Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1884-07-12

| sure. Papa lost all his money, and our house
was sold; then papa died, and JET is with his
ship at the Cape, and Aunt Adelaide didn't want
me any longer; so l came to London to Mrs.
kent-shes my old nurse-and earn my bread
by my pen"
l could not help telling him all that-he
seemed to make me, In spite of myself; but / ut
s serea the e., last words proudly and he did not
ii wonder. Miss Meredith, ii you ever heard
JEFF speak Of Harold Casheton?n
"Oh, yes, often!"-and then paused in some
confusion. Mr. Harold Cashelton had been my
brothers guide, philosopher and friend" and
In one way and another l had heard more than
enough of him all my life, though through my
having no mother, / had never been at Garth
when Jefs friends visited him. In fact, had
worshiped him secretly and afar off-trom Jeff-s
descrptions-and made him the hero Of more
than one romance; and now there he was sitting
In my easy chair and chatting to me as If he had
known me all my life-as indeed. / suppose he
had in way, for JEFF surely must have men
toned me to him.
brother, lie stood up to go. and desired me not
to forget the story; but then more than ever
resolved not to write, as no doubt he would &C
cept it from mere pity.
Three months passed away, and I was on
terms OF almost civity with my hated editor:
but had written nothing for the Arlington-on
that point / was obstinate-nOr had l told Mr..
Cashelton very much about myself or my own
affairs beyond the first sudden burst Of conf
dence, which seemed inevitable. What 1 wrote
and how l succeeded never would talk about,
in spite Of several very insinuating questions.
But about JEFF would talk for hours, and he
did not seem to weary of the subject. either.
Sometimes accompanied him to an afternoon
concert at ST. James hall, or matinee at the
Lycenm, and he was always very kind and at
tentive; but never could get over the fact that
he had laughed at my poetry. Had hes1aughed
only at myself should have forgiven and for
gotten it.
One evening he called after having absented
himself for fortnight, and was wondering in
spite OF myself what could have happened to
him. was about to call Mrs. Kent to light the
gas, though it was really quite bright, when he
stopped me.
Don't ring for lights" he said, in his lazy
way; :" want to talk to you. / have some
thing very particular to say Madeline, and /
want to say 1t to you alone. Madeline"-and
somehow he got possession OF both my hands
love you; want you for my wife; want to
take care of you, dear, If you will let me-
vaguely.
NO. OF course not, and don't want YOU to.
Darling, you must have seen that love you,
ana ana you must, You surely must, care for me q
little in returnl"
81 don't know" said, more feebly still: and
the golden opportunity for revenge and retalia-
uOn was gone by forever. / might have been
cool and proud, naughty and defiant. laughed
In his face and told him | scorned his love as he
had scorned my poetry; instead of which stood
trembling and blushing in his arms, while he
kissed my face aud called me all sorts Of pretty
names; and, in spite of myself l confess liked
It, 1t is humiliatng, 1t is horrd, but 1t is true
did love the handsome, hateful editor.
Darling" he cried, holding me from him at
arms length, you're vixen-you're too fond
OF that vagrant poet-you detest me cordially;
still, Madeline, love you, and believe have
loved you from that day when your presence
made spot OF sunshine In my very shady edi-
toral den Some day perhaps you will learn to
care little about me-
Six months afterwards we were married at
ST. Georges, Bloomsbury; and, when JEFF came
home and heard all about it, I Thought he wonId
have gone out Of his mind with Joy. Now |
write what | please for the arlington; and.
though the editor goes over it, he does not dare
after syllable, SO that in that respect have
gained my point. l have conquered my first
editor.