The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1888-10-17

guage to her that her husband did, and
went over to Christslea alone.
Lady Sunbury remained at home, hav-
ing done what prudence and dignity re-
quired of her. Yet she had an uneasy
consciousness that more real prudence, if
less dignity, might have been shown in
accompanying her brother.
She might have prevented or mitigated
some folly. Anxiety and apprehension
made her restless, and she wandered in a
desultOry manner, wholly unlike her usual
energy and decision, to and fro through
the great house which had been her birth
place, from whose future mistress, whose
ever she might be, she would exact such
superhuman and innumerable virtues.
She could not believe, seriously, that
Guilderoy would make himself so utterly
absurd as he had threatened, and yet in
tiIaete knowledge of his character had
told her that on occasion he could be
capable OF dangerous and incredible cOupS
dc tete; a weakness inherited from the
warm Gaseon blood of his mothers race.
Indolent, nonchalant, and easily swayed
as he was usually, he became at such
moments both strong-willed and deaf TO
all argument and persuasion.
"Any woman who has TO pass her life
with him will need the wisdom of the SER
pent and the gentleness OF the dove, she
thought mournfully, conscious that re-
markably few women ever possess either.
Lady Sunbury never perceived why 1t
was that she utterly failed herself to influ-
ence the men belonging to her; but she
had much perception into the character of
other women, and she saw clearly enough
the cause of their failures.
Meanwhile she passed the forenoon pac-
ing up and down the numerous galleries
and salons of Ladysrood.
In the middle of the morning she sent
for the land steward, and interrogated
him as TO the occupants of Christslea.
All that he told her only served to make
her more angry, because it made the
quixotic folly of Guilderoy assume more
possible shape. She heard that John Yer
non was of irreproachable character, If of
eccentric habits, and that the causes of
his poverty were OF the highest honor to
him.
"There is a child, Is there not-a
daughter ?" she asked.
"There is. / have seen her occasion
ally. She promises to be very handsome"
replied the steward, wondering whittier
these questions tended.
"But very odd, is she not?"
"Not more so than any young girl must
be who is educated by a reciuse, and de-
prived of all the natural amusements and
companionships of her own age and sex"
81 understand" said Lady Sunbury,
with shudder.
She could see the girl exactly as she
was-a wild creature without gloves, her
brain filed, very likely, with goddess
PHILOSOPHERS, and her hair never properly
brushed-handsome. no doubt, or Guide
ROY would never have looked at her or
thought twice about her, but unframed,
imprudent and irreligious.
Guilderoy meanwhile was riding
through the woods and across the moor
land to the modest residence of John Yer
non.
He was so possessed with one idea, one
desire, that the folly of his errand alto
gether failed to occur to him; the possi-
bilitv of its end being disappointment and
dismissal never passed through his mind.
All his life women had taught him and
told him that the offer of his hand would
be a favor which could only be etby the
most ardent gratitude. 1t was not vanity
which moved him, but the sense that he
had a great gift to give, and one which no
living woman would reject.
AS he rode his thoughts grew fervid,
/ ana MS lfnd1indJlOu DC Saw ONtl
before him the face of Gladys Vernon, and
a thousand excited emotions rose in him
as he rode through the brilliant wind
moved autumn air.
He was certainly about TO commit an
unspeakable absurdity in offering his
whole future to a child whom he had
seen but the day before. But the absurd
ity of his intentions did not strike him
he was too enamored of the poetry and
romance of them-and the opposition of
his sister had stimulated him to prompt
ness of action far from common to an in
| dolent and undecided temperament.
When he sent in his card at Christslea
he was at once ushered into the back
study, which John Vernon used; small
room made dusky by the ivy which
shrouded the window and with books ly-
ing five or six deep on the floor, while
crowded bookcases lined each OF the four
/ walls.
''This is very kind to come 30 soon
again to solitary" said Mr.. Vernon, with
/ his pleasant smile.
Guilderoy pressed his hand and an
swered without any preface whatever.
at is you who will, hope, be kind to
| me. My dear sir, come to beg from you