HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Brussels Post, 1888-11-23, Page 7Nov, 23, 1888,
THE BRUSSELS posT
'MONA'S
G' OIGE,1
t3Y:1111S. AbleXANDER,
_ :ere tette: la.e.t,• I
her lips quivering.
"Very well. Glee it to ine. Oh, yet;
quite right," glancing at the tuldress. •
"You Mott keep him informed of your
whereabouts. Ws hard times for him,
poor fellow, all this delay." The long ,
drive to Westbourne Villas passed almost
in silence on Mona's side, To Mme, Dab.
lsay silence was abhorrent, and she poured
out much information respecting the
changes she had made in her dwelling—
the additional pupils promtedd her next
tnontb. "I tun glad I have the rest of that
one comparatively free. I can give a little
time to you, my dear child, And here we
•are, thank Cod! You will bo the better
01 11 up 01 toa,
Mona was, indeed, thankful to have, so
far, accomplished her purpose as to be un-
der the repro( her only sympathetic friend;
but her heart fainted within her tit the
thought of the confession she had to make.
If Mine. Debrlsay refused to harbor her,
what was she to do? Meantime that busy
woman flitted to and fro. Sbe stirred the
already glowing fire, made the kettle boil
up, infused the tea, and cut brown bread
and butter with immense energy.
"There now," said madame, placing a
small table with a cup of tea and plate of
broad and butter beside her young guest,
"take that, and get warmed. Then you
say your Rao, for I can see your heart is
full, .l's like a ghost you are—an uneasy
ghost, dear, that heen't contrived to de-
liver its message."
"I have no dale: of it," returned Mona,
with a faint smile. "You describe what I
Mel myself to be exactly." •
Mme. Debrisay looked at ber with kind
compassionating eyes, and stirred her own
tea rellectively—romaining silent for an
unusual length of time.
"Now," she said, when the refection was
finishea—"now, come, open your heart to
me, dear, for I know you are hi trouble."
"There, now, take that and (jet warmed."
"I am, indeed," returned Mona, in &
voice that faltered And shook in a way far,
more touching than the most violent burst
of tears "I have determined to break off
my engagement!"
"And you within a day of being his wife,
if your dear sainted grandmother hadn't
been swept away in a minute) No, I won't .
listen to you. It's mad, and bad, and not
like yourself at all! Who'd have thought
you'd 10 00 cruel and false? I must say it,
dear! Indeed, I knew there was misfor-
tune coming, since 111(3(1 your vote. Alli
my poor Waring! you deserved better at
..er, hands!"
"I knew you would be angry," said Mona
sadly, "hut I cannot help it. I cannot
marry him, or any one. Life is too hard!"
"Alt) then do you think you'll make it
softer by keeping single? I know better.
Weis cruel to a single woman that's poor,
and pretty, and delicately reared, as you
are. How do you mean to live? What
can you do to earn a crust?"
"Not much, certainly; but I have the
will, and I ran persevering; and don't
speak so cruelly, Deb, for I feel heart-
broken."
"God forgive me!" gal madame, solemn-
ly. "He knows I would share my last loaf
with yea, and will, too; but I am angry
with you, my darling. You aro flying in
the face of Providence, and driving an ex-
cellent young inan to an early grave."
"I do not think that, Dob. Nay, I sup-
pose in a month or two he will be in love
with someone else., I do not think he is
the sort of man who will destroy himself
for an ideal!"
"Toll me the truth, Mona, my dear child.
Are you in love with another—some poor
creature you can't marry?"
"No; in troth I am not. There is not a
man on the face of the earth at this mo-
ment I would willingly marry."
"I believe yon, for I never knew yon
speak falsely yet; but there is something
under it all I can'e make out. Now, listen
to me, If yon over cared for your dear,
good, genereus grandmother, don't be in a
hurry; just say your prayers and think,
Believe me, it's awfully hard to pick up a
living, especially wheti you haven't any-
one to take yon by the hand. Take a day
or two to think what you're doing."
