Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-09-21

lie. bat an: ss |. very solitary 1S s,sI ps.ioS b.
NE dear ca lsdy wee 81 q 3 erssSn. anu Ia;
liberty"
Suffice IL TO say that Captain Fanshaws came
down 10 Latimer the week after Mrs. Grahsm's
somewhat unsuccessful attempts to sound
Frances on his behalf He was browner and
broader. and. his cousins thought. bandsomer
than in the old days; he talked less and the ex-
preston OF his face was sterner. but the frank
smile and kind eyes were unchanged. Mrs.
Graham found him very attractive. How would
Frances take him? That was the one thought
uppermost in the good woman's mind.
Captain Fanshawe had asked after her and
had agreed quite quietly to a proposition that
ne should call with Mrs. Graham upon her. but
wnen II came TO the point OF taking him Mrs.
Graham had a queer sinking at heart which
she wouldn't have confessed to for worlds.
captain Fanshawe was embarrassingly silent
during their walk up to the Great house and
Mrs. Graham was reduced to a fragmentary
monologue, for her cousins half-absent mono
syiiables could scarcely be said to constitute a
conversation. Between her struggles to talk
ana appear at ease and her curiosity and anx-
lety the poor old lady worked herself into a
perfect fever. and it was with extraordinary
sense OF relief that, as they walked up the
Drive, she espied Frances gathering roses on
/ the lawn. There were topics of conversation
anu chances OF escape from diiemmas in the
open air and the big garden not TO be hoped
ior between the four walls of a sitting room.
she called out while still far of to Miss Lati-
mer, wishing to give her the benefit of the dis
lance between them in which to quiet any pos
| sible agitation
Frances looked up with start and came
slowly toward them. She had on a gown of
some soft wooden stuff of n light gray color
which hung in straight simple folds round her
slender hsure. Her face was shaded by a big
garden nat and her hands were full of autumn
roses. She was the very Frances of eight
years ago and IT seemed to Fanshawe that time
must nave been playing a trick upon him.
His heart went out to her with all the old ten
derness and new feeling OF reverent pity when
he saw the panied timidity of her glanoe
She shook hands with both and hoped Mrs
Graham would come in and have some tea
Mrs. Graham asked nothing better, but it was
no part Of her program to leave the great sunny
garden. instinct it was with interesting
memories and possibilities. Might they not
hrst walk around the rose garden?
You cannot have forgotten how lovely the
shave.
Il have forgotten nothing" he replied with
quiet intention.
painful flush dyed Miss Latimer's face. and
her lips qulvered, but she mastered her emotion
and led them across the lawn to a strip of gar
den still bright and fragrant with late roses.
They are almost over now" she said gently;
Capt. Fanshswe should have seen them a
month ago, shouldn't he, Mrs. Graham?"
"Ah! they were perfect then" CALCULATED the
vicar wife, by the bye, dear. L see johnson
coming down the sidewalk; may go and speak
to him about our new chants? johnson is our
best bass" she explained. land / promised
Tom would see him. You show Capt. Fam
shave the rest of the garden"
with pleasure" murmured Miss Latimer.
but her tone was the reverse of deliabted, and
Mrs. Graham felt that her little ruselacked the
finesse on which she prided herself. She must
leave her companions in a more natural man
ner.
''Oh! Frances, quite forgot to ask after
that strange gray cat. How is it," she inquired
airily.
"Oh! l am SO unhappy about it." cried
Frances, catching eagerly at any pretext for
OBTAINING her friend; lit has disappeared as
mysteriously as 1t came. and we are AFRAID it
must have been caught in a trap"
mo doubt no doubt; poor thing am
sorry" and so saying, the wears wife edged
gradually away, leaving Frances in al, agony of
nervous embarrassment. Capt Fanshawe
looked at her for moment and mastered a
wild desire to take her then and there in his
arms, regardless of johnson and the Wears
wife.
''Will you show me the yew alleys again?" he
asked with studied carelessness. He was half
afraid she might run away from him.
IT you like, she faltered, leading the way
with hurried steps.
Fanshawe followed her. making no attempt
to speak until they were fairly between the
high green walls of the memorable walk where
he had first told her he loved her. Suddenly
he stopped: she was trembling so that she
coulo hardly stand. He came close to her,
looking down on the shrinking gray figure
Frances, do you remember?"
She lifted her hand to her throat as IL to
compel her voice and to still its throbbing.
viii you forgive me?" she whispered in
broken humble tones
ct will faroiva vou nm ooa zool;.:oz I. l.
said, taking her hands in his strong clasp.
Frances raised her ewes questioningly: what
she saw in his made her quickly lower them
II will forgive you, my beloved. il you will only
tell me that you care for me little STILL" he
pleaded. passionately.
But wronged you so; you have forgotten. "
sobbed Frances
what do care?" he cried taking her in his
arms. Don cry, my darling; for heavens
sake, don't cryi Those eight years are a dream;
it was last night you said you loved me, my
Frances. Let me hear ii again.
Il love you, l have always loved you Ali
if you knew! 1t was all dreadful mistake. /
must explain, must tell your
You shall tell me what you like when YOU
are Mrs: Fanshawe," laughed Jack in the full
ness OF his Joy. 1T would spoil the illusion
now. L am still penniless lieutenant. and
you are my little Frances, not bit less shy for
all the eight years. Let us forget them"
You are very generous" Miss Latimer
mufmured; You take me without q word
to show that did not treat you as shame
fully as you must think. Oh! must explain
please"
Il believe you will have no peace till Won
have made full confession. There's a seat lust
behind you; come, now for your sinsl"
They weren't my sins"
II thought as much" interposed the CAP
tain.
And you must promise me you will not be
angry or speak harshly about the person who
separated u.s."
my dear child, remember am humanl'
II can't tell you II you won't promise, Jack"
the effort at familiarity cost Frances q very
lovely blush. ''Please for nv sake"
II will if you will kiss me, replied Fanshawe
boldly.
"Ah! you are unkind," cried Frances. with
still deeper blush, and moving q little away
from him.
well, there, promise. But I will claim
payment afterward. Beginr"
But when the tale of Great-aunt Sarah's inio-
uity was unfolded to him, Jack found il hard
to keep his word He rose abruptly from the
seat, leaving Frances trembling and fearful. and
paced stormily up and down the green alley
At last he came and sat down beside her and
turned to her with his usual frank. kind smile.
my dearest, don't look at me so pitifully.
We will forgive and forget all IL you SO wish IL
But shall claim my reward"
POSTSCRIPT.
Two years later Captain and Mrs. Fanshawe
were dining with some friends in town. and as