The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1889-08-24


blue eyes. "Is 1t likely7" she said ;
and they squeezed each others hands
in token of confidence.
When Saturday arrived and Stella
found herself on the box seat beside
Standish-Mrs. Grey having declined
the post of honor-her delight knew
no bounds. Standish's stern face was
illumined by pride and pleasure-every
look into those smiling eyes seemed
like draught from some pure spring
of happiness. He was beginning al
ready to love her intensely, and he had
made up his mind absolutely that she
should be his. Standish seldom thought
it worth while to exert his will on trifling
matters, but when he felt strong de-
sire to attain purpose he would move
heaven or hell to compass it.
He had taken it for granted that
Stella was free and heart whole, so when
at dinner he saw Leo looking iealously
at her, and intercepted, the loving, re-
assuring smile she sent back, he ex-
perienced a sudden and violent pang.
But he had sufficient self. control to
conceal it, and before dim er was over
more parties had been planned for the
following week. Oh Wednesday they
were to 60 to the dance at the New
Club, and the admiral felt the least they
could do was to ask their host to dine
with them on Monday.
"How heavenly it would have been,"
said Leo, when they got home, "if the
mater had gone III front and you and l
sat behind together !'' And Stella con-
cured.
Standish did not sleep we'll that night.
He had conceived violent passion for
Stella, and he meant and willed that
she should be his. But the thought of
the cousin, who was good-looking lad,
chafed and irritated him. 1t was ridicu-
lous to think there could be anything
between them more than a boy and
girl fancy. The Greys were not well
off. Leo was only clerk in the foreign
Office he could not marry her. But
Standish could not endure to think that
any one had so much as breathed upon
his lilly. His3 Yes, his Whenever
his will had been reused he had never
yet failed to obtain his object. Instinct
told him that he must not betray his
passion to Stella he knew that it would
frlghten and repel her. 1t was hard
task when his arm was round her in a
waltz and his heart beat so near hers,
but he exercised immense self com
mand, and when his eyes would have
betrayed HIM he averted them reso-
lutely from her face.
He soon became the friend of the
house. Leo, no longer jealous, con-
ceived the strong liking tor him that an
enthusiastic and frank-natured lad often
feels for man considerably his senior.
Standish gave him constant dinners,
lent him horses to ride Or drive, sup
Piled him with choice cigars and took
him about. The end of the season
was drawing on. S,andish began to
find his position unbearaDle. 1t was
the first time in his life that he had
played double part, and he hated it.
He had always been man of honor
now he was going to descend to base
means. And yet he swore to himself
that his love, as he called it, was the
purest and best part of him, and he
vowed to love and cherish this fair
creature as the apple OF his eye, and to
develop every good and generous quail
ity for her sake-once he possessed
her So Standish set himself to serve
two masters hell first and heaven after.
He found out Leo's weakest spot, which
poor lad, was a tendency to gamble.
Standish led him slowly and surely on
racing, card playing, even little
hutter on the stock exchange. For the
first time in his life Leo's pockets were
full of money. He was intoxicated
with the unwonted sensation. He
bought a diamond heart for Stella,
which she dared not wear, but treasured
fondly, for he had sworn her to secrecy
about his money making. What deli
cious whisperlngs they had together /!
When he had made 51o,ooo they
would be married. Stella was more
charming than ever to Stanish. Was
he not their guardian angel?
The day of reckoning came quickly
and surely. Leo lost all his winnings
in Goodwood week and 52,ooo be-
side. He was horribly vexed, but by
no means in despair, with a friend like
Standish at his back. But suddenly
Standish made volte-face, looked and
spoke sternly, and absolutely declined
to advance the money. Stunned and
stupefed, tor one mad hour Leo
dreamed of suicide but he was young,
the love of life was strong in him. and
he thought of his parents and Stella
with deeper affection than he had
ever felt before. But what could he
dor 1t would be impossible for his
father to raise the money in SO short
time, even if he consented, but Leo did
not believe he would consent, and he
felt it would be easier to die than to
ask him. But to be defaulter What
high-spirited young fellow could bear
such thought That night he took
Stella into the garden In front OF the
house, and there he told her everything
with burning, miserable shame and an
gush. She wept and wrung her hands.
Was there justice in Heaven if this
| awful calamity could fall on one so