Newspapers / The Charlotte Observer (Charlotte, … / July 22, 1906, edition 1 / Page 18
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-V .-... -Copyright IM by V. ' CHAPTER XIIL .'tHB FIR8T DROPS OF THB THUN- r, . -..,- ' DUK-BHOWKR. . "O MedJe. who with thy smiling Haat enchained my heart, onca free' ' Vv Gounod, . whoaa aweet and aenuoua : l iburch mualo hua something of the quail '" V,,af rood strong thick stupefying In' . tn-nse-emoke, has written - some accept- v. able love-aongs; auch at least waa l.u '. clan'a oolnlon. "Aided bv tha nlght'i atlllneaa and tha seductive Influence o( tha at ream which cradled their boat, . Noel Farauhar'a flna dramatic vole ran V9 tha valley to tha hotel,' half a -nlle .away, -vnw iwini auiu pansa y uu .'."' elan's banjo did not travel ao farV Far quhar had a powerful voice, thoroughly well trained: ha did not tremble in sen : aatlonal passion and murder time in tha i nam of liberty, nor yet did ha alternate ' '. It spue out hia words and cobble them v, ..- down. And ha had Are; ha could alnf tha vary heart out of a eong. ilia native , the general good; be would sing 'Tha Lost Chord" and VThe Holy City" and "Beauty'a Eyes," and other favorltee, '-' te please young ladlea such as Angela Laurenson and elderly gentlemen who . Una a little muslo after dinner. But Lu- votn had a taboo on these: he offered Farquhar tha choice between what ha - aMi ma . riruiiv muwo imr-aniiia infl B , rtoug modern discords which we all de- mi.i. w vt inw jiaiiK a iui imi j . 1 1 , . i, -fiii. " a chorus In which ha expressed his desire . ta Join. Whereupon Farquhar hurriedly nwtrita upon meaje. It eu a dear rileht of atimmar atlll - and starry. The stream's dark class - we uiniou wiiii vuvvr iniav wiui'U Waiver ad and rose and receded as. if It were ' - aw. .laltM. A I nr. a .a,., I .4 . ti... . smooth hills, spreading dark wlnaa over . - uw - vai7, ireimvii peace, r or aounas t's they had the tinkle of the orchard run' . rial and tha deeo breatha of enwa wrench. Ing the dewy grass; and (or scents the - a4e y luiua wi ina water . ana mo woooe, as wall aa the sweeter individual smells Of flowers: flaxen tneadow.aweat- w,, M V. 1 1 . . . ' . , reeoa, ana ciover in xna rneaaow-grassea. . "A M.mvnm a.lah 111. tkl. I- .L i .imitation of Paradise this slda of tha (tniaen uaiea." said Luclan, - leaning down to watch tha ripples parting ailver- -."1'2 BOt a sent to gat Into Pars,' ' "Toil Tffll'l b aakeA. annnv." v " Thrra you're right Cor there no tuch piece. i our view on eecnaioiogy, my rriend. appear demned definite." '. .' Lrlan leaned back and folded bla arms reatfullv: ha liked nothlne- better than in :: axplor tha reeeesea of Farquhar'a ehar acter. which wera commonly open only - an-ir aara. - . . nmn i to a anv iniimationa nr im. 3. rnortnlltv from the recollections of early . hIiIMIuuiiIt" k. ..wa - "None." said Farauhar." "Mvv ha . Seventy years of thla world's long enough ' for me. I don't want an eternity to laarn to be good In. Another point: If - believed what you Christians believe, do yon think I'd live as yeu live? Not much. Act p to your creed; there's tha V secret r nsnpiness. ' "And what's your creed, then?" ' "Let us eat and drink, for to-mormw we may die," said Farquhar, cynically - -' "And auppoee the workings of Causa tion eame and put a stopper on Tour . Hunr ana unnimri u you were orntarnt to grinding poverty, say, or got Infect-- ed with leorosy, or didn't marry Dolly l neras always tna ultimata remedy, "Which means, being Internretedr a 11I.I A A vorkllA nf nnannnil Nilnil. T,t .' take arood care It wasn't called accident- m ur-ji.111. a wunurr, uvw. it mfva aivv "Not if I waa anywhere around, sonny you may depend on that. Bo vou aerioun Iv contemplate suicide aa a possible end or your nrer "Probable, hot possible; I keen mv re- . Volver loaded. I've had .that before ma ' ven e'rvce "I remember." . "Well. I'll alve you" credit of "being ' mnilatAnr nnl Anr't vnn Ini.lnr1 ni among tha Christiana, for I m not ona 1 - Ton can put down my Inconslntenclrs C to that If you like. If I d owned a ereed. Wv well." . "Tou'ra sorrv you've none?" i ... "Vee." said Lucia n. "Tha Almighty doesn't seem to know His own business very well." h ' Lion f you oiasoneme." ssia L,ucisn. -1 can t say i peiieve ?nat tnsra is there isn't. When little bnya Ilka Vou ' it nmfana vaii mtkt ni fltlnlr nf Mmi . kids I knew, who had a midnight sun- V" per In tha church-yard- ,to show thev weren a afraid of hoaiesz And It rained '. and ona got rheumatic fever; that waa - ire." ha wound uo. cheerfully". vFareinhar lauahed. and broke off to ' ask. '"la that anv ona caUlnaT" "Wha'd look us nn at this tlma of . Bight, cept It was tha poeimanT" Are you expectlne: a letterf" v. ""T had nif weekly budget yeeterday. ; and ao did you, sonny; don't be .lealous." 1 am jealous; i m eontounaeaiy jcal ; ous." . - " "What Is It yon want, boyf -' Mfl.. I.U,. It. T am vara fullv sllwe tA thai tmmntnm. ' tlon jpf playing with a tiger; he pulled - out Polly's grey envelope and played a - tuna on tha back of It. ''Hera It la; what .. - a . I , . ' wu ivu wan. w inuw j . "I want to know how aha addresses , you and signs herself, and what the ul- . atance of it's Ilka, and how many sheets , a lie aenoa tout "How many does she aend you? "Not much. Suppose aha called yor . aarung ana ma oniy aesrr "Bv Heaven. Luctan, I shouldn't won. i-, I e V P.I.P.J vn In anw al a ..-. , nignii- "Did yon say In youc sleep or In mine?" Lucinn put In. "I'd not do It In my aenses, for I've no wish, to be hanged for murder: but, t fall vnil T atan't mat tha Ihmiahl At Ihnai letters ot - youra out or my need. And ' when tha wtil's In abeyance the body sometimes works of Itself. -You keen . your door locked: mind,.; I've .warned f vu. f "Upon my 'solemn honour, old Fart her, you are a savage!'; exclaimed Lu "Take the thing away; keep It out of Signu . "I guess you'd read It If you foundTlt lying about?" , x "Tou'ra rlrht. I should. I'd have onen , ad tha envelope yesterday bv tha atenm , of the kettle, only Dolly 'd been at tha . palna to aeal It, confound herl" , - ,., Luclan gave htm a queer glance.'' That cynical confession did not alienate him; for ona thing, ha knew thnt it waa neces sary to make a large discount upon Far quhar'a revelations of Iniquity, and for V another, had it been true to the last word ' lt could not bsvs changed his feeling. . Ptmng, quiet, and Immovable, that tuv , welded -Into , tils life; It almost equaled nVI f I f n I m f Uii tvmA n alua hi. letter to Hrniiiar,"i)ul checked hia hand In mld-ali; Dolly's affectionate Words ' might so easily be misconstrued by , jealoua eye. Instesd. ha plunged the n Velope over tha slda, and let it float away. ; . : . v- , .;. ., "Thersgoes temptation,'" ' hs said, ' as ' the chain of bubbles ended. "There'll be others to ooms, though, -There Is some one calling." . . It waa Cliarlesworth hailing them from . the shore; Farquhar took up tha oars and , mam ual-h. 1 iiv ; nua UKure or ine Amarlcnn loomed up against the twllit , sKy, quiet aa a rock ; ha never was im- a , ' ' -. f , "Way up at the hotel I heard yon sing. I Ing. and I madr out you must be down . tiers, sir; higher up tha water's not deep - rnoush to drown a kitten,"- ha said, as Fsnjuhar secured the boat. A stake and a ropa were all that waa needed, without ita 1 aas im anj .aiiaia waa mini Hinmnunia ai t-eui-raya "Nothing W ran a. la tlieraf" Famuhar aaVel. 