New-York tribune., 1881-07-17
CHAPTER III

now at o'clock just as It had done at 10 this morn
ing. ~ ~
pollie, forgetting her sorrows for the moment is
deep IN a story of sUcl; vivid interest that she is
lost TO the whole outside world, she follows the
fires GLOW, low stool at Mr. Wcstons feet. lie,
Cousin Sarah, and Mr.. Warburton have been dis
inns has occupied them for the last hour but now tea
@ mas oec brought in. and the tca-maker being alb
., ,tr, w." t nl.c ptcli slhdry yam endcayors TO
altrc the attention OF Miss Pollie and send her in
search of her sister.
Let ne go' said Mr. Weston. speaking almost
eagerly for him, rising he spoke, if to put No
ouI "l the question. suppose shall find her in
the 's,choohoom, and he was gone before anyone
Directly he opened the door, he saw his guess had
been correct. for the girl he was in search of was
seated IN the shabby old armchair. drawn up close
TO the lire. Yes, of course 1t was Miss Warburton
though III way unlike her for there was some
tiine IN the attitude of TIE girl strongly suggestive
of tears
At the opening of the door. however the head
ai ia'Sen H. l.tic ana fuihc@ntiy steady voice
added in rather startled tone Mr.; Weston.
oounI hcS. IL is l. Mr.. Wcst2n. You know you were
before ! had time to say what wanted to saw so
now have followed you up here to go on with my
He had crossed the room whilst speaking and was
now standing IN his accustomed attitude beorc her,
Gnety, very quietly. but there was something i'm
his calm. determined tones that made Charity lit
her head and say quickly, but very gently = No.
picasc DO NOT go on with II: think would rather
not NOT hear t.. Put as she lifted heI head TO speak.
"A
CLEAN of tears on the dark cyclashes.
Bui you shall hearlt,' he said with sudden deter
mination' kncelIng by her side and clasp:ng her
hands in his. Charity. dear Charity, loyc you!
You know It. You must know it. viii you forget
what short time we have known each other and
i cannot in soft low voice brt with the
words splash fell large tear on to the hand tnat
What are You crying forT without needing her
words y on were crying when came IN: YOU
have been unhappy all day May not even know
what is the mattcrf
But there wa, no reply.
Charity" she started at the word.
lou must not call ne that, she said.
'lou must give me Il reason. then. | can
not take your words Yet as an answer to Ry CUES
ton, for, Charity love your
But yon must She cried, drawing away her
decision My answer 10 Your question is " No ~
Tn" tears were gone now She was standing OPP
postc him, the width of The, fireplace between
thcu-thc stately Charity WarbuIton he had first
known-and he felt very much further apart from
her than he lad douc from The fearful girl seated In
Nevertheless he was in earnest. and no fanced
separation Shodld AFFECT him. She did not shrink
away from hin, but >tood perfectly still, only she
me That was what he said quite low, as hc thus
paused beside her. He waited what might have
been whole m'nnte IN perfect silence, the only
sound the noisy ticking Of the clock, ANA then with
an impatient movement he turned away
Silence means consent then hc sand little bit
tcriy, - VIII not bother you amy more. Good-by,
Miss WarhlriouN
She hal not looked mp til then hut as he said
those words almost iny"Hntarily she raised her
eyes to his, and all their tad story easy
read. Even then she made no answer III words.
made no attempt to prevent h departure.
But Air. Weston turned back NJ once Charity
he SAID, in troubled voice, look mp and She
obcyed.
CHARITY he went on, red flush for moment
appearing on his dark check. i hcicvc.' with
momentary hesitation. that YOU do liko me
Mr. Weston. she replied, clasping her two hands
tightly together and her low voice grew louder ,Ill
as she spoke, II tell Yon one thing YOU viii un-
dcrstand why you must 20 away at once. and never
speak TO me any nore. am to marry Cousin
Yes he said. so have been to,d.' lie did not
mention rolle's name and Charity never thought
of her.
Her father was the person she did think of but
what did 1t matter after ah IN 4 litilc While
everyone wonld know IT. only Mr. Weston, then
'Nou think should not have spoken. But do
not see that. You are not engaged to HIM. 1t is
taken It. And | bclicyc.' with srddcn vchemcncc,
that If there were no Cousin Felix IN the case.
Charity
IT is very hard" she cried. not answering his
words. 3 | have caused you trouble and yet have
wrong
DON'T look like that Charity. Yon shall DO
right. or rather, what you th!Dk right. shall no:
try TO prevent you. viii 90 away tonight. OF to-
morrow morning. and You shall never see me again,
ana You shall sacrifice yourself as Nou see it, or
rather as your father tceS hi for II Is Tor ms sake
suppose, you doing If. Bnt ira OF all, dry your
whp rrns iGrEct All naHf & SH Sc 10 A" rm o1
and tell me the whole story Perhaps door of
escape may yet open!
but though Charity shook her head at that, she
allowed herself he cai:ncd 10y his friendly words.
and to he cntccd back to her iaNoIitc seat.
Ana then she poured forth tho " hole story, as
she had learnt to know ii well of late ANA almost
unlnowinely TO herself contriycd at the same time
to let the secret of her own yoang heart be clearly
seen by the dark watClful eyes.
Now | have told yOu everything, she Sad, rs
YOU asked me, aud hcstatinE OF course II was
fair you should kLow. s-' aud here she paused,
but the wStful looks in the pretty eyes said the
rest.
Yes Said her listener, have heard IT all, and
my opinion is ,hat YOU arc wrong No, yon must
listen 10 me now Perhaps Mr. Weston llsd been "A
little deceived by Charitys glriish, shrinking man
ner; had not quite realized the strong, powerful
Will that lay beneath it.
No. she said, in those soft, firm tones he had
want to hear the other side of II. There may be
one, of course. but il docs not affect me. Father
wishes it and that is all | care to know.
But, Charity, MIR Weston was hring ms last
the room and Charity seated very still ana up
right, with folded hands to receive them pm,
Charity, il he knew your father mcan-that
you did not want it
lie will never know.
He should know things are different now even
to what they were three weeks ago, when you lrsJ
promised him
Things are just the rs far ~ Felix and are
concerned she answered. though her cheeks grew
shade winter Father is od and bllnd. anu
trusts me- he shall never know that hcr voice ial-
tered, was tempted TO break my trust
MIR. Weston turned away in silence, ana took an
other turn the whole length OF the room ere speak
ing.
And FelixY' then he questioned. When he
comes he,', with a sort of triumph IN his tones,
Then ] shall DC free. My PRIDE with a half
laugh, will not be much hurt.