Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1888-07-21

Basset's fsce-her thin. angular face-appeared in
the openins. Robert called 10 her rather angri!y,
ana oade her get something ready Tor MS guests at
once Mrs. Basset was evidently In bad temper.
and regarded the new arrivals with unconcealed
aversion
II thought It riyht nv lady should know what
had happened, and have been to Hlghgate TO tell
her; and she sends her love, Mr.. Robert, and will
may be-
Robert growled at this, but thought It better to
guests were duly served with refreshments, and
ne had his own bedroom prepared for their use.
fou DO not put me out az all said he In reply 10
Mrs Carmichers representations. There Is always
room ready for me at Highgate, and shall
sleep there tonight. SO consider the place as your
own"
"But you will come and see the children before
you CO." said Mrs Carmichel. "They are so de-
lighted with the big bed. Come aud see my dar-
ungs"
Robert could not refuse; and really the children
looHed charming, Toto already asleep, and Cecele
with her arm about her brothers neck.
You Will love them little, Will you not
Ro0ert?' said Mrs. Carmichel. laying her hand in
an appealing fashion upon his arm. "You will be
little 10 them The father they have lost?"
Robert 81 AIRED az the patterns Of the carpet in a
good deal OF perplexlty. He had tried 10 harden
his heart against this forlorn little family. He
tod himself that II he were not resolute at the
beginning he would be saddled with all the respon-
siOilty OF these embarrassing relations. And his
heart was melted In spite Of his efforts to remain
cold.
'You do not answer me-" cried Mrs. Carmichael,
her voice tremulOus with emotion. Robert, you
Will not give them up?7
'.No.I viii not give them up" said Robert after
a moments hesitation. 81 will be a brother to
them"
dren impulsivey, and believed their faces with
tears that would not now be denied.
81 think he must be not brother. but a papa ~
said Cecile, sleepily, "for he has made mamma
cry"
When Robert reached The Willows Lady Jones
called him into the library and questioned him
arr II w 70
see that she Was extremely hurt and indignant at
the existence OF the young widow and her chill
dren. All the sentiment and pathos or the situa-
lion had vanished as tar as she was concerned.
Whatever may be arranged" said Lady Jones'
sit Is quite impossible that these people can re-
main with you"
Roberts reply was vague But Lady Jones de-
terlnlned that there should be no vagueness on
tins point. She would herself descend upon the
scene and put this young woman TO flight,
At this point Clara Nesbet made her appearance
her neck and shoulders enveloped in a light wrap
per.
Il am going, Lady Jones. Goodnight
81 will see you across the garden" cried Rob-
ert.
II was pleasant summer night soft and star
lit, the air perfuIned with nowerS-just the time
Tor love scene-but Robert was not in the humor
for his part.
Clara questioned him as they walked about his
newly-discOVereI relatives
1T is a happy thing tor you, Robert" she said
1T Will be Kind OF education for YOU People
grow up so selfish and self-contained II they have
no family ties Serve an apprenticeship of five
years or so as family man, and you will De
worthy OF some good woman."
Robert laughed little scornfully.
why, Cara, had something serious to say to
you"
"Don't say it, Robert" cried Clara, decisively.
81 shall recognize the style OF Lady Jones IL the
words are your own. Robert, please pull up that
hurdle"
This was the only barrier between the grounds
OF The willows and The Elms. and having crossed
the RuOicon, Clara nodded goodnight ana ran
quickly away over the grass.
Asfor Denise and her children, their first night
under English skies was spent IN the happy OBJ
lyion of perfect rest. In spite of her anxieties
Denise slept The sleep OF the just, and was only
aroused III broad daylight by the Splashing or
water and the subdued cries OF Master Toto, TO
whom Cecile was endeavOring 10 give his bath.
Denise laughed Joyously at the sight, wondering
that she could Ieel 50 light-hearted And then she
finished on Ceciles rather patchy performance,
and quickly dressing herself and the children
found her way 10 the room where breakfast Was
already Laid.