1 1 t ...,-;., ; , , , :t 5- "I'd not go ao far as to say that; but told you we ysre running Into some irti and It's come up pretty close." ' .."Ah! what's up, thenf ,, . , Charteawnrtlk fell In beside him and told Ills tela - The path was narrow, tha grxss dewy, and the American had ehown pret tr plainly that he took his orders from from one muster only. Lurlan dropped behind meekly held his pence. It a rt thet the lud who.lmd been Inlured wss demanding compcnsltion; Chearlesworth, : mm ; CR iiucsif f -r x ; . "x BY ROSE JCVKEKES.J , Harper A. Bros.) 5 who was ready to give, had refused to concede; and a venomoua little tllcpute had sprung up, which waa breeding bud blood between him and tha men. Added to thla, rhey were asking higher wages. "I couldn't put up with him, and tbnt's the square truth," Charlesworth frauMy acknowledgfid. "If lie d come to roe and said, 'I was knocked silly, and I've lost a ooupla of .weeks; I know I'd no busi ness to be where I waa, and I deserved an. I got, but can you du anything for mar then I don't say but what I might have turned to and helped him out; that's talking. But when ha awaggers up and says. 'Show ua the colour of your money and be banged to you, else I'll make you,' wny, men i teH mm mat ne a at uoeriy to go to Hudee If ha likes, but not a red cent shall he get from me, I don't know know whether that's your way of doing DUKineaa. sir. nut I guess u s. mine. - "My dear fellow, I'd not have you back down, don't think it! I've .a prefer ence myself for fighting things oat When was ibis?" , . . - Farquhar's words wera exemplary,- but hia face was less discreet; It was mani fest that he did prefer to fight things out, and Charlesworth, who laid no claim to the Christian grace of meekness, hail ed a spirit akin. "This evening, after pay-time. ' I cam right round to you." . . ' , . ... ' , , . "VYhat'g tha next mova to be?" ' . "Well," said Charlesworth, dellberata ly: "I guess It's me they've got down on now; but when tha tlma cornea they wont stop to sort us out. They're pret ty sick about our new fangled machinery for ona thing,-and then there'a tha busi ness about -the Britishers; taking ona thing with another, and thla compensa tion racket on the . top, you may bet they're sure-enough mad. And I've no use for a funeral at present. So before wo go any further, sir. -I'd ask you to come round to the works: for there'a a job there I'd Ilka you to see " . Ha would not sxplaln any furthsr. avud tha trio walked on past tha gold-lltten windows of the hotel towards the quarry. All waa silent there and dark save for tha algnal-lamp of tha watchman, spark ling on tha brow of the pit among tha constellations high In tha dark sky, like a topas among diamonds. Picking their way among ma truck lines, wnicn con verged like so many silver cords from all directions towards tha mouth of the quarry, they came up to the splendid block of granite mnrkwd ..out by Charles worth -for their first serious essay - In carving, - Its rich, even colour and flna grained texture made It very valuable. A ptuar hewn from it, overrun by cuny tailed dragons and rosea of strange de sign, wss assigned to stand in a temple of the Flowery Land. Another part was to misrepresent tha king In tha market place of a country, town; and they had accepted other ordera aa well, ror the whole mass weighed soma thousanda of tona. ITpon tha fulfilment of these con dltlona the future of thevouarry depend ed For three weeks past they had been hard at work lnosenlns; tha aranlte from Ita bed and getting It free from the other blocka which wedged It In; an operation Involving nice calculation and accurate obedience. Under Charleaworth's' direc tions, shot-holes three feet deep and aix Inches apart were bored along tha line of cleavage, cleaned out, charged with a cartridge, and Ailed up or tamped with clay. With each cartridge length of siow ruse waa connected, ine oirterent atranda beinsr gathered together In metal case called tha igniter, so that the cartridges could be fired simultaneously. Some use electricity to explode the charge, Charleaworth did not. The oner stor. generally himself, had to betake nimaeir nimtviy out or tne way wnue me fuse burned on at three feet per minute till It came to tha cartridge and finished its work. Already several small blasts had taken place, preparatory to a large final explosion which was to dissever the whole block from Its bed. I guess that's what they're got their eys op," said Charlesworth, coming to a stand In front of tha cliff. Farauhar thrust hia hands Into h a pockets and said nothing. "Dmitri. Dmltrlvevltch vows to be avenged of hia enemies,"' suggested Lu cian at nis ear. "What a that? Shut no. De Baumarea. I'm doing a little thinking.- So you think they mean to spoil tha stone, eh, Char- leswortnr - . . "I auess thev mean to." anld the Amer. lean, austerely, "but I auesa I don't mean them to." Well. 4res. I eueaa tha aame- hut how an you mink they'd set about It?" Tamper with the cartridges. Over. charge them. I'd bet: smash the whole place up.,ao's you couldn't rut a ladv'a paper-weight out of the bits. And If wa went up along with it I ruess they wouian t ao into mourmnsr. i nat s tne kind of crowd they are, measly little city-bred slushes who'll do anvthlna an long as tney can keep their own aklns wnoie. I don t want to lose mv arnnlta. and tin less to lose my lire," said Farauhar. mow ao, you propose to circumvent them.?" Well, there'a three of ua. sir: I reckon we should be able to keen thin am atralahr. 1 a a re say you anow tne ainerence be ween a nne-nound charae and a. two. nound. and I know I do. and an rinea Xfe de Ban ma res here. What ws shall have to ao la to watch. There s a matter 01 a couple more blasts to run. bealdea tha last. It '11 mean testing every charge every nme; out mat's now I made out we'd do It.. Or. of coursa. If vou Ilka It better, ws could cave In, and glva tha nttie cogger nis solatium, and rnlae tht men: mm a auiet tnem ror a hit an men l aare say they'd let tin get thl Job through and we could fight it out alter, wnen we oont stand to lose so much. . I'm not boss here; it's for you to cnaje, air. "What do' yon say. Pa Haumarei?" "What the dickens Is the use of ma saying anything... when you've alreadv mane uo your minn like unto tne aolid eartn mat cannot ne moved? 'Well. I think we'll nrht It nut -than said Farauhar. with a lauxh. Ana tney went back to the Hotel, " . ... CHAPTER XIV.. " 8 MALI BEKR,' " A white cloth, white lilies and scarlet geraniums, her tiled floor, flux-blue china the low sun or evenlnr . tin In ted the r colours arresb; tha lily pet Is glistened and anarkled like frosty snow. All tha windows wera onen. and tha soft lima wind that stirred the straight muslin cur tains miea tna amply room "with tha scents or unseen nlnks. Then ram a in Dolly, carrying a aquat rounded Jusr of brown earthen wars - smoothly overlaid In silver; the snot of light dsnclng inside snowea mat tna jug was run. - she set it down by thg wooden elbow-chair at tha tenia's foot, put straight sprig of parsley on tha dish of cold meat, glanced at the clock, which aald five minute to seven, and then sat down, half In sun- hlne ana Unir in shade, with her hands In her lap. For no longer than a minute waa aha idle; a . bonk lay open on the table. Its leaves ruffling and flying ovr ana over, ana ana ouiiea it across and began to read at haphnxard, aa ona visit ing an . old friend. Far between those eovers her old friends dwelt tn an army, nd-'Doiirs ravounte was named Jonis 'Artagnan. Since the age of seven ahe had read Dumas In hia native tongva. Her brow waa clear, her breath waa even. she only moved to turn her psge; tran quility was Dolly's dower, beatowed on her by perfect . health and peaceful nerves. . . . " j'- : At .aa,a-l AlAy,W Ha-H4 Mall In ..1 Dolly quitted tha oak of Fontalnebleau to make the ' tea. "Have you washed your hands?" waa bar greeting, for Ber. rlard waa not as careful about 'auch things as he might have been. Bernard answered:1 "Yes. . 