The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1911-02-26

daughters established in lie Ads
Iaide. who followed her mother in
70 the room. was awkxart III
dressed and unIurractive- Her eve
I were prominent, Of pale. water.
gray. her nose high. her chin yer!
-ecetlns. and her mouth did no
close properly.
Her ladyship came in, full of he
own affairs, sa, down and talked
t1r Ten minutes without stopping o
all the things they we're going tc
DO. and the friends who were com
.n- 70 stay al the Court.
Invitations for Two garden parties
and two dinner parties had gone
out. but meanwhile she was sure
that the young people would enjoy
some intercourse of a friendly kind.
Would Mrs. Bardsley's niece and
nephew come 10 tea and tennis to-
morrow afternoon. Sir Miles Umfra-
vile and his sister were also com
ing. And they wanted something
else, more out OF the way than
tennis Adelaide suggested pic
mic. What did Mrs. Bardsley think
OF that?
Aunt Emma's mind was working
rapidly. She fe.t that there was but
one course open to her in the cir
cumstances. She must deny and con
tradict the horrible rumor concern
ing Jem, should it lift its head.
She must show by her own conduct,
that she had no belief in it. that
she trusted her nephew completely.
She must throw him and Vernon
into the coming month Of gayeties
as though no breath OF suspicion
had ever reached her.
II YOU would consent, said she
y should Ike the plcnic-Or a;
least, ! should Ike a picnic, TO be
my affair. II you have your list ot
engagements with you. you might
settle d date. and then my young
PEOPLE and can arrange the de
tails. There are many lovely spots
round here, and the weather is
so fine that We ought to seize #
while We have it. Today is Friday
Shall We say Tuesday next?"
Miss Mobiles face lit up ShC
said, in a voice which sounded a:
though she had something in hel
mouth, that she did like picnics
1t was arranged that Vernon anC
Jem, If not otherwise engaged, should
go TO tennis the following after
noon, and settle the spot for thu
projected al fresco entertainment
Lady Bun injury rose, and took leave
well pleased at having secured al
invitation from Carronlea; and OF
fered Sophia lift back in the car
riage
To Mrs. Bardsleys delight, thi,
was accepted. and they all wen
out into the hall together
As they reached the door. Jen
came up the drive. riding his bicycl,
and leading a lady's machine
Here is my nephew" said Mrs
I Bardsley, in a voice whose prid,
had defiant ring She loved Jem
There were times, when his bette
nature was uppermost, when ht
| looked at her with her husband,
eyes, expression, smile. A kind o.
protective mother-instinct now made
her feel eager to do battle for him
Remember" she said in an under
tone to Miss Tarlton, Il feel sure
that there is no truth in the NAL!
cious fa,sehoods which YOU say ar.
circulated about him" And she laid
her hand upon his arm-an almost
unprecedented demonstration on her
part, when, having propped the ma
chimes against the pillars of the
porch he came forward.
This is Mr.. James Bardsley. my
husbands nephew, who takes care OF
me and the property said she in a
voice which struck Jem as quite q
new thing. What are those bicy-
cles, Jem?' she added, when she
had saluted the three ladies.
Il am going to teach Miss Wilmot
TO ride replied Jem. Il just ran
into Bantistock, and h,red a crock
for her to learn on"
MY niece has lived in Van
couyer, explained Aunt Emma and
has had no chance to learn" She
then conveyed to the young man
the invitation for the next day for
Tennis.
Thanks. | shall have to come a