Terre Haute Weekly Gazette, Terre Haute, Vigo County, 6 July 1882 — Page 2

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THURSDAY, JULY 6, 1882

MOM SCOLL?

Continued From First Page.

away last evening wnnoui. )od-r

Lh equal honesty. ilk \No\v let us talk no more nonsense." ys Rodney, tenderly. "We belong to •h other, and always shall, and that the solution of the whole matter." "Is ity" she says a little wistfully, rtni think so now, but if afterwards should know regret, or "Oh, if—if—if!" interrupts he. "Is it at you are afraid for yourself. Re•muer there is 'beggary in the love it can be reckoned.' 'That is true," says Mona "but it es not apply to me and it is for you ly I fear. Let me say just this I ve thought it all over there were iny hours in which to think, because ould not sleep •'Neither could I," puts in Geoffrey. Uit it was hard on you, my darling." 'And this is wlfat 1 would say in one ir from this I will marry you, if"— th a faint tremble in her tone—"you :m still care to marry me. But not fore." 'A year! An eternity!" 'No only twelve months,"—hastil ay no more now my mind is qui ide up." 'Last week, Mona, you gave me your omise to marry me before Christmas you break it now? Do you know iat an old writer says? 'Thou ouglitto be nice even to superstition in pping thy promises and therefore ou shouldest bo equally cautious in iking them.' Now, you have made urs all good faith, how can you ak it again?" 'Ah! then I did not know all," savs •na. "That was your fault. No if I nsent to do you this iniury you shall least have time to think it over." •'Do you distrust me?" says Rodney— is time really hurt, liecause his love her is in reality deep and strong thorough. 'No,"—slowly—"I do not. If I did, I ould not love you as—as I do." 'It is all very absurd," says Rodney, ipatiently. "If a year, or two, or enty. were to go by, it would be all same I should love you then as ve you to-day, and no other woman. reasonable, darling give up this abrdidea." •'Impossible!" says Mona, "Impossible is a word only to be und in the dictionary of fools. You not a fool, and I think you hardly tow why you are insisting on it." 'I do know," says Mona. "First, beuse I would have you weigh everying carefully, and "Yes, and

You know your mother will object me," says Mona, with an effort, eaking hurriedly, whilst a little lleck scarlet Humes into her checks. 'Stuff!" says Air. Rodney "that is •ly piling Ossa upon Pelion it will ing you no nearer the clouds. Say will go back to the old arrangement •d marrv me next month, or at least .0 month after." "No." She stands away from him, and looks him with a face so pale, yet so earst, and intense, that ne feels it will be iwise to argue further with her just .w. So instead he takes both her nds and draws her to his side again." "Oh, Mona, if you could only KJIOW wretched I was all last night," he ys "I never put in such a baa time in life." "Yes I can understand you," said ona, softly, "for I too was miserable." "Do you recollect all you said, or one--If of it? You said it would be well if hated you." "That was very nasty of me," consses Mona. "Yet," with a sigh, "perms I was right." 'lNow, that is nastier," says Geoffrey, insaY it." "1 will," says the girl, impulsively,

Ith quick tears in her eyes. "Don't te me, my dearest, unless you wish kill me, for that would be the end it." "I have a great mind to say something -.civil to you, if only to punish you for

I am a Christian faithful man,

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1

•wioseiy u) nis neart.

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rood-night?" •My heart was broken, and by yon •at was why. IIow could'you say the lei things you did? To tell me ft tild be better for me to cut my throat marry you! That was abominable you, Mona, wasn't it now? And to ike me believe you meant it all, tool" vs this astute young man. 'I did mean that. Of course I cannot irry yon," says Mona, but rather akly. The night has left her in a mewhat wavering l'rame of mind. 'If you can say that again now, in !d blood, after so many hours of ought, you must indeed be heartless," ys Rodney "and"—standing up—"I tv as well go." ile moves towards the door with ride in his port, defiance in his eye," (Joldsmith would say. ••Well, well, wait for one moment," ys Mona, showing the white feather last, and holding out to him one slim He hand. lie seizes it with avidity, then, placing his arm around her list with audacious boldness, gives ran honest kiss, which she returns

Ch me? IIow do vou feel now?" she how to balk me of my prey looking up at him with love and con-j time. D'ye think I didn't

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So peace is restored, and prese, forsaking the pats of butter an the

dairy, they wander forth into the open air, to catch the last mild breezes tnat belopg to the dyir.g day.

