Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1911-01-20
|CoyerIy' Substitute
Appearances Were Against
Him.
By CLARlSSA MACKlE.
By CLARISSA MACKE.
Copyright. 1910. by American Press
Association.

X
9 Association. =
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I'm sorry. Elizabeth" said Ralph
Coverly. that must go to Chicago
on business for the firm of Fabens u
Coverly."
Never mind, Ralph. My one week
has been lovely, and shall enjoy
spending quiet time with your
mother"
Mother will be delighted to have
you with her constantly. An invalids
days are dun enough. But there Is
an elderly aunt coming tomorrow. and
I'm afraid you'll not find it very
amusing with just Aunt Agatha and
mother. I've thought Of a plan SO
that you might enjoy the program we
planned and not miss any of the con-
certs or art galleries or even :he op-
era"
What is that. dear? Really. hall
of the anticipated pleasure was the
knowledge that we were to be to-
gether."
Ralph hesitated, and then, as ii dis
missing some unworthy doubt from
his mind, he said quickly
"Why, I've spoken to Fabens. He's
mighty clever chap and is better
versed in all the things you're inter-
ested in than l am. Pm such prac-
tical fellow. Elizabeth. Well. told
Fabens all the things I'd planned we
were to do the coming week and ask
ed him to see that you didn't miss
any of the pleasures.
.It's very thoughtful of you, Ralph"
The next morning when Elizabeth
wandered downstairs to a late break
fast she found the expected Aunt
Agatha established at the head or the
table. She was stern visaged lady.
whose hair remained Il shining black
In defiance of threescore years. She
wore gold spectacles with thick lenses.
which magnlhed her dark eyes with
startling results. An ear trumpet dah'
gled from a ribbon over her shoulder
much like a powderhorn at the back
Of Il hunter.
Good morning. Miss Neal-or shall
| say Elizabeth? Ny niece has writ
ten Of you. and I've seen your picture
If you'll excuse my saying so. you're
not at all the sort of girl | thought
Ralph would marry! He always pre-
ferred brunettes. like myself. Well,
men are tickle as the weather, It's too
bad Mary Is confined to her room.
You will be very lonely" Miss Dale
paused to take breath. 49,
"Mrs. Coverly will enjoy having
some one with her. She is so much
alone except for the nurse" said Eliz-
abeth.
II can't hear a word you say" as
serted Miss Dale calmly. "It doesn't
matter. can always guess what peo-
pie are talking about at table. You
probably remarked that you wouldn't
be lonely at all during Ralph's alb
sence. l know Dick Fabens. my dear.
and q more fascinating man ] never
met. Ralph Is very foolish to leave
YOU in DICKS care But, there. every
one has his consultations. and that lit.
tie dark beauty Ralph was so crazy
about last year lives in Chicago.
There, there, Don't get emotional!'
Elizabeth, angry and amused. watch
ed her and when she was alone fin.
ished her breakfast and retired to her
own room. Later her brief morning
visit to sweet Mrs. Coverly brought
forth the fact that Aunt Agatha had
arrived from her suburban home at an
early hour that morning. She had sur
veyed the house from attic to cellar
and had interviewed the nurse and the
servants with praiseworthy results.
Mrs. Coverly smiled indulgently and
touched Elizabeth's serious face with
q delicate forednger. Aunt Agatha
Is an angel at heart. Elizabeth, but her
deafness has accentuated certain oddi-
ties in her manner and she has adopt
ed freedom Of speech that Is some
times alarming. Don't forget, I shall
expect you to come in for our game
Of chess every evening If you don't
mind devotlng so much time to an old
woman"
Elizabeth's answer was to kiss the
hand that caressed her, and the next
half hour was one Of delightful init
macy with the mother Of her prospec-
tive husband.
Aunt Agatha at luncheon was rep
etition of Aunt Agatha at breakfast.
and her deeply voiced monologue left
the girl with strange sense Of DESC
lation. For the first time since her
engagement to Ralph there crept into
her heart a vague disquiet as to his
perfect loyalty. Who was this dark
beauty Of whom Aunt Agatha Dale
babbled?
Two o'clock brought Dick Fabens
with tickets for a matinee. and. as
Aunt Agatha was too rheumatic TO
60 far afield. Elizabeth went alone with
Ralph's partner. During their brief
ride in the carriage Elizabeth learned
that Mr.. Fabens was feeling much
better and that the simple program
Ralph had laid out appealed to his
convalescent body and mind as moth
ing else could.
Dick Fabens was fascinating. Older
than Ralph. he was attractive by rea-
son Of his contrasting gray hair and
youthful face. He was strangely sym