Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1882-11-18

| Val brought herself back from delight.
full past to still more delightful present,
and sat up IN an expectant attitude, with
sparkling eyes and flushed cheeks.
| In a few minutes the door was flung
open and Captain Dalrymple was an
nounced. He was tall, soldierly- looking
man, with grave, serious face, and dark,
| earnest eyes, which, when he smiled, SOFT
ened and lit up in a wonderfully attractive
| manner.
Ia the presence of the two ladies, Val.
cries greeting with him was necessarily
restrained silent but expressive pres
sure OF the hands and Captain DalrYmple
turned TO Lady Marchmont. g have to
thank you for your great kindness in ex-
tending to me your invitation to VAL"
II am only too delighted to see you,"
answered Lady MarchmonL heartily, land
for the rest, you know Val would not have
consented to come If you had not also
favored us with your company"
As she spoke she haSf turned toward Mrs.
Maitland with the intention of introducing
her, when, to Walls astonishment, that lady
came forward, holding out her hand, as
she said with her most fascinating smile
There is no need for an introduction,
Lady Marchmont Captain Dab ymple and
! are old friends.
Val turned her gaze to her lovers face
and saw there an expression that she could
not exactly fathom. Was it surprise, an
noyance or embarrassment He seemed
for moment somewhat at loss for reply.
." | did rot expect to meet you" he said
at length.
"Tne unexpected always happens, YOU
know" replied Mrs. Maitland, laughing.
-
That they should be acquainted with each
other was not wonderful, but why had Mrs.
Maitland been silent on the point toward
her, and above all, why should her pres
ence apparently discomfort Vernon in some
way?
She had not time to ponder further on
the subject, for the next moment Captain
Dalrymple turned to her with his attrac-
tive smile, under the influence of which
Walls disquletude melted instantly. How
absurd to worry about such thing, when,
OF course, at the first opportunity, Vernon
would explain it all This thought revived
her spirits, and when, few minutes later,
the party was swelled by some other guests
| staying at the hail, she was the gayest of
the gay, enjoying the delightful little
asides with Captain DaIrympLe, which en-
abled her totally to forget the existence of
Mrs. Maitland
Meet me in the drawing.room before
anyone is down." she whispered TO him as
they separated TO dress for dinner.
''Ali right, darling" he replied as he
smiled down on her with those eloquent
dark eyes that had won her hearts al
legiance.
Captain Dalrymple performed his toilet
in very short space of time, and repaired
at once 10 the drawing. room, there to await
Val He wandered into the conservatory
and paced about restlessly. Oae Of the
glass doors opening close by him caused
INN to turn quickly with smile of well
come on his lips, when, TO his utter sur
prise, he found himself confronted by Mrs.
Maitland.
She came quickly forward with the quiet
gliding walk which was peculiar to her, but
her habitua! self possession seemed strange
ly ruffied.
g must apologize for thus intruding on
you" she said, but there was something
| wish particularly to ask you"
9 Indeed = returned Captain Dalrymple
His voice had taken its coolest intonation,
his face wore its gravest aspect.
- DON'T look at me like that, Vernon, as
though my presence were so utterly dis.
tasteful to you" she went on, with some
agitation, whether real or feigned he could
not determine. II shall not detain YOU
long. What | want to ask of you is that
you will not mention to Mss Charters
what took place between US year ago.
"Do you think it likely, Mrs. Maitland,
l should mention the subject!'
Not Intentionally, perhaps, but these
things come out sometimes uuawares, and
| could not bear to be subjected to Miss
Charters ridieule and scorn.
:" You need, assure you, have no fear
l shall be silent on that score"
g You will give me your sacred promise
to that effect, will you not ?" she said,
eagerly.
He looked at her in surprise. 81 fail
to understand you, Mrs. Maitland, but
since my simple assurance does not satisfy
you, | am quite willing to pledge you my
word"
As he spoke the drawing-foom door
opened softly, and Val appeared on the
| threshold. The room was a very long one,
and DaIrymple, standing in the conserva.
tory with his back turned that way, did
not see or hear her. Not SO Mrs Matt
land. True, she did not glance in the
direction, but she knew perfectly well who
L1t EbLSiC,.
She dropped her voice, but advanced a
few steps nearer TO him.
1" | cannot thank you suffi 3iently," she
said, looking at him most eloquently
''you do not know what weight YOU have
lifted from my mind.
As she spoke she took both his hands in
hers, and giving them tender pressure,
turned and disappeared through tine door
I hy7 which he bo5 on taral 1aoy-ip,y
|. Dalrymple gazing after her with very
perplexed countenance.
:" What is the meaning of this ?" he pom.
dered. 81 never could fathom that
woman. How unfortunate she should be
| here now"
Ere he turned to re.enter the drawing
room, VAL who had stood at the open door
motionless during these few minutes,
slowly drew 1t after her, and crept upstairs
again with a chill at her heart.
Mrs. Maitland also fastened to regain her
room.
g How well calculated, she murmured
to herself, triumphant light shining in
! her cold blue eyes THAT was a good
move of mine. | knew she would want
some explanation with her lover relative to
| cur meeting. She will be still more anx.
lous for 1t now, and he will refuse to give
it, Tor he has promised, and Vernon Dali
rympIe never goes back on his word. How
l hate that girl. and her confidence and
pride in his love Let US see ii her trust
of which she boasts will stand her now in
! good stead. Who knows but what l may
win him yet? at any rate, shall make
her suffer"
Meanwhile Vernon, as yet in happy ig-
norance of the trouble fate was preparing
for him, hal given up all hope of his tete-a.
tete with Val, as one after another the
guests assembled in the drawing-room, she
only making her appearance a few minutes
before dinner was announced. At the first
touch of her fingers on his arm as they
went in to dinner he felt that something
was wrong. He glanced at her earnestly,