The Morning herald., 1876-12-11
CORD AND CREESB.
CHAPTER TX.

EYES," said Brandon, in low voice;
.'but now that am able to go about again
nv fnt act is to apologize to you for my
,adep.ss in quitting the table SO abruptly
!, to make it seem like an insult to you
Now hope you will believe whom 1 say
that an insult to you from me is impossi-
bic. Something like spasm passed over
my nervoussystem, and l had to hurry to
ny room."
II conf.ss," said Beatrice, frankly
that 1 thought your sudden departure
bad something to do with the conversation
lbout me. l am very sorry indeed that I
Ii you such wrong; l might have known
yoa better. Will you forgive me~
Brandon smiled family. "You are the
pns who must forgive.
"But hate my name so," burst out
Beatrics.
Brandon said nothing.
"Dou't you? Now confess"
"How can J." he began.
"You do. you do" she cried vehemently
'but don't cars-for haze it."
Brandon looked at her with q sad, weary
bmle, and said nothing. "You are sick, !"
bhe said: II am thoughtless. 1 see that
by name, in some way or other, recalls
painful thoughts. How wretched it is for
me to give pain to othsrs!,
Brandon looked at her appealingly and
nid, "You give pain? Believe mel believe
me! there is nothing but happiness where
you ars."
At this Beatrice looked confused and
changed the conversation. There seemeu
after this to be mutual understanding be-
tween the two to avoid the subject of her
name, and although it was constant NOR
tidcatlou to Beatrice, yet she believed that
on bis part there was no contempt for the
name, but something very different, some-
thing associated with better memories,
They now resumed there old walks and
conversations. Every day bound them
more closely to one another, and each took
it for granted that the other would be the
companions of every hour in the day.
Both had lived unusual lives. Beatrice
had much to say about her Houg-Kong
|life, the Chinese, the British officers, and
garrison life. Brandon had lived for years
Pn Australia, and was familiar with the
fouod OF events which may be met with in
that country. He had been born in Eng
land, and had lived there, az hc> already
been mentioned, till he was almost man,
70 that be had much to say about that
Wonderland concerning which Beatrice
''It such curiosity. Thus they settled
down again naturally and inevitably into
constant association with each other.
Whatever may have been the thoughts
| Of Brandon during the fortnight Of his Sc
clu'ion, or whatever may have been the
conclusion to which he came, he carefully
reiralned from the most remote hint at the
home or prospects Of Beatrice. He found
her on the seas, and was content to take
her as she was. Her name was common
one. She might be connected with his en-
emy, or she might not. For his part, he
dld not wish to know.
Beatrice also showed equal care in avoid
ing the subject. The effect which had
been produced by the mention Of her name
Na' still remembered, and, whatever the
cause may have been, both this and her
own dislike 10 it prevented her from ever
making any allusion either to her father,
Or any one Of her family. She had no
scruples. however, about talking Of her
hong- Kong life, in which one person
seemed to have figured most prominently
a man who had lived there for years, and
given her instruction in music. He was
an Italian Of whom she knew nothing
Whatever but his name, with the exception
OF the fact that he had been unfortunate in
europe, and had come out to Houg-Kong
as band master in the Twentieth Regi-
nent. His name was Paolo Langhetti.
DO you like music?" asked Brandon,
abruptly.
Above all things" with an intensity of
EMPHASIS, which spoke Of deep feeling.
do you play~
Somewhat
do you sing?"
"A little. I was considered good sin.
s'f In Hong-KonE but that is nothing. I