Springfield globe-republic. (Springfield, Ohio) 1884-1887, 1886-08-29
ENGAGED IN HASTE.
BY MIS- NJ. J.. EEADBuN.
CHAPTER ".


friend. When the ladies had left the
dining-room that evening the two old
comrades in arms drew their chairs TO the
hearth, and lighted their cigarettes, and
then came the hour of confidence
Il dare say you all wondered what took
US up to town in such hurry this morn
ing" said Allan.
Grace has an active imagination and
she exercised IL vigorously between lunch
con and O'Clock tea" answered the colo
mel. laughing, but my sluggish old brain
has not been much disturbed by the mys
terry People think nothing Of an eighty
mile journey to and fro by express II
would have osen different II you had had
to 20 in ihsk"
y took ClAre TO see Sir Clarkson An
drews"
Indeed
sYss, l hav. heen anxious about her for
along time: and IN spite Of our family
doctors assurance that there was no cause
for slsrm, determined 10 consult a first
rate physician. 80, this morning WAS par
ticularly fine, and had no work To do at
home, persuaded her to go TO Cavendish
square with me. / teleGraphed for an ap-
pointment from ScadleIgh, SO there was no
time lost. Sir ClarksOn was kindness it
self. had long talk with my wife, as
sured me that there WIS nothing organ
icslly wrong. only h tendency to languor
and low spirits which might develop into
something worse if we were not careful
He strongly recommended me 10 take
Lady Darnel to Italy for the winter |
am to move her from place to place, give
her plenty Of change of scene. in word,
10 do all in my power to amuse and inter
est her. Take her along the Riviera, let
ting her see every place that is worth see
ing, and then drop quietly down into
Italy for the winter You can take her
back t0 Durnel when the primroses are in
bloom said he, and pledge my honor
she will be a new creature
We'll. my dear Allan, this was rather
cheering than otherwise"
lit was comforting to know what was
wrong. Poor dear Clare, do not think
I; is the dullnesS OF Darnel park she has
felt half rs much as the want Of sOCia bill
ity upon the part Of my old country
friends. That has wounded her deeply"
Have they been more unsociahle than
county people usually Are'" asked the
colonel, with pardOnable hypocrisy.
He was very well aware of the fact both
from Miss Darnels innuendoes and his
own personal observation. The county
had given Sir Allan's second wife the
coldeSt reception compatible with civility.
They are not absolutely uncivil. they
would not dare 10 be that TO my WIFE,
said Allan: but they have not been cor
dial There has been no real friendliEess.
They take every occasion TO let my wife
feel that she Is not IN their particular set;
and she does feel it, more, | believe for my
. -, - -. - NJ 70
court auybOdy's friendship. The people
al made their duty calls when we came
home from our honeymoon: hut there was
a flavor Of duty about the thing which
WAS unpleasant Then came three or four
state dinners To hich my wife went. and
where she was mace to feel somehow ny
the feminine portion Of the party that she
was received on sufferance. We gave two
or three dinners that winter. at which
some Of my old friends We're present; but
there WAS suspicious numbe Of previous
engagements. and | knew poor Glare felt
humiliated al finding il such difficult
matter 10 make up party OF twenty.
Since then we nave fallen into the way OF
living almost entire alone. In fact" said
sr Han waxing a savage &c. as as wss his wont
this accursed hole
Grace will go with you. of course OBJ
served the colonel
Il had not been thinking Of taking her"
My dear Allan, she would eat her heart
out II You left her alone with Miss Oar
mel"
Those two do not get on together, Ger
tainly- And Grace adores my wife. Yet
ii seems "A pity to take her away just at
the beginning Of the fOX-hunting anc
after had bought her that new mare
Grace is so fond Of hunting; and young
Ted Colchester"
is 50 fond of Grace Is that what you
were going to say"
IL Is pretty near the truth, / think And
Colchester is thoroughly good fellow, the
only man in the neigh borhoOd who has
shown himself thoroughly stanch and cor
dial since my marriage He belongs To a
good old family, and he has a fine estate
should he proud Of such a son-in-law."
And you may have him for a son law,
II you play your cards properly. Take an
Did bachelors advice Allan don't
think Grace cares much for Edward Col
chester now He has been too attentive,
too devoted. is too obviously a good match.
The first idea of high spirited. romantic
yiri like Grace is generally TO throw her
'elf away on some pauper. II Colchester
we're pennileSs nobody, and could only
approach her by stealth, have no doubt
he would adore him. But as he is we'll
III. and you have broadly limited that you
you'd like her To marry him, the natural
esult Is that she despiSes him Take her
o Italy with you, keep her closely under
-ady DarnelS eye, and when she comes
'ack 20 Harnel the odds are that she will
Ike young Colchester ever so much better '
han when she went away She has seen c
ardly any other eligible young man Tor !
he last year and half and he has palIed
pom her IN consequence Distance will e
.ad eaChdntmeut to the view !
What an old fox you are, Weldon"
aid Sir Allan. smiling Yes, | believe ;
tu are right Grace shall go with US. II
ven If the new mare and old Blackie have
! eat their heads off while she is away.
crhaps Won will winter at Darnel and
cep the stud II good working order for !,
You are too good, my dear fellow re-
lied the colonel. Inwardly shudderinS st II
ie idea OF winter spent with Dora NO, u l,
shall stay in town. If fail in finding a !,
ace down here. and after nearly two
ontn> am as far from realizing my :,
eal huntingdon As was when | first
me" g
In the drawing room thai evening Sir
ilan WAS in unusually good spirits The "
ca of getting his wIf- away from Darnel u
n long time was a relief 70 him He %
II grateful 10 Sir Clarkson for having in ~
tied upon Italy He talked of nothing P'
II their journey
fTrace- you are 10 90 with us" he said. p,
our godfather there has promised and ct
wed for you. that you will be very
od, and give us no trouble, and that YOU
II help me take care of Clare. So Won Il
II have u settle your fine points, as old