Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1924-02-15
Tho VIII Of Joseph Bernhard

Mrs. Augustus Van Vert was a
latGo md imposing lady with an
autocra1iC manner, an all consuming
social ambition and a temper which
m brOoked defeat. Therefore. she
vas in anything but B. gracious mood
on that sunday afternoon A certain
prominent family, for whose closer
acquaintance she had long angled,
had at length accepted an invitation
for the weekend, only to retract II
o. the last moment with an excuse.
touched in courteous. but unmistak-
able. terms, which left nothing to
the Imagination. Rage and humilia-
ton nllcd her ample breast.
"Hcoffrey bcters"" she repeated.
pueruIously. when the butler came to
Ter with a message. I'm sure I
never heard Of him. What does the
fellow want ."
'Ile SAYS, madam, that your score
tarV wrote him to call in connection
with the statues to be set up in the
garden HcYond range of his en-
pIoytr7 eye tho butler permitted the
ghost Of Il smile TO fit across hi,
usually impa5siVc features as he rem
dered free translation OF Georrs
homely choice Of phrase "He begs
YOU - pardon him for ,ntruding to-
day, but lie has been busy for some
'lmc' at the hacienda. Mrs. Samuel
CaN'} y estate, AT Sunny Beach"
MIS- '3}lcS There came an
abrupt pause. Il remember now. he
~ the stonenason [ instructed Miss
i"lIiStCr To engage. lie should have
Known better than to come on Sun
day. Of course, but / viii see him
fAE
'craudl."
the servant bowed and departed.
MA Mrs. Van Vert sailed out upon
tho broad porch to which CAV avn
'nE9 and chintz, graceful wicker and
" rrofusion or flowers had lent move
O'" air Of II drawing room. 10 her
'"or" appeared presently n stolid
hiIld-"Noi village workman, clad In
rF SUNDAY best. who eapad in re
srectiul awe and admiration at the
"fld Splondor OF his surroundings.
You NJ" Icters. the mason -"
N'7 Van Vert spoke with melting
."ndcSeensiou. Il expected Won be
''''' put doubtless the tragedy at
of |fi'nd Mrs. cayley's home re-
"Hed You IN your work."
wen. no. ma'am." Geof drawled
hern thero steady right through
" atl' mt tho Jobs near done and I
.''houod better see you bout them
'Uerc images
SIln"s.' Mrs. Van Vert cor
'r''rd. somewhat tartIv. Did Mrs
''''N know YOU were comm. here
today ~ ~
%eoH "hool' his head.
Na' J thought perhaps she might
1--WE entrusted YOU with a message
,'F' we are such very dear
.'nof. However. | presume she is
P'"',atrd by the grief and horror
4" this frightful affair"
''"W concluded that Il would he
"'St 10 ignore the latter remark. He
Nui'd dcrrecatiuEiy and venturcd.
80 u VAS sonethin' tho young lady
uSS Mile said that reminded me O.
me- work here
-. Indeed And what was IT,,
NNot did Miss Mildred say" There
vas undissuised eagcrness in her
.. II hadn't ought to've spoke a
ma am 'rain't none a. my
"''A'SS Geofc allowed an express
uu q acute distress 10 distort his
"'u' ally uulovely countenance
~. see used to do reparin' for
summers round the old place.
lux. nu MISS Mile. she's known mo
n,e she Nore her hair In a braid
w" $40 kinder foreits I'm Just q
S,H "orkin'-msn and talks to me
,. 81 friendly now and then. I hope
va excuse me. ma 'am"
~ NOT at all. Peters" Mrs. Van
VA smiled encoura gingly. Miss
Mildred Is dear child and am
e Gte sae made no mistake In con-
u'as 10 you. What did size say Of
s,, Gu may speak frankly"
ven ma am, 1t seems there was
marriage between her and
gentleman named Lane afore her
s ansle was killed and eomebuddy-1
limo who--was mean 'nough &c say
az Nehhs what had happened
uuio make q diffrurce, Miss Mile