Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1881-04-16
WHOLE NUMBER, 400.

1
Dearest Stella, i will come and lunch
! herc to-morrow--you are within such I
nice, easy drive from town-and III
bring my visiting-book and settle about
the invitations and the day. Oh, dear
me, how late it is 1 have nearly an
hours drive before I get to my garden.
party. Goodbye, my turtle doves, good
bye"
She was stopped on the way to her
carriage by another fit of coughing. But
she still persisted in making light of it.
"Tm as strong as horse" she repeated,
as soon as she could speak-and skipped
into the carriage like young girl.
"Your mother is killing herself" said
Romayne. H9
eff could persuade her to stay with
us little while," Stella suggested, "the
rest and quiet might do wonders for her.
Would you object to it, Lewis?"
My darling, l object to nothing
except giving a ball and burning my
books. If your mother will yield on
those two points, my house is entirely at
her disposal" u.. .o1- s- ,r
He spoke playfully--he looked his
best, since he had separated himself
from the painful associations that were
now connected with Vange Abbey. Had
"the torment of the voice" been left fai
away in Yorkshire ? Stella shrank from
approaching the subject in her husbands
presence but she was bold enough to
hope. To her surprise Romayne him.
self referred to the Generals family.
"I have written to Hynd, he began.
"Do you mind his dining with US to-
day?'
"Of course notp5 olive.
II want to hear il he has anything to
tell me about those French ladies. He
undertook to see them in your absence,
I'd to ascertain i.gw--" He was unable
. oyer,ar his reluctance to pronounce
he no>t V rdg Stella was quick to
Understand Nh' ne meant She fin
.'ha6 +'e ntence for ml a..'
Yes" J., ra:i. " / wan Il to hear
Ao3 J. 10y il ,,tlng N, a,d if there
g any hope Of c'nng him. Is it"
te trcmi4ed SIS he pur The question, SIS
:. litaly ,nn1ne p
Feeiing .he serioue inrortance OF
caucealing the truth Stella only replied
mat she Lad hes ated to ask if there
was taint of madness in the family.
y suppose" ,he added, "you would
not like to sC the boy and Judge of his
chances Of ecovery for yourself?"
"You suppose| he burst out, with
sudden anger. "You might be sure.
The bare idea of seeing him turns me
cold. Oh, when shall l forget when
shall l forget! Who spoke Of him
first 2" he said, with renewed iritobilit,,
after moment of silence. You
or r."
"It was my fault, love-he is so harm
less and 80 gentle, and he has such
sweet face, 1 thought it might soothe
you to see him. Forgive me we will
never speak of him again. Have you
any notes for me to copy? You know,
Lewis, am your secretary now"
So she led Romayno away to his study
and his books. When Major Hynd
arrived she contrived to be the first tc
see him. "Say as little as possible
about the Generals widow and her son."
she whispered.
The major understood her. "Don't
be uneasy, Mrs. Romayne," he answered.
II know your husband well enough to
know what You mean. Besides, the
aews bring is good news"
Romayne came in before he could
*pcak more particularly. When the SER
yants had left the room, after dinner, the
major made his report.
81 am going to agreeably s,,ep.ise
you," he began. "All responsibility to-
ward the Generals family is taken off
our hands. The ladies are on their way
back to France"
Stella was instantly reminded of one
of the melancholy incidents associated
with her visit to Camps Hill. MADAM
Marillac spoke of brother of hers who
iisapproved of the marriage" she said,
. Has he forgiven her?'
"That is exactly what he has done,
Mrs. Romayne. Naturally enough, he
felt the disgrace of his sisters marriage
to such man as the General. Only the
other day he heard for the first time that
she was widow, and he at once travelled
20 England. ] bade them goodbye yes
erdey-most happily Ieunited-on their
'onneT ;. ,me again. All, l thought
yoc wou'S. ba "lad, Mrs. Romayne, to
lea" taat Tie l.Jor widows troubles are
-e'. FL brother il ,ch enough to
place them 81, =. easy circui etances-he
4 =. L At ieijJw aa er lied"
''7Teve you .eon 1im?" Stella asked,
ea"o iy.
have U4sr Fi,h him to the asy-
lllm."
Does the boy so back to France?
No. We to n the place by surprise,
and saw howw .l-conducted it was. The
boy has take strong liking to the pro.
prietor-a Light, cheerful old man, who