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Home My WebLink AboutThe Brussels Post, 1888-11-9, Page 7Nov, 9, .I688, THE B i- USSELS POST acsuu¢ri="nirru- rerraniezeionnerq enovresti, NIO N A I S V- l l i LJ 1J .SSY 511114. Male',tNi)l:T6, hand, jest to eecure sante ready money? "I will see; I will look into my accounts but for the present I ant toe tired to dis- cuss anyleiug further." * The font:h day after her return. home, Mona was as usual in attendance. on her grandmother', mei Malting out a het of such necessaries its they might take with them, when two letters arrived by the sec- ond delivery. Che was from Sir Robert I" er d-- t (llama , vv ar c ii Inut a u5tu f n Mos,New, lw burgh's --and ufl'ored her a cottage which "Wed to be ()coupled by one of the curates of the parish, suggesting that she aright remove some of her furniture there before tho final crash carne, and adding much kindly counsel. The other was its a big, Then but unknown ]rind. Mona. turned to the signature—it was "Leslie Waring." She had altnnet forgotten )tint In the pain- ful excitement of the ]ustfew days, though the bitter remembrance or Lisle's advice novas left is. livery night when she had read or softly tacked her grandmother to sleep, when all was still and dark, she lived over again the fiery ordeal of that conversation in the tau, and looked, shuddering, at the dreary, lonely future, through whin!: she must do battle alone, To whom could site turn, on whom could she lean, when the man who scented to hang on her words --whose eyes spoke the warmest devotion, shrunk from her at the first mint eriugsuf the storm? But as to when. lt. Waring o'ouht declare himself, I or whether lie ever world, she gave no thought. Note the momentous question ou which she would be (called to decide stared her in the fare, and 1111et1 her soul with fear ,tad disgust. "1 cannot. read this letter to you, gran - Mei could yon rend it yourself?" "Why? What is it?" "It ie marked private, and is, I see, from Mr, Wasiak; do you remember him?" "Yes, 1 the Give it to me. Where are my glitcsesr" Mont set and watched tho hagoard, hope- less farce, a0 her grandmother perused the liues,, greauully growing less drawn, less despuudin,;, while her whole heart sunk lower and heat fester, "Thank Gad," murmured Mrs. New- burgh at last, heaving a deep sigh as she laid down the latter;' "all is not quite lost ti d; . � iii 4EVV - "A very slued latter,"stt{tZaSI't'e, i1 uettikttMelt. • yet," Mona did not speaks "Mona! read it," she continue/4 ""1 4l.i lose you know the contents; read ity I say,"' repeated Mrs. Newburgh, impatiently. Mona took it and rend with nervous ra- idit p D1Sr, Mos, Nitwnrnore—I venture to tronb a you with a letter, because I have twice tried in vain to see you or Miss •,Tosceiyn. .1 Chet it is awkward and diffi- cult to approach the subject on which 1 am about to address you, when I have had so few opportunities of making myself known, but 1 earnestly hope you will exonerate me from the charge or presumption and that Miss Joscelyn will not rause o let me explain myselt to her personally, It I dare to be somewhat premature, it is be- cause r believe I might be 01 some use in ,the present crinis, were I so fortuneteas to be accepted by the lady to whose baud I aspire. Indeed, under any circumstances, I should be proud to be of the smallest ser- vice to vote, and beg to asstne yon that I am ready to Inset your wishes in all ways. Looking anxiously for Your repply, "I stn y'otee faithfully, ' LssLln faithfully, "'A very gosh letter," said Mrs. ;slew - burgh, with a little gasp, looking with pit- iful, •imploringeyes at her grandchild. "1 Wender le he composed it himself.," 'observed Mona, quietly, Meati child, could you make up your mind to marry this young man? I have notioeel his atitniration of you, ITe writes like an honest gentleman, Let me hevo the eons - lent of knowing that you have escaped th'e , ""ills of poverty,' "Olt, grannie, it Is a tremendous pr1dt1'b pay for saletyl Mr. Waring may be a wet- ter man than I deserve; but I do not tare for him. Ile seems tome an awkward big boy—chill anti unformed." ""1 leave it to yourself. I am =eh a fail - 'aro, I daps not urge my advice on any one, 1 Was too urgent with your