Litchfield enquirer., 1880-10-14

| rudely. HE was tired; so swan out to him
| and he put his hand on my shoulder till boat
| came. 1t is not worth mentioning"
Maud looked up in surprise at the tone in
| which Gerald had spoken, but Paul Gossett,
without apparently noticing the rudeness of
Gerald's tone, went on, goi.ase
"No, Mr. Heneage, it is of no use for Mr.
Mayfeld to try and put aside the obligation In
| that way. 1t was, I assure you, most gal
liant action of his. And am ashamed to say
that lost nv presence of mind, and was with
| in an ace of drowning US BOTH"
And he proceeded to relate the story
Excuse my interrupting you," Gerald said
''but as don't want to listen to my own ex-
ploits, will go off for my walk"
+ 'sThat fellow has come down on purpose to
see Maud HeAeage," Gerald said to himself,
as he strobe along the country road. 81
should not be surprised if they are engaged or
next door to it. Well," after long pause. Il
had no reason in the world to suppose that she
cared button for me l don't suppose she
ever gave the matter thought, one way or
another" . s
1t was late IN the afternoon when Gerald re-
turned to the hotel, having walked some thirty
miles since starting. He had by this time
made up his mind that he would stand aside
and see what came of it. If Maud Heneage
was in love with this man, the matter would.
soon be settled and it was not for him to act
as spoil sport to their wooing. This resolu-
ton he proceeded to carry into execution !
and for the next week started early upon long
walks, and did not return until late, leaving
the field open to his rival, an opportunity of
which Paul Gossett was not slow to avail
himself. He had months before resolved to-
win Maud Heneage. She was pretty, stylish,
and had money. Hitherto his wooing had
progressed but slowly, but now he made the
most of the opportunity left for him by his
rivals folly. For Gerald Mayield had in
deed thrown down the cards when the game
was in his hands. Although he was wholly
unskilled in wooing, Maud Heneage had had
sufficient experience in being wooed to feel
that this man loved her. And the thought
was not unpleasant to her. She felt that he
was strong and tender and true; and when
girl feels this of man, unless her affections
are pre-engaged, there is but little doubt what
her answer will be when the question is asked.
When, therefore, Gerald suddenly gave I'D
walking with her, and left her to the care of
Paul Gossett, she was alike surprised and
panied. Had she had an opportunity of
speaking with him alone, she would have
frankly asked'him if she had offended him,
but he seemed to avoid all opportunity for ex-
PLANTATION; and, from pride and piuue, she
laughed and talked gayly with Gossett, who
was always beside her. Gossett had from the
first understood that he had rival in the man
who had saved his life, and dimly fathomed
the motives that actuated him in leaving the
course clear for him.
''The man is quixotic ass, )" he said tohim-
self. II believe she likes him, and he is
throwing away his chances: but the sooner
l get him out of the way, the better" .
At the end of the week Gerald came into the
no of tho hOt lofo
Gossett was alone there. For time they
chatted on different matters, and then Gossett
said: ... ..,. ..
81 am sorry | don't see more of YOU, but
you seem always out, and well, l hardly
look upon myself as free man." ,..
"MaY | ask" Gerald said, after a moments
pause, ''if you are engaged to Miss Heneage ?"'
"Well, after what | owe you" Gossett
said, 81 do not like there to be any conceal
ment between US. There is, and has been for
some time, a sort of engagement between US.
1t is not actually an engagement, because her
mother objects to long engagements, and is
anxious that her daughter should not marry
until she is three and-twenty. So, you un-
derstand, there is no avowed engagement, al
though in point of fact it comes to the same
thing. 1t is secret between us two now;
and should not tell you, but l know that |
can rel upon your not mentioning it or no.
tlclng 1t in any way. In few weeks she
will be within six months of hree-and-twenty,
and then it will be publicly announced.'
Gerald was silent for short time, and then
said quietly:
''You are fortunate man. | suspected
that it was so from the first time saw YOU adj
dress her. And now will say good night
and goodbye. am going up to town to-mor-
row. Will you say goodbye for me to Mrs.
Heneage and her daughter"
"A very good stroke" Paul Gossett said to
himself as he went out. "Now something of
thesa sort the other side, and | think the
games mine. He's hard hit, and won't care
about seeing US after marriage; and if he
does, and it happens to come out, 1t won't
matter them" $685.
The next morning, at breakfast, he said
carelessly to Maud Heneage:
THAT queer fellow Mayfed went up to
town this morning. He asked me to say
good bye to you and Mrs. Heneage'
HAS he gone for good ?" Maud asked, af-
ter short silence, and Paul Gossett could
see that she had grown suddenly pale.
20, yes from what he said fancy his
wife had come back from some visit or other,
and wanted him home"
His wife ?" Maud Heneage said
Eyes; did he never speak to you about
her?'
Maud did not answer, nor did she 90 out
for her usual walk that morning.
- Married ~ she thought to herself, as she
sat alone in her room looking out on the sea
married !" Then she had been utterly mis-
taken in her judgment of faces and yet, as
she sat there, she was unconsciously making
excuses for him. He had, she felt sure, loved
her; but he might not have known it himself,
and when he realized it he had altogether
Withdrawn from her. He ought to have told
her 1t was wrong, very wrong: but yet he
may have meant no deliberate harm. He
might be unhappy with his wife, and so avoid
ed the subject, thinking that, so long as she
was but chance acquaintance, it was no af-
fair of hers. So, with an aching heart, she
made excuses for him., and blushed to find
herself doing SO.
~ have no right to think of him, T" she
cried she is married man, and nothing to
me. Thank heaven, never gave him cause
to think cared for him !; thank heaven, if we
meet tomorrow, I at least need not feel
ashamed. 1t IS all over now" she said wear
lily, after pause. 'They say every woman
meets her ideal once in her life have met
mine, but he was already another's. Well, it
does not matter who marry now" li =
Six months later the papers had the an
nouncement of the marriage Of Paul Gossett
and Maud Heneage; and upon the day tli0k
the notice made its appearance Gerald May
field said to his partner:
L have been thinking for some time, Har-
per, that it would be we'll if we had house
of our own at Melbourne. i am sure we
should largely increase our business. have
not been well lately, and want change bad
ly; what. do you say to my going out for a
year or two and starting house there? Once
set, fairly af1oat we could take Purvis in as
partner. and | could come back again"
''You surprise me, Mayfield. Think that
branch house would pay well. but u don't
see. how we could spare you. i have, noticed
you have not been yourself for some time;
but two or three months holiday would set you
up" ss..tGa Nta .tlH.ll :! Ii sl
mo-" Gerald said, II want change of
work as we'll as of scene. | have been hard
hit. old man. very hard hit; and her marriage
is in, the Times this morning. I knew it
would be there soon; still as long as it didn't