Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1881-04-23
BOOK THE THIRD.

Hynd, you didn't tell the uncle my
name?"
"Don't alarm yourself! He is a gen.
tleman, and when told him was
pledged to secrecy, he made but one in.
quiry-he asked if you were rich man.
I told him you had eighteen thousand
year."
"Well?"
"Well, he set that matter right be-
tween us with perfect taste He said:
L cannot presume to offer repayment
to person so wealthy. We gratefully
accept our obligation to our kind un-
known friend. For the future, how
ever, my nephew's expenses must be paid
from my purse Ofcourse, could only
agree to that. From time to time the
mother is to hear, and I am to hear, how
the boy goes on. Or, if you like, Ro-
mayne-now that the Generals family
have left England don't see why the
proprietor might not make his report
directly to yourself"
"NoP Romayne replied, positively.
"Let things remain as they are"
every well. The asylum is close by,
at Hampstead was what made me
think of it. Will you give us some
music. Mrs Romayne? Not tonight?
Then let us go to the billiard-room; and,
as am the worst of bad players, will
ask you to help me beat your accom-
pished husband"
On the afternoon of the next day Mrs
Eyrecourt's maid arrived at Ten Acres
with note from her mistress.
"DEAREsT STELLA-Matilda must bring you
my excuses for to-day l don't in the least un-
derstand it, but seem to have turned lazy. II
is most ridiculous-I really cannot get out OF
bed. Perhaps did do little too much yester-
day. The opera after the garden-party, and a
ball after the opera, and this tiresome cough
all night after the ball. Quite series, isn't itf
Make my apologies to our dismal Romayne, ani
II you drive out this afternoon come and hav,a
chat with me. Your affectionate mother
GENTLY EYREcoURT.
"P. s.-You know what a fdget Matilda is
If she talks about me, don't believe word she
says to you"
Stella turned to the maid with sink.
ing heart.
"Is my mother very ill ?" she asked.
$50 ill, maam, that 1 begged and
prayed her to let me send for doctor
You know what my mistress is; she
wouldn't hear of it. If you would
please to use your influence"
II will order the carriage instantly,
and take you back with me-"
Before she dressed to 60 out Stella
showed the letter to her husband. He
spoke with perfect kindness and sympa.
thy, but he did not conceal that he
shared his wife's apprehensions
"Go at once" were his last words to
her; "and if I can be of any use send
for me-"
It WAS late in the evening before Stella
returned. She brought sad news.
The physician consulted told her
plainly that the neglected cough and
the constant fatigue had together made
the case serious one. He declined to
say that there was any absolute danger
as yet, or any necessity for her remain.
ing with her mother at night. The ex.
perience of the next twenty-four hours,
at most, would enable him to speak
positively. In the meantime the patient
insisted that Stella should return to her
husband. Even under the influence OF
opiates, Mrs. Eyrecourt was still drowsily
equal to herself. "You are tidget, my
dear, and Matilda is a fidget; I can't
have two of you at my bedside. Good
night" Stella stopped over her and
Kissed her. She whispered: "Three
weeks notice, remember, for the party J"
BY the next evening the malady had
assumed so formidable an aspect that
the doctor had his doubts of the patients
chance of recovery. With her husbands
full approval Stella remained night and
day at her mothers bedside.
Thus, in little more than month
from the day of his marriage, Romayne
was, for the time, lonely man again.
The illness of Mrs. Eyrecourt was un.
expectedly prolonged. There were in
tervals during which her vigorous con.
stitution rallied and resisted the progress
Of the disease. On these occasions
Stella was able to return to her husband
for few hours-subject always to a
message which recalled her to her
mother, when the chances of life or
death appeared to be equally balanced
Romayne's only resource was in his
books and his pen. For the first time
since his union with Stella he opened
the portfolios in which Penrose had col
leotsd the first Introductory chapters Of