The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1881-02-10

world VINO can say IL. nave you Dee0
long in Nice?"
''And your stay?'
sis uncertain" And furtively his
looks wandered toward Ella Northal.
81 am master of my own time, and may
wander where please. And you, sir?'
81 am too old to be rolling stone,"
was the reply, with short laugh. 1.-The
world is over for me-"
"Oh, papa, papar And Elias little
hands clasped the Baron's arm, while her
eyes, suffused by tears, were raised full
of suffering to his face. 'Think OF me"
An expression of pain and sympathy
swept over Michel Golding's handsome
features. He perceived that something
was wrong, and felt himself in the way.
He stepped back. The movement re-
called the Baronet.
pardon me, sir. Do not leave us.
But the English mail brought me some
bad news, and it is difficult for the aged
to believe other than that all the world
should sympathize in their troubles"
Indeed, sir, I would-nay, l do,
though not knowing their nature" re-
sponded the young man, eagerly. II at
least trust the trouble is not very seri-
ous?"
mo; it is an old story. Being deceived
in the friend you most trusted, in finding
him but worldly clay after all. Still, who
would expect gratitude in lawyer"
'They are not all so very bad, replied
Michel Golding. my father was q
lawyer"
II am sorry for it," was the curt re-
Spouse.
Unseen, Ella made an entreating sigh
to the young man, as Sir Hugh feebly
rose. He answered with pleasant smile.
perhaps he was, too, sir" he reioined
good temperedly, "for he refused to bring
me up to the profession. And that am
not a lawyer gives me courage to ask that
you will favor me by accepting my arm?"
Sir Hugh looked at the young man,
and laughed.
"Forgive mel" he said; though do
not deserve it. What Grabbed old fell
low you must think me; yet you would
hardly wonder if you knew what had to
hear to-day. I will accept your offer
with thanks. Our villa is not two hun
dred yards away"
On its being reached, Sir Hugh could
not but ask their new friend in; and
Michel Golding, who had never had Ella
out of his thoughts since, by happy
chance, he had been able to render them
service at the Munich railway station,
gladly entered.
If only for preventing her father from
brooding on the loss of Holmbeech, Ella
would have welcomed Michels presence,
but there was another reason. That first
meeting impressed her equally as him;
and already, as they sat under the YER
anda, watching the stars shining forth
one by one, their glances were revealing
the secret of their young hearts over
which they had to keep good guard.
"I regret to see Sir Hugh looking 80
ill.," said Michel, on taking his leave;"I
wish could aid him. How gladly would
I do So"
"Hdw very kind of you. but nothing
can help him" said Ella. "But your So
ciety has cheered him much"
"May I come again, them" he ques-
toned quietly.
HAS not papa asked your" she an
swered
And Michel went away, little disap-
pointed that Ella had not added her
invitation. Did she like his coming
only because it pleased Sir Hugh? That
question which he lacked conceit to an
swer, held him long awake this night.
Perhaps it was to solve it that he be-
came a daily visitor at the villa.
One evening, coming thither, he found
Sir Hugh asleep on the sofa. Ella was
not there. Turning, however, he recog-
nized her figure down by the margin Of
the sea.
Swiftly and noiselessly he joined her;
so noiselessly, that she, occupied by
thought, was taken off her guard and
looked up, tears on her cheek.
''Miss Northall," he exclaimed, much
concerned, lyon are in trouble. Tell
me, can do nothing? Will you believe
me when say that there is no sacrifice |
would not make to save you from pain ?"
"Why should I not believe ?" she MUIR
INJURED. "You have been all that ia kind
to us. My trouble is the old one, Mr..
Golding. I might bear it, but I fear it
is killing papa"
mo, no; not that, broke in the young
man, tremulously. Ibid he not only
yesterday say he would be patient? Did
we not agree that something yet might
be done to preserve Holmbeech? May
he not be mistaken in his thought of
Lawyer Maythorpe ?"
HE would believe anything possible
but that" said Ella, shaking her head;
$50 would l."
"Oh, If 1 only dared speakr'
"Whst ?" she asked, looking surprised.
He hesitated moment, then bent for
ward, q nervous culver in his voice.
That / love you" he whispered.