CHAPTER XI.

"And you really mustn't think us such very big people," says Geoffrey, in a deprecating tone, "because we are anything but that, and. in fact,"—with a sharp contraction of the brow that betokens inward grief—"there is rather a cloud over us just now." "A cloud?" says Mona. And I think in her inmost heart she is rather glad than otherwise that her lover's people axe not on the top rung of the ladder. "Yes—in a regular hole, you know," ys Mr. Rodney. "It is rather a comlcated story, but the truth is, my grandfather hated his eldest son—my uncle who went to Australia—like poison, and when dying left all the property—none of which was entailed—to his second son, my father." "That was a little unfair, wasn't it?" says Mona. "Why didn't he divide it?" "Well, that's just it," returns he. "But, you see, he didn't. He willed the whole thing to my father. He had a long conversation with my mother the very night before his death, in which he mentioned this will, and where it was locked up, and all about it yet the curious part of the whole matter is this, that on the morning after his death, when they made search for this will, it was nowhere to be found! Nor have we heard tale or tidings of it ever since. Though of the fact that it was duly signed, sealed and delivered, there is no doubt." "IIow strange!" says Mona. "But how then did you manage?" "Well, just then it made little difference to us, as. shortly after my grandfather went off the hooks, we received what we believed to be authenticated tidings of my uncle's death." "Yes." says Mona, who looks, and is, intensely interested. "Well, belief, however strong, goes a short way sometimes. An uncommon short way with us." "But your uncle's death made it all right, didn't it?" "No, it didn't it made it all wrong. But for that lie we should not be in the predicament in which we now find ourselves. You will understand me better when I tell you that the other day a young man turned up who declares himself to be my uncle George's son, and heir to his land and title. That was a blow. And, as this wretched will

Rodnev is deeply moved. "No, darling, no I am afraid not,"he says, verv gently. But for the poor child's tender earnestness and good faith, he could almost have felt some faint amusement but this offering of hers is to him a sacred thing, and to treat her words as a jest is a thought far from him.

It is growing dusk the shades of night are falling fast. Down from the mountain's top the shadows are creeping stealthily all around is growing dim, and vague, and mysterious, in the uncertain light.

Slowly, hand in hand, they saunter along, when in an instant two men, who have evidently been hiding in a ditch, jump up before them and confront Rodney. Mona recognizes the two men with whom she remonstrated on the night elected for the Maxwell murder. "You, Ryan?" says Mona, with au attempt at "unconcern, but her tone is absolutely frozen with fear. "You see me," says the man, sullenly "an' ye may guess my errand." lie

fingers the trigger of his gun in a terri-

ur coldness,'"says' Geoff rev, lightly, I bly significant manner as he speaks, eered by her evident sincerity. "But

lTdo

hall retrain, lest a second quarrel be "Well, kill us both, if it must be so. 9 result, and I have endured so much! She lays her aims round Rodney's neck iring these past few hours that, as she speaks, even before he can lmag-

not spend another such a night lilS

tough 'twere to iuy a world of happy days.'

guess it," she answere slowly,

.her meaning, and hides her face on

breast.