"X have done it, Deb," stretching outher
hantl, and laying it on her friend's plump
arm, "You posted the letter to him your-
self, just 11011'.")
"•Ald that was baso of you—base, to take
my hand to deal the blow. I'll never fer-
give you, never!"
"Yes, you will—you must," rising and
kneeling beside her, while she clasped her
arms round her 'waist. "I have no one in
the world to turn to but you, Deb, and
cannot marry this man—I cannot, indeed!"
"Don't be too sure of that, Now tellme,
have you told Lady Mary?"
"Not yet. I thought X would wait till
had his answer."
"That's right, He'll come and speak his
answer hitneelf, or I am much mistaken,
aral—ivell, we'll wait and see what it will
be."
"Ile will not hal me to my word?"
"I am not so sure. Any way, I'il talk no
more 10 5051 about hini this day. You are
jI(8; tired and done for. We'll leave the
matter to Heavell; and you must rest, Do
5011 1'0100031101 what you said in 'yollt 1011
.1001(5 letter?"
"Yee. r told Mtn 1 was driven by my
ceetichnother's position to accept Iran; that
I was heartily etherne0 or flaying mattea ;
him; that 1 bit it WM only just to tell him
that I dld not, and eoilld not, love him es
01 wife ought to bee.; that 1 deeply deplored
the pain 'I gave awl humbly begged
Ids forgiveness; (hut 1 thanked him for his
waxiness, and )(I.(V1 that be would fur -
get Mr, and SoOti w. happy with some ege
more worthy than myself,"
"Aid 1 know --the initial sort of thing.
It would serve you right if he never re-
plied, Ali! Mona, Mona! this is the big-
gest mistake ever 50(0 211(140. Still, I'll not
tura any back on you, my poor ehlld, and
may be—may be your luele won't leave you
yet."
5110 Og
The change from the loxratous elegance
of the Chase to Mme. Debrieay's London
lodgings, was about as great no Call be
imagined.
Yet the house was not mean, The
"widow Werner). " Who owned it had a Cer-
tain refinement. Indeed of the usuel ex- .
tremelV unlaced and unkempt "slayer."
she had nn elderly servant of neat and im- ,
• `
g
years, and Who Was rather 0 terror to aftne.
Debrisay.
The lodger who occupied tho opper tioor
was a steady elderly city clerk, of remark-
able punctuality and precision. StIll the
tone of the homely dwelling was new to
Mona, who had been accustomed to the
aristocratic, if Barrow, nicety of her grand-
mother's home, or the distinction of hor
relatives' establiehments.
Fatigue made her sleep so profoundly
that it took some moments of waking con-
sciousnms before she recognized where she
wv.s. The sound of someone moving re-
minded her that the was sharing Mme.
Debristiy's room, mid presently that lady
came out fully dressed 11001 10111111(1 a large
Japanese screen, which converted one cor-
ner into it dressing -closet.
"And how (11(1 you sleep, dear?"
"011, well; too we'll" exclaimed Mona.
"Well, stay where you are. ru bring
yon a cup of coffee and a bit of toast, for I
have a long, busy day before me."
She hurried away, and soon returned
with n fragrant cup of cafe au Tait and a
slice of buttered toast.
"I'm off now, make yourself comfortable
deur; there are tame books in the 'next
room; with splendid stories in them, they
make your hair stand on enol, and forget
tho time. Good-bye, dear."
Mona dressed slowly, and want into the
sitting -room. It was a stormy, wet day.
The lire bad been hastily loaded with coal,
0)11(1 1(0(1 succumbed to the loud. The hand-
bell evoked a tall, hard -featured woman,
with thick, grizzled hair, a spotless cap,
and a dark print dress.
"Tho fire's gone out?" she repeated, in a
high-pitched tone. "I dare say madame
thinks ooals '11 light of theirselves; she
just pitches them on, whether there is a
spark alive or not. I'll fetch a few sticks
miss."
