The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1886-06-18
SUSPECTED.
CONTINUED FROM THIRD PAGE.

hand-to-hand struggle in the old couege
quadrangle-ay, and long before it. But he
does not know that his bitterest hate dates
from that night when he had sung the ''Stir-
rup Cup, and had met q glance of Lady Gla-
dys' blue eyes as he sang. How long ago it
seems How long the days are here ut
Kingscourt, yet how terribly short He re-
members that evening well, though he does
notknow what price he has had to pay for it
what price he must yet pay. Even if he
had known, it is improbable that he would
have done other than he did.
Miss Middleton goes into the garden this
morning after breakfast, passing through the
glass door at the end of the corridor behind
the hall EVE accompanies her ; SO also
does Mr.. Blount. This gentleman leaves
Kngscourt after luncheon. He has there
fore about three hours longer to follow Miss
Middleton like her shadow, aud he wastes
none of the precious minutes. He wishes
that young monkey, the Honorable Everard
Palliser, would remain in his proper place
to-wit, the nursery but, as EVE thinks diff
ferently, Mr.. Blount is fain to put up with
his company and make the best of it.
Miss Middleton looks very charming
in primrose cambria with primrose rib
bon tying her dark hair. She knows that
she looks charming, and that the forid-faced
young Lieutenant of Dragons beside
her knows it too. She is accustomed to look
charming, and to be looked upon as charm
ing In fact, Bah Middleton has been
thoroughly spoilt Every one knows this
and yet nobody tries to turn over a new leaf
with her-nobody but Hereward perhaps
And even he likes her, and has often told
her how pretty she is. Poor Blount pacing
beside her down the garden alleys finds her
as capable of being impressed by any senti-
mental speeches he can make, or of retaining
the impression, as the water in the fsh-pond.
The knowledge of this fact makes linn sigh
Blount does not do this kind of thing we'll
s'What is the matter? What an ominous
sigh |! do think everybody in this house
has gone melancholy !" Miss Middleton
all the same, every one of you! There ls
Gladys looking like ghost; there is Mr..
Hereward, as silent and morose as Hamlet
furnace. Are you all in conspiracy to
drive me away from Kingscourt through
sheer lowness of spirits ?"
81 don't want to drive you away. Unfor-
tunately, am going away myself Blount
answers dolorously. 81 think nothing would
make you sorry you needn't be afraid.
'Do you think so, really? I'm sure am
sorry you are going away"
'Are your" he asks, with a flash of hope.
"Of course I am." But there is laugh
in her black eyes as they meet his which de-
MES her words. He turns away, disappoint-
ed, and does not see the sudden flush of
tears that browns the laugh. Neither would
she have let him see it.
'Bab, I asked you-Evie, run away, that's
good boy the bees will sting you'll asked
you to marry me, the last time I was here.
I have not given up because you refused me
then. I mean to ask you every time see
you. l do not expect you will ever take
me but can't help that"
'You would rather 1 did not, seeing that
it would put stop to your little plan of
amusement" Miss Middleton inquiries de-
murely.
800 not laugh at me. I can't bear that,
though indeed 1 ought to be pretty we'll
used to it now. Bah, will you marry me?"
elbow often do you think you will ask me
again ?"
"Bab, you have not answered me. Do be
serious for q moment and not so like child.
Will you marry me!"
'EBut you won't tell how many more
chances I have, if I refuse! want to know
that"
'.No, won't tell you. But I am asking
you to marry me now, and You must answer
me. Will you marry me, Bab?"
''You have asked me three times in the
course of five seconds. Do you intend to so
on at this rate, MIR, Blount?"
''Bab, 1 feel very much inclined to box
your ears"
"And you have never made speech I
like so much"
"Bab Middleton, will you marry me? ?"
81 think | will. "
They have stopped in the beech alley.
Evie has not come back-nobody is looking.
Blount takes his revenge on those lips then
and there; the laughing eyes hide themselves
ON his stout shoulder the invincible Bah
Middleton has surrendered Internationally
to Lieutenant Richard Pailiser Blount.
But another pair of lovers at Kingsconrt
have not Jared so well. They have come to
quite different conclusion.
Mr. Cartwright rides over to Kin9scourt ut
twelve O'Clock, his usual hour. He finds his
lady-love in her bower Lady Gladys is idly
playing with her little Russian dog in the
window her easel, with the unfinished
sketch still upon it, stands aside in q corner
She raises her head at Mr.. Cartwright's en-
trance, and he is shocked by the change in
her face.
"Lady Gladys, am sorry to see you
looking so poorly. That horse is too much
for you. You looked as white rs a sheet the
other day when I met you in the rides. He
is not the horse for you at all. Now have
one that would just suit you, if you'll do me
the favor to ride nina fine creature. l
paid cool hundred for him last week, just
becauSe 7 thOuGht he'd Suit VOu."