"Stand back!" says Ryan, savagely,

om the hour I parted from you till I "Stand back, I tell ye. Unless ye want a wvou again I felt-downright suicidal." hole inyerown skin, for Ids last moment "But you didn't cut your throat, after is come." savs Mona, with" a wicked little "Let me go, Mona," says Geoffrey, imace. 'Well, no but I dare say I shall re I am done with you. Besides purred to me I might as well have a it look at von before consigning my dy to the grave."

woman with roughness. "11a! that's right," says Ryan. "You hold lier, Carthy, while 1 give this Eng-

'An(i an unhallowed grave, too. And' lisli gentleman a lesson that will carry vou really felt miserable when angry him to the other world. I'll teach him II

a second now about

VtaiKi an adorable touch of coquetry! Maxwell, eh? an' that my life is in yer evesg YSsurely^ler her pretty face. keepin'! But yours is in mine now." "Troth, sir, he is on the top of Car- eyes. let surety^ner mi |RRR,TLY*

PH u) UAC -a __r._ «i mmmtain tn-mcht. an'wnnt everv woman S llie WI

buy, naving caugnv jjaonas arms from behind just a little above the elbow, holds her as in a vise. "Now say a short prayer," savs Ryan, leveling his gun "for yer last nour has come.'^ "Has it," says Rodney, fiercely.— "Then I'll make the most of it," and before the other can find time to fire, he flings himself upon him, and grasps his throat with murderous force.

In an instant they are locked in each other's arms. Ryan wrestles violently, but is scarcely a match for Rodney, whose youth and training tell, and who is actually fighting for dear life.« In the confusion the gun goes off, and the bullet, passing by Rodney's arm, tears away a piece of the coat with it, and also part of the flesh.

To and fro they sway, and then both men fall heavily to the ground. Presently they are on their feet again, but this time Rodney is master of the unloaded gun.

Advancing he raises it, and, holding it by the barrel, brings it down with all his might upon his enemy's skull. Ryan reels, staggers, and once more licks the dust.

Carthy, having by this time freed himself from Mona's detaining grasp— who, seeing the turn affairs have taken, clung to him with all her strength, and so hampered his efforts to go to his companion's assistance,—comes to the front, but seeing his whilom accomplice stretched apparently lifeless upon the ground, his courage (what he has of it), like Bob Acres', oozes out through his palms, and a curious shaking, that surely can't be fear, takes possession of his knees.

Moreover, he has never before had a

f:un

in his own keeping and the sensaion, though novel, is not so enchanting as he had fondly hoped it might have been. lie is plainlv shy about the managing of it, and in his heart is not quite sure which end of it goes off. However, he lifts it with trembling fingers, and deliberately covers Rodney.

Mona, whose Irish blood by this time is at its hottest, on finding herself powerless to restrain the movements of Carthy any longer, had rushed to the wall near, and, made strong by love and excitement, had torn from its top a heavy stone.

Now, turning back, she aims careful­

ly for Carthy's head, and flings the missile from her. A woman's eye in such cases is seldom sure, and now the stone meant for his head falls short, and hitting his arm, knocks the gun from his nerveless fingers.

This brings the skirmish to an end. Carthy, seeing all is lost, caves in, and,

is not forthcoming, I fear he will inherit1 regardless of the prostrate figure of his everything. We are disputing it, of companion, jumps hurriedly over the course, and are looking high and low low wall, and disappears 111 the nightfor the missing will that should have mist that is rolling up from the bay. been sought for at the first. But it is very shaky, the whole affair." "It is terrible," says Mona, with such earnestness that he could have hugged her 011 the spot. "It is very hard on Nick," he says, disconsolately. "He is engaged to one of the dearest little girls possible, but of course if this affair terminates in favor of"—he hesitates palpably, then says, with an effort—1"my cousin, the But what an. ordeal for you!

