The Plymouth tribune. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1901-1911, 1909-09-16
CHAPTER Y.

These are your rooms" Mrs. Herbert
announced little later, as she threw open
. door, leading from the upper hallway,
In tone which showed that she expected
the newcomer to be overwhelmed with
delight.
IL Mathilde was overwhelmed 1t was
not quite in the fashion anticipated. for
dainty as the rooms were in their Louis
Quinze fittings, they consisted only of 4
large bedroom, a smaller sitting-room and
dressing-room. However, she bethought
herself in time to conceal her dismay that
she had better acquiesce quietly, and leave
the matter in her husbands hands.
Mrs. Herbert had her surprise, too, for
waiting in the bedroom was Jeanne, look
ing very placidly in possession.
Dear me. who's this?" and under the
influence of the surprise her voice became
much more acid. Did you bring a maid:
I had no idea"
did you think should not need oney
The question, though aEiable. did not
increase Mrs. Herbert's amiability.
"Of course not, but | did net think that
you would bring one with you, and had
already looked cut a nice respectable girl
In the village
Mathilde smiled. 1t was almost to the
word what Stewart had predicted.
How kind in you! :" she retorted, but
I think that prefer French maid to an
inexperienced village girl"
French :" exclaimed the other. Il
should not have thought that you were so
used 10 French maids on the prairies"
Wouldn't your the other answered,
with a glance that was a danger signal.
As such her sister-in-law evidently read
Ii, for, pulling herself together, she said
yweetly:
But / really must leave you to rest"
Hardly had the door closed behind her
when (much to the amazement OF Jean
ne) Mathilde broke into a wild peal of
laughter; but she soon quieted herself,
and there was no sign Of over-strained
nerves, when, presently, Stewart knocked
ut the sitting-room door.
"You seem settled down." he said. $50
they have given you these rooms" and
he strolled to the other door, taking a
comprehensive survey.
These will do very nicely for you, and
there Is a big bedroom across the corridor
that shall take. I'll speak tc Hutchin-
son about it," he announced coolly.
Mathilde sat silent. apparently busy in
sorting over some bills and memoranda,
the result of her London shopping.
"Well," he said, strolling back towards
her, land how did you get with the
sister-in-lawT
She laughed. "Much as you did, l fan
cy. She told me that as she had never
ssen q Canadian she had not known what
10 expect me to be like, and that she
shouldn'. have supposed that Was used
10 French maids
Dear creature! 1 hope you stood up
20 her"
"Oh, yes; 1 did not mind her," she an
swered carelessly, and then, seeing that
he looked somewhat jaded, she asked :
How did you find your father?"
"very much changed. 1t was rather
4 trying interview. He is very anxious
10 see you, bur seemed too tired just now.
I suggested that you should go up after
you are dressed for dinner. Would that
doT"
"Oh, yes"
HE was very kind about the little
chap be said in low voice, and there
was silence between them in the fre-lit
room but a silence not wanting in sym
patty.
1t was with a strange mixture of feel
ings that Mathilde sat. ready dressed
waiting for her husband. She wore the
same plain black evening dress as she had
In town, with beautiful spray of creamy
roses across the front made the black less
severe.
Look at my offering from the head
gardener" she said. pointing to the flow
ers as Stewart entered.
Poor old Duncan. He was at the
station to meet us. It's queer what 4
weakness old retainers have for prodi-
gals" Then with an abrupt change OF
subject Il see that you have on your
pearl necklace"
'Yes. don't you like it," she asked
wondering.
"Oh. yes; nothing could suit you bet
Ter. But the poor. old father is possessed
With the idea of handing over 10 you,
without delay. the family jewels. He had