Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1881-03-19
"Am I not playing? Listen to me-"
"My dear, don't understand mod.
ern German music"

| Lord Lorlng TOOK his Wlfes ADVICE.
Left entirely by themselves, at the
other end of the room, Romayne and
Stella justified Lady Lorings belief in
the result of reducing her husband to
state of repose. Stella ventured to
speak first, in discreet undertone.
ado you pass most of your evenings
alone, Mr.. Romayne?"
"Not quite alone. have the COM
pany of my books"
care your books the companion that
you like best?"
"I have been true to those compan-
ions, Miss Eyrecourt, for many years.
If the doctors are to be believed. my
books have not treated me very well in
return. They have broken down my
health, and have made me, am afraid,
very unsocial man." He seemed
about to say more, and suddenly checked
the impulse. "Why am talking Of
self ?" he resumed, with smile. "I
never do it at other times. Is this
another result Of your influence over
me?"
He put the question with on assumed
gayety. Stella made no effort, on her
side, to answer him in the same tone.
"I almost wish really had some in
fuence over you," she said, gravely and
sadly.
"Why%
az should try to induce you to shut
ND your books, and choose some living
companion who might restore you to
your happier self"
at is already done," said Romayne ;
"I have new companion in Mr.. PEN
rose."
"PeuroseT she repeated. "He is
the friend, is he not, Of the priest here.
whom they call Father BenwellT
eyes"
81 don't like Father Benwell."
els that o reason for disliking Mr..
PenroSe !"
eyes" she said, boldly, "because he
is Father Benwells friend"
Indeed, you are mistaken, Miss
Eyrecourt. Mr.. Penrose only entered
yesterday on his duties as my secretary,
and I have already had reason to think
highly of him. Many men, after that
experience of me-" he added, speaking
more to himself than to her, "might
have asked me to find another secre-
tary."
I Stella heard these last words and
looked at him in astonishment. "Were
you angry with Mr.. Penrose% she
asked, innocently. Is il possible that
you would speak harshly to any person
in your employment?' %
Romayne smiled. "It was not what
I said," he answered. "I am subject to
attacks-to sudden attacks of illness. I
nm sorry l alarmed Mr.. Penrose by let
ting him see me under those circum-
stances"
She looked at him, hesitated, and
looked away again. "Would you be
angry with me if I confessed some
thing" she said, timidly.
cit is impossible can be angry with
you"
"Mr. Romayne, I think have seen
what your secretary saw. know how
you suffer, and how patiently you bear
it,"
"You," he exclaimed.
"I saw you with your friend, when
you came on board the steamboat at
Boulogne. Oh, no, you never noticed
me You never knew how Ipitied you.
And afterward, when you moved away
by yourself, and stood by the place in
which the engines work-you are sure
you won't think the wor4 Of me il I tell
you?"
"No, mol"
"Your face frightened mel can't
describe it-I went to your friend, and
took it on myself to say that you wanted
him. It was an impulse-T meant
WELL"
"I am sure you meant we'll" As he
spoke his face darkened little, be-
traying amomentary feeling Of distrust.
Had she put indiscreet questions to his
travelling companion, and had the ma
jor, under the persuasive influence Of
her beauty, been weak enough to answer
them. "Did you speak to my friend"
he asked.
"Only when I told him he had better
go to you. And I think I said after
ward I was afraid you were very i'll.
We were in the confusion Of arriving of
F'oIKestone-and, even If + had thought
it right to say more, there was no oppor-
tunity."
Romayne felt Ashamed Of the suspi.
cion by which he had wronged her.
"You have generous nature" he said,
earnestly. "Among the few people
whom I know, how many would feel the
interest in me that you felt ?"
"Don't say that Mr.. Romayne You
could have had no kinder friend than the
gentleman who took care of you on your
journey. Is he with you now in LON
don ?"