The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1888-08-15
hStra3eeMessa9e
Author of "FooTPRINTs IN THE SNow,"
THE BROKEN SEAL" "THE Wears
COVERINGS" "ANNABEL's RIVAL"
CHAPTER XXXVIII.
LADY BAB's SUGGESTION.
DORA RUSSELL,

When, therefore, she heard him hastily
descending the staircase after parting
with Nora, she opened the room door and
tbeckoned him to come to her.
But when she saw his face she half re-
pented that she had done this. There
was written on it such bitter, bitter pain,
such utter despair, that she drew a little
back; but Biddulph followed her into the
room and closed the door behind him.
81 wanted to have little talk with
YOU" began Lady Barbara. $50 you've
seen the poor girl upstairs, have your"
81 have seen her to say goodbye" ans
wered Biddulph, gloomily.
''Then you are going awayl That is
right; it is about this wished to see you.
When do you go?"
Tonight"
Lady Barbara nodded her head APPROX
Ingly twice.
Does she know?" she asked.
"Not that it is the parting that I mean
1t to be. Aunt Barbara, will you be kind
to her-when-when she knows that she
and must meet no more ?"
''Of course 1 shall be kind to her! It's
q bad business, james"
"Why speak of it" Unanswered darkly.
'To me it is worse than death-a living
death"
"And it is such an extraordinary thing"
said Lady Bah, beginning 70 walk up and
down the room in her energetic way. Il
suppose scarcely like 10 say this-but l
suppose you have no doubt in your own
mind, James, that the sister is living
whom you married twelve years ago2'
Biddulph lifted his eyes in surprise TO
his aunt's face.
81 have no doubt" he said.
''Still, that old doctor of yours said that
there was no visible difference between
them but the difference Of life and death.
And 10 women OF their stamp lies count
for nothing, you know"
Biddulph did not speak for moment (;
then he said slowly
Aunt Barbara, she said few words to
me that only she could know-there is
no doubt"
''That settles the matter. of course, then I;
and you are right to 90 away. The poor
girl upstairs has an idea that you could 60
on seeing each other-that you are to be
great friends; but all that is nonsense,
though do not tell her so. She is fine
character, and can't help being sorry for
you, James, though of course--"
please do not discuss my folly, : unit
Barbara; have paid very bitter price
for il. And-and let me think" he hest
tated a moment, that when | am far
away she will have a constant friend in
your"
Lady Bah did not speak for an instant
for she was a woman who made few pro-
fessions then she said, still with her eyes
Tin which there was some PITY fixed on
her nephew's face
IL shall do what 1 can, James, but time
will be her best friend"
Yes" and then ne put his cold hand
into his aunt's and left her, and Lady
Bah looked after him with an impatient
sigh.
''There's good in him." she thought,
''but he's made poor use of it, and of the
gifts that God gave him; and the worst of
IL is that the bitter fruits of his folly fall
on the poor girl. Well, had best 90 and
look after her, | suppose"
But when Lady Barbara assembled the
staircase and entered the drawing-room,
where she expected to find Nora, she was
not there. She had gone to her own room
and locked the door, and was kneeling by
the bed praying, with clasped hands, for
the man with whom she had Just parted
In the bitterest hour this still is left to us /;
though the black clouds gather, and the
storm breaks over our stricken heads, all
is not darkness if we but find strength TO
lift our eyes beyond the binding mists
that surround our mortal ken.
=And when Nora met Lady Barbara at
dinner her face was very calm. Lady
Barbara had been prepared for some signs
OF grief or emotion, but Nora showed
none. Lady Bah noticed her voice was
very low, but this was all {; and when they
returned together to the drawing room
Nora at once quietly proposed that they
should leave Scotland.
eli you do not mind, Lady Barbara"
she said, II think 1 should like to 60
South now"
''Mind, my dearl How. can you sup
pose that a woman OF my age can have
any pleasure in staying on in such a eli
mate as this in mid-winter2 Not that the
climate of London is not detestable in
winter also; but still, am more used TO
it. OF course we can 90 whenever you
please"
81 should like to 90 at once, then; and
I've been thinking | should like to ask
Minnie Fraser TO spend some months with
me, as soon as / settle in town."
dan excellent idea. She is pretty, that
little Minnie, and won't, therefore, be a
dead weight on your hands. And l sup
pose you'll want an old woman 10 look az
ter you, and take you out into society oc-
casionally?" added Lady Bah, somewhat
grimly.
ooh, dear, no" answered Nora, smiling.
"I feel quite old now, and shall make an
excellent chaperone for Minnie"
81 was going 10 say" continued Lady
Bah, 'that hope, for goodness sake, you
won't invite that Cousin Margaret of yours
also. Rather than you should do this, l
shall take you out, whenever propriety
requires IL, myself, though / own, as a
rule, | do not care TO be bothered by
girls"
''We shall be no bother to you, though
hope we shall often see you, Lady Bar
bara," said Nora, smiling still.
THAT is all right then When do you
propose to go?
81 thought OF the day after tomorrow;
and l shall write and ask my cousin Jock
Fraser to come over to see me and bring
Minnie. and ask Mrs. Jocks leave for her
TO stay with me in town"
"Why not ask her to 90 with you now?'
"She might require some little prepare
ton, you know" hesitated Nora.
''She could get dress and everything she
wants much cheaper in London than any
where else. propose, my dear, that we
take her with us. 1t will be brighter for
you TO have this young girl with you from
the first"
And after thinking moment or two,
Nora decided that this was very good adj