Richmond Palladium (Daily), Volume 32, Number 218, 8 September 1907 — Page 8

PAGE EIGHT.

THE RICHMOND PALLADIUM AND SUX-TELEGRA3I, SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 1907.

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OTHIrTO wni Induce me to stay", cried Nina angrily. "How you can expect your daughter to stand by quiet

ly and allow a man to in

spect her with a view to marriage I can't think." "I never said he was coming to Inspect you." said the old Squire testily. "His father and I were anxious long ago to bring about an alliance between the two families; but there is no reason why his son should have ever heard anything about it no reason whatever." "Sir Neil was certain to have been told by his father on his 'deathbed," angrily. "It is a funny thing, isn't it. that we have seen nothing of him all these years, and now when he is dis

posed to marry, he remembers that there is an heiress" comtemptuously "waiting for him, as he supposes, down in Blankshire, whose money will come In very well." "Elton has plenty of money of his own," put In her father sharply. "Oh, I daresay he wouldn't object to more," said Nina. "Well, at anyrate, he won't get it through me. By tomorrow I shall be installed at Uncle John's vicarage, and you will have to entertain your old friend's son by yourself." And nothing would persuade her to do otherwise. Her father had allowed her to have her own way all her life, and he could not begin to enforce his authority now. So the maid packed up her boxes, and the afternoon train bore Nina off to her uncle's small and somewhat se

date vicarage. Sir Neil had been roaming about the world for a long time, and was getting tired of his lonely life. Consequently he bethought him of his father's great desire that he should marry the heiress of the Winthrops. Curiously enough, he had arrived at the age of thirtythree, and had never yet been really in love. But now the Idea of Nina Winthrop rather pleased him. All the Winthrops were beautiful, and, as she had been brought up in the country, she rwould be a soothing contrast to the daughters of society. He wrote to the squire to ask if he might come down to spend a few days at the. Manor a request which was taken by the old man at its correct signification. Hence the frltion between him and his daughter. Sir Neil had not thought much of Nina before his arrival at the hall, beyond the fact that she would be a fitting wife for him; but now she was Invested with an interest which surprised himself. To think that she would prefer exile In some distant vicarage to meeting him! His determination to see her at once became uppermost in his mind, and his marriage with Nina Winthrop, which he had previously looked upon as an advisable arrangement, now became an absorbing desire. Sir Neil thought out his arrangements that night, and the next morning electrified the squire by the announcement that he had received news which obliged him to take his departure at once. "He hoped," he said, and there was a determined look in his eyes, "that he would be able to return In a few weeks, and should then have the pleasure of meeting Miss Win'throp. "Waring writes to say that a friend of his a Captain Darrel has come down to Westdale for the fishing, and he wants me to look him up." And the vicar glanced at his daughter a little doubtfully. 'Terhaps I had better call today." he added. "He Is putting up at the Ilford Arms. Edith looked at her father with interest. She was sharp-featured, and past her premiere jeunesse. "Who is Waring?" she asked quickly. "Jim Waring? He was at Oxford with me. but I haven't wen him for

many years. It Is very strange" thoughtfully "his writing to me like

this." "Oh, well, of course you must do as he suggests," said Edith decidedly. "You might ask him to dinner tonight if you like him." Apparently the vicar did like him,

and not only did he ask him to dinner, but Capt. Darrell jumped at the invi

tation.

Edith dressed herself with extra

care; the advent of a stranger meant a good deal to her, and she looked ad

miringly at Capt. Darrell as he enter

ed, with his tall, erect figure, keen eyes and square, firm jaw.

Nina, as usual, was late. She had

been out golfing with the boys, and at

last entered with a rush, having kept dinner waiting at least ten minutes. "I am so sorry," she cried, "but Billy lost a ball, and Insisted on looking for it. Those silly boys are always losing balls they will never learn to play golf." Her face was flushed, her eyes sparkling with mischief and laughter. In

her pretty white gown she made the most charming picture imaginable. "But they are improving," laughed the vicar. He was very fond of his niece. "It is wonderful how much they have learnt since you took their education In hand. Capt. Darrell, let me introduce you to my niece Miss Winthrop. Nina started for she had not noticed that a stranger was in the room. ' She gave him a demure little bow.and shot a quick look at him from under her heavily fringed lids.

