The Sunday morning news. [volume] (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1886-1891, 1889-10-27

/NlllE>AHN z4fSS/ 0C0 WaOh AdSChNA
scltlA HAM - trees and be DIS
---/A EWW of mignonette; at
LNH the other side of
f[WM &@MA the silently flow
wv % ing river rising
ground, richly wooded; over all the RAJ
dance of brilliant June morning, tenn
pered by silvery haze, which presaged
ALLOWING day
To and fro along a low embankment,
against which the current of the stream
washed gently, two men paced side by
side
The elder short and broad, with wide
round shoulders, an honest red face and
sandy hair. The younger tall and
strongly built, much embrowned by the
sun and wind, with deep, dark eyes and
thick, wavy brown hair. His expression
was troubled, impatient, almost angry
His step was firm, his air distinguished
Neither looked like civilian, yet neither
had the stiff carriage of soldier.
They had not spoken for o few seconds
when the elder said:
"If you are going to, make clean
breast of it, Val, you have no time to
IC5e. muSb ChtCu bu6 6s4U tEttlu anu
you'll have no other chance
''Well, here goesF' said the other with
an effort. II do not know that it will
do much good, but should like to hear
your opinion. am in devil of mess
Tracy"
Thought as muchp' calculated Tracy
"Just toss up whether | go to the
dogs or not am deeper in debt than
you think. could pay up-nearly pay
up--but should be penniless am, as
you know hopelessly in love-ay, worse
than ever. 1t was bad day for me
when / met Julia Freke."
Il don't know about your hopeless
ness" interrupted Tracy; "she don't seem
inclined to be cruel"
"It's not that; but can drag her down
to penuryY
"By Jovel she'll take care you don't"
"Oh, know what you think You are
unjust. Well, in this dilemma forced
myself to ask help from my rather ec-
centric cousin Clavering, our good host.
By heavenl never thought l could
bring myself to eat such dirt He is
gentleman, though, and spoke kindly
enough. But unfortunately, as feared,
he has set his heart ON marrying me to
Norma. He is devoted to her. in spite
of his cold, hard exterior. She is, you
know, sole daughter of his house and
heart. There was a time, when she first
left school, when should not have said
no. had not met Julia then. Now
He threw out his hand with an express
sive gesture.
"Well," he resumed, 81 told him it
was Internally awkward, did not relish
the arrangement, that, in short, my heart
was gone in another direction. He
grinned-you know his sardonic GRIM
and asked if were bound in honor.
told the truth, that | was free, but my
own feelings bound me. He sneered
little, and pressed me hard to ask Norma,
promising that if she refused he would
consider me free and pay my debts. nay,
more, make fresh will and leave me
slice of his property Still, though am
pretty sure Norma would refuse, could
not pretend to love her when am crazy
about another woman; besides. she is as
keen as hawk. So refused that too
Clavering told me to take twenty-fotir
hours to consider the question, and if ]
still declined, to pack up my traps and
leave, for he would discuss the matter no
more. So I'll join you tomorrow in
town and see what l can arrange. Lord
Charles promised me berth in the ex-
petition that's going to re-enforce our
fellows in Egypt I'll jog his memory"
"Val Hastings, you are an awful foolp'
olosx IL.
away fortune. Here's an uncommon
nice girl and lot Of money to be had
for the taking, and you. caught by a
will-o the-wisp, blinded and bedeviled,
won't put out your handl Miss Clavering
may not be one OF your regular beauties,
but she is the most graceful girl ever
came across. BY Georgei admire her
soft paleness deuced deal more than
the honora BILE Julia's blaze of color
Then, what pair of eyes-they are real
deep blue-they can tell every shade
that crosses her mind, ay, and can read
yours, too-then, If wasn't confirmed
drysalted bachelor I'd fail in love with
those rich loose coils of pale golden
brown hair She is quiet little mouse,
but there's good stuff in her, I'll swearlr
Eyes. she's good girl She used to be
prettier. When she first came back from
school she had delicate color. and
somehow was less shy. Her father ought
to take her out more and give her a
chance. Why. she was twenty last April,
and he keeps her shut up here with that
awful old Scotchwoman-her dame de
compagnie."
"Who was the mother-the late Mrs.
John Clavering9"
"A Canadian There was some story
attached TO her; she was a widow, /
think. i believe she died when Norma
was born or shortly after At all events.
Clavering has lived secluded life ever
since
Hastings" said Tracy impressively,
Il wish to heaven you would put that
girl Lady Julia Freke out of your head.
You'll repent it all your life if you don't"
II could not, even if | tried. Tracy.
and win not try"
''On your head be It, thenl There's
the trap at the door: must say good-by
TO host and hostess There's no time 10