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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Sentinel, 1884-09-26, Page 6•••• 4 - - al -Tax miss. .• ,,, The Baby)? "L37 'eta. !ate.. .; very Fdiatreesisig„! the• depths:of:trot which. her sumll ' figure• is almost, lost;: she speaks ae ,it behoove p a pretty bareness to spealt,w;to • now for the first timeiti Made awertrof cOe ower chases: Eger just the correct d -disapproval-tto Author of ',Molly Ba.vin,' yeirT "Really, it. is chimes in - Deft, from . huge atm-cthair, in. i grosser habits of the . ' tone is perfect-haviu i- •• : ; ,amotint of surprise 'more; . "And yet that onten always u . . . ! to itrike me as -being a fli a Vig$` proveb' • r i condi:toted sort'ef. pets°l ."' : :. , . - ,1 • . _ "Don't be s� herd on her; Har0,'7,sa I.' .• .41 -Remember she • has-- known me all.PYj • life, and has had the oareof Me stet 'duce, I • was aii" infant. She -loves me; *lb not con - demon her for that. Wet : i• • -- • ..- - ".." I.• wits wrong, - of course," iionfeetes Harriet, remorsefully. : I, Such attachment • being rare, should .be considered beautifa y I 'apologize to you,-Mertha.- :3iit _I w.-eks. : r•_ -thinkiog, not of her, darling, but.,) of you. .1 ,I `;- did SO 'dread. she would eitoite you oter. • notch, and to -morrow will be -etch ietrying day', Now, lie beak -again, dear,. and keep: • silence while we -chat t� -you." ' ' - • •- Itis still the Mornin - of MY Rion& Wed, _ ding . day, though a few. minutes • sine° I heard some olook obitthe quarte r to twelve. Habited in - tlie • datkest gown • My !„ . wardrobe can - produce; I . go downstiir0 ! *• slowly; as in &dream, tittlie:draWing-rocito, where I•find them. allarembled before see.. They all glance 'at Me all.; enter'and seem _relieved relieved. on on ' perceiving . the total p lack of nervousness •e ibited by my 26a- . tures. Indeed, Wow: . s even.. to myself - that I BM the only on present thoroughly tinimpiessed. . : ' 1 . - - - . . • . Marmaduke is lookin Pale•bat oomposiA. • George Ashurst teinially anziotie ;.• but , _ that is • only: .what mht- be .expeeted of .• - • , ' him.- The others are ' 11 more or less esti ,• dently desirous of getting over it in a litirzy,• and appearing at their 1 ase, in which they fail. The priest, a strnger to Me, seems ' (inflow. .Bebe comes forward, taking m hand, ,\Ii , leads me before the impromptu Pox. Marmaduke eteps to my side, and his i college chum commences the service.' • have obstinately refuse the vicar at home. Be off the wedding ring= than her. warmth.! For 'Once, her pretty show of sympetky -is trite *Ore. I think 'titlhisritilithlifittlfibfittliiitliti siok and languid, and devoid Of all the Old rinse!, strair4ble joyousness, . She,: -.Or the Amt. time, altogether forgives me my misdoings. George *tries me, too heartily, ariX(c);nur..- mats *fete confused eengeOuletttrY. Fiords. Eve n itt,•,- las, thick Orit01; It has hatitinie ;apparent lietv,strentepiepethetio. andfinctit- finer**, the bride.- The- continent :is the place for you, yllis he says; " stay one-. een see the t With htaf an -eye. ' Get Carringtoli.to take: you theta without delay." ' • ° Temilo:faintlyi but ne.iticiifio:Tejander. • . "Good-bye darling," ••]wtitspere.my• Bebe, stooping over me, and rubbing her cheek With e little putting. motion to Mine. - :". Be a. good ithild, and let Marmaduke pet you to his -heart's content. You- Want an Over- dose'noW, you have been so long alone." -At length they -aro all .gene, leaving the house to fallbaok ieto its old silence and calm,'• All, that; is, ..etteept Marmaduke, *he lingers purposely.- , -1" There no reason he -gape; in answer_ • my. jinquiring . look, .",why all -those people should know sal BOOD the tame on whieh we have arranged to live.