Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1888-07-21
Robert ran to support her. but she waved him

leaning heavily on his arm, she slowly descended
For moment there was a CLEAN OF triumph in
the eyes OF Denise. She had routed the enemy, she
mad stin her children. But then came q revulsion
81 have kept you, my children, but It is only for
your misery's and she burst into tears while the
ittie ones, amazed at such turn Of affairs strove
Robert, who had followed his aunt to her car
aage, now returned, and Denise dried her eyes and
81 VIII not remain here to embroil you with your
who VIII help me 10 earn bread enough for these
uttle ones. Will return"
Robert said: mo-" He was now the head of
the family, and II was for him to say what should
him There were Wo snare Ieey yoo% and servans
VINO had nothing to do; It would really be charity
10 him II Denise would look after his affairs and
"Ah, II / can be useful" said Denise, "then
would stay for awhile. But your nancee. what
Will she say to the arrangement"
Robert laughed.
Il have not gone so tar yet; but the young lady
whom my aunt designs for me Is coming TO see you
herSelf-at the first opportunity"
Denise consented to stay for q week; at the end
OF the week she agreed to remain another fort
night; when the fortnight had elapsed a month
hence was spoken OF as the time or departure, q
date which gradually became still more vague and
distant
Robert, indeed, found his life so much more
bright and pleasant for the presence Of those
newly -found relatives, that he dreaded the pros
pect OF losing them. Hitherto his life apart from
uunureu chance OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES, naO been, IN
reality, solitary and self-contained. And now, I'M
expectedy coming down from the skies, as 1t were,
behold family ties, hearts which were his own by
the very fact OF kindred, tender, human SYM
pathy which belonged to him Of right, without
any effort OF his own to secure II. He began even
10 feel jealous OF attempts TO alter the existing
state OF affairs, and especially OF those OF his
friends who suggested themselves as admirers Of
Denise.
And Mr.. Nesbet, Claras father, had almost come
to pose In this character!
The two girls, Clara and Denise. had come to be
enthusiastic friends. Clara would hardly let day
pass without seeing Denise and her children.
Young LeviSon, too, was generally In close attend
ance upon Clara, a Joval, good natured little
fellow, who was always devising schemes of
amusement, and whom the little ones positively
adOred
But Mr.. Nesbet was growing quite sentimental
and melancholy. Certainly Denise always
cordial and sympathetic with him; she admired
his strong potential figure, which suggested
patrlarchal Kind OF authority. But when she be-
came conscious that his feelings in her regard
were not altogether paternal, she recoiled little
from his attentions. Already she had married
once to order, and one for when she had enter
talned no warmer feelings than a doubtful kind OF
respect. Wa, 1t TO be her fate never to know the
emotions OF real passion? But the advantages
were undeniable. NesDet was rich; her children
would be well provided for; as to that she could
make her conditions
day. She was spending the afternoon in Blooms
bury, and dinner party was in prospect, where
Nesoet and several Others were expected. SIT is
such a pity That you should be his StepmOther.
You would have suited Robert so admirably as his
wife. When see you together always think you
the most charming couple"
ma chere! cried Denise, bushlng to the roots
OF her hair "How can you suggest such terrible
things?"
1T is only our narrow way Of seeing them. There
are some races, the MongOls, i fancy, where the
sons, when the father dies, take over his wives
i matter or COURSE
Denise put ner hand over Clara's mouth, and put
a stop TO her remarks. But they had produced a
certain effect quite different from what the speaker
Intended pplnp6 DppiS.f- pya no falt
that she was growing too fond OF Robert; their
sympathies, their affections, were growing to-
gether; and, in fact, the position was one that
could not be indefinitely continued.
II must escape" said Denise TO herself "and II
Mr.. Nesbet shows me the way OF escape must ac-
cept It,"
Meantime Denise, putting aside her anxious
mood, was busy and perplexed over the prepara-
tons for the dinner party. Robert had hoped
tnat 1t would have been a festival OF Cancellation
Tor Lady Jones lad been inVi tedSpecially invited
by Joint letter from Denise and Robert. But
Lady Jones replied, and not ill-naturedly, that she
had not sufficiently recovered from her temper 10
see either Of them with any pleasure Just yet.
