Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1886-09-07
CONTINUED from yesterddy.J
ENGAGED In HASTE.
81 MISS n. z. BRADDoN.

Il was very fond of him, colonel, or I
should never have given that promise"
AOf course not. But you have had q
year and half for sober reflections
long time in such a young life as yours.
And reflection has told you that you were
very foolish to give such q promise, and
you would be very glad to be released
from it,"
4For my fathers sake" faltered Grace.
Eyes, should be glad to be free from that
foolish engagement; for Pm afraid it
would grieve my dear father. And he is
so good to me-so indulgent-every new
kindness Of his seems like knife plunged
into my heart"
swell, my dear girl, you have two duties
before you, painful, perhaps, both OF
them. First. to tell Sir Allan everything,
just as frankly as you have told me.
Secondly, to write to Monsieur Camillac,
requesting him to release you from your
promise
"Oh, no, no, colonel, don't ask me. I
could not tell my father, and could not
ask Victor to release me: not now, while
he is poor and i'll and unhappy. II he
were to become rich, admired, famous, l
would not mind asking him to set me
Free
THAT Is just like my generous; romantic
Oracle" said the colonel smiling you
would be true to a pauper and failure;
but you would ask for your freedom from
successful painter. Well, my child, you
have trusted me, and must prove myself
worthy Of your confidence. Take time to
think of what | said just now. feel sure
that you will not be happy till you have
made full confession to your father, who
would not scold you whit more severely
than have done"
"But he would be so shocked, 80
grieved," exclaimed Grace ~ could not
endure to see the grieved look in his face,
his surprise in finding that l had kept
secret from him. He always praises me
for my candor, and TO find out all at once
that am whited sepulcheH, No, could
not bear it.n
Better to pluck up your courage,
Grace, and take the bull by the horns. A
secret like yours can not be kept forever.
This Monsieus Camillac is poor, an artist,
and Bohemian; and he knows that you
are rich and will have an independent
fortune under your mothers settlement
when you come Of age. l suppose you
told him that"
Il told him all about myself and my
people"
"Well, my dear child can you suppose
that young man in his circumstances
will be patient forever, will hold his peace
forever, when he has a chance of marrying
an heiress? Be sure that, however quiet
he may be now, he will push his claim
vigorously when you come Of age. And
that will be"
Next year." sighed Grace.
Then, my love, the sooner you face your
difficulties boldly, the better it will be for
your chances of happiness. Tell your
father everything while am on the prem
ises, and if my Grace wants any hacker
with the most indulgent of fathers, she
knows she has a sturdy champion in her
faithful old colonel
"Dear godfather how good you are to
meW murmured Grace, lifting up the SOL
dier's sunburnt hand and kissing it.
"And now think those ponies of yours
must have had their mouths washed out
and be ready for action" said the colonel,
who did not wish to press the sinner too
hard just at first, trusting to Grace's own
reflections to bring about the desired re-
suit
They walked back to the carriage in 81
lence, Grace very downcast; but the colonel
talked of Indifferent matters in his pleas
ATTEST manner all the way home and
contrived to put his goddaughter into
good spirits again before they reached
Darnel park
Sir Allan rarely appeared at luncheon.
and to-day Lady Darnel and he were both
out. But Miss Darnel was always at her
post. She was not locomotive; indeed she
had a cat-like fondness for the house,
rarely extending her peregrinations
beyond a catlike pacing to and fro of the
terrace in front of the drawing-room Win
dows, or a DECENTRALIZATION of the dewy
lawns or strawberries.
"Has father driven to Scadleigh?" asked
Grace, as she sat down to luncheon, look
ing very pretty in the dark-gray cloth
sailor gown, with terra-c velvet
waist-coat. just a touch of vivid-color to
set off her milk-white skin, and harmonic
with her ruddy gold hair.
ale has gone to London"
"To London2"
ayes. He and Lady Darnel started di-
rectly you were gone. They drove off in
tremendous hurry to catch the express at
Scadleigh.'
But father didn't say one word about it
at breakfast exclaimed Grace.
al believe it was quite sudden resolu-
II.
We are to dine at half-past s, colonel.
hope you won't mind"
mot L. said the colonel "Grace and
will sit in the freight and tell each other
fairy stories"
1t was still that pleasant autumn season
when evening fires are a luxury, and when
home grows every day more homely.
"My father has gone to town on business,
suppose" said Grace, sorely mystified by
this unprecedented rush to London,
which was so unlike her fathers usual
habits. But why drag Lady Darnel with
him?"
Il have not the faintest notion said
Dora ALLAN told me nothing beyond the
bare fact that he was going to take Lady
Darnel to town and that they would be
back to dinner, He begged me to convey
his apologies to you, Colonel Stukely.n
"There was no occasion for apologies
said the colonel
Both he and Grace knew Miss Darnel
well enough to be convinced that she
knew all about her brothers business in
London. Those sharp ears. those acute
perceptions of hers were rarely at fault
CHAPTER ".
aHERE's A PRETTY KETTLE OF FISH,
Sir Adams business in London did not
remain long a mystery to his trusted