-- By -de-. trees it oan make itself known." " • Die idly thinking; idly putting together in My mind the • !strange, story of- My. lfe: Onoe;loOking tip, I ;oat& his gaze.intently fixed upon me. TWilie three times Imeet it, and then, :growtng irritable through -exhauetiOn and exettenien4 I say, pet- tishly : - • • - • • • " WhY do -you. look at -me se?. I bate ;beirg stared at. One would imagine I had more heads then' one. Is My appearance - • ; • - " - - •BO very grctesque,-Marmaduke ? :5' Was1 staring-?" he askscabsently, and drawing out his 'watch; 'examinee it mitt- Musly; and theri. tsentniences ,- a slow pro. monads up- and down the Som. :He . appears distrait, impatient._ His eyes are now turned towards the Window that over- looks the avenue. It is all though he were expeotant lot:. some one'e. arrival. , •,"11 yen'. are not going until the next train," 1 remark, snubbily, "you have two full hours to wait; therefore you need hardly tridentate minutes so soon. That is -the.eighth ;time - you . haveexamined your -watch wttOin. the pest ten _Minutear Cer- tainly I am nob in the most amiable mood.. 44,I am!' net returning- to London 'to- ight," 'hOitys; Idare say I aim bed at that place in the village."' - Ty, considering -this is your ,own house, you!.need not throw •yotireelf on the mercy of.theperish for a lted. Martha:viill foie *bout a roomAtte yea." • • . 1--",-.1t 18 your hone% not :mine:. I• Made , you a present of it•-wh However,"' -quickly, "if • yo than gladli, put up here," . Turning bis face to 'the , wind() away from me, he goes on rapidly .." To tell you the truth-, Phyllis, the &le • reason for !my staying •here now is this I Made an appointment With , Sir Jams Smithson to. Meet - me in this house at 4 o'olook; to -to take a look- at you, and tell .me • his -opinion,-es, to your state of health."' ' • . . • "Sir James Smithson!" I ory, angrily. "Do you mean to tell me you have brought a clootcr.t0 torment meatid Make me miser; •able? Thiele what comes of marrying you. Oh, why. was I -so-weak-as te-give in to ydur. -wishes? seshim,:you May--be-siire-of that." "My darling,be reasonable," with the humblest entreaty. • :" It will enly be for a, few Minutes. Directly he sees you; be will - know the very thingthat will set you up There is not, there -cannot be, any, thing, seriously -*Ong With you; Good advice is all you require. ' Why will you. insist On.-4ons..-" . •• ;••• . " Dying," I 'put - in flippantly. "Why don't you say -it ? rshazAl go to my grave a moment ,sootier thtough your mentioning the unpleasant Word.' • "You will ries hint, Phyllis 7" Oh, -if he is really Coming, I suppose I mutt. BOt,ii warn' you, I shall take no nasty :stuffs,: politely called. tonteif, and I * 11 not gor abroad.n. ••- - • - j In this amiable -frame Of inind I prepare Myself to teeeive the -.great London doctor. As the servant ushers him into inTroom, Irise to boWiand am -with -relieved at finding myself -in -the presenee Of a small, homely, jol1y4lOokling-little inan,With mine Of the stgriatef greatness - about • . • ---. - He examines my °beet; and PAP a tree -- don or two that *mid. 'oertainly--enggest theroselvetilo an idiot. He - thutzips me :here and pate - toes' there, hums, and haws, and finally sap I want " tone;"' "And change* of "air, my dear Mrs. Cir.: tiogtOn.. •A little pleasure trip, ' now -,.just a little Ton through- all. the old spots we know -Bo-Well-end then & winter at Pat( ot-aveg-* .Aegtee further smith, is all that we Want, eh ?",. . - • . ' tonics. 1 say, giving in so !IA; "bot," • detetminately, I. not take change Of -ittr.,t I am- happy here • I will not leave it." • . - j ." lies* t dear 1" • ejaoulated Sir James,• soothingly, giving --itielanother tap; "how . people differ! Maki. young ladies,' now, would do r -almost . anything for -me,. if I would Only order them to Pau. Sach-e! lively pleas; My dear -Mrs. Carrington, 00 invigorating, -SO- gay; just thevery thing for a w0Man, so _young, and, let me- add, so Very oharttling,;:as yourself; Not, pray do reoonsider 1:- •.i : • • • I laugkand gland°, at Myself in an oppo- site mirror.- • A white face; large Onnittnral: eyes,: and pallid lips Meet My - view. . I am altogether unlovely:. $5 I shell get well -alitmgh_ hereto!. 