Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-02-23

80" IA" no. nrequensiy whipping the stream
as she sailed forth with her charges for the
walk before breakfast which Admiral Bulstrode
exacted. wet or fine. Then the little girls
raced away to Cousin Jack and Mary performed
. reckless fantasia with his ny-rod But he had
never happened to be near the path.
Cousin Jack was not visible on the morning
when Loyalty's reply might be expected, but
tney found his rod upon the bridge. Mary
seized II, OF course, and galloped down to the
waters edge. and Miss Shafto, of course, re-
monstrated up above. Her perfunctory APP
Peals ended in a sharp cry OF pain. The fy
had pierced her ear through and through.
ftfui arose the wailing of the little girls;
desperate were her efforts TO extract the hook.
captain Bulstrode, who had gone to seek
nght Tor his cheroot, burst on the scene. Kate
was not SO distracted that she failed TO observe
his running-hke q Greek athlete, she said to
herself.
With that kind smile which she had ridiculed
70 LYDIA, though admjring it all the while, he
sAamlned the mischief. have said that Kate
Snaftos face did not strike at a glance, and
captain Bulstrode had never happened to re-
gard her with attention. He could not have
avoided doing SO now, and certainly she looked
ner very best-red with embarrassment, hair
loose. eyes and lips protesting, yet diverted
with the humor of a situation which she only
grasped. So startled was he that he paGsed
saying: 'This is Miss Shafto?"-but found an
excuse upon the instant-"Er-you are in
great pain, l fear?' With that he snapped the
hate foresaw what would happen. II there
are girls who cannot read the look of over
powerlng admiration in honest. manly ewes.
she was not one of them. But il would have
peen Tar more INDIGENOUS to walk with her hair
dlsheveled than to return home under an escort
OF young man, and she submitted to fate
very willingly since it must be so. Captain
Buistrode had wound up his tackle before she
was ready, and they started
Ihe castle was not a mile away, and the little
Ill m hnh al
out ceasing; but he found means to draw the
govcrness out-at least to assure himself that
she was well worth the trouble. Kate UNDER
stood perfectly. Several times she marked his
cautious survey of her face and read therein,
with pardonable vanity, an expression of as
Constituent which grew rather than subsidized
How could l possibly have overlooked this
girl! 1t said. She did not feel called upon to
mislead him. by the affectation of character
good or bad. which was not her own. And
snyness would have been gross affectation; be-
SIDES, she could not help regarding Captain
Bulstrode as an old and intimate acquaintance
so they talked merrily and frankly through
the children, who played very useful part as
conductors. When the letter came Kate felt
that it was ancient history. She saw him no
more that day, but next morning. of course, he
was at the brook. and very near the path. The
rod was Entrusted to Mary, and until she broke
1t In triumphant flourish they strolled to and
fro. Naturally, then, Captain Bulstrode might
have accompanied them on their walk, but he
was too sagacious. Next day. however they
met him again, and the next. The fun was
over now; matters grew serious. On the fourth
morning Kate took another direction. to the
great disgust of her pupils; but on their return
COUSIN Jack Joined them. She felt. without
pretending irritation to herself, that her
shrewdness was no match for his. There was
no escape, for the admiral insisted that his
girls should take exercise regardless of the
weather. At a glimpse of their favorite the
children galloped to him, and he contrived it
so that they always seemed to bring him to the
governess. Kate was perplexed. amused, and
began to be troubled. Then the next letter
arrived.
My DEAR Miss TRoTH: 1t is not four days
since took refuge in chicanery to evade the
plain meaning of your injunctions, and to sus-
tain correspondence which interested me
very deeply. did wrong, and knew it. but
you are avenged. 1t is painful to eat ones
words. doubly SO in this case, for have to beg
what | refused when it was offered-a kindly
farewell. Explanation is unnecessary. 1 think,
under the circumstances, and it would be most
embarrassing. You have proved yourself to be
wise and prudent all through-let that suffice,
With the warmest respect and admiration re-
clprocate your expressions of goodwill, and
1 subscribe myself for the last time. LOYALTY.
If Kate was perplexed and somewhat trou-
pied before. this communication dumbfounded
her. She could scarcely find smile for the
extraordinary attention which a correspond
enee. begun in sport. had developed. It was
awfully funny. doubtless but grave enough
for those concerned. and most complicated for
herself. Explanation was unnecessary indeed
Loyalty broke of his relations with Miss Troth
because Captain Bulstrode had fallen in love
with Miss Shafto. Kate thrilled in reading
the confession, but it was dreadful.
Since he had thus declared himself. uncon-
sciously, she owned her love, she gloricd in it.
But the mere knowledge of that fact forbade
her, dependent. to allow meetings, under the
adrlirars roof. which had been harmless if dis
concerning before. II did not occur to Kate,
even as possibility, that she might misunder-
stand the motive of Loyalty's withdrawal
Captain Bulstrodes eyes were too expressive
for that.
But how to check him? She had no grounds
for giving hint. nor was he in the least likely
to supply her. The children must go out, their
governess must accompany them; and Kate
owned herself no match in strategy with this
young soldier. She thought OF feigning i'll
ness, but he was man who could wait The
only means of escape was resignation. and
that would be disastrous. A girl is not called
upon to sacrifice her livelihood. perhans all
her future. to avoid an honorable suit from
her employers heir. Heroines Of story do
that kind of thing. but Kate Shafto was a
human girl" no more and no less. She re-
solved at length to take holiday-that would
give pause-and wrote Mrs. Cantley forth
with to ask whether she could be received The
good old dame consented with warmth by re-
turn of post.
The same morning Mrs. Bulstrode sum-
moned the governess to an interview; she
seemed Hurried and nervous, and she spoke
less kindly than usual.
MY dear, We are starting for the continent
tomorrow. You will accompany us?'
Kate was amazed. Il was Just going to beg
G short holiday, madam" she said.
''This Will be n twelve-month's holiday. 1
should not ask you to give the children regular
lessons. We go to Italy. thence north and we
winter in Rome. The admiral will be with us
much of the time"
Kate could not inquire whether Captain
Bulstrode would be of the party. She an
swered:
Il should like to spend a few days with
my friends before leaving them for so long,
madam
.'You can't do thatr' said Mrs. Bulstrode
shortly, and Hates spirit rose at her tone.
Relying on your constant kindness, madam,
/ begged my aunt to receive me, and she has
made arrangements"
The lady looked in her face. which had
grown stubborn, thought an instant, and
spoke frankly, with a total change of manner.
II honestly think. Miss Shafto, as I hope,
that you have been comfortable with us. I'VE
have not tried toSbe kind, for it was no effort,
and You, believe, found il no effort to be
grateful. Ispeak for the admiral also in de-
claring that your character and disposition
made it pleasure to have you in the house"
Indeed, madam, you have treated me as q
daughter" Kate exclaimed, her eyes full.
Mrs Bulstrode stretched out her hands and
drew the girl to her bosom. ''Heaven knows,
da,r hot 7 uisha6 In IN col I faal carta;v 80