Daily globe., 1883-08-09
UNDER Il MASK.

1uere nad Deen long silence IN Mrs.
Holbrooke's pretty sitting-room, yet the
room was not empty.
On the contrary, there were two occu-
pants such as are popularly supposed to
be at no loss for conversation, gentle
man and lady, both young.
The gentleman, Sydney Hall, stands
leaning upon the mantelpiece, pulling
fercely at huge mustache.
He is tall, powerfully-built man, of
an English type, with curling auburn
hair, large blue eyes, a heavy beard, and
strong, good features.
He looks down upon a little, fairy
like girl of about IS, who has big brown
eyes and the most luxuriant fair hair.
She is pretty, she is bright, she is ex-
quisitely attired, and her name is Estelle
Holbrooke.
Suddenly, upon silence that has be.
come oppressive, Estelle breaks into a
clear, ringing laugh. 1t has no mockery
il it, but is as merry as a child's, as sweet
as chime of silver bells.
After moment of amazement, Sydney
joins her and laughs heartily.
"Was I rude ?" Estalle asks, pres
emily, not looking very penitent, how
ever. "I could not help it. It is awfuliy
funny, you know"
"What is awfully funny?"
"Now don't be stupid" she said, her
eyes beaming with girlish merriment.
"How would you like to come all the
way from Paris, and from a pleasant
home there, too, to meet such recep-
tion?"
Sydney tugged again at that reddish
brown mustache, with force that was
positively vicious.
81 couldn't help it, Estelle," he said.
81 do not think any man has right to
make such will as our grandfather did.
Here we are, after ten years of entire
separation, supposed to be ready to
swear eternal fidelity to each other, and
be married at once. IF not about s10O,-
600 goes to public charity"
"Unless," said Estelle, gravely, ''your
father refuses his consent to the mar.
riage. Then the property is divided be-
tween us. Your father may dislike me. u
"He's not an IDIOT" said Sydney
brusquely.
"Syd, tell me exactly what you
want?"
"I want you to have our grandfather
money, and to be free. am a rich man,
Estelle, independent of my father, and
1 love Norah Creighton with all my
heart. But, if I marry her, you will
lose the money that is yours by right ot
Inheritance; unless, as you say, my ia
ther and Eyour guardian refuses his con.
sent to the marriage"
"What is your fathers idea?"
"Prunes, prisms; propriety! The
sgirl of the period his aversion"
"Heigho said Miss Holbrooke
rising and giving herself a little shake
"can you keep a secret, Syd?"
"Yes."
"Well, then, since you are so frank
I will tell you one. I left my heart il
Paris. Mother insisted upon my pay
ing this visit to Uncle Clement. but
he'd given up all thought of grandfath
er's money. We leave here tomorrow
for Daisybanks, and your father will re
fuse his consent to the marriage. Yo
will marry Norah, and I will seek m
heart again in Paris"
Sydney held out strong hand, i
which Estelle put tiny white one, owe
which his fingers clasped in firm bu
gentle pressure.
"You do not quite hate me for
brute?" he said, pleadingly.
"You are my very dear cousin no
and ever," she said. frankly and cordial.
and did not shrink when he stopped an
kissed her.
At Daisybanks, Mr.. Clement Hall
country-seat, the proprietor had mad
all ready to give his sister warm we
come. It had been a matter of gres
annoyance to him that their father ha
passed over one generation to leave b
fortune to their children, with the Col
ditions already given, but this none
was quite secure. If the children ma
ried it was theirs, and if they would NJ
he had only to refuse his consent, an
the wealth was divided between them.
"The will is q farce Sydney saic
but he knew that hint of his own loy
for a penniless girl might make troubl
as anv disinclination on his part or E