New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1880-09-19

/ am not sure OF that, he says unsteadilly.
Il think If ! were married. you. and you only.
would be standing just there.
George. George have you forgotten en-
treats She, shrinking from him.
Il have forgotten nothing. not even Disney.
returns he reckesslv. J know you don't care
for that ghasly old corpse, laid out by Poole !;
how could youf And love YOU, darling
darling Forgive me, Brenda | should not
speak to Won like this now, and here, but 1t has
been on my heart for 80 long, and-l can't
help il. But, If You will give me even the
faintest encouragement, you shall never marry
Disney, swear
Perhaps he might have said even more, but
Miss Molyneux has burst into tears, and has
covered her face with her hands, and is SOB
bing quietly hut bitterly.
Don't do that Brenda, exclaims he passion
atelv q can stand ANYTHING but that. Look
here desprrately. something must be done,
you know ; you can't stay mere ali highS' wait
one moment
Running down the steps he touches the devoted
FenmoIe's elbow, ana says something To MN III
a low tone An earnest conversation follows.
Then comes faint sound as OF silver falling
upon silver, and then Widing returns to his
cousins side.
Come lie says, quietly, taking her hand. Il
have arranged fol you. There ia no help for 1t,
Brenda you must do as tell you
Brenda, still crying silently, suffers herself
TO be led to the carriage, and together they
enter it again, and drive away
At luncheon next day, Brenda is singularly
silent Lady Molyneux has fortunately asked
few questions about last nights proceedings,
and Lord Disncy-whO is with them-dlsdans
to seek information about anything III which
Wilding has Lad part. theodore, BRENDA
brother is also present.
Grandmamma's Indifference is all that can be
desired Disney's sullen silence equally nappy
ana in fact, all IL going merry as marriage
bell until Theodore uncOnscoISly, but fatally,
Iota fall bDmbshell that blows the blessed
calm to atoms.
Il say. Brenda, it was well you forgot yonr
latch-A last night. says this misguided youth
with the utmost bOnhOmie. found it on the
sideboard after you had left and but for 1t could
not have let myself IN, az have lost my own
His sister turns very white.
Brenda s-my latch-key, you mean, says
grandm mamma quickly. But you dream, Iheo-
dore Brenda hao 1t with her at the opera she
herself could not have got III without II.
Brenda casts an anguIshed glance at lheo-
dore who is-and, what is worse, iooks-dis-
tinctly puzzled.
Explain, Brenda. You surrey haG IL, SAYS
grandmamma in voice that admits OF no eva
son. Disney laying down his knife AMI fork,
gaZes with nalf-clOsed eyes at the embarrassed
gll
Had what, grandmamma 2 asks she family,
to gain time.
What! The latch-key. Are you deaf
saws graudmamma
Brenda is sileat. Lies are at any time abhor
rent to her. and now 10 tell one will be useless,
as her hesitation has been marked.
Brenda, speak !! says grandmamma IN an
awful tone. You had it with your
'Of course she had What fuss about moth
ing. 1t must have been my own l found,
breaks in T theodore, lying Warranty, out yaniy.
Il had not, granGmamma. says Brenda
bravelv but III accents hardly intelgible.
Then pray how did you come in last night
Il did not come IN at all, replies Brenda IN
an agony. 'Grandmamma, listen, let me ex-
plain
Bat erandmamma is quite past explanation.
She has risen, and Is Standing with 10Th her old
wifheIed hands pressed upon the table, as
though 10 support her under TINS GROWING
horror, and is glazing at the terrified child with
fierce dark eyes.
Am | to understand she says, that you
spent last night Ous of Ey house
ii you would let me speak,' says Brenda
sobbing. ~ g.,
your sister
No. She .
Not here nor with your sister, but with
George Wildng, | presume. Han Not an
other word | always knew what would come
of your intimacy with that degraded young
man.
This il all shockine-st oe<ing,' says Lord
Disney in his slow, aggrayatng manner. Ana
er brilantly-' sh0ckingi OF course, Miss
Nolvneux tins, this young man-y0dr cousin
having found more favor in your sight tisn !
have been fortunate enough 10 ind, beg To
resiCn nv present position ana withdraw from
an engagement that no doubt is lrksOme 10 yOu
You Will pardon me. Lady Mo!yneuX, II l say
this j. all very sad, very sad, with an elaborate
bow.
.Sad-it is disgIaceful. Go, girl. to your
room. and stay there until decide on what
shall he don with you. Ny roof shall no longer
cover one 40 lost to all sense Of
Theodore, rising abruptly. goes to his sisters
side and passes his arm round her.
T.nnlx here. gran nnamIld. stop all tTl3t, ne
saws with flown; 1t might do at tue
Dukes" but ii Is out of place here, ana
won't have Brenda abused.
Here some one, with grateful smile, removes
his arm from Brenda's waist, and places his own
there instead. 1t is George Wlldlng, who has
entered uuannOunced just minute or TWO De
fore a small, plain woman, who appears and
stands unnoticed IN the doorway WIN pretty
swansdown cloak and hood upon her arm, that
contrasts oddly with her own meaner garments.
who ia abusing Brenda I demands George
Wilding, looking quietly upon the assembled
group. vet with curious light IN his eyes that
WHO is casting even the faintest slur upon
her? He shall answer to me for 1t:
He stares codly, and somewhat insolently, at
Lord Disney as he speaks, and that discreet
nobleman, dropping hls eyegiass, discovers
difficulty in finding 1t again.
I've made some beastly mistake, you know.
Ii is all my fault, says Theodore, with extreme
cOntTitlon.
Here the plain little woman IN the DOORWAY,
perceving a lull in the conversation, comes
timidy forward.
Please. Miss Moyneux, have brought You
vour Opera cloak she says, rs ] feared you
might be wanting it again tonight
'Oh, thank you says Wilding; turn
ing to her promptly Perhaps Mrs. Kenmore,
as YOU are here, you will kindly tell Lady
Wolyneux of all your goodness to Miss Brenda
last night. How you took her in, and made
her very comfortable in your OWN house, Which,
because of the stupidity OF the arrangements IN
this house-she found herself out 10 the coId
and how YOU, yourself, brought her safely back
here this morning.
'Oh Pm sure, nv lady, says the coachman's
wife. dropping a curtsey, I'm only sorry l
couldn't do more for Miss Molyneux; ] doubt
she was desperate uncomfortable. my lady but
| did my best
1Xhat is AN this 4 saws grandmamma. 4 fail