Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1881-05-14
WHOLE NUMBER, sos.

his return from the country. NATURALLY
enough, perhaps, considering the deli
cacy Of the subject, he has not taken
me into his confidence. can only
guess that he has maintained the same
reserve with Mrs. Romayne.
"My visit to the Lodge was duly paid
this afternoon. t.-
at asked first, Of course, for the lady
of the house, and hearing she was in
the grounds, joined her there. She
looked i'll and anxious, and she received
me with rigid politeness. Fortunately.
Mrs. Eyrecourt (now convalesosnt) was
staying at Ten Acres and Was then
taking the air in her chair on wheels.
The good lady's nimble and discursive
tongue offered me an opportunity Of
referring, in the most innocent manner
possible, to Winterfeld's favorable
opinion of Romeyne's pictures. I need
scarcely say that looked at Romayne's
wife when I mentioned the name. She
turned pale, probably fearing that I had
some knowledge Of her letter warning
Winterfeld not to trust me. II abe had
already been informed that he was not
to be blamed, but to be pitied, in the
matter of marriage at Brussels, she
would have turned red. Such, at least,
is my experience, drawn from recollec-
tions of other days.
"The ladies having served my pur-
pose, 1 ventured into the house to pay
my respects to Romayne.
"He was in the study, and his excel
lent friend and secretary was with him.
After the first greetings, Penrose left
us. His manner told me plainly that
there was something wrong. I asked
no Notwithstanding on the chance
that Romayne might enlighten me.
"I hope you are in better spirits now
that you have your old companion with
you,' I said.
"'I am very glad to have Penrose
with me- he answered. And then he
frowned and looked out of the window
at the two ladies in the grounds.
at occurred to me that Mrs. Eyre
court might be occupying the custo-
mary false position of a mother in-law.
was mistaken. He was not thinking
Of his wife's mother-he was thinking
Of his wife. .
"T suppose you know that Penrose
had an idea of converting mer he said,
suddenly.
"I was perfectly candid with him.
said I knew Of it, and approved of it.
"May I hope that Arthur has sue
ceeded in convincing youP I ventured
to add.
"'He might have succeeded, Father
Benwell, if he had chosen to go on
"This reply, as you may easily i'm
agine, took me by surprise.
"Are you really so obdurate that
Arthur despairs of your conversion p
I asked.
Nothing of the sort have thought
and thought Of it, and I can tell you
was more than ready to meet him half
way
"Then where is the obstacleY
exclaimed.
"He pointed through the window to
his wife.
"There is the obstacle + he said, In
tone of ironclad resignation.
"Knowing Arthur's character as
knew it, at last understood what had
happened. For moment I felt really
angry. Under these circumstances the
wise course was to say nothing until I
could be sure Of speaking with exem-
plary moderation. It doesn't do for
man in my position to show anger.
"Romayne went on.
"We talked Of my wife, Father Ben.
we'll, the last time you were here. You
only knew, then, that her reception Of
Mr.. Winterfeld had determined him
never to onter my house again. By
way of adding to your information on
the subject Of "petticoat government
I may now tell you that Mrs. Romayne
has forbidden Penrose to proceed with
he attempt to convert me. By common
consent the subject is never mentioned
between u.s. The bitter irony Of his
tone thus far suddenly disappeared. He
spoke eagerly and anxiously. Il hope
you are not angry with Arthurp he
said.
:" BY this time my little tit Of ILL.,
temper was ut an end. / answered.
and it was really in a certain sense true
L know Arthur. too well to be angry
with him.
Romayne seemed to be relieved. Il
only troubled you with this last do
nestle incident he resumed, 'to be-
speak your Indulgence for Penrose. I
am getting learned in the hierarchy Of
the church, Father Benwelll You are
the superior of my dear little friend,
and you exercise authority over him.
Oh, he is the kindest and best of men
It is not his fault. He submits to Mrs.
Romayne--against his own better convic-