The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1886-03-12

as the first she received from hlm at
Branksmere, have been at least undevi-
ating in their cOnStancy.
Mrs. Rivers however, has been seri-
ously uneasy. The hint dropped by the
Major about Duke Craven's not being
all one could desire in the way of steadi-
ness has fingered in her mind ever
since, and tOrmented her by day and by
night. This doubt, too. has been con-
fined perfOrce to her own breast. as the
Major returned to town the day after
he had sOwn the seeds of diStruSt in her
breast. and to Cecil or ROnnie she would
not talk on such a subject.
Craven's evident admiration for Cecil
is apparent to all eyeS-SO apparent
that Mrs. Rivers longs daily for the
hour that will see him present himself
as her open Suitor. But that day has
not yet come, and misgiYings Oppress
her in spite of her determination to
have patience and let things take their
proper course.
BY nature a nervous woman, she is
now dOubly so, on account of her de-
pendence upon her uncle, Sir Gregory.
She would gladly see her girls married
comfortably and beyond the power of
any whim of his to hurt them. She is
anxious, too, about Cecil. The girl, she
can see, has given her whole heart to
this acquaintance of only six weeks.
She is blindly, utterly happy when with
plainly trusts him entirely.
just now Craven is with her in the
dTawing-rOOm, and both are standing
in the big bay-WindOw counting the
pretty snowdropS that are coming up
one by one. Duke Is not talking. He
is indeed, almost deaf to what Cecil is
saying, so Tapt Is he IN contemplation
of her own fair self.
She is dressed in a gown of dark
brown velvet, trimmed with cOffee-cOl-
ored lace at the throat and wrists, and
is looking more than usually lovely.
Presently she becomes aware that he Is
not listening to her, and turning to him,
tells him so, with pretty show OF petu-
lance.
Il confess my crime" he says, quick
ly, his voice full of eager passion. How
could | think of anything but you when
you are opposite to me? Your voice
indeed, is sweet; but you are even
sweeter. No, heard nothing. l could
only see"
See what?" she asks, with an attempt
at gayety, though she has grown little
pale because of his manner, which is
strangely unlike his usual calm self.
HOu. my 'daintv-Tiel'-m darling!"
he whispers quickly. The words come
from him almost inYOluntarIlv: almost
uncOnsciously too he takes her hand
and holds it closely. CiSSy cOiOrs faint
/
was before.
why do you call me that?" she saws.
why: You have no right tO-nO-"
He interrupts her by gesture. and
draws her even nearer to HIM.
"Give me the right" he says eagerly.
You knOw-yOu must know by this
time-that there is nothing in the world
l love SO well as"
Major Jeryis," announces a servant
at this supreme moment, throwing wide
the drawing-rOom door.
With a SmOthered exclamation Cray-
en- lets Cecil's hand drop, and, turning
aside, steps through the open window
on to the small veranda outside, which
by stone steps leads tOthe ground De-
scendiug these, he goes quickly out of
sight, but not before the Major has had
time to catch glimpse of his depart
ing cOat-tailS.
Hum! hahl" says the Major. He has
hardly had time to return Cecn's some
what cold greeting when Mrs. Rivers
and ROnnie enter the room. There are
signs of very distinct irritation about
the Major. He blows his nose some
what effusiYely. and refuses to let his
eyes meet those of any one else present.
Il think I saw Craven going out of that
window Just as came IN" he says, star
ing at Cecil.
Yes" she returns, slowly; her mind
is still full of Duke, and she is wonder
ing what it was exactly that he was go
ing to say when interrupted by this
troublesome Major.
"He didn't expect me down to-day"
the Major goes on. Thinks me safe
at home at this moment. no doubt"
Again he LOOKS at Cissy. as if expect
ing her to answer. He is in truth curl
Gus to know if Duke saw him coming
or heard him announced by the servant,
and, if so, whether he ran away to avoid
the bore of having TO speak to him.
He will be all the more delighted to
see you at the Court, of course" says
ROnnie, ironically. Surprises of that
sort are so pleasant"
Quite so" and the Major directs a
whitening glance at her. Fact is, L
hardly knew l was coming down my
self until this morning. But business
must be attended to, you know. Busi-
I've come indeed to carry Craven back
to town with me. bring a letter from
his cousin, Lady Maud Esterdale, de-
manding his immediate attendance"
"Who is this Cousin Lady Maud2"
asks Cecil, quickly.
"Oh, don t you knOw?" inquiries the
Major. Its not quite settled, l be-
lieve; but"
What is not quite settled?" demands
deathly pale.
His marriage" SAYS the Major, quiet
ly. 1t is true that he shifts a little un-
easily in his seat as ne says this, and re-
fuses to lift his eyes from the carpet;
but nevertheless he says it.
A dead silence ensueS-a silence short
in reality, but of intolerable length tC
some in the room. Then Cecil laughs
quite a natural little laugh, too; sc
natural, indeed, that both her mother
and Ronnie turn inyoluntarIly to IooH
at her.
He is rather a scamp in some ways,
continues the Major, in genial way
"Now if you asked him about this mar
! riage. it is as likely as not he would
/ deny all knowledge of it, and declare hI
/ was never further from matrimony il
/ his life. But don't YOU be taken III BY
him. He is a diSgTaCeful fellow IN th'
/ way of fiIrtatiOnS; makes love all round
/ you know, to every woman he meets
! and makes some of 'em believe him
/ too. But he's not bad young fellow
I at heart. No. nO-far from That Bu
/ this marriage now viii be good thin.
| for both of them; She with title, h
/ with money"
"a charming arrangement indeed!
! SAYS Cecil, without 50 much as quiye
of her eyelids.
well, it is rather premature yet t.
speak about it" pursues the Major
Craven mightn't like it, you know; 81
don't mention my name IN the matte
as having been the one to tell of il
You see, he is such a great friend her
that dare say he viii wish to be him
self the first to tell you of it.
"Of course he would like TO tell u
! himself" returns Cecil, smiling calmly
! AS you say, he is great friend of our:
and he knows we Will be glad to heard
anything likely to add TO his happiness.
The Major watches her closely as sh
makes this set little speech, and she a
closely returns his fixed gaze. TheI
with somewhat troubled and battle
expression on his face, he rises and bid
them goodbye for the present. Whe
! the lnnr has Shnt hphind hum Rnnni