Blsset was moving noiselessly to and fro, putting
the finishing touches To the arrangement OF the
table. Freshly cut flowers, the glittering silver
equlpage, the delicate pOrCeiain-all was bri hit
and recherche And Basset Was an excellent ser
Want anu Knew his duties perfectly, although,
thanks 10 his having al easy master, he was often
SLACK In their performance. But though he spoke
To the foreign lady with velvety pOIitencss, his
face wore an evil scOwi when he IhOu.h himself
unObseryed. Hitherto, soon as his masters
breakfast vas over, Ba5set had been free Tor the
DAY, ana ndu devoted himself With much aSSlduity
TO improving The shining hours Saniown and
hemptOn Park We're fayorte resorts OF his. and
ht sometimes VentuTed TO spend a couple OF
days AT Newmarket, his vile accounting for his
absence on the score OF the illness Of some apocry
phdI relative. BlSsei Was much young er than his
wife. VINO entertained unreaSOning affection for
MIN, ana supplied him with money as long as her
resources lasted. There were Signs, however OF
the speedy exhaustion or this source Of supply.
Although not generally an early riser, BaSset
had already visited highgate that morning: had
ascertained that his master would bre ikIast at
Tue willows, and had obtained from MIN the key
OF the piate-cheot, on the ground that, as there
were visitors at home, the best silver service would
be required. Lady Jones had taken care that
Robert should be well provided In the way of
plate; there were services that had been pre-
sented To her husband or various occasions mas
slve side dishes and rlcn epergnes; all OF which
were useful Tor display when Robert occasionally
clients.
Denise Was secretly comforted by the evidences
ABOUT uer OF easy circumstances, II not OF actual
wealth Her husband had never confded to her
his Hairs; but until the last few months, when
an news Oh nun hdd ceased, and his bankers had
uecIarel that there We're no more funds OF his in
hand, the coIOneIS household had been ALWAYS
LITERALLY supplied Then the news had come OF his
ueata anu mere had been a scramble among the
CREATORS 1Or the cOlOnei5 belongings Still, she
had not doubted that her late husband had prop
erty VI some Kind IN England, and every one had
advised her 20 depart from the scene OF litigation
and trouble and 10 seek more TRANQUIL ASYLUM in
England with the colUnels grOwn-up SON who
would certainly know all about his fathers affairs
The grOwn-up son mad also been a surprise to her:
she had only known OF his existence within the
past Jew weeks, but her hush and had AWAY, been
reticent about his former life that this wa noI
10 be wondered at.
Hardly was breakfast finished when a visitor
was announced. LADY Jones TO see Mrs Carmi-
cheL" Denise rose and advanced TO meet her wit n
curiosity and some trepidation. Here was some
body Of Importance, no doubt. and soon the cur
tain would be raised that concealed the prospect
OF the future.
"IOu don't know me. my dear began LADY
Jones. But was very old friend OF poor Colonel
Carmichael, anu am ROUert's guardian and from
Robert, or at least. on his behalf. come here"
Denise murmured few words OF conventional
Courtesy, and Lady Jones took up a position In
Roberts easy-chalr and went on talking with the
air OF one VINO means 10 lie politely diSagreeable
Having drawn from Denise Ill that she knew
about her late husbands affairs, she blunty as
sUred her that she has no claim upon anybody
here. Robert owed everything he possessed 10 her
Lady Jones. HE connections were formed, and
there was no room In his plan OF life for any unex-
pected relatives. Her friends were arranging his
marriage, and it was quite impossible that he
should furnish an asylum TO Mrs. Carmichael and
her chllIren- The best advice that Lady Jones
could give was that she should return TO the place
whence she came with as little delay as possible
But with respect TO the children. who through no
fault or their own, We're placed In such a cruel
position, they should be taken care OF.
w QUA you take my children away from me
these young children, m ame?" asked Denise
whose face had become somber and charged with
something like despair
'Oh, We dont seek the responsibility said Lady
Jones, with cruel calm. 1T IS Tor you 10 say,
An, what shall say?" cried Denise pressing
her hands 10 mr. forehead. How could she endure
10 part from her children, who had been the chief
sOlace OF her life; and yet she began TO feel the
iron bands or necessity EMBEDDING her heart What
future was there for her and her children hut nov