Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1870-12-17

they turned in at the park gates.
Beautiful park, sir!" said Sam, astonshed
to find they had been silent so long.
a. IL seems So" answered Kenneth, shortly.
"GOod thing theirs son, sir. to inherit il all"
ooh, there's always a son in these cases"
answered Kenneth, carelessly.
80 Rather hard for Miss Ardale, though sir-
continued Sam.
"why?" asked Kenneth, thinking nothing at
all about il.
80 Because she's got nothing, you see, being
only step-daughter or the masters, sir.'
Then what could she expect?" said Ken
Meth
"Oh, she don't expect ANYTHING sir" an
swered Sam, Quickly" know she don't; but
should think it's ard being a step-daughter
where there's deal of money in the family"
there's none," said Kenneth, in a tone that
showed such entire indifference to the subject
that Sam could bear to waste no more of his in
telligence; and they drew up to the house in ST.
lence. A handsome gray stone house it was
with all Its low windows open in the pleasant
summer evening, and terrace grounds spread
ing down TO magnificent park, through which
the riyer-the famous fishing river in which Law
kenneth's one hope of amusement-wound
among the trees.
are you?" said his uncle. - Take the luggage
down carefully, Sam"
g" Yes, uncle, =! am really here at last" said
Kenneth, warmly shaking hands at the door
with small elderly gentleman.
am very glad you are" said his uncle;
Maria, want you, my dear" he continued,
round her shoulders. came down the stairs;
this is my nephew, Captain Kenneth Goring-
your nephew too now"
Kenneth only bowed, cold slight bow, for
this was the b,ts nOire of Erstone; .the languid
bad-tempered beauty" And she looked the
character too; her mouth AMI eyebrows both
painfully arched, cold and sinister despite her
beauty, and beautiful despite her languor. For
ten years the opinion Kenneth formed of her at
that moment never changed, but when her wa
vering health failed altogether Kenneth never
~ a NJ a NOR
Half an hour afterwards Kenneth entered the
drawing room; strikingly big and handsome
he stood in his evening dress beside the little
''why do we waite" drawled Mrs Beresford,
rom his cushio ms; "ring for dinner, Edward; it
half an hDur late as Ii is
Th implied rebuke did however interfere with
Kenneth's cOmposure in the least.
- thought You were waiting for Marion, my
dear" said Mr.. BeresfOrd, ringing as he spoke
sit is so very unpleasant to go into dinner in in
"Iwas not aware that Marion arranged the
meal hours" said the mistress of the house, ia
king the arm Kenneth coldly offered. This cold
but perfect politeness he maintained through
all their intercourse, unmoved by any and every
proyocation.
As they crossed the hall Kenneth was aware
that young lady Joined them hastily, linking
her arms in his uncle's, and so following them
into the dining-room, where the plate and
the evening sunshine.
"My daughter Miss Ardale, Kenneth; nv
nephew, Captain Goring Marion my DEAR
kenneth's inluIsitive blue eyes took her in at
a glance, as he told his mother next day in let
ter of we lines-ratner tall and pretty; proud
and satIrical; with an intensely repellant man
ner. That was all; and certainly enough, such
Miss Ardaie bowed to him rather slghtingly,
and took her place, giving him no second glance.
Where were you to make you so late, my
dear?" asked her step-father.
D;serent places" she ans wered, carelessly,
setting the seal to Kenneths unfattering
opinion of her.
She was not pretty enough to excuse this evil
dent pride, he said glancing at her once more
No, certainly not. She had not any perfect
feature in her face. A pair OF big brown eyes.
and a bright complexion he did not see any
thing else to admire. Yes, her teeth were good
very white indeed just the teeth and com
more. But Kenneth. As he followed his uncle
into the drawing-room after their wine, said to
himself, . must be polite to her while I am
here; perhaps she is lonely bit, being the only
young person about, and the parent being such
shrew." So he advanced to Miss Ardale in
his natural courteous manner, and sat beside
her and made small talk-the rather small talk
which he had always found irresistible hitherto;
but she did not attempt to hide that she was
bored excessively, ai.l of course that was no
stimulant to his exertion.
. May hope for a little music. Tonight" he
asked really longing for the relief.
" II you like" she answered, tapping her foot
on her stool, and leaning back in her low chair.
- Thank you, said Kenneth.
There was a long pause; and then, a. she did
not attempt to move, Kenneth bent and offered
her bis arm.
What for?" che asked, looking up with lazy
$40 lead you to the piano" said Kenneth
flushing little bit awkwardly, and feeling
painfully tall as she kept him standing so.
Thank you" said she" but am very com
Portable here"
But you promised me some music !" he went
on, looking at her with an unwonted anger
d" Not at all )" she replied. You asked me il
you might hope, and OF course have no objec
ton 10 your hoping. Why should II"
- Then you will not play or sing?" asked
Kenneth, still standing, and the anger darkea-
ing his blue eyes now.
No, neither she answered curtly, the
small foot suddenly ceasing its tapping.
- Thank you for showing me SO soon yonr un-
willingness TO oblige. IL will prevent repe-
tition of the request" said Kenneth. and turn
ing on his heel, he missed the careless little haif
bow with which she acknowledged his speech.
So it wenron, day after day, just the same.
kenneth's attentions were met SO invariably by
arepulse, that they died natural death at last;
and, except very uncertain politeness when
she came in his way, he was apparently OBJ
liyious Of her; yet he caught himself wondering
great deal about her.
Why was it that she so persistently refused to
ride with him in the morning, when. as he
knew, she was very fond Of riding? Why did
she purposely remain Invisible until luncheon
tune, when she knew very well tn It she was
quired to read novels TO her mother after that?
How dull and stupid it was here, except for
lne nSnlng, ana now ulsagreeaDly selfish OF
Marion not to try to amuse him.
On the very last morning OF his stay, Kenneth
sauntered out with his fshngrOd his
shoulder, and came upon Marion leaning
against pillar On the terrace, in a richly
braided morning dress, and a rather shabby
straw hat.
"Are you going to take pity on me Miss Ar
dale, and show me new spot to try today
said Kenneth, doffing his straw hat as he stood
beside her."
1.-THE benefit of a new spot ID You would
hardly recOmpense the trouble to me-" she an
swered, without turning TO him.
True, it would not. forgot myself for a
moment" he answered hastily. % will lind
new spot for myself this happy last day. Good
morning, Mrs Ardale."
She returned his good morning slowly, but she
watched him out of sight among the trees be-
fore she stirred herself.
Even Isaac Walton himself would have
caught nothing, fishing as Kenneth tshed that
morning; and when In his restlessness, he had
wandered from point to point of the river, still
unsuccessful he began to wonder when he
should get back again. tired and dispirited as
he felt.
There must be a cut, ;" looking around. " 1t
would be ridiculous to follow the river back
in all its twists" So he turned directly Oft,
and came presently into wood. 'sTIl 20
straight through this, turning neither way" hs
thought; chats always safest in a strange
wood" With which logic he auickened his
-.