Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1882-12-09

derstand you. Mrs. Maitland: but since my SIM
pie assurance does not satisfy you, am quite
willing TO pledge you my word"
As he spoke the drawing-rOOm door opened
softly and Val appeared on the threshold. The
room was very long one. and Dalrymple.
standing in the conservatory with his back
turned that way. did not see or hear her. Not
50 Mrs. Maitland. True. she did not glance in
the direction. but she knew perfectly well who
had entered
She dropped her voice. but advanced few
steps nearer to him.
- / cannot thank you sufficiently" she said.
| looking at him most eioquently; '.you do not
know what weight you have lifted from my
mind"
As she spoke she took both his hands in hers.
anu giving them tender pressure. turned and
| disappeared through the door by which she had
entered, leaving Captain Dalrymple gazing after
her with very perpexed countenance.
- what is the meaning of this = he pOndered.
never could fathOm that woman. How I'M
fortunate 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 it to
after her: and crept up stairs again, with a
strange chill at her heart.
Mrs. Maitland likewise fastened to regain her
room.
. How well calculated" she murmured to
herself. q triumphant light shining i'm her cold
blue eyes; that was good move of mine.
Knew she would want some explanation with
I
stu more anxious for it now and he will refuse
10 give II for he has promised. and Vernon Dali
rymple never goes back from his word How
hate that girl with her confidence and pride in
MS love Let Us see if her trust of which she
boafts VIII stand her now in good stead. Who
knows but what | may win him yet At any
rate. shall make her suffer-
Meanwhile Vernon. as yet in happy ignorance
OF the trouble fate was preparing for him. had
given up all hope Of his tetea-tete with Val. as
aft
drawing-roOH.; 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 into dinner. he felt that something was
wrong. He glanced at her earnestly but her
face was aycrteG.
What made You forget your appointment
with me, dear - he asked in low tones as
| they seated themselves at table.
3" | did not forget, answered Val, scorning to
make an excuse.
thing detained you then. | will forgive YOU
this time. but don't know that shall be so len
lent again" and he smiled teaderly down on
her 10 his dismay it won no response.
Val had not yet recovered from the unpleas-
ant shock her feelings had received but she was
too angry, too puzzled to clearly define her
thoughts; she was chiefly conscious of an i'll
tense hatred and jealousy of Mrs. Maitland. 1t
was scarcely wonderful that she should be ST.
lent and distracted during dinner. but the
to be noticed save by two of its members
DaiTymple,' said Sir Harry Marchmont
claiming that gentlemans attention Il was
introduced to-day to a brother of yours Did
you know he was in these parts?"
My bro Their Hubert suppose? Iremember
now his telling me he was going to stay with
some friends of his, the Sincars but | did not
know their place was near here
only half an hours drive" returned Sir
Harry. Hes a confoundedly handsome fell
sax CrIal ito, !,
sex | asked him over to breakfast tomorrow
and TO spend the day. He told NE he had not
yet made the acquaintance of his future sister
in-law"
No, to be sure. Hubert is the only one of
us You don't know" said Vernon turning to
Val. II think you will like him. He's an
awfully good natured fellow. little spoiled.
perhaps. but according to Sir Harry that is
hardly 10 be wondered at"
Val face, however. plainly expressed entire
lndi1erence to Hubert Dalrymple's merits or de-
merits
Nhen the gentlemen returned to the drawing
r0om Dalrymple made his way at once to Val.
who was sitting somewhat apart and, bending
over her. said in q low tOne
What is amiss with YOU dear? You do not
seem yourself this evening"
1t was likely, Val thought. that she should be
herself when she had seen that creature as she
lnWafdiy designated Hrs. Maitland. standing by
his side. holding his hands and making eyes at
him positively. though she had the right to
do So She could bear it no longer; she must
have an explanation at once, she resolved.
Come out on the terrace" she said rising
impetuously. = L want to speak to YOU"
lie followed her Obediently, and when they
We're beyond sight or hearing of any one said
gently
Well. what is troubling yOu dear ?"
nat Is there between you and Mrs Matt
land p asked Val. fixing her clear. glance on
him. as she abruptly plunged Sin medals res"
Captain Dalrymple regarded her in unfeigned
establishment. 'What is there between Mrs
Maitland and me Z" ne repeated slowly. INV
dear Val, don't understand you
=" And don't understand you" hOtlyrespOnd-
ed the young lady. You cannot deny. Yer
non. that when you met Mrs. Maitland you
looked very. very taken aback'
nave no wish TO deny anything, VAL" he
answered; - it is true l was somewhat sur
prised to see Mrs. Maitland"
But why should you be more surprised to
see her than any other acquaintance ~
Dalrymple heaved faint sigh; matters were
getting serious.
My dear VAL" he said half playfully, "you
are surely not going TO quarrel with me on ac-
count of Mrs Maitland. | did not think YOU
were given to jealousy"
Jealousy" repeated Val. giving her dis
turbed feelings full vent Il have a right to be
jealous. think, when l see another woman
whom did not even know to be acquainted
with you. holding an interview with you of APP
pdIeHtlI u HlOSl intimate nature.
So here was the explanation of Vals conduct
Dalrymple looked what he felt-thoroughly
aghast.
:. see." he said after a moments pause.
THAT you have more cause for ANNOYANCE than
imagined. If | cannot give you very full ex-
PLANTATION OF what | am aware must appear
strange in your eyes. | am sure your confidence
In me viii enable you to accept without hesita-
ton what L am going to say. | have known
Mrs, Maitland for years, and she wished to speak
to me alone on Il matter than concerns herself ~
And was it necessary to the communication
that she should hold your hands 2" asked Val
sarcastically.
Dalrymple looked at her with his searching
eyes.
- see what is in your mind VAL" he an
swered quietly, "but | can hardly believe that
you can mistrust me thus. that you can wrong
yourself and insult me by such suspicious Were
L free to do so would willingly explain all, but
unfortunately am not
Because you have promised her not to do
so, suppose p returned Val, her eyes flashing:
= and promise to her is to rank before consid.
Grafton OF my feelings. After what | witnessed
this evening have right to demand full ex-
planat!On and will accept that or nome" Say
ing which she reared her head with the dignity
of queen. and left Captain Da!rymple alone to
ponder over the unforeseen dilemma in which he