Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1885-12-05

seemed to her that her bachelor broth
er had been by no means called on II
| interfere. Someone else might hav'
taken charge of the girl, she said with
irritation.
"Who?" enquired Beverley. "She i
absolutely alone in the world, poo
child! And she was there pennies
among strangers"
"Good Heavens, Hugh! what if sh'
were? Doyou think it was making
her lot easier to compromise the girl?"
Compromise hei9 What do 20,
meant" Beverley flushed darkiy.
Mrs. Valentine knew that look in he.
brothers face, and generally avoided it
'Of course it is compromising to hel
to have brought her here alone with
you-a young girl like that-who ha!
no claim upon you" she said, Struggling
her shoulders, but speaking with les:
excitement.
"She is about twenty years younger
than /" said Beverley, in tone he die
not often use, "and it is unworthy O
you, Clara, to bring in any such word Oh
thought in connection with her or me
Come, "he added, dropping again into
his nonchalant b0nhomie manner, "yor
have better heart than you want tc
show, Clara. Drop a little of your
worldliness, and be kind to this child
She needs kindness sorely. Pm going
back to Germany tomorrow, and l shall
leave Der with you"
Mrs. Valentine knew better than to
make any further demur, but the irrita-
ton remained.
ITO come ali the way here just to
bring that girl, and then start off again
next day! And then he is indignant be-
cause call it compromising. That a
man Of the world like Hugh should in
dulge in anything SO crafty quixotic."
New rtheless, she was not, in her way,
unkind to Lucille. She was according
to her lights, very generous to her, pre-
senting her with mourning outfit to take
the place of the poor child's scant and
rusty black.
"She is very pretty" che said to her
sell, the first time that the girl appeared
in one of those plain, neatly. fitting
gowns-"very. l wonder if Hugh no.
ticed it?"
Upon the whole she was just as well
pleased that Hugh had gone back to
Germany.
Lucille had begged, from the first day,
to be allowed to take charge of the little
boys, and as the latter took to her very
kindly, there was no objection to her
doing 30. And gradually she pleaded to
have sundry other duties assigned her,
until Mrs. Valentine had perforeed tC
knowledge that she was most willing.
most anxious not to eat the bread of
charity, and that which was certainly
not the least good thing about her, con-
siderably useful to herself.
The little Partisan household had,
therefore, settled down upon a calm and
comfortable basis when Beverley, with
the suddenness which usually character
lsed his movements, reappeared.
He never came to Paris at this season
of the year, and Mrs. Valentine re-
minded HIM of the fact with some sharp.
ness.
"Ob, though 1 would try it," he said
And he remained on with
out any very definite purpose that Mrs.
Valentine could see, day after day and
week after week.
Mrs. Valentines temper began to grow
very uncertain IS time went by. Her
brother did not, perhaps, notice the fact,
but others did, and Lucille chief among
,he number.
One day the gathering storm broke
Dose. Beverly was sitting unconcern-
Idly in his sisters pretty boudoir when
he latter, 18th an uncomfortable iIrita-
thought she should keep Miss Vent
nor.
why" queried Beverly, looking up
quickly, "has she shown any desire to
yo?"
"She? MOI" cried Mrs. Valentine, inn
"Bat you don't expect the
girl to 60 on living in perpetuity this
way, do your l understand, of course,
hat you thought we might give her a
home until other arrangements could be
made for her. She must have Someone
riend or relation-some kith or kin to
whom she can turn for protection!"
"She has no one, Clara" said Bever-
ey coldly, land you know it. She is
earning her living with you, as the poor
girl would have to do elsewhere. You
heed a nursery governess for the
Boys"
"Let her be nursery governess some
where else!" cried Mrs. Valentine, exas-
,erated.
"You have taken a islike to Miss
Ientpor, Clara, said her brother slowly.
Why"
1T is you who have taken an unac-
liking to her. 1 believe you
re in love with the girl!'
"Clarar
Bsverley's voice contained note of
He had turned pale. But
lrs. Valentines prudence had forsaken
Ter.
"Yes, indeed, 1 do think 80. Blanche
conway is forgotten at last, it seems"
The words were scarcely spoken be.
ore Mrs. Valentine could have bitten
Ter tongue out tor utuerin g them.
She was frightened and sorry. It was
very sore spot in her brothers men,
ry that ,e had touched. She was 60
ng to make such laundering amends as |
he could when the portiere was hastil,
rawn aside, and they both saw Lucille
Tentnor on the threshold.
81 have heard every word" the girl
egan. There was not . vestige of color
q her face, but her voice was steady and
er gaze brave and direct.
II did not mean to; but I was going
trough the next room, and l stopped
efore l knew it. Forgive me, and let
,e 60. You have been very, very kind
} me, I shall never forget it. But I
lust not be the cause of misunderstood
lg. l see now that should not have
aged 80 long,"
She paused suddenly and put hef hand
, her head.
"Never mind, child-never mind"
aid Mrs. Valentine soothingly.
She was rather startled at this de,ao4e.
ent to the scene she had brought about
ut Beverly said very quietly:
Enough, Clara. Let Miss Ventnor do
J she thinks fit"
And Lucille turned, and left the room.
MPerhans II is inst "a wall that sha did