The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1882-11-03

came forward, holding out her hand, as she
said with her most fascinating smile:
There is no need for an introduction,
Lady Marchmont; Captain DalrympIe and
are old friends
Val turned her gaze to her lovers face
and saw there an expression that she could
nos exactly fathom. Was it surprise. annoy
ance, or embarrassment? He seemed for a
moment somewhat az a loss for q reply
length.
The unexpected always happens, you
know, replied Mrs Maitland laughing.
What did it mean? Val asked herself
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 presence
apparently dlgc0ncert Vernon in some WAY?
She had not time TO ponder further on the
subject, for the next moment Captain Dali
| rymple TUNED to her with his attractive
smile, under the influence of which Yars
| disquietude melted instantly. How absurd
to worry about such athing, when, of course,
/ az the nrst opportunity, Vernon would ex-
/ plain it ALL This thought revived her spir-
| it's and when, few minutes later, the party
was swelled by some other guests staying
at the hall, she was the gayest of the
| CAV, ENJOYING the delightful little aSides
with Captain Dairymple, which enabled her
totally to forget thu existence of Mrs.
| Maitland.
| Meet me in the drawing-room before any
one is down." she whispered to him as they
| separated TO dress for dinner.
'AIl right, darling" he replied as he
smiled down on her with those eloquent dark
| eyes that had won her hearts allegiance
| Captain DaIrymple performed his toilet
! in a very short space of time. and repaired
1 at once to the drawing room, there to await
VAL He wandered into the conservatory
and paced about restlessly. One of the glass
| doors opening close by him caused him to
| turn quickly with a smile of welcome on his
/ lips, when. TO his utter surprise, he found
himself confronted by Mrs Maitland.
She came quickly forward with the quiet
| gliding walk which was peculiar to her. but
her habltual self-possessions eemed strangely
ruff1ed.
II must apologize for thus 1ntruding on
you,n she said, ''but there was something I
| wish particularly to ask you"
"IDdeedW returned Captain Dalrymple.
His voice had taken its coolest 1ntonation
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. 81 shall not detain Won
long. What | want to ask of you is that you
Will not mention to Miss Charters what took
place between us a year ago"
| do you think i5 likely, Mrs. Maitland, I
should mention the subject?"
| mot Intentionally, perhaps, but these
things come out sometimes unawares, and
could not bear to be subjected to Miss Char
| teris' rtdjcule and scOrn. y
"You need, assure you, have no fear. I
| shall be silent on that score''
/ You will give me your sacred PROMISE to
| that effect, will you not?" she said eagerly
| He looked at her in surprise. II fail to
| understand you Mrs. Maitland, but since nv
simple 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 Dali
his back turned that way, did not see or
hear her. Not SO Mrs. Mainland. True, she
| did not glance in the direction, but she knew
perfectly well who had entered
She dropped her voice, but advanced a
| few steps nearer TO him.
| II cannot thank you sufficiently" she
said, looking at him most eloquently; 'syou
| do not know what a 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 the door by
which she had entered, leaving Captain Dali
| rymDle gazing after her with a very per
picked countenance.
What is the meaning of this?" he pom
dered. II 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 it to after her, ana crept upstairs
again with a chill at her heart
! Mrs Maitland also FASTENED TO regain her
room
How well calculated" she murmured
to herself, triumphant light shining in her
cold blue eyes; that was a good move of
| mine I knew she would want some expia-
| nation with her lover relative to our
| meeting. She will be still more anxious for
| it now, and he will refuse to give it, for he
| has promised, and Vernon Dalrymple never
| goes back on his word. How hate thatsrirl
and her confidence and pride in his love /
| Lut US see il her trust of which she boasts
will stand her now in good stead Who
knows but what may win him vet? At
any rate, shall. make her suffer-
| Meanwhile Vernon. as yet in happy ignor-
| ance Of the trouble fate was preparing for
him, had given up all hope of his tete-a-tete
| with Val. as one after another the guests as
| semDled in the drawing room, she only max
| ing her appearance few minutes before
| dinner was announced. At the first touch of
her fingers on his arm as they went IN TO
| dinner ne felt that something was wrong
He glanced at her earnestly, but her face
| was averted.
| What made you forget your appointment
| with me, dear?" he asked in low tones as
| they seated themselves at the table
Il did not forget" answered VAL scorning
| to make an excuse
| MOP" in some surprise 81 suppose some
| thing detained you then. will forgive Won
this time, but don't know that snail be SO
lenient again, and he smiled tenderly down
| on her, 10 his dismay it won no response
Val had not yet recovered from the IN
pleasant shock her feelings had received.
put she was too angry too puzzled to clearly
define her thoughts; she was chiefly con-
| scious of an intense hatred and jealousy of
| Mrs Maitland. 1t was scarcely wonderful
| that she should be silent and abstracted
| during dinner but the party was too large
| by two OF its members.
! "Dalrymple," said Sir Harry Marcb.nont
| claiming that gentleman's attention. II was
| Introduced to-day to a brother of yours Did
| you know he was in these parts?''
my brother Hubert, I suppose? T remem-
Der now his telling me he was going to stav
with some friends of his, the Sincairs but +
| did not know their place was near here
''Only half an hours drive" returned Sir
Harry He's a confoundedly handsome
fellow--I should say great favorite with
the fair sex. | asked him over TO breakfasts
| tomorrow and to spend the day. He told me
| he had not yet made the acquaintance of his
| future sister-in-law."
| mo, to be sure. Hubert is the onIv one of
| us you don't know" SAID Vernon, turning to
| Val II think you will like him He's AZ,
awfuly good natured fellow, a little spoiIt
perhaps, but, according to Sir Harry. that is
| hardly to be wondered at"
| Val's face, however, plainly expressed en-
| tire Indifference to Hubert DalryTnple's m ar
| its or dement's.
1 When the gentlemen returned to the draw
| ing-room, Dalrymple made his way at once
| to Val,who was sitting somewhat apart. and.