The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1883-04-13
CHAPTER Xy.-CoSr1yrrr,.


"Qtieen of the Meado,r," Etc.
CHAPTER Xy.-CoNrINUEo.
In the rigid politeness of Mr.. CAL
thorpe there was not giimmer of the
greeted his old friend. But the Col
onel was too deeply absorbed in his
own thoughts to be conscious of any
change.
where is MauriceP' were his first
words. His voice was low, and there
was wearied look on his face.
''Gone TO London" answered Mr..
Calthorpe. gravely.
"When does he return?"
"He does not intend to come back to
this place. He has taken his final leave
of Calthorpe and" A pause here;
then, as if the words came with diff
Guilty, 90 and all its surroundings.
The Colonel did not seem to take
note of the latter part of the sentences;
his eyes were fixed. meditatively on the
floor, and he remained silent.
at was on that sub;e particularly
wished to speak with you to morrow"
continued Mr.. Calthorpe; "as it not
only dispels those hopes which you and
l entertained for little while. but dis
arranges all my plans for the future.
Indeed. apart from the disagreeable
business matters which am forced TO
discuss with you now. or at as early an
opportunity as possible, it may affect
our friendship"
.'It is a curious mess we have got
into" said the Colonel, speaking as if
he were thinking aloud rather than re-
plying 20 his friend. 1.-The very thing
which would have delighted me most,
and which seemed to be a probable
enough event, was nearer to realization
than either of US imagined at The time
we first talked OF it; and that very mo-
meut it was destroyed by few angry
words. Ibeg your pardon.
Calthorpe. This business has affected
me in such way that / have been
dreaming about what might have cen.
rather han attending TO affairs as they
stand, and doing what may be done. to
make the best of them. / came here to
get your assistance in setting matters
right. You used to lie good at turning
corners, and perhaps yol can round
this one. For myself, cannot see day
light"
"You have not yet explained to me
what bu ,iness YOU specially refer to-"
said Mr.. Calthorpe, coldly. "In the
business to which / alluded, there will
be no difficulty on your side in round
ing the corner"
Il forgot that had not explained to
you. | took it for granted that Maurice
had told you something of what had oc-
Cured between him and Mabel. On
my side don't know what other bust
ness you can allude to. and I do not
W sh to hear OF any other at present"
"YeS, Maurice has told me that he
has been rejected, and re ected in such
a manner rs TO put out of the question all
thought of reconciliation.
"What! do you think so, too?' ey-
claimed the Colonel. disappointed end
surprised. Then things are bad. in
deed. can understand Maurice Icing
hurt and offended; but did think, Cal
thorpe, that you would not have taken
up the W rds of a foolish girl, spoken
in passion. as anything more than a
mere explosion OF temper. But of
course, if you are all decided that there
is no remedy for the harm done, moth
ing is left for me to do but to submit"
II see you are agitated, Cuthbert,"
proceeded Mr.. Calthorpe, assuming his
suave, judicial manner, and speaking
very deliberately, as if the matter at is
sue had no more interest for him than
might be inspired by the desire to pro-
nounce an impartial opinion. "You
must however. admit that there has
been something more than mere passion
in the conduct of your daughter"
"Eas Maurice told you everythingP'
81 believe he has; more, probably,
than You have been told"
HAS be told you that he knew her
when she was living with the OBry-
ans?'
He did. but understood that was
to lie kept from you.'
:" know everything now. This
morning found nv poor child insensi-
bic beside her writing table. When she
recovered, / ms sted upon having full
exp anation, and she gave it to me; she
had spent the greater part of the night
in writing it out II was hard
reading Tor me. for it showed me that
there is danger to her reason, if we do
uo1 uiio oohuC SPECIFY ucduS OF r0Iog-
ing her distress of mind. | proposed
to send for Maurice at once; but that
was the worst thing could have done,
and it completely upset her again. What
bewilders me is that she evidently cares
a great deal for him, and yetis resolved
never to see him again.
"And he is fond of her, and is also
never to see her again. You
know that it is my way when there is
unpleasant to do. to be per-
fectly frank about it Now. plainly;
Cuthbert, do not see how this matter
can be mended at present. Since You
have heard al, Won are aware of the
charge made against Maurice and my
self"
Tush-it is nonsense to put any
weight upon that, " interrupted the Col |
oneL.
at is not easy to avoid putting some
weight upon it. Maurice is deeply hurt,
and must own that my own feelings |
are somewhat touched"
But. we are old friends, and know |
each other"
Precisely; and it is because we are
old friends that l feel it. At any rate, |
think it would be unwise to continue TO |