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A GREAT MISTAKE.CHAPTER IX.IOn Sunday a great many eyes were turned toward the Throgmorton’s pew at St. Chad’s; but only the familiar figures of the family were to be seen.As Dooter March came in, his face wearing its usual Sunday morning tranquility, Bee was puzzled and angry too, to find that hft cheeks began to burn and her heart to throb; and she was conscious that, for some reason or another, she rather avoided than sought the swift glance of recognition she was in the habit of exchanging with her old friend across the sea of close cropped masculine heads and smart bonnets that divided them.Tne girl felt almost frightened at the change produced in her by a few careless words from a stranger.All her life, it seemed to her; she had known and liked George March with something of the feeling she had for her own brothers. Ever since she could remember him, George had petted and Gcolded her, treating her like a favorite sister ; and she had been so happy that it had never oc curred to her to question the quality ordegree of her regard for him. But now— Home new and painful feeling had been stirring within her ever since the confidential chat in Mias Ludlow’s bedchamber. Such talk of men and marriage and incomes had hitherto been unknown to Mary Throgmorton’s simple minded daughter ; it seemed somehow to have left a bitter taste in her mouth. She had never dreamt of George March marrying anybody ; , and now she had suddenly become conscious that the thought of such a thing, the bare possibility of Ada Ludlow’s suggestion coming true was hateful to her.“ What is the matter with me ?” she wondered, trembling, as the solemn opening words of the Litany brought her wandering thoughts back. “ I—I wish Ada had not spoken so of him. She is so fair and delicate and sweet —will he admire her very much ? Oh, why shouldn't he, and why do I think of such things at all, and in church ?”And bowing her face, grave with its new trouble, in her hands, the girl joined in the echoing of supplications, with perhaps a little more than her usual earnestness.In the porch when the service was over, Doctor March'waited to speak to his friends.“ You are coming over to luncheon, George, of course ?” said Mrs. Throgmorton. 44 Bee and Jack are going across first to the King’s Boad to inquire after Mrs. Ludlow. Ada was not able to leave her, I see, this morning.”George declared that he must say No to luncheon, though he would try, later on, to find time for a cigarette.41 May I, mademoiselle?” he demanded, turning to Bee, who was hovering a littlo aloof ; and Bee, starting as he addressed her, and changing color, declared a little nervously that his manners were improving, and that, as he had been so ve^y good, he might.Feminine Barlaston in general felt itself aggrieved by the absence of Mias Ludlow from church.It was already understood by Mrs. Throg morton’s friends that the widow’s delicate health would compel her to live in almost complete retirement, an hour’s drive in the morning sunshine, or a chat with her old friend on her sofa, beieg ail the exertion the was able to undergo.But the little air of seoiusion and mystery which this threw over the family kad the effect of piquing many of the young ladies who had been fluttered by the advent in their midst of a London girl, and who seemed to take it for granted that gentle Miss Ludlow’s intentions were of a predatory nature.And now another week must in all probability elapse before it could be decided whether the young lady was likely to prove a formidable rival to Miss Tulkinghorn, who was considered the best dressed girl in Barlaston, or to Minnie Bryer, wiio was pretty in a full blown pink and white way, and had beenMiss Ludlow ban brown room. ’“ The brown ro as long as you c awered, meeting t] troubled eyes.44 And that will walla are standing child. Don’t stay 44 It strikes me March, as he walk tering October wu is beginning to be templation of Tec dition. How th up, to be sure 1 day that Bee was hair do wn her balt; awfully old fellow Well, if Ted were should forbid the does know the w heart whioh he tremendous rate, led the boy a prel It is high time shC]The day of dinner was one poor Mrs Ludlo she had indulgedlaston about44 M: by the facts of Vhearth, stood up, smiling rather languidly,10 wheel forward a chair for him ; when Desdemona leaped down from Mrs. Tfareg-morton's lap to run and rub her white head affectionately against the young man’s knee.It was a blustering and chilly evening.The bank of ferns had disappeared from the great tiled fireplace and big brass dogs, on which burned a talkative sparkling wood fire, had taken its place.44 What a jolly old room this is 1” cried George for the thousand and first time. He looked rouud him with lazy enjoyment as he stood with his back to the blaze, very blown about and dusty, and with thf air of having thoroughly earned a rest. 44 Don’t scold me here, dear Mrs. Throgmorton. I came here lor peace—when Miss Bee chooses that I shall get it, of course, I mean.”Bee smiled again But she had no answer ready.44 One would think you and—and the Ludlo we had made up,your minds to avoid each other,” protested Mary Throgmorton, laughing, but provoked. 