Greene County herald. (Leakesville, Miss.) 1898-current, 1912-03-22


secret understanding in their words
and gestures. When the ladies de-
parted, the consciousness that he had
| in no wise pressed his suit or even
created friendly relations was in
creased by the princes evident self
satisfaction and the slightly patroniz-
ing tones in which he addressed the
Englishman.
When at length the gentlemen en-
tered the drawing room Mrs. Jerrold,
reckoning Lord Jocelyn into corner,
approached the subject in hand in the
most direct way possible.
Il understand, Lord Jocelyn," she
began, that mutual attraction has
sprung up between yourself and May"
Lord Jocelyn was too confused to
find suitable answer, but evidently
Mrs. Jerrold expected none.
1--WE were so entranced by your
dear father" she continued effusively.
HE is such a peerless gentleman,
Lord Richard. And before we left he
begged that we would find you in
New York and take you to our hearts.
Yes, those were his very words"
The lady was looking at him with
an expression of the utmost and most
complacent benevolence.
And / may tell you, in confidence,
Lord Richard" she went on, that
May had more than friendly feelings
for you. But she is shy. poor girl, and
not quick at expressing herself. Take
a mothers word, Lord Richard; go
and find her and discover for yourself
what sentiments she entertains. / be-
lieve," she ended, glancing around
her.. that you will find her in the
conservatory"
Lord Jocelyn rose obediently. AS
he left the room he felt his face grow
red with shame at the righteousness
of the trap that had been set for him.
At the bottom of the fight he heard
whispers coming from among the
palms in the conservatory, and pass
ing between the two armored figures,
he suddenly found himself face to
face with May Jerrold and Prince Won
Mitfohlen. So quickly he came upon
them that he could have sworn he
saw the princes right arm in peculiar
proximity to the lady's waist; but as
he drew near both started up with an
expression of embarrassment and
STOOD facing him nervously.
May Jerrold broke the silence
Have you seen father since din
ner?" she asked the prince. He was
crazy to talk with you about buying
some hunting dogs. You ought to find
him in his library"
The prince took his dismissal with
good grace. He bowed to the lady
and then to Jocelyn, slightly super
cilious smile lowering upon his lips
as he caught the latter's embarrassed
glance. Then he was gone, and May
Jerrold sat down again and made
room for Jocelyn upon the seat beside
her.
Jocelyn sat down nervously, mute in
humiliation and shame. How was
he to begin? What was he to say?
There had never been any but the
most formal relations between himself
and this young woman. Presently he
raised his head and found Miss Jer-
rold looking into his eyes. There was
a peculiar greenish light in hers, at
once fascinating and repellent.
Your mother said that-you would
be here" he stammered. Il don't
know how to begin to talk to you,
Miss Jerrold-I-"
The answer was the most unex-
pected thing that had ever happened
to Jocelyn, for, without a word, the
young woman laid her head upon his
shoulder and burst into tears. Then,
as he began timidly to ask the cause
of her distress, finding that she only
sobbed more bitterly, he was tempted
to place one arm around her and, with
the filmy handkerchief she carried in
her hand, to wipe away her tears.
Jocelyn had never noticed before
how pretty May Jerrold was. Her
hair, which had at first appeared to
him to be OF plain red, displayed I'M
guessed CLEANS of gold and bronze
under the lamp light; her greenish
eyes revealed wonderful depths; her
red lips were not five inches from
his own. And suddenly Lord Jocelyn
realized that he loved her. He bent
forward and kissed her lips.
Il love you. May. Do you love
r1e?' he whispered; and. though the
question had been asked many times
before by many men, it possessed a
novelty that positively thrilled him.
Yes whispered Miss Jerrold.
"Then you won't cry any more?
Why are you crying, dearest?"
20, it's so shameful" she muir
INJURED. ITO be bought and sold"
"Sold?" reiterated Lord Jocelyn, his
heart humping unanimously.
ITO you" she murmured, resting
comfortably in his arms that now en-
folded her. did you think was
cold to you, dearest? It was this coz
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