mother. Do as you will, Mena," ' "Ohl what ought 1 to do?)' exclemed Mona. "It is awful to think of spending one's whole life with a man to whom are indlIterentl It is cruel to reales the only efficient help for you, dear grannie." "Tltiuk of yourself—yourself otilyl; its for me, " libr voice grew reeble, ho`e words Mart/White, her heed fell beide, and 10 n. � MoLia o dismay she beehtnb in5tlt9aible, 411 Other doneiderattdns itloi'b forgotten it tea efforts fe recover hdr. '.Cho faithful t<nelnier Went 'Swiftly ter' doctor!, }olio alt salidd!te have roturiicd'ffrofkr his Morn- �'iing Maids and camett'trnoo,, 'it's°a bad buelnoes''these repeated, .ht- 'tacks," he said to %fenft, after he had emirs hie patient. "icer t1Yeves nee all ;w�tong. 9'ler mind must ho, tot at (nee abmohe* diet her out of thea(' '"W o expect Sfr Hobart Ivtir(trd tho ;e�fiy after to-morritas, and then WO shall deefcle What to dp,i1 `fdsitered Mona. "The soOtkr the bettor, my dear•'ymtng, Indy," retsxi!ned' rho dOetor, who knew Mrs, Nowbnrgh woIl, ' Sho Well go •oft in onb of these Attacks, or her mind will become seriously impOired. A."Woman of her ago can IttildIy stand the ijltoo]t of each, a 40 - verse, Noon her vtI,y quiet; else 54elms rowki' ttie beet thing for her to a' goal( i>, Re. net i60611,la c the Mush, 10 e Ic •"'• •"-'». ,t \:x11 ioua rn unto evening amnia seven." Mono's thoughts wore sorely trsubied as she kept watch fit her grandmother's bed- side, She knew Gen [ter marriage with Waring—or CV1,,1 11 , ;minimi of it, would he the best rent ::tire for her only friend, too \soman wttc land been a mother to h . who lute 'i ed and worked G> tuna.,o , means of ladependent e%isteire who had loved her after her own howl 1,1:' tenacious fashion. She recalled, with a swelling heart, her grnnclmetlor's watch- ful economy, her self' -denial in all tillage necessary to herself, She did not doubt than any niggardliness toward nor g'rnnd- child was for her future good. flow wise andjudicioush s had sc e been in her ti lance g of the) lives. luta. If shehad o : cl shown to strong es tendon to r her fir Y Yas soon as possible to the highest bidder, she only acted according t0 her lights—to the creed of her world and her period, Was 1t well for Mona to refuse the means of giving her a longer and brighter spell of life? Dare she incl the responsibility of her possible death? What would she gain —what had she to belie for, in an unmar- ried life, that she should reject this kind - natured man who only asked leave to de- vote his fortune to her services? With the tendency of youth to believe in tho perpe- tuity of the present, she thought that love with ]ler was over forever. She could never oeliove anyone again. She was not angry with Lisle, so much as disenchant- ed; her anger was more against herself, for nor weakness and credulity. A. soft tap at the door attracted her at- tention; she rose and cautiously opened it, "Madame Debrisay is below, wanting to speak with you, ma'am," said the woman who had replaced both cook and house- maid. "I should like to sco her; could you. stay for a little with Mrs. Newburgh while I go down -stairs." "Yes'm. I think ItIr. Wehner is just come in. I will ask him to answer the door, and some back directly," Braving given a few directions, Mona ran down -stairs lightly, well pleased to have a confidential taut with her visitor. Mme. Debrisay had been her greatest friend sebum she was at school in Paris. There she had been the junior musts mis- tress, and Mona bed been immensely at- tracted by the kindness and good -humor of the hard-working teacher. When Mona left, Mme. Debrisay moved to London, and with Mrs. Newburgh's help contrived to make a good connection as a music and singing mistress. She gave Mona lessons, or rather assisted her in practicing for an expensive master, and continued her warmest admirer and de- voted friend, Both Mme. DobrIsay and her late husband the captain, were British subjects, being natives of the Emerald Isle, but she deemed it wise to pose as a foreigner, with a view to obtaining a bet- ter position in her profession; and posses- ing dramatic instincts, she played her part artistically, speaking English with a for- eign accent, and even brokenly at times, a proceeding she