4* When are you going to have done being busy, George ? You work altogether too hard. Mr. Stetson does not do | discretion.” his share.’’George smiled, and stooped down to pull Othello’s black ears.44 I believe I should have sent for you today if you had not come,” his friend went on reproachfully. 441 am sure Bee is not herself at ail though she won't admit it.”44 There is nothing to admit !” cried Bee, ___________with a nervous laugh, jumping up from the I riage and 0f yaoj sofa. 441 am only lazy, you dear anxious old I dition 5 but her c mother !”41 A new compliment for Queen Bee certainly,” said the Doctor good naturedly. 44 Been sitting over the fire all day, I suppose, and crying over a novel.”44 No, indeed,” protested Bae, edging away into a shady corner of the hearth and sitting down on a stool, with her head against the wainscot.44 She has been spending the morning in King’s Boad with Ada Ludlow,” explained Her mother. 44 What a dear good gbrl that is,Doctor 1 I expect that you and she will be great friends. She is so sensible.”44 And Bee and Miss Ludlow have sworn eternal friendship already, of course ?”44 Of course,” echoed Bee somewhat sarcastically.44 And the naughty cousin ? Is she pretty enough to justify Lord , Meldrum’s bad be haviour ?”441 have hardly seen Miss Thrale,” returned Mrs, Throgmorton coldly. 441 have no desire whatever to make that young lady’s acquaintance. But as foi Ada—well, wait until you .see her. I can assure you we are all head over ears in love with her already. Are we not, Bee ?”44 Yea, mother,” returned Bee quietly out of her dark corner.Doctor March turned and looked at her suddenly, but her face was quite iu shadow.44 Bee,” he said, 441 have had a hard day’s work, and I am longing for a little indulgence. Am I to make my own cigarette after [Commg to us shlt; months of anxious labor devoted to your in- just making one struction in the art ?”441 told you I was lazy,” she answered, laughing. 44 If you will bring it to me here,perhaps ”44 Nothing of the kind, madam. You are not treating me with the deference due to my superior age—besides, you have no right over there.”Bee stood up without another word, and went to the gipsy table, which her mother I have a new attr had drawn to the fire for her wools, and by | cannot have the whieh George was sitting in his low chair, leaning forward, elbows on knees, as he selected the paper from bis cigarette case.Mrs. Throgmorton looked up with fond anxious eyes at her tall girl, and patted the little feverish hand Bee laid on her shoulder.“ Do you think she looks like herself,Doctor?” she asked.“ Let me see.”As Bee held ouii her other hand for the materials of her cigarette, George took it with a little affection of professional severity and began to feel her pulse.But Bee snatched it away, laughing, andindiscreet in her settlement in life moments at the ] to that end, and widow in the firs low and Doctor ! interested in it h There was no I her cousin, thouj nestly that she e any pleasure froi eluded. Indeed more than once with Mrs. Throg: out effect, that k being resolved tctence.“ I declare I U terness,” she orif patience and forj time somebody c much confineme: you up as well ai 441 cannot lea Throgmorton ! ” one of those fain 44 All the moi should stay at hlt; enjoyment for oi 44 You are so f ton ; but—”44 We shall be on 44 except for i count. I want AYou are dett Ada, smiling, bu 44 And Ted A too.”Mr. Ackroyd(Ievening ?44 Oh, Ted con pleases, my love 1 told Jack to gi44 That is for your mother to say,” returned the young man cooly ; and he stood Up and put his hands lightly on the girl’s shoulders, turning her face round to the lamp.The blood mounted to Bee’s cheeks, but feelings, she ranchristened Sweet Brier by tlto young, men, todistinguish her from her sister Janet, who j declared that she would not be coddled, was less good looking and considered witty by her family. ^Doctor March met' the Dryers on his way home from church, or