The Morning herald., 1876-12-22
CORD AND CREESE.
CHAPTER XIII
THE BAD1NAGE OF OLD FRIENDS.

thornton, az tnlS, looked away, WIFI tHs
smile of man who is talking unintelligi'
BILE things to child.
Then followed long conversation be-
tween Despard and Mrs. Thornton about
religion art, music, and miscellaneous
assemblage of other things, which lasted
for long time. At length he rose to 60
Mrs. Thornton went to sidetable and took
up book.
Here" said she, "is the little book you
lent me l ought to have sent it, but
thought you would come for it,"
"Aud SO l will" said he, "some day.
Come for it Tomorrow"
"Will you be at homer"
eyes"
"Then of course I'll come. And now
must tear myself away. Good-nov
On the following day, at about two
o'clock, Desp srd callediagain. Mrs: Thorn
ton had been writing, and the desk was
strewn with paperA.
II know am disturbing you," said he,
after the usual greetings. II see that you
are writing, SO 1 will not stay but mo-
ment. l have come, you know, after that
little book"
Indeed, you are not disturbing me at
all. | have been trying to continue let
ter which I began to my brother month
ago. There is no hurry about it."
And how is Paolo?"
Il have not heard for some time. l
ought to hear soon. He went to America
last simmer, and l have not had word
from him since. My letter is of no inn
portance, assure you, and now, since you
are here, you shall not 60. have been
looking at some pictures till am so be-
grlmed and inundated with dust that feel
as though had been resolved into my or.
lgnal element" And she held up her
hands with pretty gesture Of horror.
Despard looked at her for moment as
she stood in her bright beauty before him.
A sudden expression Of pain flashed over
his face succeeded by his usual smile. .
dust never before took so fair form"
he said, and sat down, looking on the floor.
For unfailing power Of compliment, for
an unending supply Of neat and pretty
speeches, commend me to the Rev. Courte-
nay Despard."
"Yet, singularly enough, no one else
ever dreamed that of me-"
You were always So"
with you"
I'm the old days."
"Now lost forever"
Their voices sank low and expressive Of
deep melancholy. A silence followed.
Despard at last, with sudden effort, be-
gan talking IN his usual extravagant strain
about badgers till at last Mrs. Thornton
began to laugh, and the radiance of their
spirits was restored Strange" said he,
taking up prayer.book with a peculiar
binding, on which there was curiously
intertwisted figure in gilt. "That pattern
has been in my thoughts and dreams for a
week."
"How so?"
"Why, saw it III your hands last Sum
day, and my eyes were drawn to it till its
whole figure seemed to stamp itself on my
mind See! can trace it from memory"
And, taking his cane, he traced the cur
iously involved figure on the carpet.
"And were your thoughts fixed on moth
ing better than that?
II was engaged in worship" vas the re-
ply, with marked emphasis. =.
II must take another book next time."
"Do not. You will only force me to
study another pattern"
Mrs. Thornton laughed lightly, and
Despard looked at her with smile.
Ppm afraid your thoughts WANDER" she
said, lightly, "as mine do. There is no
excuse for you. There is for me. For
you know Pm like Naaman; l have to bow
my head in the temple of Baal. After al, ;"
she continued, in a more serious voice, II
suppose I shall be able some day to
worship before my own alter, for, do
you know, / expect to end my days in
convent"
And why"
For the purpose Of perfect religious Sc
clusion." -4Ss ,ss at 'I,,s N M Ss ssg
Despari looked X III aarnestlys itr \,