The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1879-07-12

I
made no effort to catch them. Eva heard
the words, and her heart sank at the child's
knowledge of Mr.. Chetwynd's Christian
name. Did the widow call him by it al
ready2 Then they must be engaged, OF she
was no fit person for Lady Temple to visit
| ''Dont let US keep you from your friends"
she said bitterly as Geoffrey shook hands
with her. "You must be very intimate 10
have already got to Christian names"
| He looked at her in grave surprise, and
again suspicion that Tom Lee had hit the
truth fitted across his mind as he saw her
flushed cheeks and the angry glitter in her
eyes.
Cecil and are great friends" he said
quietly; and then he turned away to speak
to Lady Temple, who was already in Der
carriage whilst Eva, angry with herself,
him, and-most of all-Mrs. Elton, vented
her ill-humor on poor Tom till she had re-
duced him to the lowest depths of despair
AS the carriage drove off, Geofrey looked
round in search of the Eltons, but they had
! disappeared, and h slowly wended his way
to his little lodgings. A horrible notion
was weighing on his mind that if Tom was
right, and he had unconsciOuSly misled Eva
Dayrell and won her affections, he was
bound In honor to marry her. If he had
not, why was she so angry and bitter about
this unoffending stranger? Geofrey shud-
dered. Handsome, rich well born, and at
tractive in many ways Eva undoubtedly
was, yet the thought of making her his wife
was horrible toShim.
Nonsense" he exclaimed aloud as he
ran upstairs to change his coat. 81 am not
such a conceted ass as to believe she really
cares for me. 1t is only woman's jealousy
Inka r III. H.. 1
self. Tom was blinded by his fears.
wonder where she will go this afternoon. l
may as we'll stroll that way as any other"
The "she" last referred TO was not Eva
| Dayrell, and, his light luncheon over-for
even at Sandbeach the young Londoner
could not bring himself to conform to an
early dinner-a straw hat and light coat sub
stituted for his ''go-to-meeting toggery," as
he himself worded it, and pipe in his
mouth, he wandered slowly up the village
and past the cottage, where he saw through
the long windows Cecil and his mother still
seated at dinner.
II shall give resolution treat to-day"
he muttered, 'and have as long chat as
circumstances will permit, to make up for
yesterday so may as well turn in here and
see what they do after dinner"
AS he spoke he turned into the field near
the cottage, and lying down fiat on the
| grass, with his hand under his head-a IA
vorite position of his-he waited to see what
the Fates had in store for him. He had put
out his pipe, unwilling that its fumes should
betray bim, and was just getting sleepy,
! when Cecil's voice reused him, exclaiming:
Mamma, dear, do let us take our books
to the pine-woods, and you read to me. 1t
would be much cooler than here, and ever
so nice, and it's not very far"
| He could not hear Mrs Elton's answer,
but the boys shout of pleasure betrayed its
purport, and ten minutes later the pair
emerged from the garden-gato and turned
! toward the pine-woods that lay in the direG-
ton of Newland Abbey. Geoffrey lat them
pass and get several hundred yards ahead,
and then followed them unseen. They
were resting when he found them-Cecil. TO
make o soft seat for his mother, hing
gathered a heap of the dry spikes with
which the ground was covered, and, lying
by her side his head in her lap, he was
drinking in the story she read aloud. Her
hat was of, and single ray of sunlight fell
on the bright hair, turning ii TO wavy, gilt
tering gold, and Geofrey stood for several
minutes unwilling to disturb SO perfect q
picture. But mans patience is soon ex-
+lSuSLtu III SUCH CIECuDlSltuCbS, GIlu u0 CdIiO
forward, causing Master Cecil to sit bolt up
eight with beaming face.
II say isn't this place nice and cool?" he
exclaimed, in tone Of delight. "Come
and sit down here, Mr.. Geofrey and tell
mamma and me about Jack and the beam
stalk, or any other story you know"
Geoffrey laughed and looked at Mrs. El-
Ton He was disappointed that she did not
offer him her hand, for he longed to touch
the soft little slender fingers again.
II dare not accept Cecils invitations un-
less you indorse then," he said. "Shall l
be dreadfully in the way3 I am very
lonely"
'You are very welcome to stay if you
like" she answered, in those grave, COM
posed tones that seemed unnatural from one
so young. II brought book to read in
case Cecil wandered of, and you will not
disturb me"
Godfrey flushed. This was little more
than he could stand.
"That is almost saying shall be in yorr
~ay," replied he quickly. ~ think l had
better walk on, as you are so disinelined to
talk"
She looked up in surprise at his tone,
and her color deepened.
81 did not mean to be rude" she said.
VI did not know you wanted TO talk to mo.
I will not read if you do not wish it."
Certainly do not" he answered with
smile, as he threw himself on the ground at
her feet, where he could watch her every
expression. II don't always agree with the
old adage about two being company and
tbres none, though it is wise enough some
times. Jack and the Beanstalk' will keep
Gll tomorrow, Cecil-it isn't Sunday
story"
But perhaps shan't see you to-mor.
-ow," pleaded Cecil II didn't sec you all
day yesterday. Where were your
II rode over to Stillborough, and did
1ot forget you. On the table in my bed.
room is the prettiest boat / could find in
the town, and, if mamma will bring yor
down TO the beach in the morning, we vii
try how she sails"
"Oh, thank you, thank you, you deal
mani" cried the boy, clapping his hands
and mounting astrde on Geonrey. "How
sine that will bel Is it boy.boat or girl
Goat? What is its name"
"It has no name as yet" answered Geof-
frey, 'and, as il is o lsdy-boat, think we
ought to give 1t the same name as your