1 say; Obstinately. "You may order me'every nasty oon000tion you can think of, and. I Will promiseto drink and eat them all.; but go from Helton•. -11 will not" •• • "Well, well, - see how- yeti get on," replies Sir •Jaines, cajolingly, petting my- hand. He .-deals in pats - andgentle reassuring nods,•blit-,he'fs a deer old Min and I.feet SOMe faint regret that he should leave thinking Me Unreasonable. , He does .leave me, however, presently and seeks my husband, doulttleie to tOtir into his ears all :the_ unpalatable :thing! he is too gallant to. say. to Me; • . •- No more it said to me 'cm -the subject. I have evidently. pongtiered.- .Marmaduke returns to London, taking a run down every no*.and then to sekhow lam getting on. 1 am not, getting on :at all. I am simply stationary; and am no Whit more beautiful to behold than -When first his .atitonished- eyes !fell:upon mo, now nicire thou &month ago; r• •• - „ - I have Wandered llidlessly •downly the sea. Ilia a &girt daY, Mitt, chin, Omuta- to be re-inarrie44 dexterously dr4Ws at hasnever,yet-idt My finger since it :was first placed the - and thoughtfully hands •itto-',Duke. With a shudder -he- flings it from, him into the glowing fire, where it Vanishitsfetever -with _ a -faint tinkling noise. • ' ..'. -• _ . - - "Not•that " he mutters, in a lowlene , . , • . . and •brings Out a new -0 e from his pooket s • -• 'In a olear itoioe,utterl devoid of ertuition, 1,aiiiwer all the respo ses. Matteadithe's - voice shakes' a, good deal, and I• turn and • - look at him Surprised. He -bas- had my • -hand in .'.a watre,- close clasp .:from .the • moment the .prayer -book was opened; i:nd :-.now, too,`I netitie hOw he trimbleitas for the .. Bekond time. be binds me to hini With the •. littlegolden emblem* of ' ternity, , • - t Although their voiceereach my outwil.id ears,rtithongh 1 myself ay what, is required • of we with perfect- oitlmness„ I do not • _really hear or heed -one' word of the_ ore- . • mony. Thoughts, frivolous' and Unworthy • of the -solemnity of the occ 'on, it through my ,brititi. I cannot _fix i7 a lion on any one thing. I feel-utt desir4 In • do so. - . - -. - - -1 • --,4 • I wonder vaguely whether, were a wiOw • going to -be married a'n, she would • 001 , as indifferent as I d�; then I: recollect -how,iiii her ease, the ridegroord at ldtist *mild be a new feature, -Which wo4d, Whhottli doubt, add a little. laat to • .:the • affair. . 4-: -- ' . '1 - Ho* pretty Dora is lookinginlhat min blue -silk and •osiihnterei cestumeT-wonder- :fully pretty and timid! but . then every- thing always did bet:erne Dors.:, How nervous that geed, George appears, -. And how ridiculously redl -Whl•,' he might • almost -be painted. - -- : . - - _ . _ . ,- .: _ Ohl Ihave ordered no Wedding break- fast. Only 'fancy! .8i -wedding without a •- Wedding titeakfast ! How cod I hive . . - been so remiss ? They w iibly stupid. -1 almost negligence on my part; the sacred words that air; but fortunately some. still _rentaittIng sense of propriety restrains Me. - _. The • service is 'nearly_ at an end; Oti-toe - _ more Matniakeke Carrington end._ 1 are /Ian . and wife..- It only , watta- for the few ;eat •. sententies to be read.- -• '3,' . ' - , .. ' - .. • ' Looking n0,1 catch Bebe's 'eyes, . Vily arethey so wet? And how large they re • -how large !-why de they grew; • arid • gleam, end burn". into mine* like ----like- - • _ -r Wrenab, -my- hand •.reinj Merinadukti, iith 1 and, turning towards Gorge Ashurst„ fling .. pri my arnispoinewhat wildly.. • • - ' . '4 Save -,-,save me I"- 1' asp; •• :,,. t • In another - moment 1 he has oatight gee, andi am lying aenseless on bis breast. • When:I mime /to myself, I fiod then:k all - &viand me, though =mit. of them stane4, at % a little distance from the sofa. The etrange be„ - .clargynian has vanished -no hoi doubt horri- •led at -such unorshodtrit Marmadake, with -folded turesi-is41-ia- • -• *timed rather tweet from thej-dthets,*biting „-hislipe, and making a tolent effort to con- • teal his feer and mho " "Are =you better,: di -Whose arm is:under En . supplied with' a smelhi , me at the other ,-side picture of misery., • " 1am," I return, fee what mademe so •-foo nervous;• but I was un • Morning."