The Morning herald., 1878-05-24
CHAPTER Nv.
CUPID BEGINS HIS WORK.

That evening, through the shady lanes,
Geoffrey Chetwynd walked back with a
thoughtful brow to his lodgings. He had
refused to stay to dinner from latent hope
he did not confess even to himself of hear
ing Mrs. Elton sing once more, and Captain
Lee had volunteered to walk part of the way
with him. As soon as they were we'll out of
the gates the latter began. in q quick, shy
manner :: + =" ~
'Look here, Chetwynd, you're good fell
low, and I'm going to speak plainly to you.
know You won't take offence. Have you
any thoughts OF ever asking Eva Dayrell to
be your wite?" ga. ..mt
"None whatever" answered Geoffrey, in
tone of astonishmcnt. ''Such an idea never
entered my head. Why?" raEE .
"Because-well, you see, I'm not quite
sure that she might not misunderstood you.
You've paid her a lot of attention, and peo-
pie will talk, you know and girl soon
hears, and how's she to know whether you
mean anything or not?" anT "t
"I'm pretty sure Miss Dayrell understands
me, - answered Geofrey, throwing up his
head, and looking straight before him. II
have never said one word that could mislead
her. I'm no fiirt." sar
sNo, you're not, know" allowed poor
Tom hurriedly. "Don't be angry, old fel-
low; but, you see, you've deuced taking
way about you, and you're very often in her
society for instance, you've been sitting by
her side all the afternoon and I'm not quite
sure that she understands you mean moth
ing watched her rather closely to-day.
''I sat by her because it was the only seat
~ ,,I rho'o n y,in ,,1ao III
Geoftrey. We've always been capital
friends; but she's much too sensible to mis-
take friendship for love"
"Perhaps 50, replied the other, with
sigh :; "but it's just this-if you are not in
earnest, am. know you are not the fel
low to stand in my way willingly, and I
thought, if I told you, you wouldn't-that
is, you would mean you'd keep away
from her. You're nasty rival to have"
''Never fear, my dear fellow" answered
Geoffrey, putting his hand on Toms
shoulder 'I'll never get in your way again,
and, as to Miss Dayrell, she quite under
stands me, l assure you.
"Probably she does," sighed Tom. 81
know she's good deal pleasanter to you
than me- Anyhow, T shall be awfully CRATE
full if you keep out of the way-and it's very
good of you to take it so. Good night. I
shall be late for dinner if don't turn back"
"Good night and good luck to you! p
And then Geoffrey Chetwynd walked on
with thoughtful face, pondering what Tom
Lee had said. Was he so sure that Eva
Dayrell understood his feelings? He had
spoken in all honesty, but now that he
looked back to that afternoon and its events,
there were one or two things that caused
him slight feeling of misgiving. Had he
not seen, when she opened her purse, tiny
dead lily of the valley that reminded him of
bouquet he had given her in the spring.
when his friendship for her was at its warm
est? He would not have thought of it had
it not been for the quick look she gave him
as she hurriedly closed the purse, and her
heightened color as she met his eye. Bah !!
that only meant that she feared he had seen
it and would chaff her. Some other fellow
might have given it to her-perhaps Tom
himself. Certainly she had been very snap.
pish about Mrs. Elton-but then no pretty
girl likes to hear another praised in her
presence. So Geofrey comforted himself,
but registered firm VOW meanwhile to be
more cautious for the future Tom was a
very good fellow, and would make her a
capital husband, though she would rule him
entirely, as his heart was stronger than his
head
Here Geofrey's meditations ended as he |
entered his tiny lodgings, and dinner took |
the place of Eva Dayrell. 1t was dark, save |
for the light of the stars and a very young |
moon, when he had finished, and, lighting |
his pipe he strolled up the village toward |
the cottage Mrs, Elton was singing when |
he reached it, and, more careless Of being |
discovered, he leaned against the gate and L
listened. 1t was not ''The Banks Of Allan
Water" this night, though old songs still
"Ye banks and braes," "Oft in the Silly
night" "Auld Robin Gray"-all songs of his
and Geofrey's eyes were dim as
he stood gazing seaward, or paced slowly up
and down the solitary road. The music
ceased, and two minutes later she stood at
the gate, tall, slight figure in white, look
ing like some lovely spirit Geoffrey thought,
in the uncertain light. She started as he
came forward, and turned as if to retreat,
but stopped when she saw who it was.
'Im afraid I startled you, he said, sml-
ng 'please forgive me- I have been en-
oying your singing. Those dear old songs
jook me back to the days of my childhood
when my mother used TO sing to me. One
never hears them now" a4 ..
''They are in an old book that belonged
% my mother" she answered gravely. II
lever get new songs in this remote part OF
he world. do not know what are pretty"
"Aay send you some when I go back to
own?" he asked, trying to speak carelessly.
Il often attend ballad concerts, and think
know what would suit your voice and
lease YOU" ..... ..
''Thank you; prefer the old ones" she
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