Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1881-02-19

heart to speak OF il myself. Tell him
everything, and if he agrees with you, I
will submit to see the doctors" With
those words he left US together.
1t is almost needless to say that Lord
Loring did agree with mo. He was
himself disposed to think that the moral
remedy in Romayne's case might prove
to be the best remedy. a t..."tt
"With submission TO what the doctors
may decide" his lordship said, "the
right thing to do in my opinion, is to
divert our friends mind from himself.
see q plain necessity for making u COM
plete change in tho solitary life that he
has been leading for years past. Why
shouldn't he marry. A woman's in
fiuence, by merely giving new turn to
his thoughts, might charm away that
horrible voice which haunts him. Per
haps you think this merely sentimental
view Of the case? Look at il practically,
If yon like, and you come to the same
conclusion. With that fine estate and
with the fortune which he has now n
herited from his aunt-it is his duty 70
marry. Don't you agree with me2"
"T agree most cordially. But see
serious difficulties in your lordship's
way. Romayne dislikes society; and,
as to marrying, his coldness toward
women seems (so far as I can judge) to
be one of the most incurable defects Of
lis character"
Lord Loring smiled. "My dear sir,
nothing of that sort is inourable, if we
can only find the right woman"
The tone in which he spoke suggested
to me that chad got "the right woman"
and I took the liberty of saying 10.
He at once acknowledged that 7 had
guessed right.
"Romayne is, rs you say, a difficult
subject to deal WITH" he resumed. "H
commit the slightest imprudence, I
shall excite his suspicion-and there
will be an end Of my hope Of being Of
service to him. I shall proceed care
fully, can tell you. Luckily, poor
dear fellow, he is fond of pictures It's
quite natural that should ask him to
see some recent additions to my gallery
isn't it? There is the trap that 1 set !
I have sweet girl to tempt him, staying
at my house, who is little out of health
and spirits herself. At the right mo-
ment shall send word upstairs. She
may well happen to look, in at the gal
lery (by the merest accident) just at the
time when Romayne is looking at nv
new pictures. The rest depends, Of
course, on the effect she produces. II
you knew her, I believe you would agree
with me that the experiment is worth
trying"
Not knowing the lady 7 had little
faith in the success Of the experiment.
No one, however, could doubt Lord Lor-
ing's admirable devotion to his friend,
and with that was fain to be content.
When Romayne returned to US it was
decided to submit his case to oonsulta-
tion of physicians at the earliest posi-
BILE moment. When Lord Loring took
his departure I accompanied him to the
door Of the hotel, perceiving that he
wished to say word more to me in pri-
vate. He had, 1t seemed, decided on
waiting for the result of the medical
consultation before he tried the effect Of
the young lady's attractions; and he
wished to caution me against speaking
prematurely Of visiting the picture gal
lery to our friend.
Not feeling particularly interested in
these details of the worthy nobleman's
little plot, 1 looked at his carriage and
privately admired the two splendid
horses that drew it. The footman opened
the door for his master, and I became
aware for the first time that gentle
man had accompanied Lord Loring to
the hotel, and had waited for him in the
carriage. The gentleman bent forward
and looked up from book he was read
ing. To my astonishment I recognized
the elderly, fat and cheerful priest,
who had shown such knowledge Of
localities, and such an extraordinary in
terestin Vange Abbey!
1t struck mo as an odd coincidence
that should see the man again in Lon
don so soon after had met with him in
Yorkshire. This was all I thought
about it at the time. II I had known
then what I now know I might have
dreamed, let US say OF throwing that
priest into the lake at Vange, and might
perhaps have rsckoned the circum-
stance among the wisely-improved op-
portunities of my lifel
To return to the serious interests oil
the present narrative 1 may now an
nounce that my evidence as an eye-wit-
ness Of events has come to an end. The
day after Lord Lonng's visit domestic
troubles separated me, to my most sim
cere regret, from Romayne. Ihave only
to add that the foregoing narrative Of
personal experience has been written
with due sense of responsibility, and