Free trader-journal. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1916-1920, 1917-07-23
CHAPTER I.
just a Hint Of Scandal.

Just Hint Of Scandal.
Georey Wagsta1 sauntered into Miss
Ethel Wlllou2hbys sitting room, at
tired in the dalntiest and fullest of
summer costumes, Georgy was the
daughter Of Sir George WagStaf 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 Willoughby's table.
"Oh. Brewster-is Miss Willongbby
in?" she inquired.
The correct Brewster Immediately
Strengthened himself up in his best
manner.
mo, MISS | think not" he replied.
Georgy strolled to the window.
II dare say Ethel'll be here directly"
she said--to herself as much as to the
butler. "l'll wait"
YES MISS Brewster acquescol.
And with a bow Of the utmost cor
rectness he went out, closing the doors
softly behind him.
Gcorgy Wagstaff stood idly LOOKING
ont of the window upon the view Of
the Thames. 1t was an August after
noon and the river shimmered allur-
Ingly In the slartlng sunlight. But
Ethel had asked her to meet a few
friends; and Georsy was fond enough
of Niss Wr,ouehhv not to he repent
ant for having i"ngore the delights
OF perfect SIM c"etio' ouf n
doors. AS she 4 .el tree ia he Min
dow her sovcrncss entered.
"Oh. Hello, Georgy. Am I late or
are you earlNy" Miss Willoughby called
as she saw that one Of her guests was
already waiting.
Both said Georgy with smile.
81 did want two minutes with you be-
fore the others came. May | bother
you now"
"Of course,' the older girl replied,
"But it's no bother" she assured her.
She sat down on one end OF long
spttee and began to remove her gloves
whereupon her younger charge perched
herself at the other end Of the seat
and regarded her adniringly. Miss
Wiloughhy's fair hair had lust the
hint Of red In ii that was ut the same
time Gicorgy's despair and d2li"ht.
And Ethe was far enough past the
schoolgirl age to lave lost that angu-
larity which Georgy still possessed
and loathed As for cooring, they
both showed the healthy glow which
is the distinguishing mark Of young
Engllshwomen of the upper class.
you see" said Georgy, I'm afraid
I'm going to be awfully presumptu-
GUS"
"Nonsenscr' Ethel interrupted. "You
couldn't be that when you and yout
father have been so very good to me
Come on. out with itl'
1t was true that Ethel Willoughby
felt that she was deeply in the debt
OF the Wagstaf's father and
daughter. Before entering their house
hold as Georgys governess she had
known them upon q footing of socia
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. Il
was not that Georgy was greatly DIFF
fercnt from other girls Of the impress
sionable age But Sir Georges public
duties left him little time to devote t
the upbringng of his motherless child
And il had struck him that Ethe
Wllloughby was a person who at thu
same time would be able to sympathiz'
with Georgy's impulses and direc
them into the proper channels.
"What's on your mind, Ceorgy?'
Miss Wilouehby asked again, as thu
girl still hesltated.
"It's about your past" Georgy be
gan in deadly seriousness.
! Ethel laughed at her tragic manner
"Have Ia pasta" she inquired
lightly.
But the romantic Gcorgy was no
to be diverted from her mood.
"That's just the question" she com
), mented. you know shouldn't mlnt
It in the least If you had. believe
IN people living their own lives, II
their own way" Gcorgy prided her
self that she was advanced" Sh
considered the ordinary insular atti
tude toward what Is termed moralit.
TO be stodgy and Victorian Indeed
she quite fancled the more free-and