The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1910-11-28
CHAPTER v.


'"Sllced kisses. fried in tears were
the words / heard Miss Fielding reply
to Leah's morning call. early the next
day. 1 had waited long. for the DAY
was bright and l Weakened at sunrise.
Her faneiful order put me Immediately
into a good humor. and I was intensely
curious TO see what the day would
bring forth.
The collles were barking vociferously.
joyously. Suddenly they stopped, and
then, one by one, I heard them greet
their mistress. 1t was very prettily done
Leah, coming In, found me smiling, and
smiled back at me. Seeing me so much
better, she offered timidly to help dress
me, and / welcomed her proposal 10 bring
me hot water and what was necessary
for shaving. My own clothes had been
sent down, so I prepared myself for my
chatelaines visit.
Joy came into my room with a sweet,
| low. Good morning, Mr.. Castle.' which
threw me back not a little. after what
had taken place on the yesterday.
was about to hazard some good-natured
sarcasm, but the sight Of her face in
hibited it, and something OF what Leah
the greeting without comment. therefore,
and waited for her to set the pace.
She was In an eXquisitely fresh. sim
pie organdy frock, and had on gar
den hat and gauntleted garden gloves;
her arms were filed with roses. Her
brow wrinkled slightly as she noticed
the fading blossoms which had been left
I'm the vases.
I'm afraid I neglected you yesterday,
she SAID as she set about removing the
detected roses and putting fresh ones In
their places. AS she came near me, |
noticed little dewy drops on her neatly
| coiled hair. where she had dashed IL with
! violet water. There was no trace OF
any other scent. save that Of the roses.
| She drew of her gloves and I saw that
/ she wore no rings.
| She sat down for a moment l had
| observed before that not only could Miss
/ Fielding be remarkably graceful in pose
and in action, but that she could be as
| astonshingly gauche as well. Astonish-
/ ingly, that IS. for her-for one who could
| be so graceful. This. however. was de-
! cidedly one OF her graceful days. or rath-
/ er, perhaps, as Leah had said, moods.
Her lines melted and composed. There
was positive elegance I'm the way she
used her hands. gesticulating freely. II
| enhanced the charm or her voice. SO linz
| pid and fun Of feeling.
Isn't 1t a beautiful morning! What a
| shame II is that you can't get up. You
must hurry and convalesce-just enough
! 10 be able TO see the place. and not 80
| much as 10 have 10 so away. Perhaps
/ you can get into a chair by tomorrow.
/ Did you hear my doggies? I can recog-
nize each of them by the voice, and YOU
! viii be able 10. too. If you only stay
| here long enough. Nokomis is the deep
| t-t0ned one She's the oldest. you know,
and the most dignihed. Hiawatha IS the
/ little yaPpy one. He's a very silly Ettle
pupr'
I'm sorry Nokomis didn't want TO
! come up TO see me. yesterday ! said.
| But I hope you'll pardon nay taking the
| liberty of asking for her. I know you
/ probably don't often allow Them IN the
/ house"
''Why. OF course Nokomis can come up:
| the idea! Shed love IT, Would you like
20 see her now?' Then, with her eyes
on mine, and noticing my bewildered look,
no doubt she added. with queer ex-
/ preston, 'Nokomis wasn't quits well yes
terday. She is getting old. you know"
| She rose restlessly. VIII you walt a
moment. please? I want % speak 20
| Leah" and she went out.
Something had passed over hsr spirits.
I couldn't tell wha- II was Ike the
| shadow Of cloud sweeping rapidly
| across a sunny hillside. Whatever it was.
! ii was gone when she returned. She went
/ directly TO the window. threw up the
sash, and called down. "Nokomis, Hi,
/ Nokomis!" A bark responded.
Come up here. old lady! Yes come
/ right up. Wipe your feet, please. Wipe
| your feet. NOkOmis.'
| The next thing there was a patterIpg
! Of feet upon the stairs, and the bitch
/ bounded into the room, her tail wagging
! She ran up 20 Miss Fielding Immediately
/ for orders
Go and say How d'you doT 20 Mr.
/ Castle. Nokomis." said Miss Fielding
| pointing at me.
Nokomis dropped to the floor again
and with the dignity OF duchess walked
/ over to where I lay. raised her beautiful
| eyes 10 mine. lifted a forepaw and laid
/ il on the bed. / shook It and felt for the
/ dogs neck.
Now Nokomis-" Miss Fielding be-
gan.
She was down On the instant went Go