Lincoln County leader. [volume] (Toledo, Lincoln County, Or.) 1893-1987, 1910-01-28
CHAPTER XII.


Back in bright Paris. now decked in
her garden-party dress Of chestnut
blossoms. lilacs, and laburnums, some
six or seven months afterwards.
Mrs Saville had spent very tran
gull winter. She had rarely been free
from irritation for 80 long a period.
For week or two at Christmas she
had been 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 Grafs and Bar
ons attached to the little court, some
OIL whom had dabblsi II diplomacy
4. 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 couple Of days, the
Idea Of parting with her now would
have struck her with dismay. She had
softened gradually but considerably
80 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. It
seemed impossible not to partake of
the general exhilaration which pervad-
cd the atmosphere. Yet Mrs. Savllle's
expression, II 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
some mental strain.
It 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
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-
iiberately 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 tur-
uips and mangel-wurzels?"
why, I must think Of myself you
know. How do you do, Hope? l am
go glad to see you! can't say you
are looking very flourishing. I sup
pose you are coming in. so I can pay
you a nice visit, though have a hun
dred and one things to do. suppose
you have your old rooms, Mrs. Saville.
We are at the Bristol. I wonder you
stay here, 1t is so 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,
l must say" resumed Miss Dacre. look
Ing round the MISUNDERSTANDING
room. which was sweet with flowers
and flooded with soft light, the strong
sunshine filtering through the outer
blinds.
well. 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-"
II like Germany, and I am remark.
ably ,<ell."
We'll, you don't look so. We had a
wild time at Herondyke. I was there
for nearly a month. Lady Olivia is
quite too good-natured. Then she and
the girls came over to Castleton, but
your son persuaded George Lumley to
30 with him to Dresden. A great mis-
take! Captain Lumley was quite cross
when he returned-said 1t was a God.
forgotten hole! I met Mr.. vignolles
1T Pau"-etc., etc. And Miss Dacre
turned on rapid flow of gossip. As
soon as she made pause for breath,
Mrs. Saville said, YEARLY: