Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-10-12

going along to the Chain Pier, to get out of
the crowd. Won't you Gomez"
"Oh, yes, if I may" said he, gladly
enough-and he knew that the other young
man was staring not to say scowling at this
unwelcome intrusion.
Now Maisrie had been walking between
her grandfather and young Glover; but the
moment that Vincent Joined the little party,
she fell behind.
-Four abreast are too many" said she.
1--WE must 60 two and two; grandfather,
will you lead the way with Mr.. Clover
1t was done, and dexterously done, In
moment; and IL the selection OF the new
conner a. her companion was almost too
open and marked, perhaps that was her in
tention. At all events, when the two others
had moved forward, Vincent said in an un-
dertone-
"This is very kind of you, Maisrie."
And she replied, rather proudly
'I wished to show you that could dis
tinguish between old and new friends"
Then he grew humble.
''Maisrie," said he, "don't you treasure
up things against mel twas only phrase.
And just remember how was situated. 1
came away down to Brighton merely to
catch a glimpse of you, and about the first
thing saw was this young fellow, whom
had never heard of, driving you up aud
down among the fashionable crowd. You
see, Maisrie, you hadn't give me the sandal
wood necklace then, and what is OF far
more consequence, you hadn't allowed your
eyes to tell me what they told me this morn
ing. So what was 1 to think? No harm Of
you, of course, but I was miserable; e;-and-
and 1 thought you could easily forget, and
all the afternoon looked out for you, and
all the evening wandered about the streets,
wondering whether you would be in one OF
the restaurants or the hotels. IF could
only have spoken word with you'll But
then, YOU know, 1 had been in kind of
way shut off from you, and-and there was
this new Acquaintance"
'I am very sorry. Vincent" she said also
in a low voice. at seems such pity tn at
one should vex ones friends unintention-
ally; because in looking back. you like to
think of their always being pleased with
you; and then again there may be no chance
of making up-and you are sorry when it is
too late"
"Come, come, Maisrie," he said, with
freedom-for some people had interviewed,
and the other two were now little way
ahead, 81 am not going to let you talk in
that way. You always speak as if you and
1 were to be separated"
"Wouldn't it be better, Vincent" she
said, simply.
''Why?"
"Why?" she repeated, in an absent kind
of wav. "Well, you know nothing about
US, Vincent"
IT have been told a good deal of late,
thenI" he said, in careless scorn.
And the next instant he wished he had
bitten his tongue out ere making that hap
hazard speech. The girl looked at him
with a curious quick scrutiny-as if she
were afraid.
"What have you been told, Vincent?" she
demanded, in quite an altered tone.
''Oh, nothingp he said, with dIsdain. ga
lot of rubbish! Everyone has good-natured
friends, L suppose, who won't be satisfied
with minoing their own business. And al
though you may laugh at the moment, still,
il it should happen that just at the same
time you should someone you are very
fond ot-in-in position that you can't ex-
plain to yourself-well, then But what
is the use OF talking, Maisriel 1 confess
that was jealous out of all reason, jealous
to the verge of madness; but then 1 paid the
in hours and hours Of misery; and
now you come along and heap Goals of fire
on my head, until i am so ashamed of my
self that don't think am fit to live. And
that's all about it; and nv only excuse is
that you had not told me then what your
eyes told me this morning."
She remained silent and thoughtful for a
little while; but as she made no further
reference to his iuadvertent admission that
he had heard certain things of herself and
grandfather, he inwsrdly hoped that that
unlucky speech had gone from her memory.
Moreover, they were come to the Chain
Pier; and as those two in front waited tor
Al Al
turnstiIe one after the other, there was just
then no opportunity for further confidential
But once on the pier, old George
Bethune, who was eagerly discoursing on
some subject or another (with magnificent
emphasis of arm and stick) drew ahead
again, taking his companion with him.
And Vim Harris, regarding the picturesque
figure of the old man, and his fine en-
thusiastic manner which at all events
seemed so sincere, began to wonder whether
there could be any grains of truth in the story
that had been told him, or whether it was
a complete and malevolent fabrication.
His appearance and demeanor, certainly
were not those of a professional impostor;
it was hard to understand how a man
of his proud and blunt self-assertion could
manage to wheedIe wine merchants and
tailors. Had he really called himself Lord
Bethune; or was it not far more likely that
some ignorant colonial folk, impressed by
his talk of high lineage and by mis- personal
dignity, had bestowed on him that title?
The young man-guessing and wondering
began to recall the various counts o that
sinister indictment; and at last he said to
his companion, in q musing kind of way
"Maisrie, you know that motto your
grandfather is SO proud of: Stand Fast,
Craig Royston? Have you any idea where
Craig-Royston is?'
"I? No, not at all, )" she said simply.
"You have never been there?"
''Vineentl' she said. "You know have
never been In Scotland"
Because there is such an odd thing in
connection with it." he continued. "In
one edition of Blacks Guide to Scotland,
Craig -Royston is not mentioned anywhere;
and in another it is mentioned, but only in
q footnote. And can't find it in the map.
You don't know If there are any people of
your name living there now?"
"I am sure I cannot say" she made
answer. Grandfather could tell you; he is
always interested in such things"
"And Balloray," he went on, 'I could
find no mention of Balloray; but of course
there must be such q place?''
81 wish there was not" she said, sadly.
sit is the one bitter thing in nv grand
fathers life. wish there never had been
any such place. But / have noticed
change in him of late. He does not COM
plain now as he used to complain; he is
more resigned; indeed, he seldom talks OF
it. And when 1 say complain, that is
hardly the word. Don't you think he bears
his lot with great fortitude? I am sure it is
more on my account than his own that he
ever thinks of the estate that was lost. And
1 am sure he is happier with his books than
with all the land and money that could be
given to him, He seems to fancy that those