Things could not be much
worse with me than they are now. I think I would like a change,
and may have a very decided one." Then seizing her hat, she left
her mother to herself.
Mrs. Mayhew sank into a chair, and a heavy frown gathered on her
brow as she thought deeply for a few moments.
"That girl means mischief," she muttered. "I wonder if she is
holding any communication with Sibley? I always thought Ida would
take care of herself, but she'll bear watching now. She hasn't
been like herself since she came to this place. I must consult
Ik at once. Things are bad enough now, heaven knows; but if Ida
should do anything disgraceful, I'd have to throw up the game." (Mrs.
Mayhew was an inveterate card-player, and her favorite amusement
often colored her thoughts and words.)
Stanton was found smoking and pretending to read a newspaper in
a retired corner of the piazza, but from which, nevertheless, he
could see whether Miss Burton made her appearance during the morning.
Mrs. Mayhew explained her fears, and the young man used very strong
language in expressing his disgust and irritation.
"A curse upon it all!" he concluded. "Since she must, and apparently
will gratify this low taste, can you not return to New York, patch
up the fellow into some sort of respectability and marry them with
a blare of brazen instruments that will drown the world's unpleasant
remarks?"
"That would be better than the scandal of an elopement," mused
perplexed Mrs.
Pages:
353
354
355
356
357
358
359
360
361
362
363
364
365
366
367
368
369
370
371
372
373
374
375
376
377