The morning call., 1890-07-01
NOT TO BE TRUSTED.
CHAPTER |.
nrHnUuHINH

~ landed in England from 7. and o. steamer,
~ compelled, by violent attack Of fever to
leave his wOIk-be was civil engineer, and a
remarkably clever oue-aud ny The effect Of his
native cline.
Yes. il was very kind of the Lortons TO fetch
him from southampton to their pleasant villa
on the Surrey hills and pei and nurse him back
to health; but they were a warm hearted people
and always maintained that they had good rea-
sons for 1t.
James Lorton was the young mans first cousin
and fanoed himself under immense obligations
TO Gray on the score Of a timely loan when his
practice was not so good as now, and also for
timely help Afforded When-a thoughtless medi-
cal student-he had risked his life on unsound
Ice, and must have persisted, with half dozen
more. but for the eXerliOns OF his kinsman.
DIR. James Lorlou was thoroughly goOd-neart-
ed and only too pleased 10 be able TO Tequile the
said obligations; and. thanks 10 his tonics and
the kitchen-physic over which MIS-. Lorton pre-
slded Gray Denson was Rapidly Iegaining his
health and strength.
Not that he was capable as yet of much exer-
tion. He WAS too languid 10 do more than lie
on sofa drawn close 10 the window, and read
or crawl into the sheltered gaId den for ten min
utes whenever the sun had warmed the earth
sufficiently; while making feeble attempts 10
Jest and romp with POppie LOIton-his hosts
only chIld-always sutticed TO fatigue him. aud
send him to his room at an early hour.
still, every day found him less hopeless, more
capable OF enjoying country sights aud sounds,
or OF looking forward hopefully 10 the coming Of
the spring.
1t was the beginning OF January, cold and
cherries. when he landed In England. 1t WAS
February before Dr.. Lorton considered him
equal to joining the family circle.
4" 1t has been so very hard upon him, poor dear
fellow, 10 be obliged 10 secude himself from
usl" sighed Miss Euphemia Gavin. the uu-
welded sister OF his hostess. AS soon as
heal d OF Mr. Denisous arrival gave up all my
engagements, though l offended several of my
dearest friends, and hurried here 10 help Jenny
nurse him. l was guile ready, as | assured the
doctor, 10 make any personal sacTihceS-Tead or
sing TIL | was Eoaise-for a relative Of his. You
know | always admire JennyS husband so lIn-
menSely. But medical men are always matter Of
fact; am sure JooT Mr.. DeuisOn las been pin
iBg-lositVely piniug-for more society. aud yet
his cruel doctor has persisted IN io!bldding H.
Wien n tn lblco vas NnlCraMn and Clay
was permitted 10 spend his evening III the draw
iug-rOOm, We are afraid he was not as grateful as
he was eXi eCled TO be.
Euphemta Cavan was no longer young-a fact
she persisted IN Ignoring. She had a finn faith
in her own attractions, which, unfortunately Tor
her matrimonial aspirations, no one else seemed
To share.
To be domestlcated in house with Gray Den
lsOn-a clever, good looking fellow, in a fairly
good pOsitiOn-was delightful, and she resolved
10 make the most Of Tie opportunity.
IT, 81
On the contrary Der shrIll tOues, her langutShiug
airs ana uucUnce aled readiness 10 beSIow on
every eligible WOOer the $500 hat formed her
dover, made her 4 creature TO be desriSed aud
Shuun. d as much as possible by tie fJslduuS
Gray.
But this II was difficult to do. II was no use to
be brusQue she called that manly; OF taciturn-
she only talked The more; and when succession
Of wet days kept hun prisoner TO lie house and
her society, lie would have been maddened by her
uBWeicOme cyiItes ii lie had not attached 10
himself the merry little girl who was always de-
lighted 10 play splilihlus With Uncle Gray or
listen TO his stories.
Cayan too much absorbed one afternoon 10 tilt
across the room as usual with SWEEP, girllsn
yiyscily-she confessed 10 33-and devote her
self TO him IS soon AS he made his appearance IN
Mrs LortOn's pretty drawing-rUOm.
Both ladies were discussing some important
t0plcj at first in lowered tones, but presently in
their customary ones, the necessity of caution
being apparently forgotten In their excitement.
"Irs most unfortunate for l do hate chang
ingI'' exclaimed Mrs. Lorton, a well-ineauing but
veal woman, who was always governed by her
stronger-mnded sister.
'My dear Jenny, told you when you engaged
her thai you had done very foolish thing"
But / could not why" Mrs. LOrton OBJ
ieeted, land James lives her, and Poppie really
dOteS upon her"
Hem" SAID Miss Cayan, behind her long, thin
fingers; "were / wife l should not leel any the
better pleased with my gUyerness for laying her
self out to win my husbands admiration"
"0hl hut don't think Miss Ainslle has done
thatl' and Mrs. lortou spoke with more spirit
thsn usual. "She never plesuneS, aud her man
ner is so reserved, 80 modest that don't like 10
hear you make any such accusation"
My dear Jenny, hasn't II always been your
nature TO be too confiding?" asked Euphemia.
