Fort Worth daily gazette. (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1888-02-05
THow FIRST PUBLISHED
THE Right of Translation 1, Reserved.I

experience of her new and Independent
existence at the Dover House, with all
It's comparative luxurles and perfect
freedom from the sway of Uncle GrimshaW,
with his petty tyrannies, sneers and
crotchets.
She felt herself woman for the first
time. Her surroundings, duties, motives
8nd position partly bewildered
the girl; though she had
an uncomfortable sense that she
deserved them not, and should relinquish
them; but why, or for what? Had she
not, as Reggie often said, dearly won it
all?
And he and his brother were safe now,
under her own wing, and free from the
horrors of orphEnsge and dependence.
She had grown stronger, Drawer, more
courageous, since she had become 80
completely her own mistress and free
from all the strain and pressure put upon
ner.
Lonsdale WAS safe and az home, there
WAS no doubling that; yetdsys and weeks
that seemed likely to run into months,
had passed since she came to Plccadilly,
and he hsd made no sign to her of his
presence in England, and Mrs. Chilling
ton had carefully concealed the circum-
stsnce of his visit, and the false impress
sions she had given him on that occasion.
Ignorant of al this, Melanie felt deeply
wounded by the apparent cessation of his
tender interest in her on the one hand,
while Lord D'Oyley's continuous sympa-
thy Snd endeavors to please, on the other
though frequently boredom-seemed
always to occur at natural times; thus her
instincts did not take alarm at them; be-
sides, he was so passe, though acting the
young old man.
She suspected-could not help know
ing-the ill-disguised intentions of her
aunt; but WAS she to permit this schem-
ing and ambitious old matron to mix up
her name with that CT s man VINO WAS
totally Indifferent to her, and whom she
would soon learn to dislike?
Was her heart to be 6gain tri1sd with
again trempled on. And vista of future
regrets and bitter memories opened up to
her.
But why did Montague treat her so2
There was time when she could not
imagine life passing without him; but
now it seemed as II the coming years
might have eventualities for her, in which
ne would Gear no part.
Hilda had impressed upon her the fact,
that he had been for long, long space
st his club, close by! Whenever came
this strange and Intangible barrier Of
doubt, or growing indifference between
them? 1t seemed like an evil dream, and
sorrow became blinded with her genuine
emotion of pique, while in Lonsdale's
mind were fOrmless and pUrposeless
thoughts of travelling beyond the seas
again.
And now on the very forenoon after the
Botanic Fete there ensued between the
aunt and niece brief conversation that
seemed, to the latter, as ssvoring Of the
old past st Rose Cottage.
''You do not look happy, MeIanie?"
began Mrs. Chillington.
"Ps-haps-but l am resolved to be
happy, if may; I had enough of being
otherwise under Uncle GrimshSw's
regime" replied Melanie with more
spirit or Rsperity than she was wont to
display.
"WhSt is 1t that brings this cloud over
you? LonsdSle again, suppose. Hilda
told me that he saw you twice at the fete,
but contented himself by doing so. Can
you, my niece, be mean enough to -"
"Aunt, please to leave Captain Ions
dale's name out Of this discussion"
"That's well. I shall gladly do SO, my
dear; ali the more thankfully that you
have so happily sttracted-I may say in
fatuated-Lord D'0yley."
az am very sorry to hear it," replied
Melanie, keeping her profile to the
speaker.
"Sorry-whyP You ought rather to be
glad, when your old lame fails you, IS he
has so Sbominably done, darling" said
Mrs. Chillington; and 1t was strange,
with her silVery hair, silvery voice and
sweet smile, how cruel and false this old
woman could be.
"I have hsd enough of these new
schemes of yours, Aunt Chillington, and
shall quit London by the night train for
Oxford tomorrow"
"But you must not-cannot!"
unjust not and cannot-why?"
nYou are almost pledged to be Lord
D'Oyley's wife, so fsr as publicity goes;
and know he is on the point Of pro-
possl."
"This is worse and worse; absurd, out
rageous!" exclaimed Melanie, with q
scorniul laugh, that was new indeed to
her sweet lips. "I have been trepsnned
once; but never sgain-never sgsin!"
She Started from her seat Gs she spoke,
sud twisted her lSce handkerchief as she
would have twisted cord.
1--WE shall see what we shall see, dar-
ling" laughed the old lady, ard in spite
Of Melanie's pale anger and intense re-
pugnsnce, she twined her arms around
the girls neck, and tepderly-or ap-
parently so-kissed her on both eyes. al
have but to request you, Melanie, to con-
slider well before you renew your mar
risge bonds" added the old hypocrite;
'And only wed-ss know you will do
one who is worthy of you"
It was st this crisis that Mrs. Chilling
ton received letter from the Viscount,
aaking her good influence aud permission
to address her niece, who, though a
widow, he deemed yet but s mere girl.
BE urged his deep regard for the
latter, and the settlement he
could make upon her, beyond
all the late Sir Brisco had done.
She was girl, he added, who, he felt,
was well calculated to shine in the best
society; who would render his home and
his table brilliant and attractive; who
would soothe his declining years, he was
rashly on the point Of sdding-not that
they had begun to decline yet-no, d
me! that was 8 long way of, still, he
thought; but he cast himself upon the
smiabnity and goodness Of Mrs. Chilling
nm ard crsvad her hest wishes in the