Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1916-08-11
CHAPTER |.
Just a Mint of Scandal.

Georgy Wagstaff sauntered into Miss
Ethel Wiloughby's sitting room, at
tired in the daintiest and fullest Of
summer costumes. Georgy was the
daughter of Sir George Wagstaff of
the British admiralty. She found the
room deserted, except for her fathers
admirable butler, who was at the mo-
ment in the act Of placing a tea-tray
upon Miss Willoughby's table.
''Oh. Brewster-is Miss Willoughby
in7" she inquired.
The correct Brewster Immediately
Strengthened himself up in his best
manner.
''No, miss! l think not" he replied.
Georgy strolled to the window.
''I dare say Ethelll be here directly"
she said--to herself as much as to the
butler. an wait"
"Yes, MISS" Brewster acquiesced.
And with a bow of the utmost cor
softly behind him.
Georgy Wagstaff stood idly looking
out OF the window upon the view Of
the Thames. 1t was an August after
noon and the river shimmered allur-
1ngly in the, slanting sunlight. But
Ethel had asked her to meet a few
friends; and Georgy was fond enough
of Miss Willoughby not to be repent
ant for having foregone the delights
OF perfect summer evening out of
doors AS she stood there in the win
dow her governess entered.
'+Ohl Hello, Georgy! Am late or
are you early?" Miss Willoughby called
as she saw that one Of her guests was
already waiting.
''Bothw said Georgy with smile,
''I did want two minutes with you be-
fore the others came. May bother
you now"
"Of eoursew the older girl replied.
"But it's no bother" she assured her.
She sat down on one end of a long
settee and began to remove her gloves;
whereupon her younger charge perched
herself at the other end of the seat
and regarded her admiringly Miss
Wflloughby's fair hair had Just the
hint Of red in it that was at the same
time GeOrgy's despair and delight.
And Ethel was far enough past the
schoolgirl age to have lost that angu-
larity which Georgy still possessed
and loathed. AS for colorng, they
both showed the healthy glow which
is the distinguishing mark of young
Englishwomen of the upper class.
You see," said Georgy, "I'ln afraid
I'm going to be awfully presumptu-
Ons-"
''NOnsensew Ethel interrupted. you
cOnldn't be that when you and your
father have been so very good to me.
Come on! Out with itr'
1t was true that Ethel Willoughby
felt that she was deeply in the debt
OF the Wagstaffs-both father and
daughter. Before entering their house
hold as GeOrgy's gOverness she had
known them upon footing Of social
equality. But fortune had frowned
upon her And when circumstances
had become most pressing Sir George
had come to her relief with the pro-
posal that she undertake the guidance
of his somewhat difficult daughter 1t
was not that Georgy was greatly diff
ferent from other girls of the impress
sl01able age. But Sir Georges public
duties eft him little time to devote to
the 0pbringing of his motherless child.
AM 1t had struck him that Ethel
WhlOughby was person who at the
same time would be able to sympathize
with Georges impulses and direct
them into the proper channels.
whats on your mind, GeorgyT
Miss Willoughby asked again, as the
girl still hestated.
ats about your past" Georgy be-
gan In deadly seriousness.
Ethel laughed at her tragic manner
Have Ia past| she inquired
lightly.
But the romantic Georgy was not
TO be diverted from her mood
THAT'S just the question:" she com.
mented. you knowI shouldn't mind
it in the least If you had. | believe
IN people living their own lives, in
their own way" Georgy prided her.
self that she was advanced" She
considered the ordinary insular atti.
tude toward what is termed. morality
10 be stodgy and Victorian. Indeed
she quite fancied the more free-and
easy continental view Of life.
What on earth are you talkine
aboutT' Ethel demanded. If the truth
were known, she felt the least bit un