Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1909-05-13
CHAPTER TX.

did not do SO.
Once or twice she had made in
Quiries concerning him Of Susie, who
was always ready to talk about him,
and she learned that, though he still
Iimped a little, he was in his usual
good health, and that the heroic
stoppage of the ponies had not re-
suited in broken limbs.
One afternoon, while Lucille was
up in her room, Marie Werner, from
the drawing room window, saw ap-
preaching a great yellow chariot,
that might have come from the ark,
supposing that Noah had stored
furniture as we'll as animals, and
footman announced Lady FarnIey.
An oId-a very old-Iady entered,
with white hair and thick eyeIids,
with a touch Of rouge on her cheeks,
and ornaments of pearl and topaz
hanging to her ears and shining at
her throat. She had a large nose,
slightly hooked, and sharp eyes gilt
fering under thick, white bTows, and
when she came in and saw Marie
Werner she stopped, bent her eyes
upon her almost fiercely, and drop
ped a stately, dignifed little curtsey,
Marie Werner, with her sweetest,
demuTest smile, bent her head, and
old Lady Farnley came and sank in
to a chair her yellow satin robe flow
ing around her like a balloon.
She looked at Marie Werner for a
moment or two, and then commenced.
"NelI, I suppose you have heard Of
me? I should have called before,
but l thought you would have been
i'm too much confusion to want visit
ors. Don't seem to be much upset,
however," she added, with little
grunt
"Oh, no." said Marie Werner, sweet
Iy. "ATr. Head, the lawyer, had the
place put straight before we came
down"
All, Head? Yes, I remember, Re
spectacle man! And how do you
like the place, eh?"
ooh, remarkably replied Marie
Werner. enjoying the mistake the
old woman was making. 1T is so com
pact and comfortable"
Compact? Humph! Pretty extens-
i've, 100, Comfortable? Of course
1t is. You speak of it as if it was
a cottage"
oh it is quite large enough said
Marie Werner. Miss Darracourt
says sometimes that it is too large"
Miss Darracourt!" echoed the old
lady, glazing at her ferceIy. aren't
you Miss Darracourt?"
oh no. murmured Marie, with
an angelic smile.
NO. Then who-who are you?"
demanded Lady Farnley, with a
scowl of indignation.
Il am Miss DarTaCOurt's friend and
companion, Marie Werner" she re-
piled, with an innocent little smile.
What the old lady would have re-
tOrted in her wrath will never be
known, for at that moment the door
opened and Lucille entered, and Ma
RE Werner said:
This is Miss Darracourt'
Lady Farnley rose purple with
rage and Indignation, but the sight
of Lucille's beautiful face, and more
especially the calm, dark eyes. dis
armed her. and before she could
curtsey. Lucille held out her hand,
and Lady Farnley took it,
"Humph" grunted her Iadyship.
III
your being a Darracourt, at any
rate: that's a comfort, my dear. All
the Darracourts were good-looking,
worse luck to them. But I don't re-
member any with that hair of yours
Got it from your mother, I suppose.
And now, I imagine YOU know who I
ann"
You are Lady FarnIey?" said Lu-
ellie.
Yes, Martha FarnIey, the prin-
cipal woman in the place, until you
came. And now, I suppose, sink
into insignifcance before a chit Of a
girl. Not that that title fits you!
You're tall, aren't you? Humph! /.
rather like you. I tell you what,
don't like that girl you've got here!
Impudent mink, amused herself with
playing practical joke upon an old
woman, Passed herself off for you"
Marie Werner. She is an old
schoolfellow Of mine" said Lucille,
conciliatingly; shes full Of spirits"
"Humph, So I should think! Don't
IKE people who are full OF spirits;
always mistrust them, especially
when their spirits prompt them to
take liberties with me. Never
mind, my dear, I'll be even with her.
Now let's talk about yourself! How
i you like being mistress of Darra-
court?"
q don't think I could help liking
it." said Lucille.
NO, I suppose not. Well, you
take it quietly. I'm glad of that. I
thought you'd make a fuss. I told
everybody so. I thought you'd put on
airs, and behave like a schoolgirl
But you don't. Yes, I like you. It's
because you are pretty, I suppose;
or because you've got good voice.
There, you needn't blush. You'll hear
plenty Of compliments. and some Of
EN- from somebody else besides an
old woman. Are you engaged?"
She raped ont the question like a
shot from a gun, but Lucille met her
keen glance with a frank, open
smile.
ITO be married? No, Lady Farm
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