The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1881-04-22

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ANY discoverapie reason for the inn
provementY persisted the major, still
bent on getting evidence in support Of
his own private conclusions.
"NoneI" Romayne answered, sharply.
[ But Major Hynd was not to be dis
coursged by sharp replies. sl
"Miss Eyrecourt and I have been
recalling our first meeting on board the
steamboat" he went on. "Do yoa
remember how indifferent you were to
that beautiful person when asked you
il you knew her? I'm glad to see that
you show better taste tonight. I wish I
knew her we'll enough to shake hands
az you did" ~
Hyndl When q young man talks
nonsense his youth is his excuse. At
your time of life you have passed the
excssable age-eyen in the estimation
of your friends"
With those words Romayne turned
away. The incorrigible major instantly
met the reproof inflicted on him with Q
smart answer.
Remember" he said, that was the
first Of your friends to wish you happi-
ness" He, too, turned away--in the
direction Of the champagne and sand
witches.
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Meanwhile Stella had discovered
Penrose, lost in the brilliant assem-
blage Of guests, standing alone in a
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. ,.. a.8l4 .
az am afraid, Mr.. Penrose, this is not
very attractive scene to you. Having
said those kind words, she paused.
Penrose was looking at her confusedly,
but with an expression Of interest
which was new to her experience oi
him. "Has Romayne told him?" she
wondered inwardly.
"It is very beautiful scene, Miss
Eyrecourt," he said, in his low, quiet
tones.
"Did you come here with Mr.. Ro
mayne?" she asked.
"Yes. It was by his advice that
accepted the invitation with which
Lady Loring has honored me. am
sadly out OF place in such an assembly
as this, but I would make far greater
sacrifices to please Mr.. Romayne."
She smiled kindly. Attachment &C
artlessly devoted to the man she loved
pleased and touched her. In her anx
ist5 % discover a subject which might
interest him she overcame her antipathy
to the spiritual director Of the house
hold.
els Father Benweu coming to us to
night" she inquired.
"He will certainly be here, Mis-.
Eyrecourt, if he can get back to Lon
don In time"
"Has he been long away?"
"Nearly week"
Not knowing what else to say, sh,
still paid Penrtse the compliment O
feigning an interest in Father Benwell
"Has he long journey to make il
returning to London?" she asked.
"Yes--all the way from Devonshire.
"From South Devonshireg"
"No. North Devonshire-C Clovelly.
The smile suddenly left her face. Sh,
proceeded composedly, but withou,
quite concealing the effort that it cost
her, or the anxiety with which she
waited for the reply, to her next ques-
ton.
"I know something of the peighbor
hood Of Oovelly," she said. II wonde
whether Father Benwell is visitir 6 an,
friends Of mine there"
"I am not able to say, Miss Eyre
court. The reverend fathers letters ar
forwarded to the hotel-I know no NOR
than that"
| With Q gentle inclination of her heat
she turned toward the other guests
looked buck, and, with q last little cour
teous attention offered TO him, said: 4" 1
you like music, Mr.. Penrose, / advis
you TO go to the picture-gallery. The.
are going to play quartet by Mozart.
Penrose thanked her, noticing tina
her voice and manner had becom
strangely subdued. She made her wa
back to the room in which the hostes
received her guests. Lady Loring wa
for the moment alone, resting ing o., Ssefd
cautiously lowered tones:
"If Father Benwell comes here to
night" she said, "try to find ont wha
he has bee, doing at Clovelly."
"ClovslSa" Lady Loring repeated
! els that tle village near wintsrHeld'
house?"
"Yes.n
. CHAPTER II. 1.-THE QUESTION OF MARRIAGE
As Stellalnswered Lady Loiing sh'
n was smartlHapped on the shoulder b,
9 an eager gust with faa.
4 The guesl was very little woman
with twinkhg eyes and porpetua
!, smile. Nare, corrsc cted by powde
!, and paint, IS literally displayed il
her arms, br bosom, and the uppel
9 part cf hekack. Such clothes as sh,
70 wore, defytFe perhaps in quantity
II were in qyliF absolutely perfect. Mo-,
+ sdorAbleblor. shape and workmanship
N never ayeared, even in a milliaer'
l. picturdbook. Her light hair wal
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