'Had a good day? ' - , , "Pretty fair." , , 1 ' , ' Standing before the tray, Dolly puf a piece og sugar Into her cup, thefTsoms milk,' then some cream, and lastly, the clear, auburn, aromatic ten. Authorities agree thst this Is the only correct meth od of tes-mskJng, but Dolly kept their lawn without knowing . them. Hernard tilted tin the silver jug and looked Inside, end gin need serosa st hie sister, "Have you got another cup?'' he Inquired. "I gweae I')! have tea to-night." "Tea, Bernard?" . " ' "Isn't there enough to go wtindT . "Oh! Plenty .' aald Dolly. "Aren't you welir' ... Tra ott beor for tha present; that's "It's Ortlte good: I tasted soma when 1 Drew It," said Dolly, after a pause, f , "Dure say." said Bernard. reaal-Jlng the silver Jug as though he thoushf the beer very good Indued, "but I don't want It to-day. Are you going to' give me aoaie tal" . Dolly made a step towards tha Clip board, checked herseir, and sat oowi "You'd better fetch the cup youraelf: It the nroner thine for VOU to Walt On tne. "I don't see why wa should always be on our best behaviour here at home. 1 ob served Barnard, aa, . in complylr.f. , he knocked aver tha augur basin. . - 'Kacauae If vou don't practice at bom you go wrong when you are out. - You pushed pastime qn Sunday as wo eame Ant nf church " '' . ' - The charge being truei Bernard fait annoyed, lis essayed to drink nis. tea. pursed up his Upssnd put down the cup in a hurry. ' - ' . ... j ,fIf you won't drink tha beer, I will: It would be a pltty to waste.it," aald Dolly, woo trri waicmng mm."-; v "Vou eat tlnav if vou drank all that "I was not proposing to drink all that; T fvMil.i not do it If I tried. - I cannot un derstand bow men . can dispose of so . "nlrla rlnn't work like men do. "It's a good.thlng you are giving it up, then; I ve noticed mat you were oegin nlna to aet atout." - i - Bernard continued to look stolid. Oat of patience, Dolly launched at him aiidden aneatlnn. .. --- - -. - "Are you turning teetotaller to piease Miss Lauren son?" . : , , ."I'm not turtn-c teetotaller. , . I'm only trying It for a Itma." -. 'But Is It to please Miss LaurensonT" ' "Well, yee: I guess It la," -.j: , ? "Not -really, Bernard?"' asked , Dolly, with a change of tone. ". .. , . - "Whv not?" . -r "She Isn't your sort. And you've only known her for air weeks.".. Coma to think of It. I . wouldn't say tha dude la your sort; but you seem to like talking to him." ' "Bernard, da you want to marry her?" asked Doily, arter a pregnant pause, .''I'm Botnr to." - - - .'..... . "Hssn't it occurred to -you that she mav have something to say about that?" "I dare say sbe'll refise ma, but It aha uvea 4 vi - wca "a ...... "And If she refuses you again?" -"Then I'll go on asking till aha ac cepts." . . "In fact, If you persevere you think ahe is nouna to give hit - -r ' "Girls generally do." ; - ' .. .."Do thev? r shouldn't." 1 " TTou aren't Ilka moat rtrls. Tou'va been hrnnaht un With men. . - "But, Bernard, Mlaa Laurenaon Is an heiress: she has eight hundred a yeaf of her -own, -and" more - to coma.. Mrs. Morton told ma ao." "Has she? Well, eight hundred a year ,t 1 W .. . iM aA a.Ana I It UIIIUJ 11, IIUUU ,. a HI a W ucnj,. , aa. If it a true, that le' "And she is very pretty, and aha droja es well, and her family la unexcepUon ale," pursued Dolly. "I expect she could marry a peer If she liked, or at any rate a oourtesy title." "Yes, but all those titled chaps are pretty rotten,", anld Bernard, cheerruny damning ' the aristocracy In a lump. "She'd do a sight better to take ma. I'm pretty strong and free from vice, and sound In wind and limb; and aa for fam ily, iguess ours Is good enough for any body. Isn't it?"" Dolly wss reduced to silence, but shs was so completely preoccupies mat ans poured r"iam and sugar into Bernard's cup and ulled It up with beer, producing a mixture which he denounced In em phatic language and emptied out of the window. Presently she Interrupted his talk about the Tarm by asking: "Bernard, are you fond of "berT" "She's setting a bit long In the tooth. It's true, but she's a pretty creature atlll. I guess sue suits me. a well a any, was tbe surprising answer. "I menn Miss Laurenson." "Oh. I thought you were talking about old- Empress; i waa." "Are you fond of her?" "Tea,' said Bernard, composedly. ' "I am." ' Dolly shrugged her shoulders. "I hops It will turn out wall." "Hope so, too," sold Bernard. "She ought to take me simply out of gratitude. Anything more beastly than tea with this cojd beef I never did taster On the morrow, while Dolly was sweep ing her room out. Margie came up gasp ing, to announce "Miss Lawson;" aha had a happy knaok of confounding names. It was. In truth. Angela, driven up by a pair of donkeys, as Ella Merton said, tnougn oniy one waa in tnerinans. Mrs. Merton herself would not come In. because she declared. Jehosaphat had a satanlc temper and was more complete ly omnlvorons than an ostrich; beside devouring reins nnd boots and tln-tacks, he had a craving for any human flesh except that or his mistress, an exception wnicn r.ua mumpnantiy aaaurea in sup port or her seir-beatowea name, aince aald 'she. doc doesn't eat dog. Therefore Angela waa alone In the par lour when Dolly came down, rather not. in a faded old dress: Angela, vary cold and dainty In white muslin, now feeling thst the -advantage or appearance had fallen to her. Yet, In spite of her dress and her daintiness, she was still like a delicate sketch by the side of a beautiful painting. "I'm sorry Mr. Fane Isn't In." ahe be gan, rather stiffly. Angela eoutd not ap prove of Dolly, and would not fpretend tnat ana a:a. - , "The regret will he nil 6n hia slda Won't you sit down?" quoth Dolly, very oolite. . - "I'm afraid I can't stay, I am keeping Mrs. -Merton. iay i leave a message tor nimr . - "I shall be charmed to deliver It." Drtl ly asaured her; and Angela sought conso lation by mentally dubbing her accent provincial. Dolly exaaoerated her to auch an extent that aha was ready to Imagine a Klntlsh twang In Mlaa Fane's foreign intonation. wi-iidi, an i, , ana aa iiiiaimru ill temperance reform" here Dolly amlled "and I thought under the clroumstsncss he might care to attend the great un sec tarian conference which la to be held at Bwanhorough next week. I dare say you nave neara or it." - "No: we- have aevared our aonneetioa with tha chapel." "This meeting Is undenominational." "'Essence of chanel. isn't that? Tr an I nsvs always understood. ."Perhaps you will tell your brother that it begins at three o clock," Angela trust ea nerseii to ssv. -.. i "I am sura Bernard will be dellxhled to go. ui course.