Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1881-04-16

CHAPTER V.-N THE SMALL HOURS.
When Stella left the conservatory,
the attraction of the ball for Romayne
was at an end. He went back to his
rooms at the hotel.
Penrose was waiting to speak to him
Ronayne noticed signs of suppressed
agitation in his secretary's face.
"Has anything happened ?" he in
quired.
Nothing of any Importance" Pen.
rose answered, in sad, subdued tones
"I only wanted to ask you for leave Of
absence"
Certainly. Is it for a long time?"
Penrose hesitated.
"You have new life opening before
you," he said. eff your experience OF
that life is-as I hope and pray it may
be-a happy one, you would need me
no longer; we may not meet again"
His voice began to tremble; he could
say no more.
"Not meet again 2" Romayne re-
peated. "My dear Penrose, if you for
get how many happy days I owe to
your companionship, my memory is to
be trusted. Do you really know what
my new life is to be? Shall I tell you
what / have said to Stella tonight ?"
Penrose lifted his hand with o gest
ure of entreaty.
"Not word" he said, eagerly.
"Do me one more kindness-leaye me
to be prepared las 7 ain prepared for
the change that is to come. without
any confidence on your part to enlighten
me further. Don't think me ungratoful.
I have reasons for saying what l have
just said-I cannot mention what they
are-I can only tell you they are serious
reasons. You have spoken of my devo-
tion to you. If you wish to reward me
a hundredfold more than I deserve,
bear in mind our conversations on re-
ligion, and keep the books asked you
to read, as gifts from friend who
loves you with his whole heart. No
new duties that you can undertake are
incompatible with the higher interests
Of your soul. Think of me sometimes
When leave you go back to lonely
life. My poor heart is full Of your
brotherly kindness at this moment
when may be saying goodbye for
ever"
Romayne was more than surprised,
he was shocked.
"Why must you leave me% he
asked.
cit is best for you and for her."
said Penrose, "that 1 should withdraw
myself from your new life"
He held out his hand. Romayne re-
fused to let him go.
"Penrose !" he said, i" I can't match
your resignation. Give me something
to look fol- ward to. 1 must and will see
you again"
Penrose smiled sadly.
"You know that my areer in lie de-
pends wholly on my superiors," he an
swered. "But if I am still in England,
and if (which God forbid y you have
sorrows in the future that can share
and alleviate, only let me know it.
There is nothing within the compass of
my power which will not do for your
sake. God bless and prosper you'll
Good-bvep
In spite of his fortitude the tears rose
in his eyes. He hurried out of the
room.
Romayne sat down at his writing
table and hid his face in his hands. He
had entered the room with the bright
image of Stella in his mind. The i'm
age had faded from it now-the grief
that was in him not even the beloved
woman could share.
n u
He trimmed his lamp and bent his
mind on his book. While he was still
reading, the ball at Lord Loring's house
came to its end. Stella and Lady Lorine
We're alone together, talking of him,
before they retired to their rooms.
Forgive me for owning it, plainly"
said Lady Loring. "I think you and
your mother are little too ready to
suspect Father Renwell, without any
discoverable cause. Thousands OF peo.
pie go to Clovelly, and Deaupark house
is one of the show-places in the neigh
borhood. Is there little prejudice in
this new idea of yours 2"
Stella made no reply; she seemed to
be lost in her own thoughts.
Lady Loring went on:
"I am open to conviction, my dear.
Ifyou will only tell me what interest
Father Benwell can have in knowing
about you and Winterfeld-
Stella suddenly looked up.
"Let us speak of another person."
she said. "I own don't like Father
Benwel, As you know, Romayne has