• • - -.. . - "Poor. ohild 1" -says , coma Dorateliny • finge ill all think mer - confess aloud Us se little do I hed are 'falling on ithe ling ?" _asks Bebe, head, while Dora, g -bottle, leans over the very sweetest 4, ly t "141011't ktOtt bit. I. did not•teel le myself all the - ' - • , - Harriet, -and 110'-vn re, wet with eau=de- eclogue, upon my forehead. • t. ' ti I Shall be all _right in a mintit4-or ttlb," , I go on; smiling ,as I .re ain strength, --4 It was too bad Of me - to frighten ycitt's,-_,se Much. • In the middle of it; • I suddetly • . reoolledted -I had forgotten to, Order you •• any - breakfast, and the horror of the • thought Must - have been- toe'mutit for me.' I grow nervous and fanciful in My old age. But I am all right again now." - .. • . The day • wears on; My wedding guts have had their lunch, and- are now in,the - ...drawing -room, bidding j me faretrell bef4re -starting for the train that is to bear tittin • away from the newly Married uottple.- w. strange, how diffioult to oomprehend,ft all -.appease 1 - .• . . . • r` Dora *set _me with a godd deal . , . ge -some time ago. 'nvite ine I and !netlike. shiver vaguely -08 go, and wis, h the night vientit aerie ;:to•-•bring.tie nearer to.a Mortatifigeriiir unj- is 'mist and cheerless denip; t eky, `grerearth, graylloudethateoVer lertd•end4 istie _goy sba0ow, lYingtep lieakt; hew gray art tem!' • ; • j I-. feel more that; 'Ordinarily depressed and weary. The tide is far out; breath: of Wind disturbs the endue of the Waters.' Seating myself Upon flit rook, I Open my book „end °eminence to read. . ` But my thotights will not be controlled. Railing; my.:eyee, _I lcielt seaward, and won- der at the treat pale ,. mist ..thatapreads itself north -end: south. :The horizen.-einks to the ocean,. and veils of vapory sub - tame are every Where. - . . . I sigh; and turning dejectedly from the unvarying Coons liefore me discover Mar Madukes Coming towards • mei (zeroes she sands. „ • - • . • • " What a ourious-7-light 1" he says,- with- - out greeting, of any. kind. and . eitadowto. •npon the pebbles at my'feet. --- - ;1- "Very,"I answer, - stupidly, .audi• then -begin to wonder vaguely what has brought him to -day from the •Immy town, and who has betrayed my favorite hiding piece, - -!. Freeway* tincOnseihnelf Ihteigh :again .i ,• . and turn my face from his. , I "What it?" .aeks • kindly, taking my hanc.17,--niii. •affecitionittely,jrnerely reas- .euringly: •4! Tell me the truthi now, to -day. Is it that yeti hate me • •• "1 hardly know," ! r return, • wearily. •" No, it is net here, .1 think; it is indif- ference." - !!ij; . ..-We rise, and patio silently homeviarde, It is the evening of the sante:day., My depression Of the. morning _has vanished, leaving a -spirit of provocation in its place. I am in the .drawing -room., lounging idly in a low- Otrithioned- chair, with Fifine,my pet Skye, in my I ainuse-myself and gratify the-Witskednesis me, by pram - tieing uOtk the log -suffering animal etch torment, asdisturbWithoutmaddeninther. under the - impress** that there ,is- a ;fire in the grate; Stands iot4 his back -to the fireplace, and stares at , _ • , a I With, he remarks presently, Without .promeditatien,." "you -could ; be induced to. take Sit atones' :advice' and seek change of eir.. This solitary hole must -have bad effeet-upon your health." - ' , " I have borne the. solitude! for SO Many . • , ; . morithe that I dare. say, Ivan bear it again: Though, indeed,"' ntisahievoutily, " had odmpany times. I otoild *Anal', have been Married, had 180 chosen "Whatl" says Marmadiike,! in. a- low- toneffhishing! . • • • ; "-I could !have. been Married, had I so chosen," I repeat, WithMuch gusto. "Why dot you look so -surprised? I was free, Was I j- not? Theta wee ; no reason., then; why