- ne mignt speaa mm self almost st a reformed drunkard." air. iinir" : . "Yoil -converted Mm, did you not?" , "I converted him? From what?'' . VOh! from his habit of drinkinr beer. I am so glad; I have often told him that ne took too much." "Really. Miss Fane?" said Angela. In accents of serious . concern. "I had no Idea of it! - What ' a shocking thing! I am Indeed thankful that I have been In. strumentat In helping him to reform." lnily Hps twitched, but she instantly r ono waa Angela s- iena. :,"ut cotiree it was-not yet very" serious, and ha did tint often-reU exceed. But I aaaure -ymt I am most grateful for all you have done; you. have a wonderful, influenca ove4.1ia truly wonnerrui I" . , . - .. "Then I shall hope to see htm at Swan. Dorougn; ana perhaps you will coma. ioot iou neea not reel emnarreased; thfere wl'l ba Dlentv of atria VOIIf Awn age to keep you m countenanoe," said A ne-r ih. pleasantly. f : . . -'.( Thank-you so much,"- said, Dolly, as she opened tha front door, .. She stood on the ateoe to sneed the parting cuesta. - When tha laat itickep nf Angela's whits psrasol had vanished.- she remarked ta nereeir: certainly Bernard hna a better tight . to trust hie own Judgment than any one I know!"., , , Both she and Bernard went tn Int. borouxh for the meet In a. Thev drove and, after putting up tha horse, had tha satisraotion ot encountering Miss La li re naon and' her brother outside tha sta tion. Bernard went straight to Angela's strle, snd polly found herself - walking with Mr.' Laurenson. tal was nn talk. el-; and as the uncivilised Dolly had not yet.ienrnea to sneaa wnen sne Old. pot want to, tbey walked on In silence. Swanboroush wss a town of t went thousand people, mostly wicked, Stand ing on a thlul river. It harboured tha vessels of' all nations and tne twouiinr vices of each; there were, besides, bar racks In tha town, which brought their special dangers. High wages and a high standard of living prevailed; tha head o', one family would he cWllIng for green pess In April, while the head of another, discharged from the same position, per haps fur drunkenness, would send his children, filthy, barefoot, -and fasnlahlng, Into' the streets to beg. That populur vice, drunkenness, flourished like a green bay-tree. A public house blnaamnml at every street's comer, and Its devotees lounged in its snade with their bands In their holy pockets. Passing one such palace ss a youth pushed open the door,' Dolly had a view of the emwrtad baa snd bresfhed In a, puff of hot vapour wherein the scents of tobacco and gin snn pia ciotnes contenneo lor the .mat tery, . " , i. . ... - ....'... ,,, . "There ara too many nf thnaa ftlnnaai" she exclaimed, averting r hnr .offended face. . ,- . . ' .: , There art," Lai answered her, rather blUvrlv. '"I cannot See why the licenses ' are renewed." ' . . "Can Vou not? Every Enalish aovern ment lives by this trlffic; do you expect pious sons to commit narrtclde?" "You feel very strongly about It." said youy, wonaerlng. "I see the results of the. present sys tem." i . . 'Then do you believe In Prohibition or Local Option?" , "IT I believe In putting the whole trade under public control, In reducing tha number i of licenses, and In giving the publicans a- fixed salary independent of tne numuer oi men tney turn into oruna arda." . " v ,- ' - "But those are- not Miss lysurenson's views, , surely?" asked Iolly, somewhat taken aback. - Lai was already, repenting of hia cadourr - N . "It'a one of the' questions of principle On which we differ," be said; in big soft. lasy voice-. "Don t betray . me, miss Fsnei It .will be time for me to reveal mv hereslus when Prohibition comes down out of the clouds. Angela herself Is not where her theories are: ana does plenty of practical hard work." - , "Mr. Laurenson, what practical hard - "i?"-; - I---- v. - - "You. I know rou do something." 'Who told you anything about me?" "No ona I gathered It from the way you apeak." ? u "Oh, I see.". Lai was. unmistakably re lieved.' . ,.'"-''.: ; - - ' "I wish you would tell me hew you set awui it. '.-.,..-"I'd rather not- discuss tha question. "I beg your pardon," said Dolly. Twice now,' had he. shit up like an oyatsr and pinched her . flngera: and ah was half angry, until she recognised that he meant ne rudeness. To thla conclusion wag ahe brought by the study of hia face. - Lai, when he spoke of himself, had a trick of dropping nia eyeuua. so mat, as tne iasn eg. were long,- his eyes were hidden com pletfly: he was foolish enough to be mod est. The . compression of his sensitive Hps notified Dolly of another extenuat Ing clrcumatancev namely, that he was uncomfortable to the point of frensy. In escaping her Inquiries he wss ready to leap clear .over the bars ot politeneas; surely, then,? since ha so valorously de fended their . privacy, hia convictions must be very dear to him. Aa she was musina thus.- the drooped lids were rais ed with , disconcerting abruptness, and Lai's beautiful dark-grey ayes looked down nppeallng)y ' l.. "I did not msan to pe ruae. i wouia rather be . rude to . any one than you." he aald. : ; , - lolly's breathjng quickened; a warm spring rose In her heart. "I had no bus iness to ask you; but I thought perhaps might do aometning myseir," sne saiu. "It la onlv that 1 r' Here Lai stopped. "I don't think" he began again; and finally clothed his thoucht In a xenernl law, together eliminating the painful per sonal pronoun L "An amateur's private opinion Is never very Interesting." "Ana you wouia -rurner not taia aoout your private opinions." "I'm not very good at it," Lai admit ted. "In fact, I generally make a fool of myself when I try aa on the present occasion." The victim of sphasla had put off hia apology until they were rloss to tne nnll, ana turtner conversation was stopped by their arrival at the door. "You're coming In?" said Dolly, as he paused. ' He shook n:a neaa. "Don't you approve of this?" "I'm afraid I don't like religion when It'a vulgar," aald Lai. He ralaed his hat and walked off down the street, snd Dolly and tier friends went In. No cause needs salvation from Its friends as doea thla temperance. In tol erance, exaggeration, bad logic, bad taste, and bad grammar have all support ed and do support it still, estranging men who would be content to work with the noble charter given them by St. Paul: "ir meat make my rtroiner to orrsnd. i will eat no flesh while the world stand sth." At Bwsnbrought there were two evang elists, whose name appeared on the pro gramma as Rev. Dr. Brown nnd Rov. S. Jonea, for your true temperance evange list eschews the- adjective as rigidly aa terapernncg' In bis speeches. The one spoke on "Gospel Dynamics"; the other proved the-. Bible a totnl-sbsllnence book and, incidentally, himself no orator. Angela found It hard to be pleased: sne looked at Bernard, and saw him yawn- gin undlsgulsedly, and then at Dolly, who aat with hands folded. Inattentive but composed. - - . And Dolly wss composed, though sne was conscious of a strange exaltation which rosed her eheek and set her heart throbbing and pulses beating In time with it In every finger. A well-spring of soft warmth suffused her frame: she shut her eye and aaw visions, she who was no creamer visions in wnicn one flrure alone wss constant. Bhe owned the truth. "I love him," she told herself. Shame she did not feel: ahe believed that La) loved her back.