"Are you a golfer?" he asked. 'I wish you would play with me one day; I should love a game." "Do you-play well?" she asked anxiously. "I am afraid my modesty would prevent my saying that," he answered, "but at any rate I can beat most of my friends." "Ah, but you wouldn't win with me I" confidently. "I don't like to be beaten, you know." "So you mean to take it upon yourself to subdue me? Very well; we will have a contest of golf and wits tomorrow, and will see who will come off best." The fire of conflict was in her eyes. "Dinner has been ready nearly a quarter of an hour," came in Edith's cold tones. "I am sorry to interrupt your conversation, but it will spoil if we don't go in." She had never cared for he cousin and liked her still less now. The rest of the evening, however, was more to her taste, for Nina took no further notice of the guest, but devoted herself to the vicar and the boys, and poor Capt. Darrell go woefully tired of hearing of penny-readings and working-parties. "Don't forget the golf tomorrow," was all he could manage to say as he bade Nina good-bye. She responded with a brilliant smile.

"I won't forget," she said. It was a lovely morning as she made her way to the links, and Darrell's eyes quickened when he saw her approaching. "I was so afraid you wouldn't come," he said, as he accompanied her to the golf-house to get her clubs. She laughed lightly. "You needn't have been afraid," she said, "for there is absolutely nothing else for me to do. My uncle has gone to see some sick people and the boys are at school." "There is your cousin," a little sharply, for her word3 had not pleased him; "you might have gone with her." "Edith, do you mean?" contemptuously. "Oh, she is superintending arrangements for some stupid pennyreading. I had even rather play golf with you," with a mischievous upward glance, "than go about with her." "You are rather nnkind," he said

slowly. "Considering that I have given up fishing this morning on purpose to have a game with you, you are not very encouraging." She laugher. "I ought to say that I am glad to think I have been Instrumental in saving life, but have I?" "I don't know," he snswered slowly. "I might have had good sport in the stream this morning but anyhow I feel sure I shall have better on the links." "Let us begin," she said. So they started rlaying in good

earnest, but though she played well for a girl, Ehe wa3 very inferior to him, and consequently when ihey were half way round and he was five

holes up, she got tired of the game and sat down on one of the bunkers

to rest.

"Your golf is better than your man

ners." she said rather discontentedly.

"I don't know another man who would not at least have tried to let me vv-in." lie laughed lightly as he sat down beside her. "You are too good a sportswoman to allow such a thing as that," he said. "There is not much satisfaction in a pretended win, is there? It is treating you like a child." She prodded a dandolion with her putter and frowned. "But that is exactly what you do," she cried with a resentful look. "But instead of treating me like a good child, you talk to me as if I were a naughty one. All your conversation with me sounds as if you wished to correct me to bring me to a proper state of subordination." He looked admiringly at her small, flushed face and her long lashes; he thought if possible that she looked even prettier when she was angry. "I am sorry," he pleaded. "It must be my unfortunate cmnner that is against me. You see we are both only children, who have been spoilt from our youths up. and so we each like our own way." "How do you know that I am an only child?" looking round with beautiful wpndering ej'es. For a moment he was checked. "Your uncle was talking about you last night," he said with sudden Inspiration. "Only", smiling, "he did not call you a spoilt child that was my addition. Shall we continue the game now? I promise that I wTi!l be exemplary. My play shall be such that you shall easily win." She jumped up with alacrity. "No," she said, "as you say, pretending games are silly. Instead I will humble my pride, and you shall give me two strokes a hole." She looked

up at him rougishly. "Don't you feel happy now that you hive brought the naughty child to a proper state of submission?" she said.

