The Windham County reformer. (Battleboro, Vt.) 1876-1897, 1881-01-28

Stella heard these last words ana
Hooked ct him in sstonishment. "Were
You angry with Mr.. PenroseT she
asked, innocently. is it possible that
you would speak harshly to any person
| in your employment
Romayne smiled. "It was not what
I said," he answered. II am subject to
attacks to sudden attacks Of illness. I
am sorry alarmed Mr.. Penrose by let
ting him sec 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.
"It is impossible can be angry with
you'll"
"Mr. RomAyne, I think have seen
what your secretary saw. know how
You suffer, and how patiently you bear
it,"
"You," he exclaimed.
| II saw you with your friend, when
you came on board the steamboat nt
i Boulogne. Oh. no, you never noticed
mea xou newer knew how pitied you.
y - ~6td WHOM - movsd awAy
7 by yourself, and stood by the place in
which the engines work-you are sure
you won't think the wor of me II tell
your
"No, nor
"Your face frightened me-I can't
describe i'll went to your friend, and
took it on my.elfto say that you wanted
him. It was an impulse--I meant
we'll"
~ 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 10 my friend"
he asked.
"Only when told him he had better
~ W ycu- AIM suluk Sklu dlJor-
ward I was afraid you were very ill.
We were in tie confusion of arriving at
-olkestone--and, even if I had though
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 | 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?"
"No."
am sorry to hear it. YoI ought
to have some devoted friend always near
you"
She spoke very earnestly. Romayne
shr.nk, with strange shyness, from
letting her see how her sympathy af-
fected him. He answered lightly:
"You go almost as far as my good
friend there reading the newspaper" he
said. :" Lord Loting do sn't scruple to
tell me that ought to marry. l know
be speaks with a sincere interest in my
welfare. He little thinks how h dis
;resses me-"
"Why should he distress you?"
"He reminds me-live as long as I
1 must live alone. Can I
SIX woman to share such dreary life
IS mine? 1t would be selfish; it would
'e cruel I should deservedly pay the
'enalty of allowing my wife to sacrifice
erself. The time would come when
he would repent having married me-"
Stella rose. Her eyes rested on him I
18th look Of gentle remonstrance. (
"I think you scarcely do women JUS 9
ce," she said, softly. Perhaps some
ay woman may induce you to change
our opinion" She crossed the room :,
, the piano. "You must be tired of :
laying, Adelaide" she said, putting her : !,
and caressingly on Lady Loring's =
loulder.
Will you sing, Stellar" r
She sighed and turned away. "Not :,
might" she answered -
Romayne took his leave rather hur- nj
edly. He seemed to be out of spirits !,
I'd eager to get away. Lord Loring 70
his guest to the door. 90
" You look sad and care.worn," he e.,
id. "Do you regret having left your r.
'oks to pass an evening with us?" IN
Romayne looked up absently, and .
swered: 81 don't know yet" ~
to report this extraordi-
ry reply to his wife and Stella, Lord |.
,ring found the drawing room empty. A..
ger for little private conversation, d. d.
8 two ladies had gone upstairs. -.
" WE'LL" said Lady Loring, as they !
; together over the fire, "what did g..
say T' ,ea
Stella only repeated what he had said he
fore she rose and left him. nm,
u What is there in MIR. Rnmayne's wn,
D." she asked, (which made him say for,
It he would be selfish aud crnel if he ma
,ected a woman to marry him? 1t to
st be something more than mere ILL., the
IS. If he lad committed crime, he vel
lid not have spoken more strongly. the
you know what it is 2 Pat
lady Loring looked uneasy. owl
Il promised my husband to keep it int,
ecret from everybody" she said. the
: 1t is nothing degrading, Adelaide; rea.
m sure of that" pic'
{ And you are right, my dear 1 can star
ierstand that he has surprised and Ste
appointed you: but if you knew his one
tives-" she stopped, and looked two
nestly at Stella. "They say" she quit
1t on, "the love that lasts longest Is lool
love OF slowest growth. This feel frov
of yours for Romayne is OF sudden Eyr
with. Are you very sure that your Fat
BE heart is given to mantle best, cent
noblest of men-but still man OF who
I'm You know little p ling