Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1886-09-03


have that promise under her own hand
rs she is of age and her own mistress shall
claim the fullillment of that promise"
Does she know who you are?'
well not exactly. When you are in
Rome, do as the Romans do says the pro-
verb When | was in Paris | was "A French
man. One alias is rs good as another. In
Paris | was not Valentine Stuart, but
Victor de Camilac.'
"And you come to this house-an adj
venturer, an impostor, a swindler-to claim
the promise made by Il crcdulous girl, your
dupe and victim. You, my son, would do
this thing. This is the deepest disgrace
you have threatened me with yet"
at is for you to work ont the problem so
as to avoid disgrace. Give me 600 or .e400
and | will start for Cadiz tomorrow, to re-
turn year hence as respectable mer-
chant, and to claim my betrothed. She
will pardon my change of name and ma
tionality, if can stand before her as gen
tlcman and your son. She is so fond Of
you that the relationship will be an addi-
tional claim to her regard
"Do not think that | will ever sanction
any engagement between YOU and Grace.
Not if you could struggle out of the abyss
into which your degrading habits have
sunk you-nOt even if you could come here
in outward seeming gentleman. Never
would sanction the union of that good and
true-heaIted girl with your fathers son.
The cup of despair which drained to the
dregs shall never be offered to her while
have te power to prevent that infamy.
Sir n an knows what you were as a boy.
If the worst come to the worst, he shall
know what you are as a man
"Wouldn't it be wiser for your own sake
if you were to temporize-let me go to
spain, work out my own redemption. and
return worthy of Grace-and of You?
will do it mother if you will trust me-"
He laid his hand upon his mothers
shoulder, he looked at her pleadingly as
she stood with clasped hands, an image OF
despair. 1t was the first time that he had
touched her since they entered; he, the son
whom she had not seen for seven years
81 can not trust YOU she answered, not
in unkndness. but in despair 81 have
been often deceived. know your nature
too well. | will do what can for you but
it must be in my own way. Oh, Nalen-
tine, why do you follow in the fatal road
that your father trod to his doom? The
habits of the drunkard and the gambler
ruined him, and they'll ruin you if you do
not reform. Think of his dreadful end-a
murderer, lunatic. BE warned in time.
No, my poor son, it is not yet too late.
will help you. / will visit you, befriend
you in every way, if you will only show
a real purpose of amendment. And now,
for PHYS sake, leave this house, before Sir
Allan overhears anything. Are you lodg-
ing in the VILLAGE"
81 have been lodging under the hedges
and haystacks since yesterday evening.
When | landed in Newhaven yesterday
morning | had just enough to pay for a
third class ticket to Scadleigh. | have
been roaming about ever since with empty
pockets and an empty stomach, watching
for chance of an interview with you or
or Grace"
"Thank God. You did not see Grace -in
this dreadful plight. Poor creature-poor
unhappy boy" said Lady Darnel, glancing
ut the clock. Ten minutes to -; they
will hardly have gone to bed at the Coach
and Horses, for they seldom close until
after II. You had better go there and
get n room for the night. There is shell
tered lane at the back of the inn garden
narrow lane with tall hedges, ! will
meet you there at tomorrow morning,
and we can talk quietly, we can make
There is not moment TO be lost, II you
want to get shelter tonight
II don't want to sleep under hedge"
he said, sullenly, moving slowly toward
the window, reluctant, undecided"
At this moment the door leading into
the corridor was opened II little way, and a
sweet girlish voice said, "Mother, are you
still up
Lady Darnel rushed to the door, and met
Grace before she could enter the room.
"Yes, dear child she said, going ont
into the corridor, and shutting the door
behind her. "Oh, Grace, why are you not
in bed? II is close upon midnight, and you
We're mp at T."
a couldn't sleep a wink if went to bed,
Mayn't | come into your room for a few
minutes chatf'
"Not tonight. 1t is too Late
"HOw pale you are mother Are you
ILL"
NO, no, not i'll, only little tired.
have sat up too long, Now, Grace, | shall
take you back to your room, and you must
go to bed instantly
The girl was in her dressing gown, her
splendid brown hair hanging loose upon
her shoulders. Lady Darnel put her arm
round her and led her along the corridor.
Grace's and the visitors rooms We're at the
end of the house, just beyond those in
habited by Sir Allan and Lady Darnel.
These three had exclusive occupation of
this southern wing. The central portion
of the first floor was taken up by a picture
gallery and IA billiard room. Miss Darnel's
rooms We're in the northern wing.
what has made you SO wakeful,
Gracie>' asked Clare, when she had taken
the girl back to her room
Grace hesitated for few moments,
looking at the ground, and playing nerv-
ously with the lace frilling of her dressing
down.
She was longing to tell all her troubles
to her step-mother, yet dared not. Fear of
her fathers anger kept her dumb
"Oh, | don't know, she said, Perhaps
it was the exciting idea of our Italian
tour At any rate, couldn't sleep, and |
thought if you were up should like to
have talk. But you are too tired, and
you ought to go to bed, You are as white
as a ghost"
i