- end even If he did not there was no humiliation, since her gift was voluntary, alnce she was Sroud of her love. He won ber bKjwIng alter than herself. Dolly was a little pagan: her love was ss wild as a bird; but In It ran a puritan strain which claimed an answering purity In the man ahe loved. irreproachable though he waa. Noel Farauhar could not alve her that, nor yet could Luclan. though he waa nearer to her Ideal. - But in Dolly's room at horns shs had n- engraving of Watt'a fine picture of Sir Galahad: and the artist might have drawn, his young night's face from Itl as he looked, on a Sunday morning in church, when ha sst tn his corner behind a oiltnr which hid him from sight, as' he thought. H:id he known that Dolly had a elear liioutrh narrow view of hia pmOle against the black marble ot a mural tablet it mould nave made Dim roi tospecuvaiy very un happy. 1 : '-.. Love left Dolly the same girl as before. save thst It Illumined a slda of her na ture which had been hidden, aa the sun light, creeping across . from - tha first faint Mm of the crescent, slowly enllxht ens the disk of the moon. Truev shs now felt quite ehsrltable towards Angela; but Ancala wss lull's sister; She wss also mora llnlent to the unsrammatlcal orators on the platform; for the excel lent reason that she did not listen , to them. These were accidents of circum stance. But When a stout ladv In front eoatacntly planted the hind-leg of ber cnair upon laiuy s maiep ana est heavi ly down, the ennobling power of love did not hold aer back from teellng annoyed, Whan they-eame nut Dolly-listened to a dlacusslon of tha msetlng, and herself sdded her word witn moderate Indiffer ence. They wslKafl together to tha sta tion, but Dolly, whose mood waa dreamy, son, ana -innguorous, aiaaasoclnted her self from the others and walked alone. As bhe -passed the Bailors' 'Arms, which seemed a popular hostelry, the door again stood open, ana Doily again gln.no- ed In. and again saw the crowded bar; but this time Sir Galahad -was Isanlna across tne counter conversing Wlin the parr ma to. , CHAPTER XV. r- J COLLOQUIES . WITH -ANV OUTSIDER. Dolly did ber best to get Bernard away from the elation 'before Let rsme up; but ne shs had only that mornin been preaching tha duties of man to unprn. tectea females, sna as nernarn s desires went wholly alonsr, with his dutv. aha could -hot detach him from Angela. -She went away herself, on the pretext of ordering the dog-cart, met' Lal in the stntlort. yard, looked full in his face, and refused to know. mm. Angela was waiting impatiently: ' Ixl had promised to meet her at six o'clock, IKaIm .aM a.l . a al..Aria - u . i i ,.-,, ''a,a. ww... - w.-ui a.-.-,,, a. 1(4 ii was now five minutes past Lal wss sl- wsys exact in keeping his engagements. Angela felt uneasy, and waa cross, Ber nerd stayed with her till ten minutes af ter the hour, snd then hurried off 'to eonsult his slater. Dolly was quite ready to" drive beck alone; perhaps because the ' route through --Hungrvgut Bottom wss In her mind aa the bust way home, and to; It Bernard mlcht have demurnad on the horse's account, for It was steep and atony, the roads having bean recent. ly reguirea. nns naa an idea that Lal mlshl be waiting In tha blah mad tn see ber pass, -Bernard, having hr con sent, hurried beck; he waa just in time to install.Jangeia In a first-class rarrlaits wnn nimseit aa guardian ror insir half. our s Journey, - xnen Angela, discover- ig tnnt sne wss snut up alone with ernard Fane, began to wish herself Hot In. dead, burled. anrwhSr - nut nf mar wwiiu, nu iiiiiaTO tnw m irvan us- cusslon of temperance. . i una .i.-.i I . - - . La had atoou iiKe a statue till Dolly was out of sight, and then tried to fnl. nm per, jie naa not seen which road lr took, and Ms wandeiinrs led him far from the station. - At Inst hs be. bought him that the horse must hs eta. bled somewhere, and began to Inqulra; and half an hour later trm-ked her down t tha flMllwar Hotel. WhilS ha whs 111 nueslinnln the waiter, a man nun. ed through the hall and would have gone out )md not lel Interrupted tilm relf end -:rang forward, crying out. Meryon!" ' ' The aitmbler ' turned round, citum-mir Willi xileasure. "1 didn't knew uu were home!" fie said..' "I heard you'd got no ena or stsrs una orders, but I man know vou were home! I'm awfullv Bind. "I'm staying with the Jdertons; what are you doing f" v - "I'm here for the night. Come to my room, will you? There's - beeps I want to know."' . ' Lai. who -had 'Just heard that Dolly nan departed run nair ,. an nour ago, abandoned hls-oueet for the nonce, and went. Meryon and ba baa been friends ror years, though - the guardian angel knew it not) sne would have feared the effect of pitch on Lara Innocence if sh had. They met rarely; In the Intervals their - friendship hibernated, coming out unspoiled when times of refreshing ar rived. Meryon wrote never. Lai rarely, and whan he did hia atlll Hula letters were mere catalogues of events. But friendship, like the python, can live for years unfod. ' ' ' Meryon'a room was full ot untidy prop erties tidily arranged. A discreditable eld Col lard aV Collard waa Us only lux ury, ' He bad been playing: patience, and me carua was aoatierea aoout tna taoie Lal sat down on a bedroom chair, lean' Ing his elbow on the wash-stand and hi chin on hia hand, and watched Meryon gainer mam up. - i t - ' VYou haven't given up playing, then?" be said. . . . .. v - . "No, I never shall now the cards have got their grip on me. - Tou're looking sick, Lal," said the alder man, earnest- 'whnt'a tha maltart" "I rot hurt, you know.'- ' ' "Oh yea I heard about that In the PA pcrs. Vou cams back In a,' rexular bias of glory; I wss awfully proud or know ing you. is your sister an right r "Angela? Perfectly-ebout to marry, fancy. s: is toe man a good sort r "Oh. very. I think she will be happy, "Been doing any more of your own worar . ' ..' 1 At intervals. When ths chanoe cornea. , Meryon Jerked the bottom of the pack down on the table, and preased and pat ted It straight between hia palms. "Try a game or eearur" ne suggest so - - Lai snook bis neaa. "I'll nia- without atukaa for asst. "No. I never slay." "I don't see why not. Even father used to play whist In the evenings, he and mother and two of the canons, aw fully decent -old chsns: and I used to stand behind mother and-arlve her tlpa, rather was no and of a good player. , don't aee why you won't Lal. It'a won aerrui now it take you out ot yourseir. Lai shook, his bead again. "I never have played and never shall." "Are rou atraidT" "Perhaps." Meryon looked at him earnestly. "You are very queer, Lal," ha said. "I be lieve you've sot heapa of tblnxs In you that no one ever susoecta. I believe you re a born gambler I hope you won mind my saying so. But there s no harm; you aren't like me. you'd never give war to it." . .. . , . "If I once began I should never stop," Lal took him up, swiftly. "You're right; I'm not like you, Meryon. I haven't your pluck. 