rather was overtaken by these young ladies and their brother. Few people indeed could evade the thorny Miss Bryer when she had made up her mind to at tack them, and George submitted with a decent grace to the inevitable.Miss Bryer had only wished to ask, Bhe declared —and it was useless to appeal to the Throgmortons, they were all so infatuated with their new friends—whether the daughter of a London bankrupt—she begged pardon — banker, was very different from other girls, and whether Barlaston Beg is was likely to be daziled when Miss Ludlow did make up her mind to rise above their provincial horizon ?44 Oh, Janet, how can you be so severe ?” cried the pretty sister, blushing at Doctor March and dropping her eyes.44 Miss Ludlow has an uncommonly pretty •ister,” declared Edgar Bryer competently.He was a florid handsome lad, looking exactly like Miss Minnie in coat and trousers.4,Acousion, I belie.ve,” corrected the Doc tor.44 Beally, Edgar, whatycan you know about Miss Thrale,” snapped Janet.And then at la did consent.44 Be sure anc morton whispere took her leave, morton that I hi praises of my lit Notwithstandi to oe strictly a Ludlow was in a afternoon as to wear.“ It is only m xua,” Ada suggei have already bee Mrs. Ludlow isarcasm ; the wehand. Even I service; and enlshe stood quite still.44 Look at me,” George added, in his imperative kindly way ; and obediently she lifted her brown eyes to his.He saw they were full of tears ; the hand he held was burning ; he could hear her heart beating loud and fast under its pretty crimson gown.44 Hem !”—releasing her. 44 That will do, Miss Throgmorton.”Bee turned and fled from the room, at which her mother looked alarmed. She would have followed the girl, but George held her back.44 There is nothing the matter,” he said reassuringly. 44 Better leave her to herself.” And so the two friends fell into a pleasant chat about many things, in the course of whioh however it seemed inevitable that Miss Ludlow’s name should crop up in all sorts of unexpected places. Her patience, her devotion to her mother, her lovely flaxen hair, her embroidery, her goodness to that deceitful girl Lucy Thrale—on these and many41 Saw her at the station,” said Edgar, with other charms in her protege Mrs. Throgmor-a knowing look. *4 She’s a jolly girl. Mies Ludlow is too pale, don’t you know—not the sort a fellow could feel spoony about.”44 Miss Ludlow grows more interesting every moment,” said George March drily. 44 But Iton never eeemsd weary of dilating.14 Now, George,” she concluded, 44 promise me to come and meet her some day next week. I really want you to know her.” George gave the required promise with en-advise you, Edgar, to leave both young ladies couraging alacrity ; his cigarette was smoked;out of your conversation for the future.”44 For my part,” declared Minnie, 44 afterit was time for him to be going home.It is amusing to hear Jack rave abouti iwhat Bee has told us, I am dreadfully jealous her,” the kind woman added. 44 I don’t knowof Miss Ludlow already.”that Ada is exactly pretty, but she seemsWith which naive confession Mias Minnie different from other girls—the sort of a girl raised her china blue orbs to Doctor March’s you could write a story about. I hope Beeface, and dimpled into a smile of complete and she are going to be very good friends, andself satisfaction.44 Why do good little books try to persuade us that jealousy is unbecoming in a woman ?” cried the Doctor.Minnie blushed again—a genuine blush this time—with pleasure ; Janet’s ugly side long curl of the lip ooked uglier than ever.441 thought you never paid compliments, Doctor March,” she exclaimed scornfully.44 Only when the habit of receiving them has become hopelessly confirmed,” was George's reply, given with the gravest of bows.44 Oh, really, Doctor, what do you mean ?” cried Miss Minnie, pouting. *Drictor March nid not wait to explain. He thought as he hurried away that the ways oi women weie msciutable. and wondered whythen naturally you will see a good deal of her. Doctor.”44 But you won’t ask me to write the story ?” said George, smiling, 441 shall expect to find Bee as impertinent as ever to-morrow,” he added, pausing as he reached the door. 44 If she is not, tell her that I shall certainly prescribe for 1 er—something horrible, in large doses 1”As the young man crossed the square old fashioned hall, Bee was coming down stairs to remind her mother how late it was. Bhe was dressed for dinner in a pretty white gown, relieved with carnation knots, that made her paleness still more remarkable. She started as she saw Doctor March, and was about to turn back ; and now her cheeks wereall these nice girls should be so ready to sneer as red as the ribbons on Her dress.at p»or Miss Ludlow, and to be jealous of her before they had ever set eyes upon her, because she happened to be a stranger and to have lived in London.And in this manner the young man’s sym pathies, always on the side of the weakest, were arrouaed On Misb Ludlow’s behalf before they met.44 Tn« world seems to be down on the poor little soul §8mehow 1 ’ he thought, good naturedly. 