The fire burning, the bean swept, and
a few tidying touches bestowed on the
room, made a vast improvement.
Mona threw fierself into an arm -chair,
and tried to think what was beet to do.
The previous evening she had posted a few
lines to the Chase, announcing her safe
arrival; she might therefore postpone her
next letter for twenty-four hours.
Sho could hardly expect an answer from
Waring till the next day. He was staying
—not very far away—with the gentleman
who had been his guardian, and for whom
be had a great regard.
She strove to swallow a morsel or two of
the dinner set before her; she tried to
gather the sense of an agouizing talo and
interest herself in the tremendous perse-
cutions of the heroine. All in vain. Time,
however, 00315 Telling On; she might soon
expeetMine.Debrisay. Four o'elockstruck
when she bad gone into the bed -room to
Beek for some piece of fancy work, when
the sound of the front door -bell, followed
by a step in the next room, made her hope
that her kind hostess had returned. Going
quickly in to greet her, she beheld Jane,
the servant, in the act of lighting the gas,
while by the window, looking pider—stern-
er than she thought he could, stood. Leslie
Waring!
"Good morning," he said, stiffly, "I
thought 1 would find you in."
This while Jane pulled down the blind
and retired. Then he made a step forward
to where Mona stood, motionless—her
trembling haxcls looked together, her eyes
wide -opened, gazing at him.
"Do you seriously mean what you have
written here?" he asked, in a thick, Un-
steady Voice, as he drew forth and opeued
her letter.
"Yes," she saitl; "I do,"
"Then I have a right to ask the reason
of this sudden change. What have I done
to deeerve it?"
"You have deserved nothing bile good
and gratitude from me," faltered Mona,
sinking into a chair, aS sho felt her limbs
unable to support her.
"Then why do you desert ree?"
"I 014(1 5011 inmy letter—the whole truth.
I cannot love 501.1 US a wife ought to love."
"We agreed to get over that difficulty.
I hoped to win your affection if you were
mite free from any other attachment."
"And I ant, Mr. Waringl There is not a
man in existence whom I would aoaept at
this moment 13111"—she was growing
calmer under the desperate necessity of
explanation—"I also told you—what, in-
deed, I blushed to write—that my grend-
mother's wish, her Overpowering need, in-
duced nie to consent to vhat, otherwise, I
should not have accepted."
"I understand. Then, Mona,yon have
treated mo very badly. You toolt ivlien.
I was necessary to yon; you throw me aside
when you think you can do without mol
And 1 love you sol I thought I was going
straight into hen,von when you promised
to be my wife I I had faith in yourpromiee
to try and love mo; and, after all, you were
Only sacrificing yourself to maintain your
grandmother—a sacrifice you gladly escape
as soon 108 50(1 cant You have broken your
contract!"
"You aro justly angry. I cannot defend
myself. But, do you not think you will be
happier with some woman fairer wid bet-
ter than 111110, who will love yon heartily,
tunl—"
"No one will ever be so 13111 0123(1 good. as
you 000011 110 11101 and as you reject me, how
am I to believe any olio will love Me? You
had every meson to love me, yet you could
not"
"Love cannot; reasen,"
"Than 5011 know what love itt?" cried
Waring, sharply. "Them le something
still 110 50111 iteertwhiell yott will not speak
Out! Ali, ,Monal Why can /net pima) yen?
Why 1010 3000 00 Cruel? You haVe dogrel/6d
my lifel
There 11010 Ma Passionate despair lo
voice emit Ziona Was protollilaty darrrita
She felt guilty, culpable, to the last de-
gree; and wavering in her resolution—wish-
ing, if postale, to do the right, thing, the
stammered—
"If—if you think it worth aerepting, I
will retract that letter, and—and de 1115
best."
'Nol'' Interrupted Waring, with a Mani-
ty of which the did not imagine hint cepa-
1)10, "You cannot endure ine! I do not
want a victim! I love you too well for
that. lint, ali, Mona! it is an agony to
think yon will have to Mee the roughness
of life! Whether you love me or not—
whether you. desert Me or not—I would
gladly give half I possess to shield you
from all you dare to face. Promise you
will let me help you if yon need help—
promise, Mona!"