justiiierl by asserting that the late Debrisay and herself were really Preneh, being descended from the Hugue- nots, who had fled from the persecutions of Loris the Fourteenth. The small fireless dining -room looked so dismal and dark that chill November af- ternoon; that plena called Wehner to light the gas, that she might see her ffi&11 la's face. "Ohl me dear child" (sounded like cholla) —her native accent came out when sho was much moved, "I have only just come bask from the sea -side, and heard some had news, so I ran round to get at the troth from yourself." '"You cannot have heard anything worse than the truth, Deb," returned Mona. "Poor grannie has lost everything, I scarcely know what is to beam= of us," "'plea des Dteux! you don't say so. Don't tell me you have to face the Isla* death! for that's What poverty is. There is no misfortune like it, and I know, Oh, my dear—my jewel, can you see no way out of it?" "No; no way I should care to try." "Hal there Is a blink of hope somew110re then? How is your dear good grandlnoth- er? How Ill she everbear'going dowu?'" "She is very uuweij and weak; I am quite frightened about hail "And no wonder " Mme, Debrisay nodule her veil, and sat ; down with a despondent air. She was a ' plump Woman, leader middle height, with dark eyes, iron -gray hair, a decidedly turnecl-up 000e, a wide, smiling mouth, Which was rarely quite closed over her be/wilfully white teeth, "Tell me all about everything." And Mona explained as far as her im- perfect knowledge permitted. "Those pronmoters and sc,unus who get enol• ..'i, t f, .t:a t1 t 1 el: 'gee , .1 leg ,,the+ eve. h a,. l• .,;,a 15.,]"'.ra be.. Rt.i, t1.: n yon, ..h- 'n +��•, ten 1 i:,mcitl0 W ein. the good 155,1,- r",•, 1 n ::; Int, i'1)vr; "Ill,lil tiller that their value 1 '1 tannin, 11y and by; then carves the et ..t t, Mei you 1,n+l all you peletese daw0d rte' 0} time vitae i .3 —and I'm afraid they will weak:, a c lr;st: sweep et poor deer hits, Novrburgi,h,'h money, that she wee SO fond Of, Not '1',gt?, that she was generous and hind, too s�^.I- ed.11:Trae, Debrisay, hastily cotetetilrg lwr- self., "I hill afraid they wild I tiy; Hansel to think What will betdrltt of be -kr what I udilght 10 do," rsturhiitl;l11ghhe, 4Atli a deep sigh. "I fear 1 aril very tai:`aloss. What tan I do to cash mo>ieyP}'_ "You eaMt mole�enedeu(Vhy, it is )lard enough for titose;sylio have been trained for work tb fiticl the means of existence; and you--" here' Ate found her handker- chiefnecesSts't "That I should live to hear yen,spoa�tlof such a tiring! Not that Cha Work itself is hard—an idle life Is the sors1,of hili—it's the looking for it, and the' fdiltiros, and the waiting, No, my dOar,ydu must make up your mind and marry some viae rich man." ' Moult laughed, but her lough was not Merry. "Dear Debi you aro as imaginative 'sv ever) Nice rteh men aro not plentiful, nor are they ready to marry ponnitees girls," "Yes, Englishmen are, And you lost not be too hard to please, I renomnber that night I went to Mrs, Vincent's soii'eemus- feaId, to play the accompaniments, thorn was a fine, elegant, disttniluc matt talking to you, and watching you, 1 asked you about him after, but you would only laugh, Yon told me his name, but Ivann81 think 01 11," ")Mrs, 'Vireent's party," . betel. Motto, blushing. "Thot ;vas a 'panted of. very elite gontlemen';thero," tete added, ova, 0/7r - ,I,,,,,,.MVWyA.heisceuRR7 }15P G stitaar .._^w wet) one remem Dema that nitaetut evening --what a thrill of pain tlto mention of 1t sent through her heart? "Ay! but this olio was inure them polite. Ile was a captain—Captain 1.!e1', tAatt's it. Now, why wouldn't you take htmt°" "Jemmies he never asked rue for nue thing," said Mona, nervinghorself toepoulc lightly and smile carelessly. "I suspect he is a roan who wants a great deal for money and has very little," "Oh! be Isn't badly oft! I know they were talking of hitt, and of a rich widow who wanted to marry him, and Aire, Vin- cent said he was too independent to be a fortune-hunter—that he had sin: or 85001: hundred a year, to say nothing of his pay." "Th t le not being rieireturned Mona, trying to evade the subject, but making se mental note of the fact that Lisle was trot poor; thou a sudden impulse prompted