44 First the coquettish cousin and her wiles, and now all B-irlaat n iu petticoats ready to crush Miss Ludlow if she should venture or trespass on their preserves 1 Let us hope the poor little woman will hold her own against them.”He did not smoke his cigarette that after neon in Upper Brunswick Street. It was nearly a week indeed before he found time for his pleasant half hour there, by which time Mrs. Throgmorton was beginning to be iieve that there was a fate against the meet ing which she was so anxious to bring about. For a little dinner, which had been given during the wteek for that express purpose, had failed of its object, seeiug that, though Doctor March had duly put in an appearance, Miss Ludlow had been prevented fiom coming at the last moment by some anxiety on her mother’s account.44 I have a good mind not speak to you,” Mrs. Throgmorton said, when George at last showed his dark face at the door of the old schoolroom. 441 consider that you have treated us very badly of late.”But all the same Bee, who had been loung ing on a great chintz covered sofa near thec ttftDon’t run away, Bee,” he safQ, kindly. You are not going to quarrel with me surely because I felt your pulse ?”4- Of course not,” she answered with a cold smile; 44 though I believe we have often fallen out for lees.”44 But we always made it up again.”44 So we have now,” she declared, still hovering aloof on the old oak staircase.44 Are you sure?’’ asked George in his pleas ant voice. Or don’t you mean to fight any more battles with me now that you have found such an excellent substitute for your old friend in Miss Ludlow ?”44 You must not laugh at Mias Ludlow,” re turned the girl coldly ; 44 she is not like us Barlaston girls.”441 am very sorry for Miss Ludlow then,” heartily.441 mean that she will be able to keep you in order. You will not have all the bullying to yourself now.”44 Then, while a vestige of authority remains to me,” cried the Doctor, 441 desire you to get out of this draughty hall. Good night.” 44 Good night,” returned Bee, nodding in her white gown from the dark old staircase.44 Yes, but come down and shake hands with me,” urged the young man.Bhe hesitated.44 My intentions are strictly non-professional,” he declared, laughing. And then Bee did come down and gave him her little hot hand.George March squeezed it with a brotherly cordiality.Good-bye,” he said again. 44 Don’t letiftwenty times w London wardro inspection in thi 44 I think you silk gown, man last, when for n ently parried he I bloom out too dinner, I shall h astonish the nat 44 Everybody i widow, anxious! 44 But every oa black silk gosquare cut, you elbow-Bleeves of 44 Your arms mother fondly, everything ; am 14 Doctor Mar be a matter of g with a faint ami sufficiently gra feel that even tl So Mrs. Ludl vinced ; and Lt and sewed fresh skirt, and brush ant flaxen hair-lady’s maid as a: She was con mild festivity o\ as a melancholy44 It is for ma: Lucy, as she 44 They have bei sure neither 3 small sacrifices they are made flt; 44 I hope yot evening,” said 1 little wistful sig with her long fu tell me all afeou home ?”Mrs. Throgmifor Miss Ludlov nodding and s closed behind th bay houses. Oi into the purple breath she drevthen she went b Ludlow.The little d close and overhlt; but she did not her best to fill Asofa, but it waand all her aim] Ludlow always 1 ever ; and, whe:to undress, and was free to go dlt; of the evening a The house wa Susan singing tlt; she opened the ■ Busan was tri round tible, a brightening am chestnut head wMiss Ludlow word for a pooi never gave unr Lucy was not sa do the rosy litfch —a fact which rather startled £ She was still 1 not lose her plalt; in Mrs. Ackroy. that she Had all her new print lt;and even to ce house fruit whic the small house!But ail this w Thrale maintain tercourse with t! impassable barr: that Susan cou and, lonely as p
Newspaper Details
Richmond Hill York Herald
Richmond Hill, Ontario, CA
Thu, Jul 07, 1881
Page 4
Full Page
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CA 11 Apr 2023
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