"Surely," she cried, greatly touched—
"surely Heaven has cursed you with some.
thing 01 31 wornan's heart, or you would
not feel so tenderly and generously for one
who has pained and wounded youl I feel
your superiority, and I humbly bog your
forgiveness. I will alwaacs think of you as
a true gentleman. May you And greater
happinese than I could bestow. Here—
take this back!"
"Pray keep it" be said, as she held out
her engagement -ring ot diamonds.
"1 cannot, Mr. Waring; you must take ft
bacic!"
He thrust it on Ills linger.
• "Then it is all over between us!" he
said, passionately; "all quite over! Per-
haps it is better so. It would have broken
my heart to try In Vain to Win your love;
and, dear as you are, 1)50101(1 not have you
without it, Good-bye, Mona! you have
taught Me bow unlovable I am; yet I might
have made you happy."
With a slight despairing gesture of the
hand he turned and left her. She did not
expect to be so eampletely routed, so ute
terly ashamed. He was stronger and no-
bler than she thought. Site had broken
with ram, and she had lost him. She had
offered to retract, and he had rejected her.
"He will forget me soon," she told her-
self. "To -day his bearing was dignified
She laid out hoe enormoment-etag.
(111(1 001015000, his feelings were (treaty moved
—to -morrow his eye will bo caught by
some One of the many charming girls he
meets, and he will bo far happier than with
ono whose heart is dead, like mine."
She sat long quite still, thinking pain-
fully, confusedly, Then she nerved her-
self to seek her writing materials, and be-
gin a letter to Lady Mary.
She had not completed her difficult let-
thr, {vhen Mine. Debrisay 011010 111.
"I am quite done up!" sho cried. "Stich
vile weather! I tv111 change my boots, and
bo with you in a minute. But I have a
new pupil, SO my Wednesdays will be well
filled at Kensington. We'll talk over
everything at tha."
The kindly woman's horror and amaze-
ment when felony, disclosed the dreadful
fact that Waring had come to answer her
letter in person, and had gone away in sor-
row and inclig,nation, can be better imagin-
ed than cleecribed.
She was too deeply affected for speech.
She pushed back her chair from the table,
andsat a silent imago of grief.
"And is there nothing to be done!" she
ejaculated. "Dieu des Diewr! Ie was any
last hope, that when he came himself and
yeti saw pial face to face, drowned in sor-
row, you'd have given way. How bad y011
the heart to ranee lsion again?"
"I3nt he did not ask me, dear Dob. He
very properly said ho did not want a vic-
tim. 5 think more highly of him than I
over diet before; but I am sure I have done
right in toning as I have, aud ho will thank
mo yet."
For the rest or the evening altne, Debri-
say kept ellen c e, 01 0011115 complete silence,
Which (1109, of couree, pain au4 grief to
her—while Mona finished and dispatched
her letter.
in (1110 time 10 Was answered, in rather
a distracted fashion, by Lady Mary, Sho
said she thought dear Mona must be under
the influence of temporary insanity; that
Sir Robert was going up to Londou to see
What was really the matter; and that she
prayed I -leaven there might not bo any se-
cret mischief at the bottom of this utifor-
Minato affair.
The idea of facing Sir Robert alone was
too much for poor Mona.
"He will certainly be here to -morrow.
Could you manage to stay at home dear,
dear Deb?" she said, imploringly.
"Well, and I don't wonder you are fright-
ened to see him) He will be like a raging
lion—small blame to him! There, don't
turn so white. I'll write and put off my
early lessots, for you may be sure lie will
Come up hot foot the first thing M the
morning to row us out of the place."
As madame hnd anticipated, Sir Robert
came between eleven and twelYe, A glance
at his broad, usually good-humored face,
showed how great was the wrath Ile had
accumulated.
