Camas Prairie chronicle. [volume] (Cottonwood, Idaho) 1901-1917, 1910-05-06
CHAPTER XII.

blossoms, hlacs, and lAburnums, some
six or seven months afterwards.
Mrs. Saville had spent very tran
Quil winter. She had rarely been free
from irritation for so long period.
For a week or two at Christmas she
had been a good deal tried by visit
from her son, who, to her surprise,
brought his cousin, George Lumley,
with Aim. That over, she settled down
again to her books, her fancy-work, Of
which she was rather proud, her game
Of whist with some old Grafs and Bar
ons attached to the little court, some
Of whom had dabbled In diplomacy
and even spent q few years in London,
and frequent visits to the opera, for
almost her only real pleasure was mu-
Uic.
II, six months before, Mrs. Saville
had missed her companion when she
was absent for couple of days, the
idea Of parting with her now would
have struck her with dismay. She had
Softened gradually but considerably
20 gradually that Hope Desmond had
TO look back and recall her first i'm
pressions to measure the change.
The weather was fine, the sky blue,
and sunshine beautifed all things 1t
seemed impossible not to partake of
the general exhilaration which pervad-
cd the atmosphere. Yet Mrs. Saville's
expression, If less hard, was infinitely
sadder than formerly, and, though
Miss Desmond's eyes were calm, and
her air composed, there were shadows
beneath the former and a somewhat
worn look In her expressive face. She
was thinner, too, as If she had borne
some mental strain.
It WAS afternoon, and the Champs
Elysees were crowded with streams of
eQuipages pouring out to the Bots.
6temming this current, Mrs. Saville
and Hope returned from their earlier
drive, and on arriving at the hotel
found another open carriage drawn up
ut the entrance, from which a gor-
geously-dressed lady was leaning while
she spoke to the porter. He made a
gesture towards the new arrival,
whereupon the lady looked round and
displayed the well-known features of
Miss Dacre,
"How fortunate!' she cried. "Here.
Dpen the door; let me QUIT" And she
borang upon the ground.
my dear Mrs. 6aville, l only Just
heard by the merest accident that you
were in Paris. We have been at Pau
for two months. and are on our way
home"
"oh. indeed" returned Mrs. Saville,
rather dryly. as she descended very de-
dberately and submitted to be kissed
by her young friend. II am sorry for
your poor father. why could you not
let him rest in peace among his tur-
nips and mAngsl-wurzels?"
why, must thinl, Of myself, you
know. How do you do, Hope? l am
20 glad to see you! can't say you
are looking very aourishing. / sup
pose you are coming in. so I can pay
you nice visit, though have a hun
dred and one things to do. I suppose
you have your old rooms, Mrs. Saville
stay here, 1t Is 80 slow"
Quite fast enough for me; but come
upstairs"
"She is as cross as ever" whispered
Miss Dacre to Hope as they assembled
to Mrs Saville's apartments. II don't
wonder at your looking worn out"
Hope laughed and shook her head.
You are comfortable enough here.
! must say" resumed Miss Dacre, look
Ing round tho ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
room, which was sweet with flowers
and flooded with soft light. the strong
sunshine Offering through the outer
blinds.
We'll. dear Mrs. Saville, and how
are you after burying yourself alive in
Germany all the winter7 It is such a
queer place to go to-"
II like Germany, and I am remark
ably WE'LL
We'll. you don't look so. We had a
Wild time at Herondyke. / was there
for nearly month. Lady Olivia is
quite too good-natured. Then she and
the girls came over to Castletoh, but
your son persuaded George Lumley to
90 with him to Dresden. A great mis-
takel Captain Lumley was quite cross
when he returned-said It was a God.
forgotten hole! l met Mr.. Vignolles
at Pau'-etc.. etc. And Miss Dacre
turned on rapid flow Of gossip. AS
soon as she made a pause for breath,
Mrs. Saville said. YEARLY:
Miss Desmond. the tea is ready.
Give me cup"
by all means The Parisians have
improved immensely. but they have
not arrived ut the height Of good at
ternoon tea yet"
Silence on the part of Mrs. Saville,
while Miss Dacre slipped her tea.
When do you come back TO Lon
don, Mrs. Saylllef"
Not this year. may go to Ingle-
held in the autumn"
Il suppose you know Richard Is
bringing out q work on 'rha Romans