Rodney, lifting the gun, takes as sure aim as he can at the form of tlie departing hero but evidently the bullet misses its mark, as no sound of fear or pain

engagement comes to an end." "But why?" says Mona. "Well, he won't be exactly a catch, after that, you know," says Rodney,! bitter." ... sadly. "Poor old Nick! it will be aj "What spirit, what courage, you dis-come-down for him after all these played! At first I feared you would faint "While you still lived? While I might be of some use to you? No!" says Mona, her eyes gleaming. "To myself I said, there will be time enough for that later on." Then, with a little dry sob, "There will be time to die later- on."

years. "But do you mean to tell me that the girl he loves will give him up just because fortune is frowning on him?" asks Mona, slowly. "Sure she couldn't be so mean as that." "It won't be her fault but of course, her people will object, which amounts' to the same thing. She cau't go against her people, you know." "1 don't know," says Mona. unconvinced. "I would go against all the people in the world rather than be bad to you. And to forsake him, too, at the very time when he will most want sympathy, at the very hour of his great trouble. Oh! that is shameful! I shall not like her, I think." "I am sure you will, notwithstanding. She is the gayest creature imaginable, just such another as yourself. You may not get on well with' VioTet Man-| creeps over her, rendering her a prey to scrgh, who is somewhat reserved, but I! imaginary sights -and sounds. "There 1 Ml 1 11- I!..J J1 KiS AfltAvO T\rs IIAf llul'iV know you will be quite friends with Doatie." "I really wish Nick didn't like her sc much," continues Geoffrey, sadly. "It will cut him up more than all the rest, if he has to give her up." "Geoffrey, says Mona, in a low tone, slipping her hand into his in a half* shamed fashion, "I have five hundred pounds of my own would it—would it be of any use to Sir Nicholas?"

Here her eyes fall upon Ryan's motionless figure, and a shudder passes over her. "Is he dead?" she asks, in a whisper, pointing without looking at their late foe. Rodney, stooping, lays his hand on the ruffian's heart. "No, lie breathes," he says. "He will live, no doubt. Vermin are hard to kill. And if he does die," bitterly, "what matter? Dog! Let him lie there! The road is too good a place for him." "Come home," says Mona, faintly.— Now the actual danger is past, terror

may be others. I)o not delay. I11 ignorance of the fact that Geoffrey has been hurt in the fray, she lays her hand upon the injured arm. Instinctively he shrinks from the touch. "What is it?" she says, fearfully, and then, "Your coat is wet—I feel it. Oh, Geoffrey, look at your shirt. It is blood!"* ller tone is full of horror.— "What have they done to you?" she savs, pitifully. You are hurt, wounded!" "It can't be much." says Geoffrey, who, to confess the truth, is by this time feeling a little sick and faint. "I never knew I was touched till now. Come, let us go back to the farm." "I wonder you do not hate me," says Mona, with a broken-hearted sob, "when you remember I am of the same blood as these wretches." "Hate vou!" replies he, with a smile of ineffable fondness, "my preserver and mv love!"

She is comforted in a small degree by his words, but fear and depression still hold her captive. She insists upon his leaning on her, and he, seeing she is bent on being of some service to hisn, lays his hand lightly on her shoulder, and so they go slowlv homeward. -f

t- tt

rCII AFTER XTI. "Wft

Old Brian Scully is in his parlor, and comes to meet them as they enter the hall—his pipe behind his back. "Come in, come in," he begins cheerily and then, catching sight of Mona's pale face, stops short. "Why, what has come to ye?" cries he, aghast, glancing from his niece to Rodney's discolored shirt and torn coat "what has happened?" tais "It was Tim Ryan," returns Mona, wearily, feeling unequal to along story just at present. "Eh, lout this is bad news!" says old Scully evidently terrified and disheartened by his niece's words. WThere will it all end? Come in, Misther Rodney:

THE TERRE HAUTE WEEKLY GAZETTE. 7

pain

or the

comes to disturb the utter silence evening. Then he turns to Mona.

You have saved my life," he says, in

There the whisk

was this mornm

Sti®

"What's to re done," says old, J5nan, sadly. "Can't ye do something for him?" "Sure Miss Mona can," says Biddy, turning to her mistress, and standing in the doorway in her favorite position —that is, with her bare arms akimbo, and her head to one side like a magpie. "She's raal clever at dliressin', an'aoctherin', an' that." "Oh, no, I'm not clever," says Mona "but,"—nervously and with downcast eyes, addressing Geoffrey—"I might perhaps be able to make you a little more comfortable."