her to confide Icor difficulties to her shrewd, sympathising friend, "But I am in a pain- fully undecided state of mind about a really rich man who has written to my grandmother asking leave to 'pay his ad- dressee tome,' as old-fashioned people say," "Thank God!" exolaimed Mmo. Debrisay, devoutly, "And will lie do, dear?" "A week ago I should have said certain- ly not! Now," her voice broke, "when I think of poor grannies- wistful eyes when I hesitated, I feel I ought not to refuse! Then she fainted away, as if site could bear uo more, flow can I rob her of her last hope, I, who have been so much trouble? And yet, the idea of marrying this man is —horrible!" Her lips trembled, the long pent-up de- spair and anguish of her heart would be no longer controlled. Covering her face, she buret info tears, struggling hard to suppress the bitter sobs which n oulel come, Why, my darliu', is he a monster?" asked Mme. Debrisay, dismayed. "No—o," said Mona, when she could a•- tieulate. "Ile is a good-natured, well- meaning young man, rather tiresome and heavy, 1 used to deuce with him last sea- son, and he called here a few thrce. Then ho was staying at the Chase (oh! it was such a pteesant party!), but he slid not seem to notice me much. Then this morn- ing same a letter from him expressing a wish to marry me." "Small blame to him!" ejaculated Mme, Debrisay. "And are you quite sure he is rich?" "I know nothing about it, but grannie seems quite sure." "Is he a fright?" "Well, no. Lady Mary thinks him rath- mr hanctseme; but I have seen some quite >eh nzen 1 thought better looking." "('11 est: yen just one question more; lon't think I want to pry into your heart —1,11l, do you love any one else?" "N,+, D,0, I <10 not," said ldoua, believ-ing she spoke the truth, and meeting her I friend's eyes steadily. "Then, my deer, you marry him out of hand, and turn your back onmisery. That matt is the right sort; bo stands by you in the time of trouble; before a year is out you will be ready to eat him—mark my words!" "If I could hope Co do sol" said Mona, with a deep sigh. Ah! Mona, my dear child! it's better to rind love growing after marriage than to I watch it die out, and rake the ashes to- gother, and try and try to keep it alight, end burn up your own heart in vain! Take this honest soul, and make him happy, end you'll be happy yourself. What's bis ' came?': concluded Mme. Debrisay, ab- rctptly. Leslie Waring—" "Hem! 1 never heard it before—and I ! hear a Iot of gossip. Is he a new man?" "I fancy he is, but I know very little ! about him." "You are looking 111, very ill, dearl I suppose you never go out? No? I thought not. Now my pupils have not come to town yet, so while I have time I'll come over and stay with Mrs. Newburgh, so that you may take a little walk; nothing like fresh air for keeping the nerves in tune." "Thank you very much—and now I am afraid I roust go back to granule." "Well, God bless youl Mince you write use word to -morrow that you have agreed to marry Mr, Waring. There's my ad- ' (tress, Ain't my nese cards pretty?" Marre1n 111',•—#Ea, Sleep partially restored Airs, ttves*ilitrgh; but next morning her granddaughter ob- ' served that she true restless and watchful --especially of herself. The doctor for- bade her leaving her bed, its the weather was extremely cold, and it thill might be fatal, When Mrs, Newbiiigb' s toilet de Int was made, and her pilleirs properly arranged, Mona took her svorkltnd sat down beside her—feeling gilite sure that her grand, mother was rank.",ng up her mind to speak, Tide chartge in't a somewhat abrupt dom. lttoering,pld tlioman touched Iter—it was 'such a Confession of utter defeat, "You•ivlll bo glad to see Sir Hobert, 'grattijlis," elm began. "Ile will give us 'some e,'osd advice," "l"ot hall so good as Mr. Oakley can," ^relearned grannie, querulously. "Ile is a asor0 cotmtry gentleman, and nothing can save me from total ruin. What troubles me is that letter of Mr. Waring's, nought to be answered. I think I could manage to write, if you bring me the large blot- ting -book." "Yes, of course, it ought to be:answered," returned Mona, very gravely: "But hotel" asked Mrs, Nctvbtrgix, "It you refuse to see him, all Is over. 51 you consent, it implies aoaeptance." "Not