1 had to alve un motoring be cause I could not keep my head while l waa driving, i m as weak aa water.' But aa you never do tha thlnga. you only want to and don't let yourself. I call that being strong, not weak. That's Just whst I Ilka. You're so excitable, you have to keep tight hold of yourself ror rear you should go to tns baa, ana yet you never do anything you shouldn't.' Lal only ahruxxed his shoulders. Mer yon, who was still stsndtng. dropped the ., k. I U . T . I' BnM . n i ua a v. iui ma naiiu uara ni,,,. "What la tbe matter?" he aald, tenderly. "What's worrying .you. old fellow?" Lal did not answer, because he was incapable of explaining. It was neces sary for bla Interlocutor to drag the truth out of him by queations. Dony had found out thla; but whereas Lai's desire had been to escape from her. he waa anxious to make confession to Mer yon. "I say, old fellow, is It a girl?" ques tioned ins gsmorer. Yes" 'Then, of course. It's serious; It would be with you. won t she nave you? ' ' I haven t asked her. "Have you had a auarrelT "I have Just met her. nnd she cut me deiul. Heaven knows wny; l i'" l. Meryon. by a string or uuestlons. con trlved to elicit the story of Lei's court ship. The cause of Dolly's coldness nussled hlin. as It nna puxxiea ijii. out after several abortive Inquiries hs hit at lat on the right track. "I don't aee what could have happened while the meeting was going nn to make her chance so. What were you doing all the timer "Bus nsas" "What, your own sort of business?" Lal nodded. "Whereabouts?" "Oh in the town "Tell me where, old fellow that Is. If you don't mind ms medallng." "At the Sailors' Arms; you know the place. "It's a hell of a hole." said Meryon, soberly. Did you go inr Kor a few minutes. I say, It'a on the way from the Corn exchange to the station. I say, do you think she could have aeen your- lal was silent. Remembering thst Dolly hsd noticed the place before, he thought It possible. "It's all very well to say glrla don't mind that sort of thing like a man to sow his wild oats, snd all that: but they do mind, the nicest of them. And she d think vou must lie such an awful hum bug, too. You know, old fellow, the thing for you to do is to go to ana asg ner, nnd tell her right away." "I could not poaslhly do it. snd I would not for ths world if l couia, saia Lai, with great decision. "Why not?" , IjiI ehruased his shoulders, "I expect you mean you're too shy. and don't like talking about that sort of thing to a girl, is that it: "I dsre ssv." "Old fellow, can't you get over that?" "f cannot." said Lal. Impatiently. "What, tell Miss Fsns that I-that the girl Besides, she doesn't care a straw for me. I ahull aak her If she'll have me, and then go. Angela at least, .will be heartily glad." "Is her name Kane? Not Dolly Fane, by any cnnnceT "Yea. It Is. Do you know her?' "I took her In to dinner once at the Mertons, " said Meryon. After a pause he went on: "Do you know, Lal. there's two other men after her. De Saumnres, who- I've told you about, la one, and Far quhar, the M. P." "Of course she likes one of them." ssld Iil, after another pause. "I hope It Isn't Farquhar. I dislike that fellow." "I thought he was all that's virtuous. You never caught him out tn any tricks. did vou" "plot II Rut I'd rather she married gentleman." "I always thought he was an awful swell," said Meryon, meekly. Larrotoured and laughed", and glanced un throush his eyelashes. "I sm a con pelted, dogmstlo prig; how csn you pos sibly tolerute me, Meryon V he said. "I've talked about mysoir long enough; now let's hear what you've been doing." -Thev talked on for an hour or mora. and then Meryon persuaded Lal to play to him. listening tha while In quiet, un crltlcirkenjoymentr snd -cm-easing the black kitten asleep an hia knee. . M err- on always stipulated for a piano In his room wnen . his resource - could be stretched to caver such a luxury. He waa very fond of strumming out airs from the overtures and selections which he heard from bands at casinos; ha hsd an ear for melodv. but had never learn ed muslo, Lal. on tha contrary, was a practiced pianist; he piayea correctly, an achievement rsra In thee days: his ex sciitlon wng ure and delicate, h's touch vary clear, bright, i nnd firm. 'He was very careful (o hide thla talent of his In napkin. Meryon hsd come to hear of It bv accident ' l saf down and verv ouletlv played through first a sonata hr Moanrt, tnen a courante or men s. tils taate waa for the orderly, olil-fashloned music; he haled .Wagner,' and thought even Mendelssohn too fond nf Innova tions. Did not he say, himself that he waa dogmatic? Rut he gave Meryon great plea eu re. , .,.--,' ;. - .. Tatter. Iail went heme: and Meryon. af ter seeing him off 'by one train, waited on the platform and himself followed by the next, f rom -wonasweii station ha wslked to Fanes, but Dolly had not yet come In. nor had Bernard. Mere on would not wait: he strollmt op to Swsn borough rood In the hone nf meeting her. Nor was he 'disappointed. A mile tip the road be saw a girl leading a horse down the hill, and by ner aupple, slim young figure and tha brlwhtnees of er hair he recognised Mlaa Fane. . The eteepne, of Hungry gut. Bottom (plus the violent snnrtlnas of A atesfn-roller had ags't proved too much for the nerves of the chestnut; he bolted down the hill snd stmaat kicked the cart to pieces be fore Dolly. 'who had Jumped out. could catch soil auell ihlm. Mho left the dog enrt for rennlr st Dove tlreen. the pent U"a curl led Vninskv home ' Iter dark cloth Areas bud a long skirt. Which she held uo gracefully' like a French girl, with curved wrist and prettily bent hand. . She oame on, looking straight do tors ner; ner lips were hard and tier face' was hard; no melting mood waa hers. ; Irony, and a stiff-necked refusal to bend before the blast were Dolly's ar mour against trouble: she waa bitterly humiliated, and would not cede an Inch to . humiliation. . Certain constricting bands seemed to have, closed round her heart; she had not apent so long a dsy since sne wsa seven ana waitea pntsiue her mother's room for the news of ber death.,- . - - 1 - "Let me lead the horse, won't you?" said Meryon, turning to walk with hr. Meryon waa polite by instinct, aa. Dolly wss graceful. "Thanks, no; be bites." - "I suppose you got smashed up. I hope you weren't hurt." ' ; "Not in the least, thank you. ' Thla waa unpromising. , Meryon des paired of Introducing his subject tact fully; he Was not. therefore, discouraged, but plunged straight Into it "I've just been seeing Lal Laurenson," he said, "I beg your pardon, I hope you won't think It awful cheek tn me to ahnve my ear in, but I can't belp It, I've been frlenda with Laurenson . even a I nee. we were at Eton together, He'e been ao awfully good to me, I caa't help apeaklng now. You cut hint In Bwanborougn this afternoon." "I did." '. ., ' . . "What forr ' ' '-,':. - "I am not going to tell you. I mean." said Dolly, "I don't want to be rude, but I can't explain my reason, I had ona." "Waa It baas use you saw him In at the Sailors' Arms?" Dolly hesitated for a minute then ahe answered: "Yes." . "I'm awfully glad-I thought that waa It I can explain why be waa there." "Walt," ssld Dally. "Who told you this?" ' "I got It out of Laurenson. I met him at tha Railway Hotel, where he was asking for you." "Doea he fcaow you have come .to met" "Him? Rather not; I came right away without telling: be wouldn't liave let me If he'd known. He said he'd never explain, himself, and he wouldn't: be can't bear talking about it." "I can believe It."- "No, really you're quite wrong, you are indeed, Miss Fane. Laurenson Isn't like that He went there after 1 girl. Bhe bad run away from her home and he wanted her to go back. Ha goea tn for that kind of thing. He and Mlaa Laurenson have rot a Home in London which they run out of their own money. out irs iai tnat haa to ao with working It; he's better than a parson, for he doesn't ever preach, he Just Uvea If he'd been anywhere In Europe that time I had to break my promise, I'd never have given way. aa I did and become the baa-t I am. He'd have seen me throuxh. He rear-ret a you. and Vou sombly can't halo belna what he thlnka. He never told me about that Home. I just iuuiiu ii qui. , ve oeen over t wita nim. I never shall forest it" "Do you know ths name of the girl he aaw at tne Bailors' Arrrrsr' Hilda Davla She comaa from here "I aee. Thank vou." aald Dolly. "Tea l am giaa to know." Meryon stopped. "I'm alad vou don think it wss chsek of me. I'd better go oars now; i n just eaten my train." "Did you come here simply to tell me this?" said Dolly. "You're a good inena. 