A strange feeling of shyness is weighing upon her. Her stalwart English lover is standing close beside her, naving risen from nis chair with his eyes on hers, and in his shirt-sleeves looking more than usually handsome because or his pallor. How shall she bare the arm of this young Adonis?—how help to heal his wound?

She hesitates, though betraying no vulgar awkwardness or silly mauvaisc honte. Indeed, the only sign of emotion she does show is a soft slow blush, that, mounting quickly, tips even her little ears with pink. "Let her thry," says old Brian, in his soft, Irish brogue, that comes kindly from his tongue. "She's mighty clever about most things." "I hardly like to ask her to do it," says the young man. "Perhaps it will make you unhappy—may shock you," he says to her, with some anxiety. "No, it will not shock mo," returns Mona, quietly whereupon he sits down, and Biddy puts a basin 011 the table, and Mona, with trembling fingers, takes a scissors, and cuts away the shirtsleeve from his wounded arm. Then she bathes it.

After a moment she turns deadly

Jale,

and says, in a faint tone, "I know am hurting you I feel it." And in j. Rodney

truth I believe the tender heart does feel it, much more than he does. There is an expression that amounts to agony in her beautiful eyes. "You hurt me!" he says, in a peculiar tone, that is not so peculiar but it fully satisfies her.

And now Mona knows no more nervousness, but with steady and practiced hand binds up his arm, and when all is finished pushes him gently (very gently) from her, and "with heart on her lips,: him. and soul within her eyes," surveys with "Well, I will go," he says, "on one pride her handiwork. I condition—that you come with me." "Now I hope you will feel less pain," "Impossible!"'drawing back from she says, with modest triumph. hirn. "How could I be ready? and, be"I feel 110 pain," returnee, gallantly. sides, I have said I will not marry you "Well said!" cries the otI man from until a year goes by." How can I break the chimney-corner, slapping his knee my word?" with delight "well said, indeed! It re- I '"That word should never have been minds me of the ould days when we'd said. It is better broken." swear to any lie to please the lass we I "Oh, 110." loved. Ay, very good, very good." "Very well. I shall not ask you to

At this Mona and Geoffrey break into break it. But I shall stay on here. And silent laughter, being overcome by the if." says this artful young man, in a purposely doleful tone, "anything should happen, it will "Don't say it! don't!" cries Mona, in

insinuation about lying "Come here, an' sit down, lad," says old Scully, unknowing of their secret I mirth, an* tell me all about it. from start to finish—that Ryan's a thundering rogue—while Mona sees about a bea for ve." I

iv life," ne says, in "Oh, no," says Rodney, hastily. "I

a tone that trembles ror the first time have given quite too much trouble al-1 this evening, "my love! my brave girl! "Rut what an. ordeal for you!" "I felt nothing, nothing but the one thing that I was powerless to help you," says Mona, passionately "that was tt

ready. I assure you, I am quite well enough now to ride back again to Bantry." "To Bantry," says Mona, growing white again,—"to-night! Oh, do you want to Mil me and yourself?" "She has reason," says the old man earnestly and approvingly, rounding his sentence after the French fashion, as the Irish so often will "she has said it," he goes on, "she always does say it she lias brains, has my colleen, xe don't stir out of this house to-night, Mr. Rodney so make up yer mind to it. With Tim Ryan abroad, an' probably picked up an' carried home by this time, the counthry will be all abroad, an' no safe thravelin' for man or baste. Here's a cosy sate for ye by the fire sit down, lad, an' take life aisy." "If I was quite sure I shouldn't be dreadfully in the way," says Geoffrey, turning to Mona, she being mistress of the ceremonies. "Be quite sure," returns she, smiling. "An' to-morrow ye can go into Banthry an' prosecute* that scoundrel Ryan,'' says Scully, "an' have yer arm properly looked afther." "So I can," says Geoffrey. Then, not for any special reason, but because, through very love of her: he is always looking at her, he turns his eyes on Mona. She is standing by the table, with her head bent down. "Yes. to-morrow you can have your arm re-dressed." she says, in a low tone, that savors of sadness and then he knows that she does not. want him to prosecute Ryan. "I think I'll let Ryan alone," he says, instantly, turning to her uncle and addressing him solely, as though to prove himself'ignorant of Mona's secret wish. "I have given him enough to last him some time." Yet the girl reads him through and through, and is deeply grateful to him for this quick concession to her unspoken desire. "Well, well, you're a good lad at heart," says Scully. "Mona, look after him for a while, until I see that lazy spalpeen of mine an'get him to put a good bed undher Mr. Rodney's horse."

