The Morris County chronicle. [volume] (Morristown, N.J.) 1877-1915, 1910-09-13

thought Of mere food. Yes, I VIII
have another sconce, Audrey, my
dear. No sugar, thank you, Mr..
Bromsgrove. Mrs. Cogwheel, who
really is that girl with the interesting
Spanish name?''
What 1 wonder said Mrs. Hay
firmly. lis whether she is quite a nice
friend for our girls. Vera has taken
to her in the most surprising way.
She says she is so sincere
But Vera always was very orig
inal," Mrs. FlanelIe said pleasantly;
such an uncommon girl, / always
say, and so unconventional. She
ought to write, I always think she
ought to write
Sincere girls are generally dis
agreeable girls, aren't they?" Mrs.
CogwheeI said mildly. mot literally,
| mean, but If you've ever had cam
did friend, or what passes for one,
you'll know what mean OF course,
sincerity in the abstract is a beautiful
thing, but one can be too outspoken,
don't you think? But I feel sure
Tormentilla is an excellent friend
for Audrey. She is a relation of Sir
Diggory Grouse, believe, and Audrey
adores her, don't you, darling2"
"She is so sweet" said Audrey
softly. Quite by accident, she stood
where the golden light from the col
ored glass panes at the top of the
easement windows fell upon her hair,
and crowned her, as Mr.. Bromsgrove
said afterwards to her mother, like
an aureole." Her eyes, he remarked
at the same time, were blue stars in
her fower-like face. "And you
know, dearest" her mother added as
she repeated his remarks afterwards.
with her usual goodnight kiss, che
is not only really good and pious
man, but intellectual as we'll, which is
so rare. And his taste is beyond all
well, you heard him on Sordello,
and one need say no more. A man
who could see such things in that
great poem-things you and I could
never have dreamt possible for it tc
hold, sacred, beautiful, hidden mean
ings-Audrey, I ask you
Eyes, indeed" said Audrey, raising
her flushed and lovely face from the
pillow. "And do go, dearest, won't
you? I am so sleepy"
But at the Browning tea, she had
stood there in her childish, simple
way, ignorant, of course, Of the vi
cars rapt gaze, while Lise in her
usual corner had watched her mar
rowly.
fTormentilla is SO sympathetic, I"
Audrey said. "And she has ideas
as we'll, which makes it all the more
wonderful. And she is so bright and
encouraging. She gives one new
heart with her courage" Here she
looked away out of the window and
sighed. "She almost makes one take
ones courage in ones own hands
and" She stopped suddenly, met
Mr. Bromsgrove's eyes, and blushed
adorably
$50 breezy, isn't she?" Miss Cot
ton murmured. 81 always think she
is so extraordinarily breezy for a
young girl"
Mr. Bromsgrove put his cup away
and sat down heavily.
May I ask, he said slowly what
you know of this breezy young lady's
family and-er-antecedents?"
ooh, nothing whatever" Audrey
replied promptly. but that makes
her all the more interesting, doesn't
it?"
"A touch of mystery gives charm
to anything" Mrs Flanelle said, as
she drew on her long gloves. II
quite agree with you there. always
say to cook in the mornings, Cook,
l leave it to you. Don't, don't, let
me ever guess at what we are to have
for lunch, for it spoils everything so.
And when it SO often turns out to
be chops, I think it is unreasonable
and sordid of my husband to be an.
noyed, and always tell him so,
What would life be if there were no
dark secrets?"
Lise giggled, but her temper, too.
was rising
Much better worth living.
wouldn't it?" she said sharply.
"And she is a dear child; simple.
unspoiled little schoolgirl. There
is nothing mysterious about her.
Miss Cotton has told us that her
aunt is a cousin of Sir Diggory
Grouse, and that Tormentilla is here
for change of air after a rather severe
attack of influenza. She lives In
London"
Mr.. Bromsgrove coughed
II should advise you to make
careful inquiries about this young
lady before you allow your daughter
to become intimate with her." he
said, smiling in his courtly way al
Mrs. Cogwheel, and every one was
much impressed. and more curious
than ever.