'There wasn't anvthlna In It. I don' think you'd snub me; and if you had i a nave been bound to tell you lust tha same. LAnrenson a been no end good being friends with an outside like me." said Meryon. with simplicity. poor tnutsider! From a great way off his tired eyes had seen the brtaht circle ot nnppiness: ne came to the light pass ed through It" and ao out Into the cold and lonely twilight, where hia own lot wag cast. He wss made for the life of a home: sociable, contented, affectionate, fond of aulet measures, a lover of little children. But the trnnnous demon who had ruled him would grsnt no peace Meryon was driven out Into the wilder ness, where he lived and where he died. CHAPTER XVT. A NIGHT-PIECE It might have been supposed that Dot ly would he anxious to make amends for her Injustice. v hen Bernard came In saying that Mrs. Merton had. Invited tnem ootn to ainner me next aay out one, and that he had accented her kind ness. she should have been pleased: in place of which she declared that shs could not go. She had no dreas. ahe said Bernard pointed out that she had dined with the Mertons before. "Oh yes." mid Dolly: "but oca can't wear the sama thing, twloe over." and ahe stood upon her srgument till Bernard calmly told her tnat he should go and shs could s?iy. Dony came near tn a quarrel with mm she did actually provoke one with her fnther: ana then she went to bed In the morning she awoke reasonable nnd sweetsr-tempered, and begged her father's pardon In words, and Bernard's In deeds by making hot cakes for break fnst. Peace reigned over the house of Fanes, except In Dolly s mind, which was "till disturbed. For yeeterday, in the flush of her Indignation and reason- a Itla anvitr aha hail taken a af!,n that she could not retrace. Waiting under the white sign-post at Ijovs Green for the smith s report nn her shattered aog-cart Dolly bad made up her mind upon one point, and had clinched the matter at once In the postofflce sdjolnlng the smithy; and now the contemolatlon of the consequences filled her with lively discomfort. She calculated that these consequences could not arrive for two days, or poslbly three: she had) t days to prepare; but how she was to do so presented a problem of weight Dolly felt that shs had made a fool nf herself. sensation dlssgreeanle to a girl so proud as shs; of all troubles she could eaat atomnch humiliation. Then. alao. shs knew thst her blunder would bring CiHtrrsN uN l.ucian. and wsa heartily sor ry, ror shs loved him dearly, nut there was another, darker thought which would stay in ner mind, despite of reason and despite of resolution. Dolly had felt the merciless power of rsrquhara atrength she feared his jealousy, cruel as the grave. Vainly, she told herself thnt he was Liicinns friend: he waa her lover. but that had not shielded her. Imaslna- tlon offered lurid pictures or a battle to the death between the rivals. Vacua mens or sending iiernnvo out to Petit Fsys aa peace-maker crossed ber mind but the Irrepresalble voice of common sense pointed out that her brother's at titude towards Noel Farquhar waa not usually conciliatory; alao that, even If she sent him at once, he could not possi bly get there in time to ao any good. In view of this Inst consideration. Dolly let tha matter drop; but ber mind waa 111 t ease. Next evening when Bernard came down Into the ha I he found her waiting, muf- fled In a big white shawl. Bernard's hsnds and head were too fully occupied with his white kid gloves to allow him to ilraw nanilntlnna. and . ne dlacerne! nothing until she walked out fn' front of nim; tnen ne saia: "Thought you weren't coming?" "I've chenged my mind." Z-s-n. s button iumued off. "Oh. dash the thing I" said - Bernard, disgusted. "I'll do It," said Dolly, tsklng his wrist. "What a oily It ta your hands are so large. Mine are at -least small, though vs spoiled the earn with nara work. What did you talk about I the train yesterduy?" ths temperance rot, most or tne time. "You do waste your chnncea. Bernard." W.lt .k. aaia tn Ilka l 1 "Why didn't you ask her to'msrry you? You mesn lo. don't you?" ., "AH in good time: I'm in no such mighty hurry,"' '.".r "I know I wouldn't lake jrotl,- aald Dolly, viciously linking tne final button "I guess I shouldn't be such a fool aa to ask you," responded her brother. "As It lmppens.1 mean ta. get an answer out Of her tn-nljht." . Doll wss silent. His name waa the first word that rose to her II os: his Christian name, the usual preface of an ppeai. ' ,. '..:,'.'-.. 'llarnarM . J.',., .A - S I". ' ..-' "Well?". ' ' - :" .'',' '.'.'' '".'!: '.'"'.', "Hernard, Angela Laurenson Isn't like me. You ought to be careful; It's easy to nurt rsr iceiiiis". - . ',". -,-' ;, ., ; "t know alt about that." - . , . ,"Do youf -,,''.'VV..'--. !; "Yea' said Bernard. . "t do. , ra not an idiot." -' ' Trying todrtrw sentimental confessions from Bernard waa Ilka trying to pull a worm out of his hole bv the toll. Dolly felt that he was slipping away, and put one last question, VYou do really care tor her, Bernard?"1 -'He deliberated for a minute; a most (Itersl truthfulnesa Informed, all JUer lisrd's assertions. i ', , "Well. I wouldn't Jumn down Into the Hons after her glove, like the chap in what's-hls-nmne." he said at last: "be esuse I call tha silly. , Hut If it wss a quant Ion of her or me I guees I'd give my life for hero. . I'm not quite a rio, Ixilly; I caa manage for mvclf. I sav. do you think I oimlit to Keep or thene hentlv fl'.vi-s St illiiuerv If thev have birds or things of that find, they'll split down the back." V Bernard bud not been quite open viiu his aimer. At thut very moment f Laurenson waa sitting in her room w her fara in her hand and an iuttt- . letter before ber. Bhe hsd recivd it la the afternoon, and thus It rsu: "Dear 'Miss Laurenson, You showp.l yesterday that you did not want me t- speak, so I am not going to bother you with a tete-a-tete. I am writing - tins Instead, to tell you that Fanes briu In about three-fifty a year net. and la the paat five yeura I have saved over a thousand out ot this, which' Invented In Guaranteed Egyptians at four per cent. -bringa It up to four hundred. I also ex K-ct the value of the property to go up., y age Is -twenty-eight, and I ain In sound health. I have a fairly good tem per. I have not -done anything that I should be ashamed of you seeing, bar ring getting tlpay half a dosen times be fore I waa twenty, and carting manure. I used to poach on Merton'a rt time, but oniy wnen i mougiit oe aoiu r the game. I never have thought about any other girl but you. Will you. If you think you can take me. Just put some white roses In your drees to-night? If . you wear red ones, I . shall take it to mean- No. I hope very much you won't wear red onea. I am sorry I can't aend you any flowera, but our roses were all blighted this year, and anyway I know. Merton has plenty In his gardun. - , "Ever voura with devotion.' "Bernard De Beaufort, Fane." Having laughed over this letter till she cried, Angela was now almost ready to cry In good earnest After great eeareh Ings of heart ahe hod come to admit thut Bernard waa all tha world te