The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1889-10-31

one knows that Lady Fielding has been doing
all she can to bring on the match, and they say
that he shows no objection"
And the girl herself2" asked Kemp.
Hugh was silent for a moment; then said in
the hestating tone of man whoalways speaks
| courteously of ladies, 81 don't know much
| about Miss Fielding, but wouldn't you imagine
that she would do what she was told TO dor"
Then, what's the use Of my taking any step
in the matter?" said Kemp, little nettled.
You might tell her TO marry you" said
Hugh. "If you are emphatic enough, dare
say, since she must yield to someone, that she
will yield TO you"
Upon my word !" exclaimed Kemp, ICON
sidering how little you know Of her, you seem
very confident about predicting what she will
do under given circumstances"
Not confident" replied his friend. az did
not mean to make any impertnent suggestions.
Very likely she would refuse"
In spite of some inward irritation at this
way of stating the case the idea Of rescuing the
poor child from an unhappy marriage was not
dspleasing to Kemp. When he thought IL
over il seemed natural enough that the dread
of such an event should make Miss Fielding
pale and timid Aud somehow he faucied that If
he could remove her into an atmosphere oil ten
derness and indulgence it would not be so very
difficult to win her love. But about this last
point he had some doubts as time passed on.
IL was very difficult to tell from Daisys man
ner what she really felt. There were times
when he was convinced that she did not regard
him merely as one of the catchos' of the sea-
son for whom her mother spread SO many nets
but there were other times when no was not SO
sure of this fact. For instance. when she saw
him enter crowded drawing room in which
they were both guests, she would look up with
n slight start and u strangely expeetant ex-
preston in her eyes-sometimes with a swift
blush. But by the time he reached her side
she often seemed paler and more preoccupicd
than ever, and though these in turn, wero not
signs which absolutely forbade flattering i'm
depreciation, he was completely nonplussed by
the passive acquiescencc, almost indifference,
with which she received any but the most pla-
tonic attentions. In her mothers presence she
treated him exactly as she treated Lord George
Felton-wth forced smiles and studied polite
ness; but when they were alone she was
friendly, confdential-and no more.
What amazed him more than anything else
was the surprise that she sometimes displayed
when he tried to put himself upon n more in
innate footing with her. IL was as though she
had said, This from you'll / didn't think you
would have said or done such q thingl" And.
as he could form no sort of conjecture why she
should have such feeling. he had TO give up
the puzzle in despair, and trust 20 happy com
bination of circumstances TO make matters
clear between them.
One hot day in July found n large party Of
fashionably dressed people trying to make be-
lieve that they were enjoying one of Lady
Fielding's annual water parties and among
them were Kemp and his friend. The former
was thoroughly out of temper for once for
Lady Fielding, perhaps disirustful of his ex-
IRENE willingness TO walk into all her traps.
saw At TO encourage Lord George FELTON, ex-
clusively on this particular day, and snubbed
his rival numerically by way of a change.
Daisy herself was looking flushed aud excited,
aud her usual passive gentleness had given
place 20 a sort OF nervous restessness.
:" declare / don't know what 10 mako OF
her!" cried Kemp in despair TO his friend
Hugh, who had inst been listening silently
TO long strain of complaints, raised his eyes
from the water aud threw n swift glance at
Miss Fielding.
a. believe she'd Just as soon marry FELTON,
as not added the other bitterly. Don't you
think she would?"
lit would be pity If she married a scamp
like that" said Hugh slowly.
Not if she cared for him muttered Kemp
sulkiIy.
The younger man looked straight in front Of
him at the clouds about the horizon. IL struck
Kemp for perhaps the hundrcdth time how
strangely expressionlcss his fair. clever faee
WAS What are You thinking abontY' he ex-
claimed, laughing in spite of himself. You
might just as we'll have set Of features made
out Of wood +"
i've often been told that" replied Hugh.
with q short laugh. 81 was thinking. how
ever. that If you want my candid opinion about
the case, I'll give it-though ] haven't The
! least right to have opinion at all, as you
/ know"
/ Never mind; give it," replied Kemp.
I've said before that believe Miss Field
! ing will do whatever she is made TO do. Very
[ well. Make her marry you"
But don't want To marry her against her
| will - cried Kemp Indignantly.
| Hugh made no rejoinder, but again fixed his
/ eyes on the clouds.
surely you don't imagine that that is what
! wantf" persisted the other, still more holly.
No" said Hugh, biting bis lip. Then lac
| threw another glance at Miss Fielding. What
/ meant was that 1t probably would be- her Will
/ as soon As you had made her do it,"
And her will, too il FELTON, made her marry
| bimf' asked Kemp breathlessy.
I've told you what think" replied Hugh
rather abruptly, aud he refused TO answer
] another question on the subject.
! AT this moment Lord George, thinking that
/ he had made his attentions sufficiently conspic
nous sauntcred up 10 group Of people with
/ Miss Fielding, aud gradually detached himself
! from her. In moment Kemp WAS at her side
You haven't spoken 10 me all day." he said
reproacbinlly.
Daisy gave him a swift, surprised glance
! She had lost her excited manner andssgas look
ing rather depressed; in answer to his remark
( she only sighed.
Has FELTON, been boring you r Kemp asked
daringly.
"a little" che replied In low tone
81 am going 10 row bow going bome,n ht
went on with nervous haste. DO you care FOL
sitting ia the bows OF a boat"
Yes" she answered Indifierently. " ] shall
be very pleased"
Let us come and get our seats. then" h'
said. They walked to the boat in silence
Put this coat around you" he went on, hand
ing her q light OyeFc0at she took her place
Daisy accepted IL in the same meehanica
way aud laid il on the cushions where she wit
going To sit. She seemed hardly to motto
Kemp; but presently, feeling that there was
book in one OF the coat pockets, she drew IL out
Br0wningi" she said, and began 10 turn owe
the leaves at random.
Suddenly she looked up. "Did you under
line thatf" she asked quickly, pointing TO
verse which was thickly scored under.
Kemp glanced over the page aud read tn
lines from "A Pretty Woman
But for loving, why, you would not, Sweet,
Though we prayed you,
Paid you. prayed you
In "a m0rtar-foT you could not, Sweet"
"Ho. j certainly didn't" he replied. 9TH
book isn't mine-I don't read Browning. /
belongs to Mr.. Julian. Those must be his sen
timents."
" 10 you think that could be true Of an,
oncf" asked Daisy, not raising her eyes an
speaking in AN almost imploring tone.