Have you forgotten the nOuSemald who robbed
YOU, or tie man Who persuaded you to buy an
eighteeu-penny book and sign receipt for II
before you found out that you had pledged
yourself 10 purchase twenty OF thirty more?
Besides, giIlS OF Miss Aiusle's class never are
TO be trusted. L could tell you such tales
"Oh, please don't 20 cried little Mis-. LOrton,
who In every respect contrast 10 her
scraggy, VOluble sister. Il am sufficiently put
out as il Is. l thought my sell so well suited
that this is a very unpleasant shock TO me. /
wonder what | ought to do Speak 10 James
and ask him 10 give her falheTlY talking tO?"
Miss Cavan Uttered.
''Ob you simple-simple chit How can you
be so absurd? OF course Dr. LortoD would
take her part and find excuses for her. Isn't
"Am not de trop9" asked Gray DenIson at
this JunctuTe, for now The sisters had raised
their voices H. could not help overhearIng what
they were saving.
"0n. deal, no; We could never have any secrets
from you, Mr.. DeniSOn ~ Tie fair Euphemia
spOuded; ''aie not you one of the family? In
most cases we should ask you 10 advise Us; but
this is merely one VI those little domestic diff
contend with. Dear Jenny lets such affairs
trouble her more than she ought to-"
We'll, you see, there's Poppe 10 be coDsid-
ered," SAID Mrs, LorIOD, WisIfuIly. She has
always been so very fond Of her goyeIness that
am afraid The child Will Iret If she loses her"
Is this said gOyeruess about 10 marry aud
leave your"
ION. Mr.. Denison how your thoughts seem to
be always turning on marriage! Way Is il? |
should like to know" Miss Cavan asked, softly.
Are you beginning TO fee! Tue utter impossible
ity OF returning to India alOue?"
But Gray was SO poiuIedly looking to Mrs.
Lott0n Tor reply 10 bis question that She fell
constrained To give II.
"NO, IFS quite d different affair. PhemIe and
1 went 10 bay few visits tins afternoon, ana
while [ called on one OF James patients at Rem
worth, she went 10 the p0sloflice 10 procure some
stamps and saw Miss AInslie there III The act of
posting a letter. or course, she was very much
astonished."
"Why? Is II forbidden to lOvernesses to cor.
respond with their iIiends"' asked Gray, drily.
ION, my dear Mr. Denison, Jenny is goodness
Itself TO TINS young person. Miss Cayan lnter-
QulIes her. Don't you see that she is found out
in most uDderhand proceedings? Firstly she
was left at home u charge of POppie, and heaven
only knows what might have happened 10 the
dear child when thus neglected; secondly, If
Miss Aiusie steals away to the next village to
post her letter instead of letting IL 20 into the
bag with ouIs, size must have some unworthy
reason for IL; and thirdly, she was dreadfuliy
confused when she caught sight OF me and
pushed her letter across the counter that |
might not see 1t. but l did, and though the ad-
dress was upside down. could detect an Esq"
at the end Of the name. Proof positive that she
her superior in rank. After this how can she
be fiji to be trusted with The charge OF such a
precious little creature as our dear POppie?"
cit seems to me. Miss Cavan, that you draw
your deductions from such very trivial circum-
stances, That for my own part fall 10 discover
the proofs positive OF which you speak. ven
ture TO hope Mrs. LortOn will not dismiss a
young and perhaps friendless girl without max
ing careful inquiries into her guilt or innocence"
There was q steinness III Gray Denison's man
ner that made Mrs. LOTIONS eyes I'LL with tears,
and Euphema bite her lip and mentally protest
that he was like all his sex, much loo ready TO
esp0use the cause OF such sly thugs as this Miss
Ainslle.
"Detestable,- evmnded old maid !" Gray
called her when she followed her sister from the
room 10 dress for dinner. He felt no particular
curiosity respecting this Miss Ainslie. He fe-
membered to have seen her on Two or three oc
casiOns, but IL was while the languOr OF low.
nervous fever was upon him. and lie only
tained slight recollection of delicate features
fair hair. and a slender. youthful figure.
However, The Tale lie had heard this afternoon
must have aroused his interest In the young gov
erness 10 u considerable degree, for that same
evening. when Poppie had cOaxed him to help
her put together an intricate puzzle, lie asked
her II she liked Miss Ainse.
Not quite much as mamma. or papa. or
you, bul dozens and dozens OF Times better than
Aunt fheme."
What u dreadful confession ~ laughed Gray.
=" Pethaps Aunt Phemie Is too sensible 10 spoil
yoii. as your other foolish friends do"
Miss Ainslie doesn't sDOll me- because Won