The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1886-08-20


l was vaguely conscious of the fact that
when I had mentioned Daisy's name it was
not only the rough-looking man with the
hard and resolute face who had favored me
with a searching stare. From behind the
| glittering pince-nez of Fosdyke a pair of
keen eyes had at that moment been fixed
upon me, and Icursed the ridiculous inability
| to preserve an unmoved countenance, from
which was conscious that l suffered when
ever Daisy was mentioned. Henceforward
felt should, at least. be closely watched
i'll all my intercourse with her.
But where was she9 Sharp, beyond the
| power of.words to describe it, was the pain
which gnawed at my heart as l thought of
| her even at this moment engaged in conf
| Dental talk with this unknown friend Was
| he old or young! Who was hea What was
hea 1 struck my heel savagely upon the
pavement of the hall as l asked myself these
questions.
And even as did so she appeared. I had
| only time to observe that her companion
was unusually tall, and that he seemed to
have passed the liraits OF middle age. In
| another instant my hand had taken hers,
and was feasting my eyes upon her dear
| face
But what was the change that saw there?
| It was as beautiful as ever; but shadow of
| some kind had passed over it since we parted
| on the previous day. / have spoken before
| of that veil of reserve which once or twice
when we were together on the promenade
| had spread itself over her features 1t was
| the same thing that l saw now, though it
was more pronounced and real This shadow
of trouble, or timidity or Doubt could not
| tell which-was at least no creation of my
own imagination.
Her smile was kind as it had ever been,
| but observed that her face was flushed and
it was with manifest embarrassment that
she turned to her companion and said, "This
| is Mr.. Fenton."
Had they been speaking of me beforel
| This was my first thought when L heard her
words. The next moment l was conscious
of a courteous and even friendly greeting
from her companion. l looked up; for al
though myself am tall, this man lowered
far above me. i looked into what l felt at
once was one OF the most powerful faces
had ever seen-a face that still retained
traces Of manly beauty, though its owner
was evidently verging upon threescore The
wide, open forehead appeared to indicate
benevolence of character, as we'll as intel
,ectual superiority; the eyes were grave, but
frank Every feature of the face was pre-
possessing except the mouth. thought the
straight, thin lips were out Of harmony with
The general aspect Of the man.
"Miss Stancliffe has told me OF her &C.
quaintance with you," he said with genial
smile, which showed his beautiful white
teeth to advantage, "and, like the rest of her
friends, feel grateful to you for the service
you rendered her."
He put his hand Familiarity on her arm.
"My DEAR" he said, Eve shall none of us fail
to do justice to Mr.. Fenton"
thought there was trace of fear in the
look which Daisy turned upon him as he ut
tered these words.
"You came by the schooner l SEQ in the bay
this morning" / said, chiefly for the sake of
saying something and thus prolonging the
interview.
ayes, sir, we did," he replied. @You have
seen the Golden Hawke A fine boat, and one
of which think this young lady will feel
very proud as its mistress"
lie looked down upon her with protect
ing smile / saw that she pressed closer to him
rs he spoke, as though responding to some I'M
uttered sentiment of affection. And yet as
she did so her eyes sought mine. / could not
interpret their expression; but was clearly
conscious of the fact that trouble was in
store for us.
/ could hardly believe, however, that the
trouble was likely to come from this man,
with his powerful and commanding counten-
ance, his polished manner, and his genial
air.
"By the way" he said, ~ think this little
girl has forgotten TO perform tho whole of
her duty, She has not told you my NAME
1 am DIR. Branksome." l bowed, and he
smiled anew. alas Miss Stancliffe not told
you all about my connection with herl" he
continued. IL see she has not done So
Well, suppose young lady who finds her
self in Scarborough for the first time in
her life has something better TO do than to
tell tales about the old fogies whom she has
known at the other side of the world. Eth,
my dear, Is that not itT
She might have been his daughter to
judge by the easy familiarity with which he
pinched her car as he spoke. Daisy still had
the troubled smile upon her face she had
worn when she last looked ut me. She did
not speak. II almost seemed rs though she
could not have spoken II she would.