The weekly herald. [volume] (Cleveland, Tenn.) 1876-1888, 1881-04-29


"Mr. Frederic is at home," said she
"and Mrs. Chathard thinks it proper
that / should sit in the ROOM with
which explanation she walked over tC
the extreme end of the apartment and
vanished behind the curtains of the bay
window.
Madeline curled her lip slightly al
these prudential preparations, and went
on with her reading, trying to convince
herself that her heart was not beating
fast. She heard quick, masculine steT
without in the hall, heard it come in the
room and advance towards her, but did
not raise her eyes till he stood directly
before her. She had hard work to re-
press her surprise, he was so little like
what she had imagined. Not old-for
if he was really thirty, he by no means
looked his age-not tall, thin and sal
low; on the contrary, small, though
well formed, with an abundance of hair;
large blue eyes that should have be-
longed to a woman, so evenly arched
were the brows, SO long were the lashes,
so soft, so almost suffering, their ex-
preston; clear-cut features; teeth that
showed white and even through his
thick moustache; gentle, quiet, as
sured manner, neither austere nor frown-
ish, as Madeline had imagined, but that
of a gentleman and man of the world.
He opologized easily enough for the
apparent incivility; Important bust
ness" that much-endured scapegoat, had
detained him-he was extremely sorry.
But Madeline, who had no patience
with his lame excuses, interrupted him
sharply:
"Pray, spare your regrets, it is quite
evident that your sorrow is of the deepest
dye. Your countenance bespeaks it"
Mr.. Frederic opened his eyes wide eand
sat down. Hitherto he had seemed I'M
decided on the question.
$50, then, you are really offended, and
show it after spirited fashion. Good.
l shall have to make my peace. 1t will
give us something to talk about"
els there really any necessity for talk
ing at ALP" demanded Madeline, still
more Indignantly.
ga few minutes ago thought not.
intended to have gone through the ne
cessary formalities, and after that to
have sat occasionally with you, by way
of keeping you in countenance; but now
say yes! There is something original
about you; it may be only a spark, a
glimmer; but whatever it is, / will de-
velope it."
"You leave my individuality out of ac-
count, I think"
"Not in the least. l count on 1t Tor
my amusement"
Amusement! We share the same
blood, Mr., Chathard. l think you should
know something of the will which is
among our heirlooms. l doubt if Ishall
choose to serve even Chathard as
amusement.
"You will have no choice. You will
90 to church with me tomorrow, You
will see and be seen of all the magnates.
They will forthwith call upon you; you
will go to make round of dreary visits;
you will go to solemn tea drinkings; you
will talk to Captain Fanway and Sir
Peter Farquhar, the two eligibles of the
parish; and when you have talked over
the weather. you will begin to fdget
and wish yourself home with me. Even
a bear like me will prove more endur-
able than those unmitigated young men.
You will talk with me, and in the nature
of things, you will amuse me. You can
not help yourself"
81 have other resources" answered
Madeline, loftily. 81 have arranged n
dramatic course of study"
Mr.. Chathard laughed,
"Try it, my dear cousin, by all means,
1t is the most enchanting thing in the
world-in prospect. Try it, l say again;
and remember, shall be very happy to
aid you if any difficulty occurs-which,
though it is to be presumed, is not pos
sible."
With which he took himself off, leav-
ing Madeline, piqued and curious. She
had ample time, however, to recover her
self and proceed with her studies. 1t
was three mortal weeks before he pre-
sented himself again. When he did
come it was in q ghostly fashion. She
was bending over q book and looking
weary and strangely dissatisfied. He
gave her chair near him.
"Talkr he said imperatively. 81 am
bored"
Madeline's hot blood leaped up in re-
volt. Words hoyered on her lips that,
cool as he was, could not but have placed
an eflectual barrier between them.
Something arrested them. A panied
look was in his eye, anguish about his
mouth, showing dimly through the mask
of cynicism. A new impulse possessed
her.
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