When the old man has gone, Mona

ger

oes quickly up to her lover, and, laying hand upon his arm,—a hand that seems by some miraculous means to have grown whiter of late,—says, gratefully: "I know why you said that about Ryan, and I thanlc you for it. I should not like to think it was your word transported him." "Yet. I am letting him go free that he may be the perpetrator of even greater crimes." "You err, nevertheless, on the side of mercy, if you err at all and—perhaps there may be no other crimes. He may have had his lesson this evening—a lasting one. To-morrow I shall go to his cabin, and "Now, once for all, Mona,"interrupts he, with determination, "I strictly, forbid you ever to go to Ryan's cabin again."

It is the first time he has ever used the tone of authority towards her, and involuntarily she shrinks from him, and glances up at him from under her long lashes in a half-frightened, half-re-proachful fashion, as might an offended

the murthering thief!" I "Forgive me: it was an ugly word," "Where's the dochter, at all, at all he says "I take it back. I shall never continues he, turning to Biddy, who is forbid you to do anything, Mona, if my that look into your ere are moments in

her back to her former position beside

T! ri"fodiha rnountafn~ to-night,*an'~ wont every woman's life when the man who, stifled tone, coming out for a brier in-J worth o\

h«r „,ve thraneen for it.'" 'be home till mominV loves her. and whom she behind thede

-V_

ciaim rrom ner ouemence, wuen it is ior her own good. However, let that pass. I now entreat you not to go again to Ryan's cabin."

Releasing her hands from his firm grasp, the girl lays them lightly crossed upon her breast, and looks up at him with perfect trust: "Nay," she says, very sweetly and gravely, "you mistake me. I am glad to obey you. I shall not go to Ry house again."

lyan

There is both dignity and tenderness fn her tone. She gazes at him earnestly for a moment, and then suddenly slips one arm round his neck. "Geoffrey," she says, with rf visible effort. "Yes, darling." "I want you to do something for my sake." "I will do anything, my own." "It is for my sake but it will break my heart."

uMona!

what are you going to say to

me?" "I want you to leave Ireland,—not next month, or next week, but at onefc. To-morrow, if possible." "Rut why, darling?" "Because you are not safe here your life is in danger. Once Ryan is recovered, he will not be content to see you living, knowing his life is in your hands every hour you will be in danger. Wliatever'it may cost me, you must go." "That's awful nonsense, you know," says Rodney, lightly. "When he sees I haven't taken any steps about arresting him, he will forget all about it, and bear no further ill-will." "You don't understand this people as I do. I tell you he will never forgive his downfall the other night, or the thought that he is in your power." "Well, at all events, I shan't go one moment before I said I should, says

"It is now my turn to demand obedience," says Mona, with a little wan attempt at a smile. "Will you make evry nour of my life unhappy? Can I live in the thought that each minute uay bring me evil news of you,—may bring me tidings of your death?" Here *he gives way to a passionate burst of rief, and clings closer to him, as though with her soft arms to shield him from all danger. Her tears touched

say

agony, stopping his mouth with her hand. "Do not! Yes, I give in. I will go with you. I will marry you any time you like, the sooner the better,"—feverishly: "anything to save your life!"

This is hardly complimentary, but Geoffrey passes ft over. "This day week, then," he says, having heard, and taken to heart the wisdom of, the old maxim about striking while the iron is hot. "Very well," says Mona, who is pale and thoughtul.

