River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1886-12-02

i
man. He had come to the house,
could have sworn, disguised. l had
/ grave and dangerous suspicious of the
reasons. Yet l could not arrogate to
myself right to interfere in his love-
affairs, Still less in Mary Fortescue's.
Putting it in that light had bracing
effect on my resolve. was determin-
ed at least to watch the opportunity to
do what could for her interests.
There was very evidently some sort
of understanding between Miss Beau
foy and Plowitz, and about Mary For
tescuc and no understanding about
about her, in which Miss Beaufoy had
part, could, l felt sure, be for her
good.
Plowitz preserved his calm and pleas
ant demealor under all tine pretty OBJ
vious checks to which he was subject
ed. To be sure he did not know that /
was cOgniZant of them and the sympa-
thieS of Miss Beaufoy we're so obvious
/ IL with him that she seemed more OF
an aeeomplice than friend. But af-
ter little while detected something OF
pique and anxiety at times in his man
ner, and Mr.. Beaufoy also showed
As | sat one morning in the garden
chair. Plowitz. Mr.. Beaufoy. and his
daughter were walking on tho lawn in
earnest colloquy. Presently Plowitz
left them, and the father and daughter
continued their conversation. They
walked toward the house talking ear
nestly, and passed close by nae without
taking the slightest notice of my pres
ence.
You must talk to her." said Mr..
Beaufoy in his curtest tones. ''She
must consent. 1t is our only chance F"
.'She is very obstinate on some
points" replied the Basilisk, 'but
think | can manage her.
You must manage her. said Beau.
foy. You know everything depends
on it,
Il will talk to her," said Giulia.
This seemed to me to threaten Q
/ Good deali and they went into the
nouse.
Mary Fortescue did not appear al
luncheon that day. She had u head
ache, Miss Besufoy said.
Plowitz looked Significantly at her
She answered his look by saying with
emphasis:
''She will he well soon. 1t won't
last"
Her absence seemed to remove q
wholesome restraint from the visitor,
and be appeared to much less adyan-
tage than had ever seen him before.
.Will YOU walk with us this after
noon, Mr.. Coplestone?" asked Miss
Beaufoy towards the end of lunch.
with very great pleasure. said.
but" interposed Plowitz. "Miss
FoTtescue viii not be well enough.
"Oh YES, she will. 4 walk will dc
her head good.
In about an hours time we were in
the drawing room ready to start.
All" SAID Plowitz anxiously, miss
Fortescue viii not come" But as
he spoke she entered the room.
She looked rather pale. and
thought / saw some traces OF
tears, but she seemed cheerful; but as
Miss Beaufoy kept me chiefly by heI
side, was obliged to watch her cousin
from a distance. Miss Beaufoy evi-
IDENTIFY separated US from the others on
purpose. and l could not alter the ar
rangemont, even if l had desired to.
But Mary Fortescue appeared 10 be
perfectly happy, and when we got
home again Plowitz looked ike new
man, triumph was in his face, as we al
slrolled together up TO the door, and
his look was reflected in a colder and
more cynical form by Miss Beaufoy a:
she met his eye.
If nothing else resulted from thiI
walk. it at least showed me the state
of my own feelings. Strange and dis
NAL was the revelation at such a time
that nv interest in Mary Fortescut
was far deeper, far tenderer, than
had allowed myself to imagine. Bni
tho contradiction of my views, the
sight of her happiness, and. most o.
al, the triumph in a rivals face
showed me that had only been calm
while / sa no chance of another be
coming to her what / had not venturec
to put into clear thought for myself.
In the pleasant before-dinner hour
we were gathered in the twilight in the
drawing-room. Mary greeted me anc
called me to her side as | came il
with what sounded to me almost like
an appeal for help. and | saw, though
she did not know it. look which wa:
more the look of hunted animal, thar
of a woman who was happy in hel
love.
We talked quietly and happily as We
had often talked before. Plowitz came
up and tried to join US. | was pre-
pared to yield my place, but something
in Mary's face and manner kept me BY
her side. and presently Plowitz left us
with certain haughtiness, which was
N ant for Mary, evidently; but We
talked on pleasantly.
As was going up to dress, Miss
Beaufoy passed me at the door, and w
stood in the hall minute.
don't you know, Mr.. Coplestone,
she said, ''what people who are in love
think of those who prevent them talk
ING together?'
"What do YOU mean?'' / asked.
'sYou put yourself in that position
Just now, and kept it with obstinacI
which does credit TO your tact. | only
tell YOU as friend" And she swept
upstairs, laughing.
This was a blow to my vanity.
turned back on the impulse of the
moment, and saw Mary FortescuC
kneeling in front of the fire. She was
alone.
MISS f0Ttescutg CEleu.
YES" she said very sweetly.
Forgive me asking you. | fear
was very dense just now, when / hea'
you were anxious to continue your tall
with Herr Plowitz."
Her eyes opened widely.
What do you mean9" she asked il
tone of something like horror.
miss Beaufoy just told me Sc. :
She looked still more Mortified.
Forgive me if stretch the privilege
of friend. Is it true that you do no
like Professor Plowitz?'
On one point, at least, my doubt;
were set at rest for ever. There wa
no sort of anger at q question had ne
earthly right to ask, but with a thrill
of intense meaning in her voice, anC
looking with flashing eyes full into M
face, she answered simply:
81 hate him.
TO Re CONTINUED.