Litchfield enquirer., 1881-07-21
CHAPTER w.

Three years passed away before Jack Sin clair returned to his native shores. He did so then because he had come into his inher- tance for his father had gone into that high CT region where such things as earthly riches and troubles have no place. But he died blessing Jack to the last; and Jack had been sent for, reaching his home, alas, too late.
 And so he was no longer Jack Sinclair, the dragoon, troubled with numerous debts and other difficulties, but Sinclair of Cleve, the owner of good estate, the head of a good country family. It was perfectly astonishing how nice every one seemed to find him. The self-same people who had looked very much askance at 'that dreadfully wild fellow, Jack Sinclair" found out that, after all, young men will be young men, and that wild oats are best sown. Some ladies even went so far as to affirm that the widest young men made the best husbands. Those were ladies with marriageable daughters.
 But they angled and baited their traps for him in vain. Jack would have none of them. His mother remained the undisturbed mis- tress of Cleve and his sisters declared he must have left his heart in India.
 Jack said, Exactly so," and then they wondered why he hadn't married her. Fife suggested that perhaps she was married al- ready but the more strong minded Laura secuted that idea altogether She was sure
  depend upon it, Jack did not feel altogether satisfied about her. Perhaps her family was not to his liking. That the lady might be unwilling, never entered their heads. Was not Jack-Sinclair-o Cleve, with seven thousand year?
 However, their conjectures brought them no nearer to the truth, since Jack turned deaf ear to all their hints, invariably answt red them with the same word exactly"
 "You ought to marry" Laura. told him one day.
 Exactly" said Jack easily.
 ''Then why don't you?" she asked. "rm sure you're in love-"
 Exactly"
 To say the least of it, the answer was dis couraging.
 However, in love or out of it, Jack did not change his condition. He went about in the character of an eligible bachelor, and seemed to find the position a very pleasant one; at least, he certainly made no attempt to alter it. He had returned from India in the Summer, and during the Autumn and Winter seemed as If he was trying to make up for the society he had missed during his sojourn in the East The family at Cleve saw but little of him uu- til Christmas, when he remained at home whole fortnight At the end of that time he went northward to pay long promised visit at the house of man who was in the Cuiras- siers when he first joined the regiment He had long and cold journey, arriving about an hour before dinner. Then Major Holroyd went out of the door to meet him, with thou sand apologies for not having been at the sta tion, three miles away.
 ''The fact was, my baliff came Tn just as was starting; and as his business was urgent roof of a cottage tumbed in, worse luck i- why, was obliged to go round and make some arrangements for the family until it can be attended to-" he explained.
 'It really did not matter" Jack answered. "How is Mrs. Holroyd? Oh, there you are I" as he followed his host into the inner hall. "How are you9 And how's our old friend Ethel2"
 Grown monster" Mrs Hulroyd laughed. You'll see her presently, no douht You'll have cup of tea Captain Sinclair? I re- member your old weakness for it.. I think you must know every one here, excepting, perhaps, Lady Beaurivage."
 Jack turned from young lady who was greeting him efusiyely with great start Yes, there she was The one love of his life. No longer pale no longer with that look of hunted pain in her great azure eyes: but calm, smiling, self possessed; and sitting near to her was Bryan .Montagu. Jack determined as he held out his hand with grave bow. that his visit at Lark's. Nest would be cu, oaAoi' on euo iuuo"iuS udy oy a piea or ''u; '. gent private affairs. s.'
 'sFhen you do know her?' Mrs. Holrovd cried, seeing tue friendly yet half distant sal utation
 II used to know Captain Sinclair" an swered Lady Beaurivage distinctly, s.very wellindeed. but, for some re asons or other, he cut me-"
 Dead as door-nail," Montagu affirmed.
 ssI cannot believe that" cried Mrs. Holroyd emphatically.
 Tt is quite true" answered Lady Bean. rivage calmly task hi.l if it is not so.''
 Il won't ask you Captain Sinclair. because have too much faith in you to believe It. sad the hostess
 Unfortunately, it is perfectly true" Jack returned gravely.
 'Why?" some one asked thoughtlessly.
 ''Why? ?" he repeated ..Oh, veu mus, get Lady Beaurivage to tell you thatI'' n, which the young Countess blushed so vividly crlDson that every one laughed, and Mrs. Hol royd, to spare her further confession. made , move and carried her off to dress.
 ''Of course, there's no truth in all that non sense about your cutting her?" Major Hol royd asked, when he and Jack were left i, possession of the hall.
 On yes. it's true enough Jack answered bitterly. 'lf Id known she was staying l,ert I shouldn't have come, and as 1t is think had better leave you tomorrow"