Sword and shield., 1885-02-28
"Now." asked Iiel1nione exultingly.

IL Will take hef. As YOU say. the sigh
will more than satisfy her that he must b
given up. We Nu@ents. Miss Fox, ar,
pt 3plc Of honor We 10 not force mel
into marrying our women; neither ID
our women hunt men down. | have til,
honor 10 wish you good morning and goo'l
bye"
In his pain. lie bade her adieu in til,
solemn fashion with which he was accus
toned TO write such few official deslatche.
a fall to the share Of a ~uIaltelm of Dla
goons.
My letter?" cried the beautiful woman
running after him IN her fright.
Jasper however. thrust it fesolutcly in
to his pocket.
Il intend to keep it" he said sterny.-
mo: do not look 50 alarmed. Miss Fox
We shall take no steps to prevent youl
marriage with Lord Culvcrtol. y I.ar-
riage with yoa viii bring about = sur,l
punishment than anytime '.-... y, co;i'd
do"
..(iive II back 10 M Size cried. trying
to detain him; but he sl.ook her hand of
his own with gesture Of absolute loath-
ing.
Let me go out of this accurscd house,
he exclaimed to maid who had come in
to the hall-"it chokes me-
He went back to the House, where
Dolly was all alone. for the Squire and the
Mistress had gone into York for the day,
and as yet the Wedding guests had not
arrived.
He found his sister in the dining room ;
and. as he entered. She looked up with
a smile.
Il thought something was the matter
she said with an air of relief.
"Something is the natter replied Jas
per. "(;o away. james; | wish to speak
to Miss Nugent''
There has been 70 accident, sirl' asked
the man with trembling lips.
"Oh. no-notlirc Of the kind! 1t IS
merely private AFFAIR of my own; moth
ing to trouble any of YOU
Jasper. what is il q asked Dolly as the
dool. closed behind the man.
II am almost afraid to tell YOU"
"You must tell me. | am quite brave
it Is Culverton. l know Is he deasli"
"Worse than dead-false,' cried Jasper
rassionately. pntting his arms round her.
.Oh, my little darling sister. can you bear
it, Can YOU listen whilst tell you that
they have cen fooling both of us!'
..Then they are married 2" she said quite
calmly.
Il dare say they will marry now that
we have found them out" answered JAS
per gloomily
Then he recounted to her the events Of
The whole morning. ending by placing the
letter in her hands He was touched to
sec her utter calmness-nOt tear dimmed
the lustre Of the brilliant blue eyes, not q
race of nervousness was apparent in the
slim little hands which held the fatal note
only. as she refolled it and replaced it
ID its cover. piteous little smile quivered
fol an instant on her sweet lips, blanched
now to deathly pallor.
just as he used TO write TO me-" she
said softly.
"Then what will you do!" he asked.
Il will go with you 10 morrow morn
ng." she answered; ''and. after that, |
suppose we must tell-the others"
Il think it is better for you to see for
yourself before anything is said to the
Squire. He will fly into rage. and want
o rush off to Culverton Royal with
lorse- whip
TRY to prevent that Jasper" she said
"It is bad enough without
he whole world knowing all about it
Ind now think will go up stairs.
lon't want any more luncheon"
At the door he stopped her.
Little Dolly, can you bear it ?" he asked
Il must bear it; and. after all, we are
Iugents," she answered. ut is not worse
or me than for you. Oh. Jasper, did you
eally love herr
"Lave her." echoed Jasper-"love her!
Dh, Heaven, how / did love her, and I
hought she loved mer'
"Never mind. we shall get over it." said
he girl, with IL brave smile. Il shall
how them both that am brave. don't
intend to die, as peer aunt Dolly did; only
at us he brave"
~ wish we're dead" cried Jasper reck-
assl''5.