Telegram-herald., 1889-10-24

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But he interrupted her quickly
"We all think that when we are young
and foolish. and very much in love, said
Mrs. Lancaster coolly--whatever stab bis
words gave the kindly darkness hid
"but think you are more than usually
mad II she is not already engaged 10
Marston Brent, she will be as soon as he
returns- l know that her family conf
IDENTIFY expect the match. and in any
case" (emphatically) Eleanor Milbourne
is the last woman in the world whom a
penniless man need hope 10 win.
Il know that as well as you do" said
Clare. Il 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 see carriage standing
in the full glow of the light from the
open hall door.
"Who can have arrived? said Mrs.
Lancaster, not sorry, perhaps, for di-
version. II did not know that Mrs
Brantley was expecting any one"
"Who has come, Ellisy" Victor said
carelessly to young man who emerged
from tbe house as they approached
"Marston Brent" was the answer. at
seems the Clytie made very quick trip.
and came into port yesterday; so of
course her owner has come at once to re-
port his safe arrival at headquarters.
Mrs. Lancaster, whose hand was still
on Clare's arm, felt the quick start which
he gave at this information, but she was
a discreet woman, ana she said nothing
until they were standing on the veranda
steps and he had bidden her good night,
saying that he must ride back to Clare
mont.
Il understand why you will not re-
main" she said; "but do not make any
rash resolution about Egypt-above all.
do not commit yourself to anything. y
Then she bent forward and touched hi:
hand lightly. "Tell me when you come
again that you will join my party for the
White Sulphur" she said softly. at
viii be the wisest thing you can do"
The result Of this disinterested advice
was, that as soon as he reached home,
after lonely, starlit ride of six miles,
Clare sat down, and wrote to Gen. -.
accepting the 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 seer
again at The Willows What went on
in that gay abode during this interval he
neither knew nor sought to know. lie
endeavored to banish all memory Of the
place and the people whom it contained
from his mind They were nothing 10
him, he told himself II was impossible
10 say whether he shrank most from the
pain Of meeting Eleanor Milbourne 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 listlcss idleness al
Claremont for some time. then ordered
his horse one day. rode to a neighboring
town and made arrangements for the
sale of his property with much the same
feeling as if he had ordered the execu-
ton Of his mother 1t was when he re-
turned weary and depressed from this
excursion that he found a note from
Mrs. Brantley awaiting him.
DEAR MAJ CLARE dt ram. why
have you forsaken us2 We have looked
for, you wished for YOU and t2ked % - q
'ermined that ve shall learn the full
meaning Of IL verb TO disappoi. =
Will you nc. come over 20 dinner today?
/ think you have played hermit quite
,Ong enough. Truly yours. l. II. Is"
To say that Clare declined this invita-
tion would ba equivalent % saying that
n moth of its own accord kept at safe
distance from tho glowing fame which
enticed il. IS he read tho note his heart
gave leap. He began % wonder and
ask himself why he had remained away
50 long. Was il not the sbccrest folly
and aosurdity2 What was Eleanor Nil
bourne % him that he should banish
himself on her account from the only
pleasant house within araiiu- of twenty
miies' a man should have some self r.
spect. be thought tie should not Jet
every inquisitiva fool see when and how
and where a shaft has wounded him.
Why should he not SOP A hesrtache or
two additional would not matter In
Egypt As for Mrs Lancaster. be coull
certainly keep at a safe distance from
her. even If she had nos gone 10 the
White sulphur. a. be- hoped 20 heaven
she had
This dev0ut hope was destined % die
appointment The hrst person whom be
saw when he entered the wsli aued
drawing room a The Willows vas che
pretty widow. ia radiant looks aud "a
diant spirits. not 90 mention a radiant
toilet Il the llghtsst possible and most
becoming mourning Despite be pre-.
vioas resolu.lons. Clare found himself
grsvtsung o. her SIDE - soon as his -
spects hsd been paid 90 Mrs tiranfleF-a a
fact which may serve a. a small proof o.
the weakness of man resolve, and his
general inability % hsht saa1ass tate