He came abruptly into the room, and
without a word of greeting, exelaimeil—
"What the deuce is the meaning of your
extraordinary conduct, Monet Have you
mite lost yota senses?"
"No, Sir Robert. I have been making
up my mind to beak off my engagentent
over since my grandmother died," the
said, gaining courage when absolutely un-
der fire.
"By Gomel you ought to be ashamed
to confess it. To throw oft a young follow
that is a groat deal too good for yet, the
111011101110 pressing necessity was reamed,
I never Aetna no linmiliated in my life all
when Waring came to :week to mo last
ragnt. 1,5 nates to become 01 you, ro ince
to know?"
"I w111 try 10 take eare 01 1(158(111 and not
to trouble anyone."
"Take cure of youreelft Why you have
acted like a perfeet idiot 1 lraven't pa -
llama to listen to you, ancl—and I wash
my hands of you. I don't suppose 'Waring
would accept any overt ure noiv."
"And I shall eerteinly not make any,"
said Mona, quickly.
"Then what la to become of you? You
haven't a rap, and my (Worst/hall bo closed
against you!"
"But mine 010 01)031 to her," cad Mine.
Debrisay, with dignity,
wocpect, and 1 told Lady Mary so," he
continued, without heeding her, "that
there is some clandestine love /Moir under
all this. You, have inherited your mother's
taste for a low -born lona"
"If I find as good a husband, I shell be
fortunate," cried Mona, with eptrit; "nor
should I be marrying beneath me. 1 have
no wish to delay my kimi, good father."
"Then, why did you drop his Immo?"
"I did not; poor grannie mien 010 515017
second baptismal name before I knew what
a surname meant; but from this time for-
ward I will reatime my father's."
"But you are known as n connection of
my wit:el. I will not have you disgrace
11(15 (1114 1 win not support you, unless I I
know We shall be spared that—"
"Disgrace yon, Indeed!" cried Mme.
Debrisay. "Who mentions disgrace in the
same breath with Montes name? You are
forgetting yourself, Sir Robert! You may
have a right to be a ngry'perluips, but don't
let your anger make you forget you are a 1
gentleman."
Sir Robert looked at her amazed, then
in a changed tone, and with a gleam of
amusement in his eyes, he said—
"111 seemed rude, I regret it. Your
young friend's unprincipled conduct to a
worthy gentleman—who interceded for
her, madame, absolutely interceded for
her—has irritated me beyond endurance."
Mme. Debrisay bowed her forgiveness.
"I only wish to stay here, and to be for-
gotten," said Mona
Sir Robert played with his watch -chain
for a minute in silence.
"5 believe it would be beet," ho said at
last. "I renounce you from this time
forth, nor will I allow Lady Mary nor my
girls to hold any communication with you.
I have a couple of hundred pounds still in
my hands of Mrs. Newburgh's money, af-
ter paying funeral expenses and other
things. I will send you a check for it, and
whatever belongs to you at the Chase."
"I have already put everything together,
antioipating this expulsion," said Mona.
Sir Robert made a step or two toward
the door, and paused irresolute.
"rn give you another chance. Willyon
authorize meto make overtures to War-
ing? I'll do my best for you, if you vvill."
"It is impossible I could consent to such
a proposal!" cried Mona.
"Then I have no more to Say, nor shall I
ever see you again if I can help it"
He turned to go.
"Though you are so angry, Sir Robert,
I am not the less grateful for all your kind-
ness," sobbed Mona. "I do love Lady Mary
and Evelyn dearly; it is a cruel punishment
never to see them again."
"I have no patience with sentimental
bosh," he returned, harshly. "Your action
proves how much of real regard you have
for any of us." And seizing his hat he left
the room.
CTIAPTVII TII.—A NEW LIFE.
Mona's boxes arrived in due time from
Harrowby Chase, and a formal list of dis-
bursements on account of the late Mrs.
Newburgh from Sir Robert Everard, an
companied by a check for a hundred and
fifty-three pounds, thirteen and fourpenee,
the balance due to her.