her; but ahe would much have preferred to re nounce the world and remain her maiden self. Angela was a little ascetic Thougti she loved blm truly, it cost her a bitter struggle to admit a "man Into bar lifs; especially a mun such as Bernard, who . would gently L brush away ail her deli cate scruples and cobwebs of privacy, and take possession of her, body and soul. She could trust him to be gentle, but .. auuiu uiiuci.uiuui v . .... .... ...... hood seemed a strange and terrible ..).. t. ,.M.ln..t..n T-rt in... avlraw thing. She fear I it ena feared ita pre lude of betrothal: aeelng herself more clearly than at other times, she confess ed that hers waa tha nature for obey In a. Bernard's for rutins. And how she should fare If her lover turned tyrant? I ve brousht your flowera. Lal Saia. coming-in with a cluster or wnue rosea and ferns. They were prettily arranged, , though a little stiff. But Angela looked , doubtful. ' Don't you care ror them? I tnougnt they went well with your dress." I do like them: but" Angela pusnea over Bernard's latter and looked away. Well, and aretvt you going to wear them?" Shall I?" U-:,.- Are you la doubt r - , "Yea, rather." ., . "Why?" ? ; "l-M 1.4 t.l M - a ai.ia.,u. i - : , "la It that you don't care I" V Angela shook her head. " "Then you must wear them." Lal said. He cume to her and fastened than. Aa gelu looked down at the rosea and up at his face: suddenly she threw bar arms round nis neck. "I'm a humbug, Lal." aba aald... "You always ruled, not I." , r . ,-, "Do you think so?" "Yes. And he will. And I'm afraid." Lal held her quietly. Preeently he as,ld: ' "I think you're mistaken Angela." "Do you?" Angela said, looking up ' with tsurs on her lashes. "Do you really, . Lair' I ni h u tm lan'f aw aa a .narwa e know." Lal smiled. '1 shall be quit ready to give you away to him." "And glad, too, I expect; ungrateful boy that you are!" Angela released hen self, and began with uivstesdy fingers to . pull out her crushed curls. Wait till you're married yourself, and see how you like It!" . "I .see no Immediate prospect of that" " said Lal. "And now. dues It not occur to you that wa might go down to din- , ner?" Angela slipped her hand through his arm, and ao they descended the stairs. They made a handsome couple, tbouglt Lal looked quieter and lasier even than waa his wont. On the last step, Ange la csme to a pause of dismay; ahe col oured crimson, snatched her hand from Lal'a arm, and fled Into tha drawing room. Lal healtuted; hs alao changed colour; Anally, he' made a very formal . bow, ' and followed his sister without -speaking. Dolly and Bernard bad Just' been admitted Into the hall. "I guess that chap's gong cracked r -said Bernard, sotto vove. But Dolly beld her peace. - There were present at the dinner only the house party, the Laurensona and Mrs. Prideaux, besides Dr. Maude, whose faint, acidulated cynicism, said Ella Mer ton. was Ilka a sauce nlauante. The voice . of justice told Dolly that shs muat let I.BJ know mat he waa out of disgrace, but It did nut ssy that she waa bound to explain herself; and so, after smiling at htm and taking hia hand when they met in the drawing room, sha eschswed bis society like the very plague. Bhe aet herself to behave nicely; she said little, and that little discreetly, and kent under the wing ot her hostess. She waa am us- . sd to see that Angela Laurenson was ' pursuing the same tactics, except that . she hud chosen Maud Prideaux for ner ' house of defence. Dolly went down with Norman Mar. ton, and found herself placed at table be- -tween him and Lal. She gave Lal tha - view of a neck aa white as milk, ahd a rich sweep of chestnut balr glossed with light like the roll of a stream at a wler; and she talked to ber host all the evening. Merton waa ahrewd and pleasant and had planty to say. Twice Lit! addressed her: to his first aneeoh - aha gave a brief, cool answer over ber ' shoulder: to the second shs save an an swer at all. Lal did not repeat bla words, , nor am ne again try to eaten ner at tan- lion. He turned quietly to his partner; a. ... 1-1 a. , a w. . I a . . . cum ,iv,a ftW ara yakaiajii. w.auaa lf waa reeolule. , "-'l.tR Meqavsa Bernard also was content to be patient - but within reasonable limits, which he ' ' felt that Anaeln had uvaroaaaed: aha wore hia roa-s, but she had not given him a word that evenlnir. Hia partner mt dinner waa Maud Prideaux: and. follow ing that simple strategy which goes by the numo of cheek, be took her Lite his ' M .1 ...... .in.l 1..... , L I. Km k-l- I,. .. , vuiiii... ... . . i . m-.ai ... a,v,M aaaav waa already pledged to Angela, but that did not hinder her from deserting to Bernurd s slds. Shs waa a bora mutch- ninV., Aa -u.n aatha m-a. M - ... . .. ter dinner she proposed a moonlight ex. " curslon to s the Jake. Mrs. Merton -sighed forth a reptuoua assent, sent her husljund lor cloaks and apostrophised " ths a tors In un. Impromptu verse. .-A ... French window led out to a balcony. from which steps ran down to the ear- den. Mrs. Merton went first, to show the way; Angela, wnose eyes were quite blind in the dusk, was a few steps be- hind. Maud Prideaux ahot Bernard a mlschlsvous glance of invitation, stoon- etfdown ana -carefully tied tn- -bow- wuicrt Dua not come undone, in an in- stant Angela found her clmpemtfs place usurped by a tall figure, which bent down . and auld. In a moving whisper: "I guess yoo'd better take my arm or you'll tumble down the steps." mis tune Angeta tuu not reruse; aha laid her flnseri on his aleeva with a queer, wild thrill ot feeling, half pleasure and half fear. , Bernard put hia own ' hand over hers. "I'm no end glad," be 1 sold, quite simply. - T men ne lea ner. trusting to hia .auld. anoe for every - step, down a lonely. ,! mossy path throush a rotvse nf inw - to Bernard's eyea tha darkneaa waa -l. m . . aa daylight. When they were aa . fur from tha moonlit lake aa tha alaa of the ' e-ardan would nermlt . he haaai, . cii. . 4- "t expect you are pretty shy of taking ma. aren t your." he said, gently. - . "Hather. I-I should be-alwera-who ever tt waa" . .; "I ' suppose girls era mads Ilka that Bernard paused to. contemplate the -strangeness of fsmlnine nature. "But ' what I mean la that you feel it's special- ly risky taking me, because you and I , re so different. Don't you?"' . -, s Angela said nothing. .; t "Doll v waa trvbia to lecture ma ahnue . - that thla evening." Bernard , pursued. Rhei Wua savins you weren't like bar. Well. I should think anybody could see, that who wasn't an ess. Dolly could walk twsnty miles aud come up amillna. and I shouldn't let you do more than about two. And It Juat the same wait your feallugs. You want looking after,- nd taking care of. aud that stu-t of thing.' - , . ..- "1 in used to taking care of myself, and Lal. too," Angela, pointed out. wen, or courae, you won t do t' t ny . more," Benin rd aaaured her. v , calm 'authority. "l.atireiioii 'II l -v i i Shift for hlmaelf, he's olit em,n .. i . I sliall look after you. v lun wi r; - rleil. you know, I -shan't let vou . i , alry.workor anv of ths tlnn.. i ica. we Sluill have Jo tiuva ,; servant: but Unit won't matir-r n , SS you've got some tnoney of y'u.r ..... now i" you know i iwvd i piv own : Mrs. JMtirtou VAX IXt'Jy. i,-i'i V
The Charlotte Observer (Charlotte, N.C.)
Standardized title groups preceding, succeeding, and alternate titles together.
July 22, 1906, edition 1
18
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