Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1883-01-06

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thought. The injury done the school was the cause
Of the Bishops wrath, and the pain the injury gave
him he would revenge upon Stephen. He knew
that he should arrive in time to prevent the mar
riage. Providence never would allow such desc
| Grafton Of st. Tneresa's to be consummated. The
views OF Providence on Stephens happiness natu
rally did not enter into his calculations
The train stopped SO lorg little village on the
Hall side of the city that the Bishop reused himself
from his engrossing thoughts to put few inquiries
There had been an accident to train, AID it would
take an hour or two to clear away the debris from
the track The Bishops heart grew light. He did
not believe his son could be hurt. but that Prcvi
dence had disabled the train in order to place the
unnatural youth in his clutches. He leaped from
the car with the spring Of of twenty two. He
walked down the track TO inquire if there had been
any accidents to life and limb and was told that
nothing but the locomotive had suffered He turned
back and walked up the slope fl ON the railway. BE
knew the yiilsge WE'LL number of his friends lived
there, and frequently bored him with untimely in
vitations TO come and stay with them. He was
thoroughly reused and excited he felt cautious and
conspirator ike; he conscious of adesre to walk
on tiptoe and hold his breath.
The sun was shining sereney, it was about noon
there was Sunday stiffness in the village, and
there right ahead stood the naughty pair under the
elms. They looked very quiet end happy for runa-
way lovers. They seemed already like high-bred
young husband and wife taking summer stroll to.
gether. The Bishop quickened his pace, and, over
taking them, linked his in his sons. OF course
Stephens muscles stifened and his face changed,
but jist what his emotion was it would have been
hard TO tell. Miss Ramsay bowed with ineffable
dignity, saying:
The accident has given this village the good for
tune of several visitors from Riverside"
| The Bishop rallied from her unspeakabe aud4eity
and addressed his son.
:" must ask you TO walk back TO the hotel with
me- he said almost inaudbly, between shut teeth,
81 have few words to say to you"
The three re.raced their steps and walked in COM
plete silence to the little tavern In the paror of
this place Stephen asked Irene to wait for him until
his interview with bis father was over.
/" 1t is very distressing" he said BE was trem.
bling from head to foot with anger and anxiety for
her. {" wish it could have been avoided" Then
with sudden tenderness he took her hands and said,
Don't be frightened, my darling Everything will
come right-it shall, i. must"
al am not frightened" said Irene, regarding him
curiously. The veins beat on his forehead, and his
eyes were dark and glowed. She was uneasly glad
that she was not his father. His hands were warm,
too size could feel it through her gloves Her own
were icy. She sat down on the hair cloth sofa, and
Stephen went to join the Bishop in more secluded
! ROOM The interview lasted two long hours. 1t was
net pleasant one for either; and cfter prolonged
questioning and reproach the Bishop deliber
ately swore that Stephen should never marry the
girl while he, the father, lived to prevent it.
81 should like to ask" said Stephen, coldly,
"how, in this nineteenth century, you will prevent
itr
Whereupon the Bishop, in highly worldly way,
demonstrated to Master Stephen that be had not a
SOU but what his father allowed him, and that al
lowanee should n.tlntly cease; that he had pro-
fession and only classical and bellies lettrcs educa
ton, which would make years of unremunerative
study necessary before he could turn his talents
account that he the Bishop, would state all these
things to Miss Ramsay and her parents; shat the
young lady had several young sisters, so that
Stephen could not expect much dewry with his wife
If he contemplated living her fortune and from
what he had seen Of Miss Ramsay the Bishop ven-
tured to say that she scarcely appeared to him a
young woman who would be dazzled with
the glamor of sharing crust and an attic
with a -(he stopped and measured his son, who
paced and paused and quiyered like young
thoroughbred)- with journalist, he concluded
quietly. Stephen made no boasts Of his fiancee's
devotion his soul was cut as his fathers lash was
meant. He recoiled at the thought of her he loved
in any setting but that Of luxury and refinement
and liberty but he did not quail in the least before
his fathers stated plan of action. He gnawed his
lip and thought awhile then he went to the window
ami looked out. The late summer twilight was
coming on. He whirled round.
81 think this conversation has lasted as long as it
is profitable since we understand each other" he
said, "and We are imposing upon Miss Ramsay's pa.
thence beyond all pardon. To-day certainly is not
my wedding. day. My arrangements have all been
made 10 the city, however must send dispatch.
And-a-you will scarcely expect Miss Ramsay to
dine in this place" he ended, as he moved toward
the door,
81 shall make every necessary and fitting ar.
rangement for Miss Ramsay" said the Bishop,
haughtily, and Stephen left him to find Irene. She
was up oSiSOP VII tHS cSia. ht
knelt down by her and kissed her forehead. She
frowned and opened her eyes, waking with all her
wits about her, and asked what the interview had
been.
"Not very proming" he admitted frankly. " This
is a bad start. / am just going to telegraph that
every thing is put off There is not another train
back to Riverside TO night, and fancy my father
will place you with the FeariIgs, and that he and
shall drive back to Riverside; that is the best plan,
think since he has chosen to make all this trouble.
But nothing matters much il we love each other.
1 cannot allow him TO arbitrate on the hap
piness Of my whole life because he hap
pens to be my father. Are you quite worn out
have not been able to shield you much SO far.
am afraid you viii draw bad differences OF what ]
shall do in the future" He talked rapidly, even
smiled but he was suffering exquisitely and would
have given his right hand for some demonstration
Of trust or sympathy from her, even laugh il
it meant defiance of fate. But Irene was tired,
though she had slept, perplexed as to Just what the
Bishops "arbtrating" on Stephens happiness might
mean, and last and most Important, she was con
sumed with hunger. She reflected with joy thai
the Bishop was elderly and fastidious man, not
bit in love and probably hungry as she. Stephens
phrase, placed with the Fearing" conjured up
delightful picture Of their dark, vauted, hexagonal
candle-lighted oak dning-room and luxuriously
appointed tsble-she knew the family well, the,
were the great people Of the village and wintered il
New York-and herself in the position Of heroin,
Of an interrupted elopenent, treated with sympa
thetic Difference and regarded with curiosity. Sh,
heartily wished that Stephen would cease his aim
4 .l-..4 49, ofo 4 4 L
telegram and give the Bishop his innings as pro.
tectsr and pastor. Stephen, since he was love
and by nature sensitive, too, felt the influence o
| this mood in his betrothed without understandin,
its motive He came and took her face between hi
hands.
"speak to me-" he whispered. She was touched
and sighed little "oh, what is there to say :
she answered. " 1 know" he went on impatientiy
/" but say that you love at least" 81 love you,
said Ireue spiritessy, wondering at his eager eyes