quite, grannie, I have lath 'think- ing all night long What I ought to do— what I can do. It seems impse/ able to de- cide. I believe Leonid maturity my mind' better if I bed some conversation with Mr. Waring, I ata so indifferent, that I do not think his presence Would even confuse Me." "Tet him plead egos 'own cause," saki Mrs. Newburgh, ateettei>ingput Icor hand Iter pen and paper, 4'11.0 induce yam to take a differas t'v'ieW, I am sure." Mix di0leulty she Waled a few lines, oxcusls1g their brevity on the seers of illness, and asking hint Weal). on the following , day, when Miss „ioeeelyn waded radoido "You reust•llllilrees it, dear, Ile does net know ycmr•hasul." "It is canto consequence," said Mona; re- moving the writing ]materials; and taking out an envelope, she sat down to direct it. "It Is notnaturai, Mona, to 'be 00 cold and indifferent, Yob I have net deteoted any lilting on your part for any other Man, except, ituleed-." " vo, Ole!' interrupted Mena gniekty. "1 bseSe' hb proforoltpe bran one rest] ne- t -erred .11e0 (maria +r 1 tae,, "neon, you 1rt1110v0 young War- ing when lie is your husband?" "Ohl yes, 1 dare eat t shall. Now, gram- me, I atm going 1„ tr •t,l yeti the paper, try tool listen --ret may net your brain militia" "I will, Mn i , nn, I will, because you have given mea little hope." The rest of the refill droar rtes. -ate e Mona moved slowly pefbapa hut firmly, los if keenly alive to the work she had it do. Irate in the afternoon a min! se r+ brought her, "Captain St. John Linde . 4h hussars." She thought an loitn:tt peat:lied a line ea it, "tics sorry! I cru It'll letv0 Mrs. Newburgh," and send it barN to him, Captain Lisle as not the only vis for tc Chem s tract that day.Lateh the afternoon, Sir Robert Everard was announced "1' cannot see him," murmured Airs Newburgh. "Yon must go, Mona—ex plain how incapable I feel." Sir Robert was a thorough country gen Homan. He seemed to bring an atmos phare of the woods and fields with him in to the chill, dull dining -room, which hat a deserted air. A middle-aged, middle sized man, plump and rosy, with pepper nod -salt covered muttdi,-chop whiskers looking always as if he had came fres) from a bath, His shirt front was the snowiest, his clothes the glossiest, his voice hada melIowring in it, which atone( for the loud, authoritative key in which h, usually spoke. "'Tach!" he exclaimed, taking Monnh hand in one of his, and patting it with the other,"how is the poor grannie? 1 pro test I never was more cut up than whoa ; found low desperate slyo had been 'twin died! She would stick to the ship, inside of all that Oakley or 1. could say. The fes solvent shareholders tracked out sem time aero, and the rest aro mostly man a straw, s0 they'll not leave Mrs. ewburgl a rap," "Poor dear grannie is very, very misers bee, Sir Robert. It is curious that so clue er a woman should have believed in wha many of her friends and advisers doubted,' "She was always obstinate, my dear devilish obstinate! HoweverI have a bi- of good news. A friend of mine wants tc buy the house, lie will give a decent Burn too; and I want your grandmother to con say the money to me for you, or some legal jugglery of that kind. Go, ask her if she will be able to see me and Oakley to -mor row, that we may settle about it. It war boa something between you and want," "I will go and tell her," saidbbona, hest ening away, "Will it be enough to save me from the necessity of marrying any one?" she thought. In a moment she returned and said— "My grandmother will be glad to set you to -morrow at twelve." "All right; just sit down and write a line to Oakley, asking him to meet me here. We will have a consultation, then We'll see what is best to be clone; wa must secure whatever money Mrs. Newburgh gets los the house from the claws of the liquids• tors, Lady Mary wants her—both of you —to come down to the Chase," "Thank you so much; but I am afraid i1 will be some time before grandmother can be moved," returned Mona, who shrunk from the idea of visiting the Chase again. "You world be all the better for being turned out to grass yourself, nay dear," he resumed, kindly. "It's hard hues for a young thing like you to be plunged luta such trouble, Why, you are not as old as Evelyn." Sir