Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1889-04-05
copyrighted 1889 by the Author.l
XVI.

And so, empty handed he returned to his
master who waited eXpectant in his study.
The message was almost an affrOnt-suCh
was his pride and self -esteem-and for near
" an hour he sat there bordering over the
strange characteristics of the girl who, de
spite the story of her poverty and DEEPEN
dence had so fascinated him, 1t cut him to
the quick that she should so repel him when
he knew well that between her and Mr..
Holmes there had been an exchange of
notes, that Holmes had seen fit to preserve
a mysterious silence as to this significant
circumstance and finally, that apparently
by appointment, Mr.. Holmes had called at
Bedlam the evening after his arrival and
had enjoyed long and uninterrupted con-
versation with Miss Forrest out on the upper
gallery. Now what did this pOrtend? 1t
was Celestine who gave him this very inter
esting information as he entered the lower
hail. and despite his repelant mien, that
the enterprsing domestic was sufficiently a
Judge OF character to venture on a low and
confidential tone of voice in addressing him.
He had scowled Indignantly at her and had
hidden her hold her peace as he passed her
bv but Celestine was in no wise dismayed.
She knew her man. 1t was on his return
from his visit that he sent his note and then
in the gloom and silence of his library pom
dered over the palpable rebuff. Over across
the hall he could hear the soft voices of his
daughter and her now intimate friend, Jean.
They were cooling and murmuring together
in some cirlish condolences which he was in
no mood to appreciate and with which he
could feel no sympathy whatever. Then in
came Mr.. Holmes from the sunshine of the
Darade and he heard him cheeriy enter the
parlor, and in hearty, cordial tones an
uounce that he had lust come from Mr.. Nc
Iean'sroom. that that young gentleman was
doing finely and would be able to sit out on
fine niazzo in n dav or two. and that Mrs.
Miller was nursing him like mother For
- time the chat went blithelv on-Jeannie
Bruce and Holmes being the PRINCIPALS
and then came a message which called that
Young lassie homewartl.
Presently Bayard heard the manly voice
Growing deeper and softer The words were
indistinruishable but there was no msiudg-
ing the tome such was the tremor of tender
ness of every syllable. Faint. far between
and monosvllabic were Nellie's replies. but
soon the father knew she was answering
through her tears. 1t did not last long.
Holmes came TO the hall; turned and spoke
once more to her-no touch of reproach. no
tinge of pleading-but with a ring of manly
svmDathv and protecting care i'll every word
Bayard could not but hear one sentence at
makes me only more firmly your friend lit
tie cirl-and his too - And then he strobe
forth into the breeze and sunshine again
and no man who met him knew that he had
temuted his fate and lost Something told
him days before that Miss Forests words
were prophetic-Nellie Bayard would pre-
fer one nearer her own years
Ii was to satisfy himself that Randall Nc
Lean was that enviable somebody that he
had sought this interview. and though she
had admitted nothing. and he had not ques-
toned. he had read in her tears and bushes
n truth that only recently had She tremb-
lingly admitted to herself. Now he saw his
way clearly to the end.
But to BaYard the abrupt close of the
muimured interview meant possibility that
filled him with double DISNEY. That one hope
should be dashed to earth this morning was
an evil sufficient unto the day. That it
should be followed by the conviction that
his daughter had utterly declined to consd-
er this wealthy and most estimablc gentle
man as sutton for her hand was a bitter,
bitter disappointment but that she should
have refused Roswell Holmes with all his
advantages because of Randall Mclean
with-What was more than he could
bear.
Just as she was hurrying to her room, still
weeping, he interposed.
My little Ncl-my precious ~ he cried
in tcnderest tones as he folded her in his
arms. is it so hopeless as this? Is it posi-
81 that my little daughters heart has been
olen away-right under my eyes-and
never saw it?''
For an answer she only chung to him; hid
ing her bonny face; weeping the more vio-
oil e1,o
"Nell! Nellieu' he pleaded, ''try and tell
me, dear. You don't know what it means
to me! You don't know what fears your 81
lence causes me! My child-tell me-that it
isn't Mr. Mclean"
No answer-only closer nesting, only adj
ded tears
''Nell, my own little one! If you knew with
what awful dread | waited If you knew
what this meant to mo-to you--to us all.
Speak to me, daughter. Tell me it isn't that
unhappy young man.
And now, startled, shocked, she lifts her
trimming eyes in wondorment to her faith
er's face, gazing at him through the mist of
tears.