Princess Mary's gift book.

Page 36

A MODEL SOLDIER PRINCESS MARY‘S GIFT BOOK "Must you go. dear? I'm so sorrv. because I wanted vou to see her. Shes quit.) a nice {Q‘H‘liltl fact. a really sweet little soul. Oh. yes. of course. I ve plans tor her.‘ she continued. as it in response to a Icinaik bytlie other lady. " I in alraid she has not many opportunities; the father is a‘ struggling artist and thcv don't move in society. of course. . I in thinking ot --~in fact. I ve made up my mind to marry her to Archibald. ' I " Lucky Archibald l " observed the other ladv. to marry him, and I won't. In fact, I'm " 53 She was going to say " engaged," but she was really too angry to confide in Lady Hawborough "-l'in resolved not to do so. I am afraid you will think me very ungrateful, and that-well, that this is the end of our friendship." "I think you are stating the situation very accurately," said Lady Hawhorough. whose face was exceeding red. " I'm sorry," said Kitty, rather wistt'ully and sadly. her resentment waning; for the old lady had been very kind to her, and Kitty saw that v - i > 'r 1X65, I think he "Ill be. N assented Lady‘ Ilawboroutrli. with a even this absurd intention of hers sprang from a benevolent desire iglllllrilcill? slhe‘always exhibited when disposing ol the late of those n 1 I». "1». 01 ‘161: I'IC'IS a good boy. a little Wild. perhaps. but really to benefit her protcgcc. "I want to thank you for all your goodness to me, and Good-bye, Lady Hawborough." H ‘0 1.11111 111 inn. and. its time he was married. I'm :1 little anxious She held out her hand, but Lady Hawborough appeared not to see .liliolit him, because lies soufso inipetuous. like all the IIawborouq‘hs." e1 lad} ships ‘v‘ldcarest lricnd could not have accused her olliinpctuosptly'; and Ixitty could almost see the other lady smile " Ic is the sorto'io* y'who " ' might '' loie tall * "ltll in " .1 'i or a ballet a baiinaid l ' and' (rirl marry her. D "Then ' r this .. . .yo 1mg I ‘ ' doesnt c lam . ' come Within ' ' tli e ( " 1teU ‘ 11 " it, and Kitty got outside the "stately and desirable mansion" and hastened home to enjoy a good cry. undcsirablcs!" \Vhen she made her appearance in the studio next morning. she found her father seated on his stool in an attitude of profound dismay, his long figure bowed, his rumpled hair clutched in his hands. his painting-brush between his teeth. A l Of On the dais stood the wounded soldier, his face flushed, an expression Oh ,. ‘hflmmd will "suit dear said 1 , no . 'i .1 _ .. I i.ad‘ . 'i ' JIawl ' )OlOtlhll. ‘ rr " Shes 1' ‘ guitca i - lady - "and 1, d ' 1 . 1 \ei} nice}. .I am very pleased with him; he has ecn ping so \i ell lately : quite distinguished hiinscll‘: you‘ve heard. of (ouislewfi Ilt ‘53}: in tlhe papers. I am going to look after him." \I y 901a 415101' een‘1 istcninrr had been d ‘ . g witlil ‘ ' . )inning - andtwitthmg late " 1 ‘ lips. ' She SI _ t .1 11 11s 10 as to be incapable ol carrying out her desire to ‘ l ' . . ‘ (r 0. tile ( 001' and ,'Opilnig dcclaic her presence. and escape from the position I :11: eljxe511011peil'; but sllie recovered sullicientlv to rise and confront A room. . ' a v)or011a‘1 the K4 as , 011 iavimr s‘iid farewell 1, ,1 1 e tohcrni she entered ' " s ' tox,. ‘ of keen discomfort all over him. "Here, look here, Kitty I" wailed her distracted parent. "Just listen to what this young man's been telling me? He says that you and he have got engaged I Heavens ! " " Quite true, father," said Kitty calmly, but with a blush. " Oh, my goodness! And he tells me that he's poor, and has nothing to live on excepting his pay and a small allowance," " That's true also, I believe, father," said Kitty. " I'm sorry ; but it can't be helped. You‘ll have to paint me as "The Mendicant's . H ~ ‘ I *1 did 'tu :3 ' l1},y my dea1. said her ladysliip, almost embarrassed, "I Ilride.' " " Don't joke about it, you foolish, abandoned girl!" groaned Mr. Thorold. ‘ n" I no" that ylou were here: have vou been waiting long ? " 'I ", ,. .. .what ' c r 1 IO 0110' her hluntlv, l\itty said," replied you llcal Iihxsnliug P'llle face ‘ ( . V ,. . , u . , 1 > ‘ Yet it's ‘ugt ., ‘Clvelllul ashiiig. I couldn't help listening. I - m ‘ sorry. have unl . 1:1: net, Because, Lady Hawborougli, I dont think you 1 2 . ' rigi o- 0 (iispose r . of me in the Via . 1, ' ' ' 011 lllt‘ ' i m-I don't know who ‘Archibald ' is." l l Ultlcrl (lOINC When"Archibald qu U- is1 .' n3)' nephew, i v '7 sii'i'd 't‘ Lady II;iiyl_)oi-oiigli Stlfl'ly; ' and mmfl‘fl y] a" )oiough was stilI, the common or kitchen pOlLGI‘ 1 "I‘ll? uit1 her was a soft and flexible article. "My nephew and 161]."11 e is a very good and brave young man." e may be a saint for all I care," said Kitty; "but I don't want " But you don‘t want me to cry about it, Dad dear," said. Kitty, going to him, taking the brush from between his teeth, and putting her. arm round his neck. " Haven't you got anything to say for yoursell ?' she asked, addressing the discomfited young man. "Not a word," he returned. "Said all I've got to say. " Yes," she retorted. and devoted parent. And look . at the effect of it ! " " You've broken the heart of an affectionate You're a wicked young man-0h. (lad dear, do get 11p and go 011 with your work! You know as well as [do that you‘re not going to make us unhappy? Say. ‘ Bless you, my children 1 "WM! Mncehl l!