Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1881-03-26

ever indirectly, Of introducing them to
Mr. Romayne. Toyour discretion I leave
it to act for the best, after this warn
ing"
Lord Loring returned the letter to
Major Hynd. .
: "I agree with you," he said. ait is
more than doubtful whether you would
do right to communicate this informa-
tion to Romayne" ra
Lady Loring was not q ute of her hus-
bands opinion. III.
"While there is doubt about these
people," she sail, ait seems only just
to find out what sort of character they
bear in the neighborhood. In your
place, Major Hynd, I should apply to
the person in whose house they live, or
to the tradespeople whom they have
employed.
"I am obliged to leave London
again to-day" the major replied; "but
on my return I will certainly follow
your ladyship's advice" ea
"And you will let us know the re-
suit ?" fc sd %
"With the greatest pleasure"
Major Hynd took his leave.
81 think you will be responsible for
wasting the majors time" said Lord
Loring, when the visitor had retired
"I think not" said Lady Loripg. o
She rose to leave the room. 2 1fn
care you going out p her husband
asked. I B rci ot, ~ v9
"No. / am going upstairs to Stella"
Lady Loring found Miss Eyrecourt in
her own room. The little portrait OF
Romayne which she had Drawn from
recollection lay on the table before her.
She was examining it with the closest
attention. .,.s,
"Well, Stella, and what does the
portrait tell you?"
"What I knew before, Adelaide.
There is nothing false and cruel in that
face"
"And does the discovery satisfy your
For my part despise Romayne for
hiding himself from us. Can you ex-
cuse him?" rrr ~3
Stella locked up the portrait in her
writing-case "I can wait" she said,
quietly.
This assertion Of patience seemed to
irritate Lady Loring. "What is the
matter with you this morning?" she
asked. "You are more reserved than
ever" iit e{
"No; I am only out of spirits, Ade-
laide, l can't help thinking of that
meeting with Winter6eld. I feel as ii
some misfortune was hanging over my
head" s.A --Ht 31
"Don't speak of that hateful man !"
her ladyship exclaimed. "Ihaye some
thing to tell you about Romayne. Are
you completely absorbed in your pre-
sentiments Of evil, or do you think you
can listen to me?"
Stella's face answered her. Lady
Loring described the interview with
Major Hynd in the minutest detail
including, by the way of illustration,
the majors manners and personal ap-
pearance. HE and Lord Loring," she
added, "both think that Romayne will
never hear the last of it, if he allows
these foreigners to look. to him for
money. Until something more is known
about them, the letter is not to be
forwarded" si
"I wish / had the letter r cried
Stella.
"Would you send it to the bankers ?"
Instantly Does it matter whether
these poor French people are worthy OF
Romayne's generosity? If it restores
his tranquility to help them, who cares
whether they deserve the help? They
are not even to know who it is that
assists them-Romayne is to be their
unknown friend. 1t is he, not they,
whom we have to think of-his peace
of mind is everything; their merit is
nothing. / say it's cruel to him to keep
him in ignorance Of what has happened.
Why didn't youtak theletter away from
Major Hynd p TIA l9
{" Gently, Stellal The major is going
to make inquiries about the widow and
children when he returns to London"
"When he returns" Stella repeated,
Indignantly. "Who knows what the
poor wretches may be suffering in the
interval, and what Romayne may feel if
he ever hears of it? Tell me the address
again-it was somewhere in Islington,
you said" -
"Why do you want to know it"
Lady Loring asked -"You are not
going to write to Romayne YOURSELF"
"I am going to think before I do
anything. If you can't trust my dis
cretion, Adelaide, you have only to say
sol" OF Re i5.els y ti iIiJ
1t was spoken sharply. Lady Lor-
ing's reply betrayed certain loss of
temper on her side. r
Manage your own affairs, Stella; I
have done meddling with them.' Her