"Those, dear Deb, there is my whole for-
tune! Wlitit shall I do with it?"
"We must take care of it, ma belie --
great care. Let me see. I had better lodge
11 10 my account, and I will give you an ac-
knowledgmont that I owe you that amount.
I am proud to say nave an account at a
bank. Bogen with the Postoffice Savings
Bank, clear; but as my connection grew,
through your dear grandmother and others,
I gathered enough tcarnove a step higher.
I make a fair amount for four months of
the year—more than I ever hoped to do
once—then rather loss for four more—a
trifle for two—and two don't count at all.
If my health is spared, I hope to provide
for my old age."
"I know you are a wonderful woman,
dearest Deb. But I =mot live upon you.
What scheme had you in your head for
me the other day?"
"I will toll you. Now I am getting a
name, people begin to bother MO to teach
quite little children, and I believe I have
reached that point where a few airs would
do me good. So I shall say X' cannot un-
dertake children under—al I'll fix an age
by and by; but that I should like them to
be trained for a year, or whatever time it
suits to say, by my pupil and assistant;
that I will see what progress they are
making occasionally, and that they may
be considered as under my tuition, though
at half price. It will take, my dear, like
wildfire. You are a very fair musician.
We'll go into partnership, and make a
good thing 01 11.,"
"What a splendid idea! Do you really
think Scan teach?"
"Not
a doubt of it; but I can tell you it's
horrid work, and needs the patience of
Job. I begin to believe there is nothingon
earth so rare as a good earl You will get
on, I am certain, only don't be too anxious,
Wasq a 010•1610 sensation Niglio her port
legson,
and be Mire You give voureall alt's The
ovatvaalawseataravroomentaerctauslaavalarnliarF!
7
pUbliels a nettle that stings if it Is 100 ten-
derly.tonehed."
"Jani not naturally meek, but I Shall
certainly feel anxious."
"Have faith in yourself, clear; it's the
only way to get on. Ilere's a hook ou
teaching the piano, 111 German. You study
it, and follow it. Practice up a few of
your noisiest pieeee. People mem to
think you can teach mimic wall. your fin.
(0015, instead of your howl. They are ero
taken what a few gyeinasties on the key-
boar
"Yea, Deo,5 will practice diligently. 1
haven't touched the piano since poor gran -
time you began. You have a
pretty tomb and a fluent anger. As to
singing; come, let us try that duel, Signor
Boccaricho taught you last winter. What
ages 005(15 113(51 wintef seems to have gone!"
"Ale! does it not?" said Mona, with a
deep sigh, "Where is the book? I will
begin my preparations at came. I must do
credit to your recomraendation. 1 long to
make a start in real life."
Reality is a serious thing, yet it has its
inspirations. The sense of doing real 010rk
--of earning hard money, has a dignity in
its laboriousness which scarcely anything
else bestows; and Mona would have re-
joiced in this now development of energy,
had she not been so deeply wounded, Iter
sucldeu, complete renunciation by her val-
ued friends at Harrowby Chase cut her to
the soul, especially as she felt she had in a
measure deserved it. Her bitter disup•
poratment in Lisle was more regret for the
lose of an illusion than sorrow for a per-
sonal bereavement, In her shore expert-
ence of society, she had no friendships or
intimacies save with Sir Hobert laverard's
family. It was this abandonment that de-
pressed and saddened. her.
It was a cureme, trying sensation the
giving of her first lesson. If the well-
dressed, demure little (braise' to yell= it
was administered only knew how awfully
afraid her elegaut-looking teacher was of
her, all chance of discipline would have
been over. But silence, backed by gravity,
is a splendid covet for nervousness; and
Mona di(1 not utter a word beyond what
teaching required, nor dici the ever feel the
eame panic again.
"She has iseautlful frocks, mamma," was
the sentence of the little ten -year-old.
"Her black cloth must be tailor-made—it
fits like a glove; and she has such beauti-
ful jet ear -rings!"
