must have told you of his cousin Nellie,
hasn't hep
Even if Mathilde had been reader with
an answer than she was, it would have
been her husband who spoke first, and at
the sound of his voice she knew that
there was war in it.
'How am / TO win forgiveness il /
plead guilty to never having done so?
Let me atone now, and present my cous-
in, Miss Nellie Fearon, who in the foolish
days of her teens, once thought that she
could put up with my humble self as a
fance. but who, under stress of duty,
changed her mind"
1t was rather a heavy-ha nded blow
from man to a woman, and Mathilde
knew that the woman felt it by the sud-
denness with which her hands were drop
ped. and by the wavering of her color.
Her smile. however. never wavered, and
she was ready enough with retort.
'Oh, you bad man, how can you make
me look so idiotic, and the first time, too,
that your W fe has me- me.'
But now Mrs. Herbert came to her res
cue
Nellie, dear, do let James speak to
Mr.. Harter," and now it was the par
sons turn to greet the husband, and be
introduced TO the wife.
As they took their places at table, Ma
thilde noted with admiration a sign of
Mrs. Herbert's skill. The table was per-
fectly round, and there being no seat d.
reetly facing Stewards the difficulty OF
place was avoided. The meal was not as
tedious as she had expected, and it did
not seem long before the women were
back by the drawing-room fire, and the
men safe in the smoking-room.
Miss FearOn fidgetted about, carefully
arranged a pile of soft cushions. glanced
at fashion paper, and then coOed:
''Flora, dear, am sure you will ex-
cuse me if L run away for a few mo-
ments to finish a little scribble for the
post" and with a smile she huttered out
OF the ROOM
Then. as Mrs. Herbert leaned back in
her chair and folded her hands, Mathilde
felt that she was delivered into the hands
of the enemy. and prepared for action.
The attack began at once.
Il am sorryq TO hear that you were not
satisfied with your rooms. If you had
told me so at once could have given
directions about it then. without giving
James the trouble Of speaking to the
houSekeeper.
Here was, in truth. weak joint in
her armOr. Mathilde devoutly hoped that
the other might be too short-sighted to
see her rosy confusion.
''Oh, the rooms are delightful" she an
swered hastily. But one of my hus-
bands fads is space. and he is always
spreading himself and his possessions over
as much ground as possible"
Indeed" came very dryly from the
other. Il should hardly haze thought
that he had been accustomed of late to
such spacious mansions"
But now her antagonist spoke with
more spirit.
1T may be the deprivations of the last
ten years which have deepened his zest
for the comfortable and pleasant things
of life. You can hardly understand,
think, how much he enjoys everything. y
ne WluOW SlSueQ dSSEeSSlNe1y
mo doubt he enjoys the change OF
prospects, but he should remember that
he uncertainties of life which gave him
those prospects may also make them as
ashes in his mouth"
Mathilde suddenly saw that she had
been all but openly dwelling on the bene
fits caused by the death of her listeners
husband, and gasped horrorstruck: "Oh.
did not mean that he Was not sorry fol-
your loss.'
1T does not NATTER" the other answer
ed with a smile of patient resignation
then with a return to her more mundane
manner. she added, Il trust, my dear, that
the unexpected meeting with dear Nellie
would not distress your husband 1t was
so stupid in me not to prepare him fol
H."
"why should it distress him?" The
question was short and incisive.
Mrs. Herbert seemed a bit f.ustered.
"Why, my dear. don't you know?
wouldn't for the world make any trouble
and / would not have spoken if / had moi
thought Ihat you knew; but at the time Of
his'-she hesitated-"of his misfortune
he was engaged TO Nellie, and her parent.
insisted on breaking off the match. Poor
dear Nellie behaved very sweetly about it
and wrote him the most touching letter
lima ginable.''
How romanticv remarked A.athilde
~And but for me it would have been ouit.
the orthodox ending TO the third volume
tonight
"Oh, my dear, am sure"
Thanks: don't worry yourself; an
not of a jealous disposition.
Mrs Herbert looked relieved. "Hov
sensible. And now. my dear, as we ar,
getting on so well together, Just let m,
say one little thing quietly to you. You'll
promise me not to mind. won't you?"
This is never a reassuring question
and Mathilde answered wisely, wei
see"
"Oh, no; I'm sure you won't. You Sc,
/ have been feeling all the evening tina
II would be kinder to tell you that En-
glisb ladies don't wear so much jewelr,
on quiet occasions like this OF cours
I understand that it is quite natural un
der the circumstances, but stranger
might be aI.used."
Mathilde was by now thorough,
reused and spoke with each word clear
ly:
II appreciate 70 the full the kindness
of your intentions. Perhaps 1t will re
lieve you to know that / was sophisticat
ed enough TO be aware that there wer
unsuitable ornaments for the occasion
and only wore them at the express wisl
of Sir James"
Here, fortunately. perhaps, for the in
terests of peace, the men made their ap
- - HI
That first night under her husband
roof Mathilde suffered a terrible laps
from heroism and cried herself to sleep il
regular schoolgirl fashion.
CHAPTER XI.
When Matilde looked back on thos
drst weeks spent at Orkwell thay seeme
% have passed in a far easier fashion
han she had anticipated.
There were morning hours spent besid
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