The Ordway new era., 1910-02-18

vor. Ramsdill. Can they spare you
here tonight? II SO. will you drive
me back to Craven? I've sprained my
wrist and 1t has been all could do to
get my mare to the Ford
Lucy Carew opened her eyes the
next morning in the blaze of brilliant
day. The 10th OF November broke in
holiday and golden fashion after a
night Of wild, unusual storm. In the
coarse nightdress of her hostess she
lay In her clean bed In the country
smelling little attic. She had scarcely
stirred to rise when u knock at her
door held her motionless.
Mrs. Ramsdill. red-cheeked. bashful-
eyed. came in like bright appari.
tion. for she looked at her lodger over
q giant bouquet: the profusion filled
her hands. She arrived like Flora.
She had q note and gave II.
IF you please. miss. from Craven
there's q hanswer to take"
She regarded with pretty. timid GU
riosity this handsome young lady who
stood well out Of the short nightdress.
her feet cleaning charmingly dis.
played below the hem. Above the
low. plain collar her neck and dark
head rose frankly. Women-beautiful
women-do not imagine how much to
their beauty's enhancing Is sometimes
the naive garments of their simple Sis
ters. Ribbons and furbelows would
not have made Lucy Carewi more
lovely to look on than as thus the Eng.
t,h
lin over her swelling breast. her arms
hare to the elbows-for Mrs. Ramsdills
gown stopped there. Miss Carew took
the roses In her hands.
Mrs. Ramsdill had her wonderings.
Tempest was beloved. but he was rs
well known. Even Cravenford could
tell its tales. The good creature
mused on her guest and remarked the
eyes-how they lost their tlearness to
sparkle. how cheeks mantled as the
letter. with entire ignoring Of her CON-
pany. was broken open.
I'll wait outside. miss. she deli
for the answer"
Miss Carew held the roses against
her and read her note.
Craven. November TO-
My dear Miss Carcw: II what you tell
me In true tand how can I suppose you
have come 900 miles to play with my
vanityo then YOU will feel 1t worth your
while to writ" the study III which you
spoke-unicss my conduct ~ host has
biackcncd me too much in your eyes
II you will comc-1 have sci.t II carriage
for you-I will do all In my power TO
make II easy for YOU to writ" what YOU
wish. There will be no train to London
before late afternoon. II YOU refuse M"
the proof OF your entire cord!aliir. I shall
come to the Ford-to avoid me you will
have To walk. and ! fancy your shoes
will not help you Faithfully.
BASH. TEMPEST.
For the first time In weeks MIR.
Tempest slept till morning. and for
the first time in weeks awakened not
a prey to the black horrors that gen.
orally perched on his bedpost to wait
the opening of his eyes. "lf.' as he
had often grumbled. 'one could only
get into the day without beginning
it,"
To superintend the gathering OF a
bunch OF roses. to write the note he
had sent. amused him. and no sooner
was Ramsdill and the trap dispatched
than, whistling like boy. he made a
tour of the house. followed by Mrs
Henly. to whom he gave countless di
rections as to setting of Craven in
holiday trim Sunlight flashed at him
everywhere. 1t fell In luxuriant floods
down the long galleries. routed Mel
ancholy out of hooks in the darkes,
rooms where ghosts and dismals tina,
Tempest had grown to consider as
familinrs nested and hatched
What a day" he exclaimed NOR,
than once. open everything-throv
all the windows wide. No. | will ar
range the flowers myself" The gar
dener had fetched in what Tcmpes
called torrents Of bloom" and HI
Rlowed with enjoyment as he pile,
roses and carnations and lilies int
glass and silver according to his fancy
once he caught up his buoyant moo'
to say: What II the adventurous lad.
ahould refuse?' His brow darkened