Nor did the young lady doubt that a
music teacher so attired must be deserving
clSalici tha
t
aw
tenstion1.
11e was
f ally inaugurated
soon after Christmas—that Christmas
Which poor Leslie Waring had hoped would
be so heavenly bright—which Mme. Deb-
risay and Mona quietly and sadly cele,
brated together. The former accompanied
her young protegee to church, and enjoyed
a particularly crisp French novel over the
fire for the rest of the day; while Moun sat
long at the piano, playing from memory
and dreaming over the past She gave few
thoughts of the future.
So the days and weeks flew past, and
Mona, with the bleseeci facility or youth,
began to revive. A. simple life, plenty to
do, the society of a kindly and amusing
companion, are wholesome tonics. Mine.
Debrisay was extremely amusing, She
had been largely educated by observation.
She was at once skeptical and credvlous;
her mind was utterly untrained—yet a eer-
tain keen mother -wit and largeness of
heart made her juclgenent, on the ' whole,
clear. She was still quick in temper,
though it had been much chastened, and
also extremely resentful of small slights.
Things bad settled down to a regular
routine. The depth of the winter Was
over, and Parliament had met, and Mona
had nearly as much to do as she could ac-
complish without fatigue, though she was
quite willing to do more, Madame even
talked of making a little excursion to the
sea -side at the dead season, if things con-
tinued to prosper.
Mona was returning late one afternoon,
after one of her busiest days, She was
weary, but more hopeful, though she was
thinking. how this time last year the was
looking forward to the mingled joy and
terror of being presented. It was a little
hard to bo so suddenly dragged down, and
carriea away from all the gayeties and.
pleasures, the society and distinction, that
elle had enjoyed a few mouths ago, and to
which she felt she should never return.
Yet there WaS nO bitterness M her regret;
she felt that she was singularly fortunate
in having found such a friend and such a
home.
Her reflections were suddenly broken in
upon by a familiar voice exclaiming—"By
Jove! 11 30 Mona! Mona joseelyn I" and
she found her further progress barred by
Bertie leverard, dir Rabat's only 8011, 01110
WAS studying law, having no military pro-
clivities, and thinking legal knowledge
would bo useful in managing the family
estate, which was by no means flourishing
under his father's munificent rule,
"Bettie! 1 never dreamed of meeting
you," as though the ban which had fallen
on her had been "banishment"—that an
encounter between two inhabitants of the
same town had been thereby rendered im-
possible.
"Nor 111(1 1. I thought you had emigrat-
ed, or been sent to a penitentiary, Or 80000
such thing. You see, when anyone drops
mit of sight in London, it is such a drop in
the ocean, that he or she leaves no trace
behind. lam quite. glad to see you. Come,
tell mo all about yourself. Bvy has wept
gallons 09201 701.1. She wanted to write,
and the Lord knows what, but my mother
strictly forbade her. You aro an awful
black sheep, you know—a lost mutton."
"Of course lam," said Mona, smiling.
Sho understood hor cousiu'edrybliintness,
• "But you mist acknowledge I have kept
1 out of sight and not troubled you,"
"Yes, it is mite true. 'Now I have met
'you, Tam amazed to find you still exist.
How have yommanaged it, Mona?" •
"Why trouble about details? I exist,
and want nothing—that is enough. Now,
toll I'M mine 110050. HOW is your dear
mother? She was always so good!"
"She 19 exceedingly fiourielthig andbusy,
for Evelyn is going to bo married—very
good mateh—to Lord Pinistoun. HO is a
' pleasant, easy-going fellow—rather an ase,
but that will suit Ilvy. She hasn't much
brains hermit,"
80":11:,1:11S sense enough not to think she
lute all the brains of tho faintly, 00.700 do,
"Yes, I do, raul5 ran no great things af-
ter all, Your troubles have not taken the
ehavpedge off your, tongue, 111)00 5080013011,"
he said, laughing.
"There is no Mies Joseelyn now, 11(1110
retooled
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