The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1889-10-26
CHAPTER III.

CHAPTER II.
Many days passed before my first answe
came 1t was from the Hon. Mrs. Chet
wynd, and this was the little bit [ reaC
to Leslie THE girls and | have beer
staying at Rosebank Mr.. Pennell was
there, making himself very agreeable witt
everybody. He is a good shot, gooC
dancer, good tennis player, admirable al
charades and private Observation-Disclosures
great acquisition at country house
We found him charming
.Of course" said Leslie, Everybody
does that really knows him, and that little
commendation of her lover made her bright
and merry for several days.
was rather afraid of the effect of the
next letter. 1t was
Il fear there is not much to be said in
praise of Mr. Pennell He is too fond of
cards, and B. and S. My husband says he
lost rather heavily a few weeks ago, and is
a little reckless in all things.
/ | did not venture to look at Leslie after
reading this, and was surprised when she
said quietly
just what he says of himself as to cards
and fondness of excitement, but all that
will be changed when he has home of his
own, and think it better to lose your
own money than win other peoples don't
you"
Il have great dread of play have
seen families ruined by it, | replied
The next let her read herself It said
I'VE were staying at Mt ErroI about a
fortnight ago. Mr. Pennel was there,
charming as usual, and paying so much
attention to Matte SeIwyn that should
think he meant something, only he must
marry money. Poor girl, | am quite sorry
for her; she did not seem to imagine that
he could be only amusing himself
heard little sigh, then Leslie handed
me back the letter without remark.
Mr. Pennels letter TO Leslie that week
was little behind time, and was short and
peremptory, as | gathered from what the
told me of its contents. He said she was
cruel 20 him, and that he must know when
the end Of this waiting was to be. for he
was tired Of it.
implorcd her to settle nothing
Il will tell him that waiting Is hard for
me also, she answered.
4 letter that had about this time took
me to London, where did a stroke Of
business that hoped would be very bene-
fetal to all at Huns, Lodge.
The day after my return Leslie and |
were sitting alone in our reading-rpom.
laid some letters wide open one upon the
other aud passed them to her
Read item, dear, please.
She read one through, looking rather
mysti6ed. When she came TO the end
she said, Charlie that was all she sig
naiure-aud hlushed crimson
Read one OF two more, | urged
They are love-lciters she said, as if
this were full reason fer her not doing so.
Never mind. read on Do you not
know who wrote them
NO, suspicion is not knowledge"
Il do Look"
found a page as the letters lay on the
table beside her, on which there was the
name, Charles Peunell
Il have no right 10 complain that vas
not his FIRST love, she said sadly, aad
pushed the letters from her
Nexci at the failure Of nay scheme,
threw the letters into the fender aud
lighted = vcsta to burn them
~DOes she not want them p she asked.
No, they are mine. | bought them.
.Ani you wonder that be ceased to love
a girl who could sell his letters p
Her indignation WIS beautiful.
~He could not foresee that she would
do that He treated her heartlessly, aud
she has grown reckless, and is leaving
England to-day.
Leslie answered nothing felt quite
crcstfallen, and was silent, too. Presently
she came TO me, put her arm on my
shoulder, and said
"Yos are dear, good creature, but 80
misled-so mistaken. Some day | know
sou viii own yourself wrong, and then
shall not know how To love you enough.
had other letters telling Of Mr.. Pen
nclrs debts, improyideuce, and 80 on,
which Leslie read because Of her promise
TO do 50, and began 70 think that they
were producing an effect, because she
began 10 look pale aud anxious.
But one day when We were near gate
10 the park she said to me:
Charlie proposes TO wait outside with
tive horses that | may slip out in the
gioaming aud ride away with him.
'-Oh. Leslie, you win not, | cried.
Never. | will 90 to my wedding
openly But his constant urgency wears
me out, must promise something. He
will be content if | say will marry him
when come of age.
That Is soon, in few weeks, oh,
wait, my dear girl, wait a little longer"
"IIe wants me, she said simply; 'indeed
think he really needs me; he is poor and
| am rich; if he IS to be my husband, is it
not right that | should DO all | can to
help him p
"He is working upon your feelings; he
knows how good you are. | know the
world, and, believe me, a few weeks more
delay cannot injure him; it is impossible.
Promise him that you will settle every
thing the day you come of age.
Il will, and hope he viii be content.
AAuN ciisiA L saw lths III EVVA
| thought, He will win you as much
through your generosity as your love.
Already he trades with his sins for your
compassion; he fears he cannot keep quite
straight without your sweet support l
know the cant of such persuasion And
when woman loves a rake she always
believes herself his sole chance of salvation,
yet never compasses aught but her own
ruin Has he changed his tactics because
his love is so played out that he cannot
even make it look grand ON paper? |
gasped with delight as this idea shot
through my mind. 1t opened another
possibility of rescue for my darling Again
and again l declined to ride because of the
pressure of my correspondence. | would
not trespass on the evenings, Leslie and
were scrupulous in devoting them to the
old couple, who were the kindest of hosts
and guardians and showed nothing Of the
anxiety and trouble that | knew We're
pressing heavily upon them.
Soon my writing ceased, and my att-
tude was that of the conspirator, standing,
fuse in hand, ready at a given signal to fire
the train and explode the mine | had so
carefully prepared. waited and waited
for the signal The days passed wearily.
1t was then | learned that time Is some