Bridgeton pioneer., 1885-06-11
E!SAl.E.
Count Won Lindenheim.

BUSINESS prompting neT, ullll Her WAUGH
told her it was five minutes past the
dinner hour, and it required a certain
amount of courage to open the door
and enter the drawing-room. She was
conscious of an unaccuStOmed color in
her cheeks, and of the quickened beats
of her heart, and it was only minute
later, with a sigh that might have been
relief. she realized that her father was
its only occupant.
"He is not coming down." Mr.. Lo-
raine said, in reply to her inquiring
look. Il have persuaded him to go to
bed; it is much wiser, Come" taking
the girls hand in his, you must come
down to dinner with me instead"
rs he ill?" she questioned.
"He was shivering and miserable; it
is always better to take care"
Don't you think he looks very deli
cate?" she asked when they sat down
they two alone together as they had
done so often; and yet tonight the
room seemed strangely empty without
him.
Yes. should say he was. And he
should be careful, for his mother died
of consumption. From what he tells
me. he has been very i'll himself. And
under the circumstances, a plunge into
a cold river at sunset, and long walk
afterward in wet clothes, is not likely
to do him any good. So ordered what
thought was best"
Sydney did not Immediately reply.
She clasped her hands tightly together,
with a momentary pain at her heart,
and then: 1t was very wise and thought
full. father" size said. 1T is always bet
ter to take too much care than too lit
tle."
Dinner over. she returned at once up
stairs. She felt restless and i'll at ease;
and leaving her father in the library.
when she had seen him established at
his writing-table. she opened the door
of communication and passing through,
entered the drawing-room. 1t seemed
to her that in this long, empty apart
ment, with no one to speak to her or
watch her, she could bring herself back
to calm.
The only light fell from shaded
lamp at the further end of the room, in
the corner where stood the piano, but
having closed the door behind her, she
became Immediately aware that she was
not alone, as she had expected to be
that mans figure stood by the open
window, looking down on to the duSky
garden.
Count Lindenheim!" she spoke very
low, but he heard her, and turned his
head at once.
you are here" he said quickly. Il
walt for you. | wish much to speak
to you
But it is very foolish;" her voice was
still soft and low, and she moved a few
steps nearer to him; "and you are stand
ing by the open window. How unwisel
Come away, please"
Shn ~, i,,+n 4lo H.
piano, and seating herself at it, pointed
to a low chair beside her.
sit down" she said, in tones more
like her usual voice, then you cannot
deceive me. 1 can judge for myself
how foolish you are"
NO, do not wish to deceive you" he
answered. 6! have caught cold, l am
certain, but that we can speak of after
ward. First, there is something else.
wished to say it to you this afternoon,
Yes" she said softly, "tell me now"
She was no longer excited. The hands
that held the peacock's feathers did not
tremble, only her eyes did not meet his.
H." he began. He stopped abruptly,
then rose up and took few steps and
back again, until he stood behind her
chair, and there again paused. and rest
ed his hands on the back, as if to steady
himself. u don't know why have not
Jold you before" he began; ut has not
Deen from any wish to keep it to myself.
butt am engaged"
The empty room seemed to echo the
words, hold them, and repeat them for
full moments breathless silence. A
moment, whilst the hold on her fan
loosened, and she clasped her hands
tightly together, and then she spoke.
All the softness had gone out of her
gray eyes, her voice even had grown
hard and defiant.
And why should you tell me now?
A man is not called upon to confess his
private affairs unless he is inclined"
" ou aSk-but you know. Look at
me, and tell me it is So"
Almost invOluntarily she turned her
head, and looked up at him; but having
done so steadily, her eyes wavered a lit,
Tie from those above her. "You must
&C." then she said abruptly, but still not
lifting her eyes to his. 1t was never
fault OF Sydney Loraine's to avoid a
dlfhculty; 1t was almost impossible for
her TO ignore it, even when perhaps
more worldly wisdom would have been
displayed in skirting it by. you have
been here long enough. You must re-
turn"-there was a seconds pause-"to
the woman you love-"
"Ah, but" the words came quickly
and passionately, "the woman Ilove is
herel" 40
you will not think so when YOU are
at home again; you will soon forget. A
fortnight" Il bitterly, sis not much out of
If you think that-do you?-yes," as
she did not speak, "why should you not?
then there seems nothing more to
say" ~ w
He took his hands off the back of her
chair, and moved away to the window.
where he had been standing when she
entered, and there threw himself down
into chair, covering his face with his
hands.
She watched him, still in silence. and
noted, as the dim uncertain twilight
fell upon him, how ill and haggard he
looked, noted also how thin the hands
were in which he had hidden his face.
Il do not think it," she cried, quickly
standing by his side; Il am cruel"
Then, as he still did not move, of a sud
den she knelt down by his side in soft
abandonment, and laid her hand on his
arm. Il am cruel" she repeated, abut
1t Is because l am hurt myself, and !"
her voice faltering, "you know II. Won