Wallowa County chieftain. [volume] (Enterprise, Or.) 1909-1911, 1910-01-13
CHAPTER XII.

SIX OF seven months Afterwards.
Mrs. Saville had spent a very tran
quill winter. She had rarely been free
from irritation for so long a 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 him. 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 Grais and Bar
ons attached to the little court, some
Of whom had dabbled in diplomacy
and even spent few years in London.
and frequent visits TO the opera, for
almost her only real pleasure was mu-
sic.
II, six months before, Mrs. Saville
had missed her companion when she
was absent for a couple Of days, the
idea Of parting with her now would
have struck her with dismay. She had
softened gradually but considerably
90 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 beautified all things. II
seemed impossible not to partake of
the general exhllaration which pervad-
ed the atmosphere Yet Mrs. Savllle'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
1t was afternoon, and the Champs.
Elysees were crowded with streams OF
equipages pouring out to the Bois.
Stemming this current. Mrs. Saville
and Hope returned from their earlier
drive. and on arriving at the hotel
found another open carriage drawn up
at 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.
open the door; let me out!" And she
sprang upon the ground.
MY dear Mrs. Saville, 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-
liberately and submitted to be kissed
by her young friend. "I am sorry for
your poor father. Why could you not
let him rest in peace among his trr-
nips and mangel-wurzels?"
Why, I must thinE Of myself, you
know. How do you do, Hope? l am
80 glad to see you! can't say you
are looking very flourishing. SUD
pose you are coming in, so can nav
you a nice visit. though I have a hun
dred and one things to do. l suppose
you have your old rooms, Mrs. saville.
We are at the Bristol. I wonder you
stay here, It Is so slow"
Quite fast enough for me; but come
upstairs"
She is as cross as ever" whispered
Miss Dacre to Hope as they ascended
TO Mrs. Saville's apartments. "I 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 the Observation-Disclosures
room, which was sweet with flowers
and flooded with soft light. the strong
flltering through the outer
blinds.
We'll. dear Mrs. Saville, and how
are you after burying yourself alive In
Germany all the winter? 1t is such a
queer place to go to-"
Il like Germany. and I am remark.
sbly we'll"
We'll. you don't look so. We had a
Wild time at Herondyke. l was there
'or nearly month. Lady Olivia is
luite too good-natured Then she and
he girls came over to Castleton. but
Vour son persuaded George Lumley to
20 with him to Dresden A great mis-
AXE! Captain Lumley was quite cross
when he returned-said It was a God.
orgotten hole! met Mr.. vignolles
It Pau"-etc., etc. And Miss Dacre
urned on a rapid flow of gossip. As
'oon as she made a pause for breath.
hrs. Saville said wearily:
Miss Desmond, the tea is ready.
live me a cup"
By all means. The Parisians have
immensely. but they have
lot arrived at the height Of good af-
ernoon tea yet"
Silence on the part Of Mrs. Saville.
While Miss Dacre slipped her tea.
When do you come back to Lon.
lon, Mrs. Saville?"
mot this year. I may 90 to Ingle-
ield In the autumn"
Il suppose you know Richard is
ringing out work on The Romans