The Red Cloud chief., 1884-02-08

Author OF one Of Three" Probation" "Ihe
Ucufcids." Etc.
CHAPTER X.-CoNTINUEp.
1t was still day. still broad. hot sun
light. 1t seemed to him as if ages had
passed since MIR. Starkie had sum-
moned him to his room. On arriving
at his house he went into the parlor,
and found Grace in a state of extreme
deshabille, seated on a sofa in a red
Vatican dressing-gown. while finery
was strewed in all directions around
her, and a very large work-basket stood
before her on the table. Yards and
yards of amber ribbon and knots of
black velvet were spread around in a
bewildering confusion, and Miss Massey
was absorbed in preparations for the
evening.
Philip she calculated. as he came
in, .'you here at this hour! What has
happened? Is the ball given up?"
She flung her work down and stood up.
Something has happened, / sup
pose" he said. gravely. land the ball
is certainly given up-at least for me.
They are sending me out to China, to
look after some business there"
ITO China tonight echoed Grace,
and stood silent for a moment looking at
him. Her first impulse, why, she knew
not, vas to burst into tears; but that she
felt would be folly. In Philips face,
despite its gravity. she thought she read
citation. Like a good sister, putting all
private feelings and sensations aside,
she said:
eff it is good for YOU, dear Philip. /
congratulate you. But are you off this
minute? You will have a meal, and let
me pack up your things for you. At
what time do YOU go?"
TO London. by the eight o'clock ex-
press
"Oh. there's an hour or two vet. l
will look after Your things. I'll clear
all this rubbish away and put on nv
dress, because of course there will be no
ball for US tonight, now"
Il am very sorry to deprive you of
your pleasure" he began.
Nonsense. AS if it would be any
pleasure to me with You Just starting on
such an expedition"
Il must go and see Angela" said
Philip absently. Il shall not be long,
Grace"
Angela. Oh, yes. l suppose you
must she replied, q cold look coming
across her face. a spasm across her
heart, as she realized how much he was
thinking of Angela How small his
sisters place had become in his heart.
Philip, without another word. went
away. and rang the bell of the next
house.
Miss Fairfax was reading. Mabelle
was sewing. ''Ny dear little milliner,"
as her sister called her with affectionate
fastidiousness. They. too. both started,
and exclaimed as Philip came in.
What is happenings" burst from
Angela's lips in a ton of unusual
animation.
..May 1 speak with you alone a few
minutes?" he asked. gently and gravely.
Il have something important to tell
YOU"
Mabelle gathered up her work and
went upstairs. Philip and Angela
were left alone.
Don't keep me in suspense she
said. with a melancholy smile. Have
you made a fortune, Philip. or lost all
that YOU have, that YOU look so dread
fully solemn"
Neither one nor the other, DEAR"
he said, seating himself on the couch
beside her and taking her hand; ..but
it has been put within my power greatly
to improve nv fortune"
HAS it? How?" exclaimed Angela,
with genuine interest.
He told her briefly what had hap.
pened.
IL said, to improve my fortune" he
added; ..but, Angela. if you elect to re.
main true to me, and will wait, and
will let me say our fortunes, why, when
1 come home again-and what could
hinder me, if | knew yOn were waiting
for me? / should be able to say to
you: will You be my wife. at once
auy time-and-"
s.Dear Philip. to hesitate at such g
moment would not be womanly, blu,
prudish and unkind. l say yes, l will
wait for YOU"
.-Oh. God bless youT" cried he. with
almost a sob. as he caught her in his
arms for the first time. and could only
hold her TO his heart and remain silent
ANGELA behaved very properly and
very prettily: nothing could have sur.
naSSed the sweetness of her demeanor
She rested her head on his shoulder
and she, too, said nothing, no doubt
feeling it unnecessary TO add to he'
lovers excitement by any high-tio'vr
anguage or passionate assurances sh'
was tbinking-who shall say what she
waS thinking? One thing only is GER
,.;n that she rejoiced unfeignedly il
ph; ip,s improved prospects, and won
dered very much by how much they
were improved.