I, Should not listen to any man's proposal.' : -• t' "What doyoumean, Phyllis?" atetnly, "Jut whet .1 say. • A friend Of Outs who is are of the Oirounistances•of our case came here one - day and Made me a hand- some oiNt,Of his hand and -What he ji3 pleased totth-rn his heart." . • "Did Gore ()time down here to see"yott "Not so much. Ifor hat *le ask me to marry • him." . • - • -11 . . " The scoundrel I" :SayiNpoke, through his closed teeth. - "Why sheulcV.you- ! that? On the contrary, there was Pomethinf genet - oris in' his wish to bestow his nerne_upoir• woman .situated as I Was, (No, no, Fifipel you must not lick -me; •-•• me • if you will, but keep •your . little tongue in ite proper Place.) .Few Men! would have dime- it, I fancy. At -all events, if convinced me of - the ' truth and sinoeity of his -affection for Me," • •-j 7 - . : - I -" If yousaw06 many admirable points his eharaoter; why did you .let such a valuable Chance of- sectiring• them -go by V' he asks, bItterly. Be is White With anger ,by this time. I see his emotion; Ont.,_being 'at4t-tbe moment, know no remorse.: • - • One doe* .do -foolish thing- neitand again," -I reply, oalinly, curling Fifilies silky looks the wrong Way, to her infinite disgust. " terwards, *hi -mit is too late, one repents," . . Jr- - - • I "Am repents.". Understand pin Opent ,of not . bound yourself for life Tto that =Mitigated Villain ?" • . I burst oot laughingt„ • -- ."P,oer Sir _Mark 1' I -cry,' moan, .drel 1 Villain"! What -Mint ?• e to do the bett he 'could for me, and gets only abuse in ,return. De ;A .ropenttnot having married him? • Well, no. At that time I was flot!, particularly love With matri- ii2ony I had no desire teforte new ties. Nov), indeed- -", .1 break off in Pretended ionfueion. My head bends itself a little on one side., I gaze ; deign cOntelioustY into Fifine's lustrous. eyes. - - • • Phyllis," ,lsays mY., husband, With sur- prised' indignation, "whatever. you . may really -mean: by your *Ode, I must beg that for the future I May hear no more of it; I- -,-=•,1?- But here „the horrible pain in -my Bide comes baolt to me with,4ts usual ante energy, and taitiehtef fades trent Me.- ! I Ptah Fifine from My lap, and half rise. "11 you are going to be *tights'," I 'say, I hope yott--Will• leave. me: I care neither for Sir Mark Gore, nor any Other Man, as yotronglititsi knot. .0b, my Bider I•gasp, pressing my: -band to it, and. beooming 'oolOrless.• . . • • j -My breath- Alia voice fail Me. In a Moment his kind 'arm* Are around me.- My head, . ;helpless.- . his- . shoulder, as. thotegh Iliverelt-inere child- (end indeed I ant_ Ode More strong' gram, new sickness 'hoe -reduced .me).He carries me; to alai, and.does for .me - all thet can be- -done,. until the firit unbearable angithili paid.; Then, with. hioarm..under my heed; -se se to Mee me, he the_ waiting in silent watchfultees until relit -same return. • "You're not rid of; me yet," I whisper, with faint •motiking as 'not* the fear and Misery in 'hiti fact poet look so. woebegone." - • . • Suddenlyle . falls his knees beside My' coudh,•thongh still supporting Mee • . • "1 oan'tbear it intY,. longet,",lte Says,. passionately; " Darliog 1 darling, why Will you kill yimirself?_ How .oan I watch Yon dying. by Moles ? - Have pity, for me,if you have none #.1g. yourself, and save me from &nit: mad. Phyllis, dearest," ocetttolling himself by an effort, and trying -to Opeak more.cialmly,,_" Why can you.not kick Upon Me ass brether, or father and let me take yotilibioad to seine -pleas Where you - den get change of air and scene- -and where I•may at least be --near enough tett cited you and see that you 'want or nothing, 'My father,!' return . I th an -aura With ;papa.; • ; " juall ooropare yo - .1 . ------, . Wotdd go a long way.. Well, I toe will let hint , see how, gladlyi, 1 shall weloo ,-,4e , 'strangers to our 'mann,. ; • "I am 80 glad you mentioned it," I t'cgi, briskly, tf. I have been wishing 6f late gor Boine break-in on our monotony-. Hart and Bebe will 00132e, I feel sure, and, q1,3 I poor little•Ohips, I had forgetten that In is at present broding in India; but Chanties will not refuse I think; and B1atic4e Going, and Sir Mark Gore.' These iaster 1 add With some innocent malice. 