Then Mrs. Basset had been very troublesome. She
had fought hard against the new condition OF
things; but Denise had managed to establish her
authority. The dinner was provided from outside,
but Basoet was TO organize the waiting-and Bas-
set had disappeared. According TO his wife, he
had been summoned TO the d. wing bed OF an aunt;
but even Mrs. Basset seemed not to be inspired
with strong conviction as TO the aunt. And BaS-
set had taken with him the key OF the piate-chest
the CHEST being an iron safe which was designed
TO set burglars at defiance, and which was now
equally 1mperv.Ous to Its lawful pOsSessors.
Happily young Ley1son was at hand, and was
despatched to Hlghgsae TO bring all available and
nothing lacking at the dinner table to an ordinary
observer, although Robert noticed at once the alb
sence OF his own familiar belongings.
1.-The BaSSetS must clear out" said Robert when
Denise explained TO him the state OF affairs.
'.Do not part with the Bassets," said Denise.
will be better behaved"
''But you are not g0Ing?" said Robert.
"Alas, / must go!" said Denise sadly "You
have ben very good to Lne, Robert, and we have
been very happy, but it must come TO an end |
shall take the NesbeU plate to my own room,
Robert II you will carry 1t for me- for it is heavy
IL Cn staying for moment to kiss the children as
they lay asleep In their little cots. When he re-
turned Mrs. Bassett was waiting to see him.
tone of melancholy Resignation
III you get rid OF your husband you needn't"
said Robert, with touch OF conjunction in his
voice.
"No. sir; I'll follow his fortunes to the end,u she
replied, signing.
Robert hld work to do, and he sat up over it till
he fell asleep In his chair. He awoke feeling as
cold and miserable as people generally do In such
a case. As he made his way TO his bedroom he
thought he heard footstep creeping along the
outer corridor. Here was BasSet, probably return-
ingfrom the bedside or his relative and IL occurred
to Robert that he had the key to the plate chest,
and that IL would be well 10 secure It,
Robert opened the door and looked out The
next moment he found himself sprawling on the
Tue Tcoull VI u lltdNy DIOW delivered
blunt Instrument. unitely the main force OF
the blow had been expended on the dOor-iamb
and, although Robert was stunned for the mo.
lnent, he speedily recovered and was soon able to
follow his a3sallant, who seemed now TO be en-
gagged In Forcing door that opened into the far
Their end or the cOrrdOr-the door that led into
Mrs. Carmichel'S apartments.
just as ne mad succeeded In his purpOSe-Which
was executed In such noisy, careless manner as
TO show that the marauder was reckless or conse-
quenceS and intended TO silence his victims In the
shoi test and surest manner; just as the door was
forced and cry OF alarm was heard from Within
Robert grapped with the burglar and brought
him TO the ground. short but terrible struggle
ensued In which Robert proved the stronger OF
the two, and knelt upon his antagonist, grasping
him firmly by the throat.
Denise, pale and dishevelled came forward with
light II was Basset who lay there writing and
struggling on the ground. When Robert saw this
he loo5ened his hold, and, giving the man a con-
temptuous shake, bade him get up.
81 give In, sir, said the man, sullenly s.You'ye
got me right enough. There's nobody In 1t but
me. gave tie Old lady q d Use 10 keep her quiet:
but she'll wake up ali right" But, outspoken as
he was, the man showed plenty OF cunning s'You
can't have me for burglary" he said, "there was
no breaking In. It's. only assault with intent.
alter all. You'd best let me CO."
And what shall l IND In the plate-chest?u
asked Robert.
The man laughed defiantly.
There's fine collection of brickbats expect
Eventually 1t was only for making free with the
plate-chest that Basset was arralgned, and he was
let OF with six months hard labor at the end OF
which he was free 10 pursue his sporting career
But an account OF the AFFAIR, magnifed by rumor,
soon reached Lady Jones, who came from High
N yxh ichf