And then old Brian comes in, and Geoffrey opens out to him his newly devised plan and after awhile the old farmer, with tears in his eyes, and a strange quiver in his voice that cuts through Mona's heart, gives his consent, and murmurs a blessing on this hasty marriage that is to deprive him of all he best loves on earth.

And so thev are married, and last words are spoken, and adieu* said, and sad tears fall, and for many days her own land knows Mona no more.

W tl .*4 «, th­

fig

^Following her, he takes both her the bombshell, "that he has married a hands, and, holding them closely, draws —a—a young woman of very inferior

if CHAPTER XIII. 4f 1

In the house of Rodney there is mourning and woe. Horror has fallen upon it, and something that touches on disgrace. Lady Rodney, leading back in ner chair with her scented handkercliief pressed close to her eyes, sobs aloud and refuses to be comforted. "Oh! Nicholas, it can't be true! it really can'*," she savs, alluding to the news contained in a'letter Sir Nicholas is reading with a puzzled brow.

He is atoll young man, about thirtytwo, yet looking younger, with a somewhat sallow complexion, large, dreamy brown eyes,' and very fine sleek black hair.

Just now his forehead is drawn up into a deep frown, as he reads the fatal letter that has reduced his mother to a Niobe. Another young man, his brother, Captain Rodney, who is two or three years younger than he, is looking over his shoulder, while a slight, brownliaired, very aristocratic-looking girl is endeavoring, in a soft, modulated voice, to convey comfort to Lady Rodney.

Violet is growing as nearly frightened as good breeding will permit at the protracted sobbing, when Sir Nicholas speaks. "It is inconceivable!" he says to nobody in particular. "What on earth does he mean?" He turns the letter round and round between his fingers as though it were a bombshell though, indeed, he need not. at this stage of the proceedings, have been at all afraid of it, as it has gone off long ago and reduced Lady Rodney to atoms. "I shouldn't have thought Geoffrey was that sort of fellow." "But what is it?" asks Miss Mansergh from behind Lady Rodney's chair, just a little impatiently. "Why, Geoffrey's been and gone and got married," says Jack Rodney, pulling his long fair moustache and speaking rather awkwardly. It has been several times hinted to liim, since his return from India, that, Violet Mansergh being reserved for his brother Geoffrey, any of his attentions in that quarter will be eyed by the family with disfavor. And now to tell her of her quondam lover's defection is not pleasant. Nevertheless he watches her calmly as he speaks. "Is that all?" says Violet, in a tone of surprise, certainly, but as certainly in one of relief. "No, it is not all," breaks in Sir Nicholas. "It appears from this," touching

birth. "Oh! that is really shocking," says Violet, with a curl of her very short up-

per liu. "I do hope she isn't the under-house-maid," says Jack, moodily.

ft 1 "n 1V Wl Ii ClQv UU Ml IUcUI i'J tt |^IA/U

It IS worse, says Lady Rodney. in a established agency. 1 represent com par stifled tone, coming out for a brief in- worth over fifty million dollars Calf in are Insured.

ISBSSB

ne itita marnea & commun

farmer's niece!" "Well, you know that's better than a farmer's common niece," says Jack,, consolinglv. "What does he say about it?" asks Violet.

Sir Nicholas again applies himseTf to the deciphering of the detested letter. 'lie woidd have written before, but saw no good in making a fuss beforehand,' he reads slowly. "Well, there's a good deal of sense in that," says Jack. 'Quite the loveliest girl in the world,* with a heavy stroke under the 'quite.r That's always so, you know nothing new or striking about that." Sir Nicholas all through is speaking in a tone uniformly moody and disgusted. "It i^ a point in her favor, nevertheless," says Jack, who is again looking letter.