4 ° "Bit Mirk Gore ie in Norway," TWA -5 'Doke, stiffly. • • T -• -"Indeed 1.Then we must put up 7-itla his loss. But Bianchi) Going,whero is she 2" • eProbabliin jiiIntaiefi, for all 1 know,"or care," =amiably. . " What an. answer!. Poor B1 she could only heat you. remember, 'Duke, that flippeno , thou eiousable ilia, Woman, is tliaiply brutal in , a man. Solitude .diesgrees with you; :7ou grow downright rude." ‘• • ji" If I was rude, I apoyigize," returne ac2 carelessly. Then;:having whistled btratht . through his favorite air aucoesskolly, mot_ __ • _ ,. 9 and wound up with an elaborate flour:oh, lie walks through the • open Window on tit -- the baltiony .outside. ." Very good; .ask them all as stitoi:-. as you like,' he says, over - his shoulder 7-flth a languid. nod, 'cand go for a stroll; the day is too fine to spend indoors." *." I was going to beg an invited= if I did not reeeite it,' says _Harriet, a week lEtet, • ea ihe returns my kiwi Of welcome. "I Was growing very uneasy about you. - tat," tapping my cheek, "i might have spared i myself any worry on the aubj et 6f yotw - t health, as you are looking 2iokI1y t well." - . ' Bebe dettleres. I have caused thew all more trouble than I em worth, whereon I -take her in custody and march her upstairs wed run herinto her Oedroom. Just before dinner Chandott arrives, kav-. ' ing been driven over frorn a distant, where h hascoin try-hcuse i some Miles '- teen. sioyi ing. , . • - ;Bebe greets him with a tight laugh hat has-riothing in it of nervousness -or cup - *eased! pleasure.- It is purely indifferent. For the moment I feel puzzled and dicap- pointed. _,.-. ._ .. " Strangerdore ' mem to be our %tab- . liehed meetinglground after lont-absencas,"- she Pays, diving him her hand. "Let me congratulate you on having esoaped cli2lera' and la-wless WWI in the Emit." . ' "1 have 4 only been a week in Evgknd since Myreturii;" replies he, cerenzoni- ' at:161y; "and have been kart pretty Oulu all that time, or I would have allowed myeelf the pleasure of calling upon you and Ms. BeaSoun. I did not know you were again Staying with Lady Handoock?" ' ." On, liatriet cannot do without ie new," says Bebe, with a little sauoy.glano at Harry, who emilee and shakes her Wad. "Aloe finclii Me invaluable." ' "How infinitely -.obliged your niottior must be to Lady Handoock 1" says Qban- -dos, :mischievously., • thkii of the inhuman length of his nose. *I airr'-'itfraid it would not do. The world, eii*fgeititit• had bardly aceett you in that light. 743p. grow YorMgsr „.overy--rd Itie wonderful how htt*t.the Ow your mind prays upon odto • regardless of this taunt, "let me you to the eouth.ot France." - • why can't Ibelet alone:" Iory, pe "Why am I to be termented ever' our Of . the day? I hate dirty,•for-- eigg wns ; and besides, I know all the jog*eys 1. could' take Would do , me DO -goci4 Joutlf I am to get no peace until I et to leave the only place that pleases eon aa mifiTry as well do so at once. I will go - .• - bat* ;to} Strangemore." . • i • •4 , dar:bu mean it ling?" •cautiottely, and. _ •• wifkont evincing too -much joy, rest in -my petiMiness I ehould repeet and &beak of -- .1tick:, yes; why not? Rather '.th-an be petOtrially told how obstinate and -self- . witt.-id'an`d,sidlen I am, I would tete Tim- boot* or Hong Song, or any other cheerful BP0-4- • ogiwould not try a warmer climate firq, " with heeitation. "Yeti know • Sir dattoe ppoke of--" •.' 4/ I will go to Strangemore, or nowhere. I have always had a fahey for it. Ev!kr:Ptiong, long ago -how short time in ret4001-When Billy and I used to go nett- hig_an,4 fishing there, we: thought it the swektept epot on earth. I almost think it so brit not odd that I should look withiench kindness upon the scene .of my gteitteet trouble ?" . 