The Penn's Grove record., 1885-07-18

and wept; bat she would not alter her
decision; and finally, putting her 6ngeTs
into her ears, she declined to hear any,
thing more on the subject Then MIS-.
Stamer swept away with a dIgnified air
to fe ch Hugh to try to bring the cul-
prit to reason; but the instant he enter
ed the room Lady Wilful ran to hlm
aud clasped her pretty bands about his
arm.
Don't you turn against me, Hugh
she sand in her cOaXing way. III must
keep my star; 1t is so pretty"
Hugh Stamer was but flesh and blood,
and he went back to his mother and
told her rather sharply that Lady Will
full WAS to be left IN peace.
"Lady WilfulP repeated Mrs. Stea'
mer for Hugh was not given to call
ing his cousin by other than her proper
name. "Has it got to that?"
But Hugh left his mother to her own
reflections, and Lady Wilful's whlms
were not mentioned.
The girl was duh and sad all day;
but, although her head ached distress.
ingly, she held up bravely until the last
guest was gone. With the morning
light however she was her w bright
self again, and discussed the events of
the previous day with the gaiety natu-
raj to a young lady in her cilcumstan-
ces.
February FOOL arrived, and the Sta.
mer family returned to town. On the
first afternoon Lady Wilful went across
to Mrs. Discounts, for her husband
had come up for the opening of Parlia-
ment a few days before. Her cousin
was In the hall when she arrived.
81 was Just going to send Tor you, v
she said as she kissed Lady Wilful.
"D'Arcy is here; he has sent in his pa
pers and leaves town for Southampton
this week. He has come to say good
bye"
Good oyel" faltered Lady Wilful.
"Where is he? Where is he going?"
ITO Natal, | think, darling. Go INTO
the Doudoir; | will come presently.
The Levisons are in the drawingro0m. :"
Mrs. Discount had known Lady Will
ful's secret for some months, and en-
tertained great hopes that, when the
time came to say farewell, her blue
eyes would prevail upon Darcy to put
aside all the nonsense about marrying
for money.
With a painfully beating heart and
trembling fingers Lady Wilful opened
the door of the boudoIr. She felt that
during the next hour her fate would be
decided; and, knowing D'Arcy's pride
and indomltable resolution of purpose,
she feared the result When she enter
ed the room he was standing with his
back towards her, looking out OF the
window. A faint CLEAN of slckly WIN
ter sunlight was resting on his yellow
hair; and, as Lady Wilful caught sight
of the outline of his face against the
frosty sky. her heart failed her. Oh,
how cold and stern it lookedl
"How dismal the square IS, Mrs.
Descourtr' he said, without turning.
| shall remember London at its very
worst"
"It is not Margaret" said Lady
Wilful in a q%uavering voice.
He turned quickly: the hot blood
rushed for an instant to his temples,
then receded, leaving him paler than
before.
"Miss Dundas, | had no idea you
were in town. hope you are quite
well?"
Lady Wilful's heart sank. "Miss
DundasI" 1t had hitherto been Lady
Wilful."
1--WE came this morning." she STAN
mered. 1--WE were obliged, because of
Parliament, you know"
"Yesp | hear. Miss Dundas, that |
have to congratulate YOU"
"Congratulate me2 Oh, yes-on my
having attained my majority ! Thank
you'll Aud, Captain Brabason, wan
ted to tell you how pleased ! was that
you remembered my birthday. 1t was
SO kind. too, to give me your mothers
star. ! had a great struggle to keep it
for my aunt did not wish me to do SO;
but | am Lady Wilful, you knowl" she
said, laughing and gaining courage
from the sound of her " voice.
81 am glad that you like it." said
darcy, with a great effort to keep
calm and cool. 81 hope you will year
it sometimes when | am far away and
you-you are Hugh Stamer's happy
wife,"
Lady Wllful laughed outright.
Thank you," she cried gaily; 'Frest
assured | shall wear it as Lady Wilful
always.
Captain Brabason looked hurt. Evil
IDENTIFY this heiress was not only wilful
but cruel.
81 have no doubt" he answered
coldly; ''you do me too much honor
by wearing it at all"
snow, Captain Brabason," said the
girl drawing near to him, take my
advice and don't go in for sarcasm.
You'll never keep up your reputation
if you do"
"My reputation is of very little eon-
sequence, for | sail for Natal next
week"
Lady Wilful felt a great lump rising
in her throat, but she controlled her
self, and went on
"What to do there, may | ask?"
Certainly. belong as YOU know
to an impoverished family. | cannot
keep up my position here; so l am go
ing to take myself to a place where l
shall be unknown"
''Are your" thought Lady Wilful,
then aloud-"I didn't know your peo-
pie was so very poor. I'm sure your
brother lives In good STYLE"
My brother" said darcy, flushing
holly, married for money, Miss Dun
das."
81 don't agree with you. Lady Bra.
bason Is a charming girl, and the Earl
loves her dearly"
probably said L'Arcy, in a dubi-
Gus tone.
Katherine Dundas moved a step
away from him, and stood with clasped
hands, nerving herself for a inal effort.
captain B~rabason," she began, 81
am going to say something toyOu which
you will perhaps think both bold and
impairment.
81 shall not think it either" he said
politely.
She saw how sorely she was trying
this man, with his chivalrous notions
of honor and prido Of race; she could
not but note the restless craving in his
eyes as they wandered up and down