Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1881-04-09

| winch she had betrayed Wnen sne spoke
of possibly leaving London, and Of
R1mayne's plans for supplying her
place as his almoner, tho major, with
mi itary impatience of delays, jumped
to conclusion. az was wrong" he
thought, "my impenetrable friend is
touched in the right place at last. When
the splendid creature in yellow leaves
London, the name on her luggage will
be Mrs. Romayne."
You are looking luite another man,
Romayne" he said, miSchievously,
"since we met last"
Stella moved gently away, leaving
them to talk freely. Romayne took no
advantage of the circumstance to admit
his old friend to his confidence. What
ever relations might really exist between
Miss Eyrecourt and himself were evil
IDENTIFY kept secret thus far. "My
health has been little better lately
was the only reply he made.
The major dropped his voice to a
whisper.
"Have you not had any return"
he began.
Romayne stopped him there.
81 don't want my inirmities made
public" he whispered back irritably.
"Look at the people all round us!
When l tell you l have b, en- better
lately, you ought to know what it
MEANS"
"Any discoverable reason for the i'm
provement?" persisted the major, still
bent on getting evidence in support of
lis own private conclusions.
"None" Romayne answered, sharply.
But Major Hynd was not to be dis
couraged by sharp replies.
"Miss Eyrecourt and I have been
recalling our first meeting on board the
steamboat" he went on. "Do yo1
remember how indifferent you were to
that beautiful person when l asked you
if you knew her? Tn glad to see that
you show better taste tonight. wish I
knew her well enough to shake hands
as you did"
"Hynd When o young man talks
nonsense his youth is his excuse. AT
your time of life you have passed the
excusable age-eSen in the estimation
of your friends"
With those words Romayne turned
away The incorrigible major instantly
met the reproof inflicted on him with a
smart answer.
Remember" he said, "that 7 was the
first of your friends to wish you happi-
ness" He, too, turned away-in the
direction of the champagne and sand
wiches.
Meanwhile Stella had discovered
, Penrose, lost in the brilliant assem-
blage of guests, standing alone in q
corner. 1t was enough for her that
Romayne's secretary was also Romayne's
friend. Passing by titled and celebrated
personages, all anxious to speak to her,
she joined the shy, nervous, sad looking
little man, and did all she could to set
him at his ease.
at am afrail, Mr.. Penrose, this is not
very attractive scene to you. Having
said those kind words, she paused.
Penrose was looking ut her confusedly,
but with an expression of interest
which was new to her experience of
him. "Has Romayne told him?" she
wondered inwardly.
"It is a very beautiful scene, Miss
Eyrecourt," he said, in his low, quiet
tones.
"Did you come here with Mr.. Ro-
mayne?' she asked.
"Yes. 1t was by his advice that I
accepted the invitation with which
Lady Loring has honored me. I am
sadly out of place in such an assembly
as this, but 1 would make far greater
sacrifices to please Mr.. Romayne."
She smiled kindly. Attachment SO
artlessly devoted to the man she loved
pleased and touched her. In her anx-
iety to discover subject which might
interest him she overcame her antipathy
to the spiritual director OF the house.
hold.
"Is Father Benwell coming to us to-
night" she inquired.
"He will certainly be here, Miss
Eyrecourt, if he can get back to Lon
don in time"
"Has he been long awayP'
"Nearly week."
Not knowing what else to say, she
still paid Penr SO the compliment of
feignng an interest in Father Benwell.
"Has he long journey to make in
returning to London?" she asked.
"Yes-all the way from Devonshire.
"From South Devonshire"
"No. North Devonshire- -Clovelly.'
The smile suddenly left her face. She
pr ceeded composedly, but without
quite concealing the effort that it cost
her, or the anxiety with which she
waited for the reply, to her next ques-
| tion.