over his shoulder at the "'She is charming at all points,'"" goes on Sir Nicholas, deliberately screwing his glassinto his eye," 'with a mind as sweet as her face.' On, it is absurd!" says Sir Nicholas, impatiently. "He is evidently in the last stage of imbecility. Hopelessly bewitched." "And a very good thing, too," says Jack, tolerantly "it/won't last, you know, so he may as well have it strong while he is about it." "What do yon know about it?" says Sir Nicholas, turning the tables in the most unexpected fashion upon his brother, ana looking decidedly ruffled, for no reason that one can see, considering that it is he himself that is condemning the whole matter so heartily. "Ashe is married to her, I sincerely trust his affection for her may be deep and lasting, and not misplaced. She may be a very charming girl." "She may," says Jack. "Well, go on. What more dQes he,say?" "'lie will write again. And he is sure we shall all love her when we see her.' That is another sentence that goes without telling. They are always sure of that beforehand. They absolutely arrange our feelings for us! I hope I10 will be as certain of it this tinuj six months, for all our sakes." "Poor girl! I feel honestly sorry for her," says Jack, with a mild sigh.—

What an awful ass he has made of himself!" "And 'he is happier now than lie has ever been in all his life before.' Pshaw!" exclaims Sir Nicholas, shutting 1

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good girl!'" she says, weeping sadly. "One would think you were speaking of a servant! Oh, it is too cruel!" Here she rises and makes for the door, but on the Uireshold pauses to confront Sir Nicholas with angry eyes. "To hope the wretched boy had married a 'good girl!'" she says, indignantly "I never heard such an inhuman wish from one brother to another."

She withers Sir Nicholas with a parting glance, and then quits the room, Violet inner train, leaving her eldest son entirely puzzled. "What does she mean?" asks he of his brother, who is distinctly amused.— "Does she wish poor old Geoff had married a bad one? I confess myself at fault."

And so does Captain Rodney. Meantime, Violet is having rather a bad time in the boudoir. Lady Rodney refuses to see light anywhere, and talks on in a disjointed fashion about this disgrace that has befallen the family. "Of course I shall never receive her: that is out of the auestion, Violet 1 could not support it." "But she will be living only six miles from you, and the county will surely, call, and that will not be nice for,you," says Violet. r$u .» "I don't Care about the county. It must think what it likes and when it knows her it will sympathize with me. Oh! what a name! Scully! Was there ever so dreadful a name?" "It is not a bad name in Ireland. There are very good people of that name—the Vincent Scullys,—everybody has heard of them." says Violet, gently. But her friend will not consent to hear anything that may soften the thought of^Mona. The girl has entrapped her? son, has basely captured him and made him her own beyond redemption and what words can be bad enough to convey her hatred of the woman who has done this deed. "I meant him for you," she says, in an ill-advised moment, addressing the girl who is bending over her couch, assiduously and tenderly applying eau-de-cologne to her temples. It is just a little too much. Miss Mansergh fails to see the compliment in this remark. She draws her breath a little quickly, and as the color comes her temper goes. "Dear Lady Rodney, you are really too kind," she says, in a tone soft ana measured as usual, but without the sweetness. In her heart there is something that amounts as nearly to indignant anger as so thoroughly well-bred and well-regulated a girl can feel. "You are better, I think," she says, calmly* without any settled foundation for the thought and then she lays down the-perfume-bottle, takes up her handkerchief, and, with a last unimportant word or two, walks out of the room.

[The remaining chapters of this romance will he found iD the Saturday issues of the GAZKTTF. Hack numbers can be obtained at this office.!

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letter impatiently. "Where does ne write from?" asks Violet. "From the Louvre. They are in Faris." "He has been married a whole fortnight and has never deigned to tell his own mother of it until now," says Lady Rodney, hysterically. "A whole fortnight! And he is as much in love with her as ever! Oh! she can't be half bad," says Captain Rodney, hopefully. "Well, I hope he has marrietf a good girl, at all events," says Sir Nicholas, presently, with a sigh. But at this rear sonable nope Lady Rodney once more gives way to bitter sobs. "Oh. to think Geoffrey should marry

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