Robert Everard talked on in his kindly, easy way while Mona wrote the note to Oaksey. Mr. Oakley obeyed the summons, Mrs. Newburgh, revived by her new hopes, was up and dressed when Sir Robert and the solicitor arrived. She had, with the help of Wehner's arm, descended to the draw- ing -room; but she looked like a ghost of her former self. Thenensued a long, melancholy discus• slon, at which Mrs. Newburgh insisted hex granddaughter should be present, and from which the latter gathered that it was of no use endeavoring to save anything out of the wreck—that whatever the un fortunate shareholders possessed must pass into the cluiches'*of Oompauy's areal, tors; a call had already bean made, and would be followed by others, until all was swallowed up, It was therefore deemed more prudent for Mrs. Newburgh to reside in the heuee she had bought, than to move to another for which she would have to pay rent. Her income had of course been narrowed to a miserable eighty or ninety pounds a year, and oven on that she could not long count. "You see, Mone, the condition to which we aro reduced," said Mrs. Newburgh, when their friendly counselors, with grave fa00S and kindly expressed sympathy, had withdrawn. "I purposely asked you to be '.+Wh'e'at :; (etas uoefftlfehee, that you might t;"leretand the trite state of the ease. I helve yon 50 draw your own conclusious,- No, Clear, do mit re -open the discussion, I lama to your 01511 common sense anti right feeling, I am quite exhausted. Ring for Wollner to help ore to my room. I can see no nue else to-day—no one—remember, ' Mou.aJi 't'h'us eat off: from, remonstrance, Moha felt mho was left to her fate, and Mr, War - trig; grannie was resolved to leave the do, Liston—the responsibility—to her, Mrs. Newburgh had not long returned to her own room, and had just taken soyue refreshment, when Ain Weriug's card was brought A strong feeling of humiliation and disgust rose In Mona's beast; the'Oalm indifference of Wlaieh she boasted the pre- vious day failed haat the moment df trial. "Do not keep the poor youngmatt wait- ing " sold Mr's, Newburgh, "It is frightlnl, having'to godelibdratel'y to Hecate an offer of marriage!" cried Monis, ettttting up and walking to•tl%o win- dow ingtelul'of the dbor, "I'thbnght you'Wonld not Mind,;: "I'iltdttgiit 80; biitI will go, dear gran- nie." Slice oashe!bhek'quickly, kissed the old 'Woman's cheek, and disappeared. Mr. Waring stood on the hearth -rug. He teas not so tall as Lisle; his broad shoul- ders and trouser short neck further dimin- ished his height. lie was britt more for strength titangrace, and though not fat, was, it must be admitted, fleshy, Isis hair was dark, almost black, abundant and wavy, and his broad, goose-ltuinored face was redeemed from absolute plainness by a pelt. of fine, soft, dark•brown eyes. Ile was In general ruddy and fresh -looking, bat the excitement, indeed Omay be eat/ the terror of the moment, had bianolted his emits, till he metllona's oyes, When 'ho blushed furiously. She Hesitated after She hail OreaSecl the t siOaltold, and closoti the .door, standing Lail, Stately, lnnmtely sell, In rite almates& morning -caress ut• black silk and cashmere 1�p she possessed, a luta scarf pinned round alar throat with an old-fashioned brooch, pp her bright hair turned loosely buck our - mounting her fair paleface like an aureole. "1 am so much, o very much obliged to you for seeing me!" exrhllmed Waring, starting forward to take her hand, which lie shook nervously, and dropped immedt•- ately. Moue murmured something, he did not hear what, and sat down beeide the dre. Waring resumed his position nu the hearth-rng. Au awful parsed ensued. Mona gazed at the glowing coals, and 0.,( thought of Lisle's expressive voice and perfect, easy self-poesessiou. Waring cud- geled his brain 105 001118 suitable phrase to open the dreaded yet longed for conversa- tion. The result vas arestless changeof attitude, and the words, "Awful nasty weather." His voice was strong and harsh, "I hope you took no cold on your journey to town," "Not a cold; I had a slight chill," re- turned e turnecl Mona, who had some sense of hum- or, "You are aroused, I dare say," he cried, Iris power of speech unlockeclby the magic ) of her smiling