Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1881-03-05


her, which would in itself have told
Father Benwell the truth, even if he
had not been in position to see her
face. Confirmed in his doubts of her
he looked with concealed suspicion at
Lady Loring next. Sympathy with
Stella was undisguisedly expressed to
him in the honest blue eyes of Stella's
faithful friend.
The discussion on the subject of the
unfortunate picture was resumed by
Lord Loring, who thought the opinions
of Romayne and Stella needlessly
severe. Lady Loring, as usual, agreed
with her husband. While the general
attention was occupied in this way,
Father Benwell said word to Pcnrosc-
thus far silent listener to the dis
| course on art.
"Have you seen the famous portrait
of the first Lady Loring, by Gains
borough?' he asked. Without waiting
for reply he took Penrose by the arm
and led him away to the picture, which
had the additional merit, under present
circumstances, of hanging at the ether
end of the gallery.
GLOW do You like Romayne?" Father
Benwell put the question in low percmp-
tory tones, evidently inpatient for a
reply.
"He interests me already" said Pen
rose. "Hc looks so i'll and so sad, and
he spoke to me so kindly"
SIN Short" Father Benwell inter-
posed, "Iomayne has produced favor
able impression on you. Let us get ON
to the next thing. You must produces a
favorable impression on Romayne."
Pcnrose sighed.
"With the best will to make myself
agreeable to people whom 1 like" he
said, sadly, 81 seldom succeed. They
used to tell me at Oxford that 1 was
shy--and | am afraid that is against me.
wish possessed some of your social
advantages, Fathcr!"
"Leave it to me, son. Are they still
talking about the picture%
eyes"
IL have something more to say to
you. Have you noticed the young
ladyY
81 thought her beautiful-but she
looks little cold"
Father Benwell smiled.
"When you are as old as 7 am," he
said, "you will not believe in appear
ances where women arc concerned. Do
you know what think of her? Beauti-
full if you like-and dangerous as we'll"
Dangerous? In what way?"
"This is for your private ear, Arthur.
She is in love with Romayne. Wait a
minute. And Lady Loring- unless I
am entirely mistaken in what 1 OBJ
served-knows it and favors it. The
beautiful Stella may be the destruction
of all our hopes, unless we keep
Romayne out Of her way"
These words were whispered with an
eainestness and agitation which sur
prised Penrose. His superior's equa-
nimity was not easily overthrown.
"Are you sure, Father, of what you
say?" he asked.
"I am quite sure, or Twould not have
spoken"
"Do You think Mr.. Romayne returns
the feeling?"
"Not yet, luckily. You must use
your first friendly influence over him
what is her maine? Her surname, I
mean"
"Eyrecourt. Miss Stella Eyrecourt."
"Very well. You must use your in
fiuence when you are quite sure that it
is an influence to keep Mr.. Romayne
away from Miss Eyrecourt.
Penrose looked embarrassed.
81 am afraid should scarcely know
how to do that" he said. "But should
naturally, as his assistant, encourage
him to keep to his studies"
Whatever Arthur's superior might
privately think of Arthurs reply, he re-
ceived it with outward indulgence.
"That will come to tho same thing" he
said. Besides, when 1 get the infor-
nation | want this is strictly between
ourselves-I may be of some use in
placing obstacles in the lady's way"
Penrose started. Informationl" he
repeated. "What information?"
"Tell me something before / answer
you" said Father Benwell. = How old
do you take Miss Eyrecourt to be?"
II am not good judge in such mat
ters. Between twenty and twenty five,
perhaps?'
"We will take her age at that esti-
mate, Arthur. In former years l have
had opportunities of studying women's
characters in the confessional. Can you
guess what my experience tells me of
Miss Eyrecourt"
"No, indeed"
ga lady is not in love for the first
time, when she is between twenty and
twenty-five years old-that is my cx-
perience," said Father Bcnwell. eff
can find person capable of informing
ma | NAV mokn come vn1uobIa d;s