The Dickinson press., 1889-08-31

t. .. ~ !ST'..'S~
But he Interrupted her quickly
I'VE all think that when we are young
and foolish, and very much in love I" said
Mrs. Lancaster coolly-whatcvc stab his
words gave the kindly darkness hid
but think you arc more than usually
mad. 1T she is not already engaged to
Marston Brent, she will be as soon as lie
returns. know that her family conf
IDENTIFY expect tho match, and in any
case (cmphatically) "Elcanor Milbourne
is the last woman in the world whom a
pennilcss man need hope to Win"
~ know that rs we'll as you do, ssaid
Clare. 81 have no hope of winning her
and | am going to Egypt next month"
He uttered the last words as if he
meant them to end the subject, but it is
doubtful whether they would have done
so if they had not at that moment found
themselves close upon the house, having
paid little attention to the path which
they were following AS they emerged
from the shrubbery they were both a
little surprised to sec o carriage standing
in the full glow of tho light from the
open hall door
"Mlo cam have arrived" said Mrs.
Lancaster, not sorry, perhaps, for di-
version 81 did not know that Mrs.
Brantlcy was expecting any one
who has come, Ells?" Victor said
carclessly to IL young man who emerged
from the house as they approached
"Narston Brent" "as the answer. at
seems tho Clytio made very quick trip.
and came into port yesterday, SO of
course her owner has oomoat once to re-
port his safe arrival at headquarters.
Mrs. Lancaster, whose hand was still
on Clarc's arm, felt the quick start which
he gave ut this information, but she was
q discreet woman, and sho said nothing
until they were standing on the vcranda
steps and he had bilden her good night,
saying that he must ride back 10 Clare
mont
II understand why you will not re-
main, she said, but do not mako any
rash resolution about Egypt-abovo all,
do not commit yourself to anything. "
Then she bent forward and touched his
hand lightly "TeIl mo when you come
again that you will join my party for the
White Sulphur" she said softly. ut
will be the wiscst thing you can do
Tho result Of this disintcrcstcd advice
was, that as soon as ne reached home,
after lonely. starlit rdo of six miles,
Glare sat down, and wrote to Gen. -.
accepting tho position he had offered,
and promising to report in Cairo as soon
as possible.
After this it was several days before
the future Egyptian soldier was seen
again at The Willows What went on
in that gay abode during this interval he
neither knew nor sought to know lie
cndeavorcd to Danish all memory of the
place and the people whom it contained
from his mind They were nothing ia
hinl. he told himself 1t was impossible
to say whether io aLrani. moot from the
pain Of meeting Eleanor Milbourno with
her accepted lover by her side, or from
the thrill Of disgust with which the mere
thought Of Mrs. Lancaster inspired him
He buried himself in lis,lcss idlcncss at
Clarcmont for some time, then ordered
his horse one day. rode to a ncighboring
towh anu made att4hacEonts ior tbs
sale Of luis property with lnuch tho same
feeling as if he had ordered the cxccu-
ton of his mother 1t was when he re-
turned weary and depressed from this
excursion that lie found u note from
Mrs Eian'Iey awaiting him
"I'"An M e..+nl." q: RAM why
have you forsaken Us? .fe have looked
for Nou wished for you and talked of
you for days, but you seem to have de-
terInincd that we shall learn the full
meaning Of the verb to disappoint.
viii you not come over to dinner today?
! think you have played hermit quite
,ang anoagh Truly yours. l. NJ. B."
10 say that Clare declined this invita-
'on ~ouid DO equivalent 10 saying that
a moth of its own accord kept at safe
distance from the glowing flame which
enticed it. AS he read tho note his heart
gave a leap. lie began to wonder and
ask himself why he had remained away
so long Was it not the shcercst folly
ANA ;,'sHtdit5? What vas Eleanor Mil
bourne TO him that he should Danish
himself on her account from the only
pleasant house within radius Of twenty
milcs9 3 man should have some self re-
spcct, he thought lie should not let
every inquisitivc fool see when and how
and where Il shaft has wounded him.
Why should he not so? A heartache or
two additional would not matter in
Egypt AS for Mrs Lancaster, he could
certainly keep at safs distance from
,cr, even if sho had not gono to the
White Sulphur, as he hoped to heaven
she had.
This devout hope was destined to dis
appointment. The first person whom he
saw when he entered the we'll filled
drawing room Of The Willows was the
pretty widow, in radiant looks and ra-
iiant spirits, not to mention radiant
toilet Of the lightest possible and most
becoming mourning. Despite his pre-
si1us resolutions, Claro found himself
gravitating to her side as soon as his re-
fpccts had been paid to Mrs. Brantlcy-a
fact which may serve as & small prof of
the weakness of mans resolve, and his
general inability to fight against fate,
especially when it is embodied in wo-
;aan's bright eyes.
What have you been doing with
yourselfr she asked after the first ea.-
utations were over. "Have you been
taking counsel with solitude on the Egvr-
tian question? Or have you decided like
a sensible man to go to the White Sui
phul? Whatever has been the cause Sf
your absence, you have at least been
ltosiiSuEp.