eyes; "you must be amused, A to hear me blundering like an idiot about the weather, when my heart and mind are Idled with hope and fear. Tell me, Mise Joscelyn, did Mre. Newburgh show you my lettere" "She did-" ".Anil will you—will you let nee tell you bow awfully I was taken with yon the very first time I ever saw you at that Richmond dinner Lady Mary Everard gave last year —before you were presented, you know?" "Were yon there?" risked Monn, dream- ily. "011, I don't suppose you saw mo. I never can push. Young Dearer(' and some other fellows were round you all the time; but I have thought or youever since, Do you know, last season's balls were the first I ever went to. I thought they were all rot. I like the racing set better. I used to go only for the chance of meeting you— and you would scarcely ever dance with me, To be sure, I am a stupid beggar about dancing." "I think I always gave some dances," said Mona, rather at a lose what to reply, "Oh, you were always civil!" exclaimed Waring, taking a little cup from the man- tel -piece and turning it round and round as if examining the pattern. "Not like some girls, who are killing sweet, or snub you right and left. You are gentle and grave, I used to think I should never have "Oh, you were alu'al/s eivti" exclaimed Warlslg. the pltiok to ask you to marry me, bat: —a —you see, when Mrs. Newburgh came to grief, I was ashamed of not offering at least to be of use to you." "And are you content that I should RC- sept ssept you as a refuge from the ills of pov- erty?" asked Mona, looking gravely, calm- ly at hitn. "I am," said Waring, after a minute's pause, putting down the cup, and speaking more collectedly. "It's not pleasant, of course, but I have faith in you. If you promise to be my wife, you will try to like me, and I'll try to please you with all my soul and with all nay strength, as Some- body says in the Bible, I think," added Waring, to enforee his professions—his re- liglous studies were slight, and somewhat mixed, "And it will go hard if I don't get you to love me, tml,'se- unless," his large brown eyes grew imploring—"yon care for some other fallow! Gus Cod's sake don't toy you love nay other fellow! I never fanciest you did," "I do not, indeed," Her tone carried conviction to her hearer, "Then—then, illtss Josselyn, could Yon make tip your mind to marry me? I think yon night grow to like use by and by, and I need not say 1 wattle he dt*lighted to carry out any plan, any," With emphasis, "khat you think would be best for Mrs. Newburgh's comfort," "It is a tremendous question to answer," said Mona, hesitating, Yet feeling she mast accept him, There was no other way left, and she was touched by his unaffected Iturnility, "Yesterday or the clay before 1 looked ort you as a stranger; to -clay I am th decide if Tam to pens my whole life with yen 'or not. I must say what -sounds un- kind, that I do not love you, that if this great misfortune had not befallen Mrs. Newburgh, I should probably have refused yott--so I do not deserve your love." "But I cannot holy giving it to you! And 1t you do make up your mind to take me, you might just let me forget that you were driven to it." "les; I am very ungracious. There is another circumstance I ought to mention; You may not like to knots that my name is not Joscelyn. My grandmother always called me by my second baptismal name; I pm really Mona Craig, My father tuns of very humble origin, I believe; and Mrs, Newburgh never forgave my mother for marrj iug hint; but 1 dearly loved him as n little chill, though I have forgotten what he was like." ".1 don't caro what yetis name is, as long as yon will mho mine. T am no great thing as regards family myself. 1 have heard something of Airs. Newburgh's whim before," "Is it possible?" "I don't fancy that anything is asecret" l said Waring. "Perhaps it is not. fate to 1 press you for alt answer to -clay. But you see Limo files, and 1 to be able to tell Sir Robert iclyernrcl that 1lhavea right t0 diScnss With film what is best to be done, 1 Donst you fancy that I would hold bank )because you refused ale. Whether you. any sea or no, I Wedel ask notht,,e hatter 115 aI: 5.0114005015,), 7 a� Oq THAN_ F` P3 CD i73 0 1-) .l CD tlJ E..,a 0rn�i� CD 2D 14 00 w oo 0 CD 0-1}ter 1 (