Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1884-03-01

out docs not employ nls gifts. seldom talks.
never reads. b Q little fond oil eating. In sptte
Of these drawbacks, he is very charming. and all
the girls far and near make great deal Of him.
or course he is rich. He likes Lady Milicent to
live In the house. She has complete influence
over him."
felt 30 easy in my mind that told Dolly how
had feared for her.
But" 1 wrote. "ofcourse YOU never could
really admire a fat little man. who never reads
or talks. and with nose all tip, and who cares
Tor nothing but eating"
1t turned out that the most unfortunate thing
could have done was to confess my fears to my
provoking sister. She answered me by yehe-
mentiy declaring that Sir Charles was the most
lovable fellow she had. met for long time and
at once. %
You distress me, Dolly. You know MIR.
Dacre would never forgive you if he saw YOUR
letters hide them even from mother. Oh,
pray do think before you madly risk the loss of
his love. for that will follow the very hour he
loses his high opinion ofyou!"
This is how Dolly answered my tender ap-
peal
What lecturtng little thing you are get
ting. Kitty! l am very much attached to Sir
Gnaries; and, If Jack is ever 80 angry, can't
Thus fppantly the letter ran on.
was really angry and distressed but resolved
TO try no more lectures; they clearly made mat
tiers worse. So, the next time wrote gave a
iull description OF day we had spent in court
hearing Mr.. Dacre plead. I described his dis
nlfed appearance, his easy graceful gestures
above ALL dwelt on the beauty of his nose
Dolly answered.
II am quite shocked at you Kitty, to make
such an idol of nOse!"
And then she continued, as usual about Sir
Charles.
Meanwhile Mr.. Dacre seemed quite happy: and
sad he had his daily letters from Dolly as regu-
larry as when she was with Mrs. Lloyd. Was
my beloved sister growing deceitful?
l kept all this from my mother; but grew
more and more wretched over Dolys letters A
picnic would be GLORIOUS" for Sir Charles was
going. She had spent the whole morning
quietly with Sir Charles" Once he was indis-
posed and she had "nursed him, played for
him. sung to him."
Well, l could do nothing more resolved to
say not another word about him to any one else.
L began to dislike the very sound of his name
or rather the sight of it; and, when Dolly de-
clared | should like him as much as every one
else did, made up my mind that hated him.
wrote one more tender appeal, which said
was my last.
Every Tuesday mother and had Dolly's let
tiers, but one day there was none by my break
fast plate as usual Mother read hers.
Dolly says she has written to YOU" she OBJ
served presently. "HOw can it be that you have
not received it?"
Mistakes of the post Office are 80 rare, we
could but suppose she had omitted to post it.
BY the next delivery, however, l received a let
ter from Mr.. Dacre. containing an enclosure
which turned out to be letter to me from
Dolly. A few lines from him ran thus
"Dear Kitty had read too much OF the enclosed
before discovered the mistake II you receive a
letter from Dolly before this reaches you, you will
have discovered she has mfs-sent the letters /
snail run down to HtghwOod without loss OF time"
had not received any letter then, but by the
second country delivery came one directed to
Jack at once. The letter he had read began
thus
Charles devotedly, and he has this day declared he
loves me. You ask me, Does he know | am en-
gaged? told him gentleman was coming to see
me- Dut ne seemed little concerned at this piece OF
information"
So far Mr.. Dacre had read. and the mine was
sprung.
locked my room door. and fell back. de-
s s into an easy chair. was resolved to
hide all from my mother till Mr. Dacre had
seen Dolly huntedlup Bradshaw and found
that train started about four that would con
vey him to Highwood by $50. If Dolly wrote
TO me at once. should get her letter by Thurs
day: but of course l SHOULD hear from Jack on
Wednesday. dreaded every ring, every post
mans knock. All day Wednesday passed and
no letter arrived FROM my sister or her lover
On Thursday morning / ran down when |
heard the usual welcome sound. On the table
lay thick letter addressed in Dollys writing.
found enclosed in it for her; then sat down
to read mine, after fOrtifying myself with a
cup OF coffee. must 81 We every word of it,
You are well aware that a catastrophe has
happened through my heedlessness The best
thing will be for me to describe fully the whole
consequences of that misfortune On our re-
turn from the garden-parts on Tuesday. found
telegram awaiting me from Jack-'Shall be
with you by 755.' OF course this awoke no
fears in my mind. for knew Jack might run
n al
Micent sent me off at once to be dressed by
her artist-lnaid. What she made of me YOU
must have seen to believe, Kitty. / would not
look at myself till the whole process was COM
plete: and when glanced in the long glass;
was really amazed at what saw. it was the
result, l now know. of many discussions between
Lady Milicent and this gifted young person.
You may imagine how 1 exulted in the thought
that Jack would see me look as he had
never seen me look before, for I am so
improved in health that my whole appearance is
changed. Well, the bell rang. Lady Milicent
received Mr.. Dacre insthe mornng-room and
came to send me down at once
81 ran down with my heart bounding. en-
tered the room. noticed Jack give one start;
but he received me in such a very un-Jacli-like
| cried. Quite well when left them said Mr.
Dacre; but when he placed me in a chair, and
took one opposite to me. felt matters were
desperate. What is wrong?' gasped. Dear
est Jach, pray speak! only an address, said
he. and put the unfortunate envelope in nv
hands. This contained a letter for your sister.
which |. perhaps fortunately. read before per-
ceived the mistake. / have just seventeen min
ues before leave for the return train; SO if you
wish to say anything, let Inc beg you to speak
ut once
81 sank back in my chair and covered nv face
with my handkerchief, trembling with agitation.
will you hear my explanation? stammered
Needless; the letter can have but one meaning
came to release you from your engagement to
ME. Did this scOundrel know you were en-
gaged!' covered my face again. To hear Sir
Charles North called scoundrel was too much
for HE. did not speak for several minutes; but
time was flying fast. and at lengthI sad If this is
In truth our last meeting grant me one favor; saw
that you will before tell you whatitis. OF cOurse
IL Is reasonable, honorable request that wish
to make; but own it is one you will not like
TO grant. He paused a moment, then said, Il
will do whatever you ask Il ask YOU to see Sir
Charles North he WINGED. but bowed SILENTLY
l left the room to see the baronet l found him
In mis- own room, inteHtiy studying an immense
b0ok-but only the illustrations, l believe.
asked him to come with me to speak to gen.
tielnan who was waiting to see him. He fatty
refused. Time was rushingon. knelt by him.
1mplored him. at last l kissed him, and he
yielded.
taking my hand in firm clasp he descended
with me to the room where Fhad left Mr. Dacre.
Jack stood, moody and stern, pale as ashes,
where had left him. We entered. / led Sir
me present you to Sir Charles North, Baronet.'
Jack started-paused-sei seized Sir Charles in his
strong arms. and-threw him out of the win
dOW?-nO. kissed him! For this dscoundrol