The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1886-03-12
CHAPTER VII.

a miserable week, fraught with bit
ter grief for Cecil and even bitterer dis
appointment, goes slowly by. Ne one
has said word to her about her faith
less lover. no one has even ventured to
mention his name in her presence: but
just now, when she and ROnnie are
standing alone in the pretty morning
room. ROnnle goes up to her and places
her arm around her neck. The girl is
Impelled to DO this because of the for
lorn expression upon Cecil's face. and
her disconsOlate attitude. She is lean
ing against the shutter of the window,
and great tears are shining in her
mOurnful eyes.
As Cecil does not repulse her. Ronnie
is embOldened so far as to lay her soft
cheek against her sisters; and. being
still further encouraged, as no rebuff
has followed on this overture, she whis-
perS. tenderly-
DO not be so sad. darling. twill be
better by and bye. Time cures all
things"
Has it cured you?" asks Cecil, with
a little catch in her breath.
Nearly, / think" replies ROnnie.
with heavy sigh that bellies her words.
"Do YOU mean to tell me"-glancing
reprOachfully at ROnnie-"that you
have ceased to long and hope and pray,
for Sydney's return?"
Il think SOL hope so" answers Ron
in her voice and eyes.
at is not tTne," says Cecil, regarding
her hXedly. ~ Ou love him still in spite
of everything"
why should l love him?" demands
ROnnie, with much agitation. why
should l let one thought of him find
harbOr in my breast? He has forgotten
me-has rubbed me out of his life with
out even a passing pang. | hope" she
cries earnestly, 4 shall never see sgd
ney Walcott again"
"Sir Sydney WalcOtt," announces a
servant, almost as she ceases speaking,
and then both girls become aware that
the door is open. and that the young
man upon the threshold has IN all prOba-
bility heard every word of ROnnle'S
passionate little speech.
Cecil, advancing to cover her sister S
confusion, greets him kindly. Ronnle,
who has turned first pale and then red,
and finally pale again to the very lips,
comes toward him now. and gives him
her hand in silence; then, SummOnlng
all the courage she possesses to her aid,
tells him in conventional tone that II
is really quite a pleasure to see him
again.
This remark is so palpably insincere
that the young man she addresses for
gets to make any Immediate reply, and
only stares at her IN reproachtul fash
ion.
He is of middle height, with a quiet,
kindly expression, and manner pleas
ant, if a little languid. When they
have all seated themselves, he makes
no attempt at promoting conversation,
I and even while answering the questions
put to him appears very far away from
/ them all in spirit. 1t Is quite evident
1 to Cecil that his thoughts are elsewhere,
and that he is in the very lowest OF low
spirits.
I Presently she rises. with the express
/ ed intention of seeking her mother, and,
I in spite of a beseeChing glance from
/ Ronnie. deliberately quits the room.
Almost as the door closes behind her,
/ Sir Sydney, rising from his seat goes
over to the hearth-Tug, and standing
Z opposite to Ronnie, leans his arm upon
I the mantel-piece and gazes down upon
, her.
Il hope Cecil will not return for some
! time" liz SAYS. slowly, because have
a great deal to tell you. What was II
you were saying just as l came I'M
That l had forgotten you-rubbed you
out of my life-eh?'
aWeH. was it not true?" asks ROnnit
nervously, twining her fingers idly TO
There could hardly be anything less
/ true: but let that pass. You SAID ais
If [ reInem Der rightly-that youhopeC
you would never see me again. Wa:
that also trueY
~If YOU won't believe me in one in
stance, 1 suppose you won in anoth
er." saws Romnie. evasively. And ye
/ | think-lt ought TO be true
We'll, it isn't" returns Sir Sydney
/ q don't believe a word OF 1t. l Won l
50 you need not say it again" Then
Suddenly-~IVe We been abroad, you know
/ My uncle is dead"
Il am very sorry" begins ROInie.
Don't be- I'm not" answers Wal
colt, calmly. "IIe was as disagreeabl
an old beggar as any one could pOssibf
meet However, | forgive him. II
died-and left me all his money.
Il congratulate YOU" says Ronme
icily.
ut is a case for cOngratulation, Gel
taiHly." he replies. cooily. And ye
something is lacking to me that damn
all my prosperity. That umo las
spring, when we were in town tosethel
/ / WIS miSerably poor. y 0bOdy kue'
it. | think-at least. hope I Ididn't loo
poor. But there were any amount c
debts that should have been paid OF
incurred by my--Weii. never mind tha
paid theIn-they were debts of homo
but the paving crippled me 50 niue
that | was afraid To ask you to mari
me in those DAYS. Now l am not
have got the title, You see, and q
estates. and-and that.
"The titIei" repeats Ronnie, IN a 10
] tone
YES Ny uncle was Earl of ERIN
ton. and there WASH { any son to inherl
That was my luck. you know"
Il suppose 1 ought TO tell you aga
how glad am of your
SAY nothing of the kind; say on
YOU are glad to see me. ROhnie" wi
an utter change of tone--my deare
love, tell me YOU viii marry me as sOt
as vcu can