'caliph 1" with a shudder; "o not let us_ ttO k Of it." - - ' icyy not? I often do. It seems very far way now. She had her grievance too P00'4'14111" t • t "When will you start 7" 1.bruptly. tf-week Monday ?" I ▪ „roorrow," with decision4. "The b004, the better. If 1 •-die on the way," viitt4tue1 gayety, blame youreelf for it, and emember you would have it So." "'.:?.morrow, then," says 'Duke with a lonOigh. _ • - -Crow ,the- threshold and enter the out,*11 at Strangemore, a great passionate ririefit =restrainable rapture- flews over Ine4..gudden recollections and emotions threaton to -overpower me. I am ,at home, itwetWornembered object sends emit to me a :AV Out my hand to my heat, Each r . thou!....*d weloomes. With silent joi I greet tthtt;;_at last ! With an impulsive Move- mei Ytif;Itiompelled by the strange Wilfulness ShitrlorrOw and lonelinesshaVe bred within mei I,/ pommel all this from Marmaduke, andifi returning the servants' salutations wit :44 'courtesy kind but subdued, I go slowly tip. thiret•aits and into my own rem: 400rs beyond are flung -wide. What waCTOrinerly 'Duke's dressing -room it now trarigormed into a boudoir, While the apart- met:40;00nd that again is an exquisitely furttiiihed reception-room.i pitop boudoir a small fire burns, and thati_04 we may count ourselves now well bite:* summer, still the bright flames loottriirarm and homelike, and involuntarily setiitith out my handeto their friendly ib, . f• , ,Ithook at the door. Instead a oiling out, Pome WI" I go forward, and, open- ing ust . dmyself face -to, fire .rith "!ny h "1 Yot will not come down to dinner?" he- , • sayer ,ut his tone 10 -8 question-aloiost. -an C:! treaty. eaty. -• e ' return ungratefully ' I am too t„. • hall he better alone.', • ece expresses -dieappointmonot.• ' 4.4am--sure you are right," he stlytionov- ing i! Try to relit and 2o/1'40 your, hut* r Theijreninant of otinscienee stall retain. here't*, ites me. t- " ',14,2rooma are so pretty," I say; !quickly, folloting him a. step or two.; " they are - , - very ovely. Was it all . your o*ii taste? Itittitso good of you to de it for .7e." • -",..rott. are pleased ?" coloring. " fancied -yotfonld like them changed. • - "7.411as More than good of you," I say agaitA'remorsefully: "You think f every- thing and I- am always =grateful." ‘4110isense- -Get back your old, spirits, and-rshall be richly, rewarded."; Then Witb, a: sudden, unexpected movement, " YoN,are welcome home, Phyllis," he safe, andTending, presses his lips to mine. • io *Ole very first caress holies offered me c5noo our second marriage; and now it Is th:4411ghtest, fleetest thing conceivable. CorOsed and puzzled, I turn beak into my rooriwith a sensaticin that is almost feat at m--;_tf..4eart. What a bold, unloving kiss! A merOduohing of the lips, ;without warmth or 't-litering pressure. - What if he has OE =An love rae ? 7- e toil, through pain and wrong. - 4 WeJight, and fly ; • - • We love, we lose,and then, erelong, 11:Stone dead.weie. le lite 1 is all thy song - wEndure;—sed die? • T.N4 'sorrowful, ,despairing Wordd. repeat therifietves over and over again in my brat* '.11They fasoinate and yet -repel me. WhY•must the wretchedness of this viOrld so heavitiioverbalanoe the good? - • 1*i* the small volume from me with sonx6teripalienee as Marmaduke camel in. ' Ratite- been studiously' oold to me of late Odeed, he has ehowzi ati open and marc 4 avoidance of my company.; It has at tiMei forced itself upon me that he hitt*, repente his - hasty persistence at titatelton, and would now g1ad,117 sever the ttifthat• binds us, Were that potuble. A64142 moment he is looking bored and -moo° the last- degree, as he -gets to One Ottt4",-5itindowei- and stands idly taking out "law /:1.1,--i;t4lasesPirk tat:1;74w: anditit021504Yeellan "'yets Ur 'es-urely I am now now battle.' r. wortb rei0;;_iug than in Shoes first days sh Hazel- ton; Wften he appeared I50 SOX10128 to -make nieWown..ut e -latter end of July, war,it tSultry, gloziOthe. latter and I am ones