He looked down into her eyes and smilled. "I shall not be happy." he said fIowly, "until I have gained something more than submission." The fine weather contfnned; so did the golf. Every morning the two met on the links, and Nina before long allowed Capt. Darrell to give her lessons In the game and unconsciously, she was learning something else from him too. She had not heard from her father. In his resentment at her conduct the old Squire did not condescend to write. So she still imagined Sir Neil was staying on at the Manor at least when she thought about him at all which was not often; for Capt. Darrell filled most of her thoughts. It was Edith who, rabidly jealous, at

last opened her eyes to the state of!

her feelings, and determined to stop

golf at all costs.

"I thought Capt. Darrell had come down to fish," she said, in a hard, icy

tone, as she saw Nina in the hall,

ready equipped for her game. "I believe he did," said Nina lightly

"Only he has found golf more engrossing. They are very good links here,

you see I wonder you don't play." "I should not care to, thank you," in a disagreeable voice, "If by doing so I should make my name a byword, as

you are doing. All the village is talk

ing of the way j-ou are running after that man. Mrs. Ridley was only speaking about it yesterday." Nint turned round and looked at her with a pale, white face; only her

eyes flashed with restrained passion. "And what did you say?" she asked. "What could I say?" with a slighting laugh. "I could not go against facts." "You might have said that so far from running after a man, I had come here to run away from one. You might have said Oh!" she said, breaking off, half choking with anger and spreading out her hands graphically, "the vulgarity of the Idea," and turning away from her cousin she walked out of the house as if the atmosphere were too oppressive. And Edith stood still with flaming cheeks. She had been called vulgar she! Perhaps nothing Nina could have said could have stung her more. She began to wish that she had held her tongue. Meantime Nina was walking fast through the village, away from the links. How dared anyone say she ran after Capt. Darrell! Could it be possible that he thought the same? Her face tingled at the thought, and she put up her hands to cover her hot cheeks. She felt she never could bear to look at him again. So she walked and walked, and tried in vain to shake herself free from her wretched thoughts. And then, after an hour or so, as she slowly wended her way home, she met him face to face. They both stopped short, and he, looking at her with eyes full of reproach, said: "Why didn't you come to the links today? I waited, and waited, and waited, and then I thought you must be ill." She laughed mirthlessly, looking away from him so that he could not see her eyes. "I have been reproved for ever going at all," she said recklessly. If I only could," with rising anger, "I would leave the vicarage at once, only only 1 have nowhere to go. I cannot go home."

"And why cannot you go home?" he asked sharply, as she stopped. "Because there is an obnoxious man

there," viciously, "who wants to marry me." "And why pVould that fact make him obnoxious?" lifting his eyebrows. "I am afraid that you will soon have to apply the term to all mankind." She colored at his insinuation, but Ignored it. "This man," she said Indignantly, "has never even seen me. He could have only wanted to marry me from mercenary motives." N "Mercenary motives?" replied Dar rell," catching her up sharply. "Why yes you see, I am an only child, and so shall have a lot of money." "And has he this man none himself?" with more heat than another person's affairs warranted. "Ye-es," surprised at his tone, "I believe he has more. In fact, than he really knows what to do with." "In that case," drily. "I don't sw bow

you can credit him with the mercenary motives." "No one objects to having more," she persisted. "I wish I had told you nothing about it," crossly. "You seem bent on taking Sir Neil's part." "You ought to admire my selfishness in doing such a thing," he said gravely, "considering how much his loss is my gain." He went up to her a little closer and looked down into her eyes. "Nina," he said simply, "I love you. Will you marry me?" Her color deepened and she looked shyly away. "Marry you," she said, with a catch in her breath. "What would they say at the vicarage? Edith accused me today of running after you." "Let them say what they like as long as you say 'yes.' Nina don't decree that my whole life shall be like this morning, don't leave me waiting waiting and watching for happiness which never comes." She smiled a little dreamily. "It as been a long, long, dreary "morning hasn't it?" she said with a sigh, "but I would go through it all again when the 'end is so delightful.' " "I have just heard from Elton Nina," said the squire. "He announces his

