The Morning herald., 1878-05-29

look ready'to start, without g;iters or gum
'I do not think shall shoot to-day" he
answered hastily. II may join them later
on, but it must depend on-ciroumstances.
II understand" she rejoined, with q
slight sneer. "You might as we'll have said
'on Mrs. Elton boldly"
'Since you understand SO well, there was
no need for me to speak more plainly" was
the careless reply. ''If can render Mrs
Elton any assistance, shall not 60 out
shooting to-day most certainly" ot..
A light flashed upon Eva which made her
heart stand still lo,sa.
''Mr. Chetwynd,' she asked sharply 'was
that Mrs. Elton's husband whose death I
read out in the paper this morning?"
II do not know, but believe it was, and
80 does she," he answered.
Eva turned and, without word, walked
away, out into the keen October wind.
Without hat or shawl, she passed through
the library window, careless of everything,
for she knew now that all hope was over
that Geoffrey Chetwynd, the only man she
had ever loved, or could ever love, would
never return it. She hurried on down the
garden-walk to distant summer-house to
which nobody ever went, and there, hour
after hour, she sat and fought out her sor-
rowful fight and faced the dreary future
The luncheon-bell startled her !; she had sat
there for three whole hours, and at first her
chilled, numbed limbs almost refused to
carry her. She felt thankful that nobody
met her before she reached her room, for
the white, weary face she saw in the mirror
startled her, and would have called forth
questions she was anxious to avoid. Bath
ing her face with hot water till her cheeks
were bright crimson, she ran downstairs to
the dining -room where her sister Milly and
Lady Temple sat alone.
''Where have you been hiding yourself all
the morning, Eva?' inquired the former.
'sMrs. Elton wanted to wish you goodbye"
away then?"
''Yes, she has gone home, answered Lady
Temple. "She is in great trouble, and pre-
ferred being at home"
II know" replied Eva quietly. s'Mr.
Chetwynd told me what has happened"
''Then suppose you know he has gone
back to London2" said her sister laughing.
''He seems to tell you everything"
'No, did not know that. Is he coming
backw .r
'We do not know" answered Lady Tenn
pie, "but should think he would back in a
day or two. He requested me to leave it
open, so I shall keep his room ready for
him, and hope to see him again. He is
looking so ill that shall be quite yexed if
lie does not return"
Eva did not reply-she shivered and put
down her knife and fork.
II believe I have caught cold" she said
presently. 81 have been sitting down out
of doors, and I am shivering from head to
foot"
"How strange! Your face is quite
flushed" said NIilly. "You have not
touched your luncheon. Eva, how could
you be so silly9' 49,
SIT was silly perhaps" replied Eva ab-
sently. II will 60 and fetch a shawl, and
sit over the library fire till I get warm"
As she left the room, Lady Temple looked
after her anxiously. The two girls had lost
their mother, and their father had married
again and seemed to care very little for his
daughters, now that he had second family
springing up. They had been "next-door
neighbors' in Queens Gardens for many
years and now seemed to spend more than
half their lives with Lady Temple, and she
l6lU dS IL Sllo NCle lAS ohly AS"A AAASAAA oAA'ss
they had in the world. ...
II had better go and see after her." she
said putting down her little girl, who was
sitting on her lap. "Milly, will you take
care Of the children while am gone3"
She found Eva sittingsas she had said she
would, over the fire in the library, with
thick shawl round her, and yet shivering till
her teeth chartered.
''Oh, Eva, how wrong of your she ex-
claimed, in tone of vexation. ''You have
caught severe cold and must go to bed
Immediately. shall send for Doctor Bell
in the morning if you are not better"
Eva submitted quietly feeling already too
ill to care what became of her; besides, if
Geofrey were coming back, she would
rather be out of his way.
''Oh, if could only die and be out OF II
oil {" she thought as she laid her aching
head on the pillow. ''There is nobody in
the world who would miss me for more than
month, except Tom Lee-poor old Tom,
whom lave treated so cruelty! All, ! be-
gin to realize now what he feels, and yet I
do not think he can love me as do Geof-
frey; hope not, poor Tom!'
CHAPTER XII