mortij•the Phyllis of old. My cheeks are rout.and soft and -childlike as of -ore mV , eye: are bright and clear and have -lost thefs',Onnatural largeness, my figure has iegaipticl its original healthy elasticity; yet Mar4idulia heeds. me not .. eqqa:enly, with tome abruPthese, and witis*,*9 turning to look at me; hetays "opt you think it would bean improve-. megt_td-ask some peOple down lora, elt ? It ruitot Make tninge more cheerful for you. Jug* old lot, you know:" - ••• Flat last he thas made an open oonfes- iiiofi:Othe dulness -that I feel sure Ilea been ttning him; - he thas disoovered that a- ye 1110 of my hothty, Salient singly, cite 2 if shodd- t oft "" For taking me off her hands? L1111 see what comes of associating -with .berha- tiaras," retorts Bebe, with a shrug. Yet, with all their badinage ano appionnt, unconcern, I can perceive arilinderourrant - of constraint between these two. Daring - all the -first week, this forced gayety and determined forgetfulness of the sweet land bider past oontinues-and then falls away. Silence and avoidance take their place, and in Chandos especially I notice a Zia - tent -avoidance ot all converse bordering on a tete:a-tete. I am beginning to despair of any gk_Ntd result arising from this second brin together of them in my house, when v,ne evening shortly before the tormina1iic4 of their visit a something, a mere trifle, otiours, that is yet --sufficient to alter the tenor of more lives than one. It is the 27th • of August. Dinner is atan and, and, tired �f strolling the grounds end gardens -so softly ,periumed by fIe night flowers -we three women pass tato the lighted drawing -room, while Marna- dtike- and - Ohandos linger outside on the balcony to finish.their -cigars, 1.1et my fingere Wander ' idly over the piano, and now and again hum softly some old'air or ballad. , "Bebe, sing soniething for as to-night.T I Ray coaxingly, rishig from the ptano-e She is not bud of letting -us heather ter - hotly beautiful voioe. "Anything you Eike yourself; only stns.." Don't ask me,: she objetits, langrally. It is so long sinoe 1 have Sung thet Beexcely know any song -correctly. HargifOt• will tell you . I rarely if ever touch the piano." - . But you must," I -pereist. "Weak down if you will, only let me hear your vdioe.- Remember there are no ungener- ous oritios here, and nobody's inoteng pleases me so inuoh as yours." 'HD°, -Miss Beatoun; says some ,one. It is Chandos. He and Marmaduke hove dome in through the open window, and aft new etimdiug-in its embrasure, framed by the hanging curtains en either aide. The tone of his voice strikes M8 as bethle odd. . Heti looking eagerly, fixedly at kor will she refine this sudden, unexpected; request of his? C•oming after his late &d - nese it surprises even me. . Bebe raises- to his a face. ogling, lad ; ;" Well,' yes, I will sing you sonlethintz,"• she says, and taking my -1)19.0e, strike3 low lingering chords. - '" I have no •thuate with me," she -on. tinues; with her face turned from lie„ 90 you must be satisfied with -whatever comes first to ate:" _ Then she be Along the grass sweet sire are blo Our way, this day in spring; Of all the songs that weave known Now 'which one Shall We sing? Not that, my love, ahl no; . Not this? my love ? why so ?. • Yet both Were ours, yet hours will come end 0 - The branoiree cross above our eyes, The skies are inn net, And what's -the thing beneath the'skles We two Would most fairget?. 1.11Toott bd ei ra!th,h, mmyy / ovvea,,nnoo, nnoo, -The love once ours, but ours long hours ago. As she Q0D188 to the last line, a Ouriinis, wild sadness, that is almost despair, thtn- els with the petulant defiance that as hitherto characterized her tone. And the Music, where has she got it 2.---so-weirduso pathetic, so full of paesionate recklessness. When she is finished we are -silent. I £e1 horribly inclined to cry, yet scarcely haw why, and am oertain Illtermatitike's eyes zee fastened upon me;q:;-- - (TO bii we as lot •tin ye' isti can pril sha bla) tim • • • \ -