intention of coming down today. I hope," warningly, "that you are going to be reasonable and treat him properly. He is evidently coming to make your acquaintance. Nina was back at the Manor. It was only two days since she had left the vicarage, but they had seemed two very long days to her. Her father's news came upon her like a thunderbolt. At Capt. Darrell's suggestion she had not mentioned her engagement to him. for he thought it would be better for them to make their confession together. And this afternoon she expected him. He would probably arrive at the same time as Sir Neil. Her face grew pale at the thought. What a terrible muddle it was altogether. With an effort she turned to her father. "I have told you already," she said firmly, "that I will not marry Sir Neil. I will choose a husband for myself." And with this Nina escaped to her room. "Sir Neil Elton is in the drawingroom, ma'am." Nina threw up her head haughtily at the information. She walked slowly downstairs and into the drawing room with all the stateliness she could sum

mon. A man was standing by the window with his back turned. She gave a little cough to attract his at

tention. Still he never moved.

"He must be deaf," she conjectured.

irritably. "Why did Dad never tell

me the man was deaf?" Aloud she said distinctly and icily: "How do you do. Sir Neil?" The man at the window turned round, and Nina started back with an exclamation of astonishment. "YouT' she cried. "Oh. what a delightful surprise. They told me Sir Neil was here." For it was Capt. Darrell who stood watlng with arms held out toward her. "I am glad that very cold greeting was not intended for me," he said, holding her closely. "ut he Is com i g today," mournfully. "Have you hcarc . I don't know what to do. Dad will Ve so terribly angry." The door neu and the Squire entered. "How are you Elton?" he said heartily, coming forward with outstretched hand. "Delighted to see you. Hope you mean to make a longer stay this time. Hullo. Niijar rat chin Fiaht

of her. "You here? So you have already made Sir Neil's acquaintance?" Nina was looking bewildered, and an expression of dismay overspread her countenance. "Sir Neil?" she faltered. "Why, yes," answered her father impatiently. What had come to the girl?" "I am afraid I have a confession to make," said Capt. Darrell, coming forward. "Hearing from you that your daughter was by no means amicably disposed toward me, my curiosity was aroused, and I went down to Westdale and met her under another name, so that there should be no prejudice. Nina hated the very sound of Nell Elton's name, but she had no crime to bring up against Capt. Darrell." He held out his hand toward her, but she shrank awayi "We have grown to love each other," he went on quietly, and taking no notice, "we only await your consent to our marriage." Nina started forward with an Indignant disclaimer; but, catching sight of her father's attitude as he rubbed his hands together In thorough enjoyment of Elton's maneuver, she stopped short and walked over to the window with her back turned to the two men. The squire did not stay long after he had given his sanction to the match, and hearty congratulations to Sir Neil. "I was young myself once," he said with a laugh, as he went off, "and I

know you are longing to get rid of me." "You s?e tere was nothing to fear, iNina," said Elton, slipping his arm round the girl's slender waist and smiling down Into her eyes. "You don't like being beaten, I know; but surely it is different when the conqtieror is Love." But she tore herself away with an angry gesture. "You have tricked me," she cried hotly, "and I hate you for It. I had a bad opinion of Sir Neil before, but I have a worse now. I said I would never marry bin, and I never will." "In that case," calmly, with a shrug of his shoulders "it is not much use my staying. Good-bye." "Good-bye," she echoed defiantly, as she watched him walk down the room. He had reached the door he was turning the handle. "Capt. Darrell!" she cried suddenly. But he took no notice, he did not even turn his head. The door was shut and he was gone. With a little cry of despair she forgot her dignity and flew across the room and pulled open the door. He was in the ball and was taking up his hat. One more minute and she would lose him. "Neil." she whispered in & halfchoked voice, and he turned round at once. "Did you call me?" he asked. "Yes," she said, desperately, with pretty confusion. "D-don't go.

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