The Morgan County press. (Wartburg, Tenn.) 1916-1926, 1916-08-10
CHAPTER |.
Just a Hint of, Scandal.


4 GsOrgy Wagstaff sauntered into Miss
Ethel Willoughby'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 tea-tray
upon Miss Wiloughby's table.
"Oh, Brewster-is Miss Willoughby
in?" she inquired.
The correct Brewster Immediately
Strengthened himself up in his best
manner.
mo, miss! | think not" he replied.
Georgy stroJed to the window.
II dare say EthePll be here directly"
she said-to herself as much as to the
butler T'll wait"
Eyes, MISS Brewster acquiesced.
And with a bow of the utmost cor
rectness he went out. closing the doors
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-
ingly 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 or
doors. AS she stood there in the win
dow her governess entered.
"Oh! 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.
II did want two minutes with you be-
fore the others came. May bother
you now|
"Of courser' 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 admiringy. Miss
WillCughby'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 Ioathed. AS for colOring, they
both showed the healthy glow which
is the distinguishing mark Of young
Lngllshwomen of the upper class
"You see," said Georgy. I'm afraid
I'm going to he awfuIly presumptu-
GUS"
"Nonsenser' Ethel interrupted. You
couldn't be that when you and your
father have been so very good to me.
Come on Out with it!''
It was true that Ethel WiIloughby
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 a footing of social |
equality. But fortune bad 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. II
was not that Georgy was greatly diff
ferent from other girls of the impress
sionable age. But Sir Georges public
iuties left him little time to devote to
he upbringing of his motherless child.
And It had struck him that Ethel
was person who at the
,ame time would be able TO sympathIZe
With Georges impulses and direct
hem into the proper channels.
whats on your mind. Georgy?''
Hiss Willoughby asked again. as the
dri still hesitated.
Its about your past" Georgy be-
yan in deadly seriousness.
Ethel laughed at her tragic manner.
Have Ia pastT' she inquired
iE5tly.
But. the romantic Georgy was not
o be diverted from her mood.