The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1890-02-02
CHAPTER V.-D1ANA's CHOICE.


The warning came too late. Col. East
wood had evidently heard the words spoken
by Diana. Indeed it seemed to George when
rejecting afterward upon the matter, that
she had decidedly raised her voice in utter
ing them. Was it possible that she had pur
posely taken this way of delivering him out
of his difficulties?
Col. Eastwood looked furious. His stern,
regular features had singular power of ex-
pressing scorn and anger, and at that mo-
ment he looked as if he scarcely knew how
to control himself. But he did restrain the
vehement words that evidently rose to his
lips-for a few minutes, at least. He made
a sign to the boy who pushed his wheeled
chair to leave him. and then, with his eyes
turned first upon Diana, and then upon his
nephew he began to speak.
MAY ask what is the meaning of the
words heard just now~ he said, in tones
of angry politeness.
''rheir meaning is quite plain, think"
said Diana, interfering before the embar-
raised George could open his mouth. 81
am declining Georges. hand, Uncle Henry,
that is ell"
| she said it with acaarming smile, but the
4 COlOuelS Wrabl was 0Ot dDhbt4.
And pray, what do you mean by refus-
ing hint / have always intended you to
marry him. drought yon up at WEXFORD
that you might marry him. He has fulfilled
II mywiishes. it seems, and has asked you to be
his wifer-the colonel fortunately did not
wait for a reply-"Why cannot you comply
with them alsop'
j Uncle Henry, this is not fair, "~ began
George, inlpetuously but Diana laid q re-
h nd
rupted him with such vivacity that he
could not continue his speech.
"You can hardly expect me to comply
+ with your wishes in a matter so important
] to me, if they don't coincide with my own"
she said. 1T is awfully uncomplimentary
Of me to say SO, is it not, George dearF You
know how much | like George as brother,
uncle Henry, but that is a very different
thing from marrying him"
II will speak to you again on the subject"
said the colonel severely, land in the mean
time YOU can reflect on the possible conse-
quences to your mother and yourself of this
dsobedience."
& He made sign to the page, who was how
n sring in the distance, that he wished to be
wheeled back to the house, and George was
left facing Diana and hastily wishing him.
self out of the whole business.
"Boes he mean that for a threat!" he
said.
ut does not matter what he means it for ;
he viii not hurt me-"
"A "But he can buster and storm"
20, he is always a gentleman in his
aagriest moods, and | can put up with an
expression Of his disappointment. Don't
you see that it is rather fattering to meG"
n Dear Diana, it is all very well for you to
"a speak Of it SO lightly, but you know that it
will be very disagreeable to you and to
your mother if he is really angry. He
might evea-n
Turn us out? Ihave thought Of that
have another string to my bow"
1T must not be. l shall go to my uncle
81 and tell him"
What will you tell him" said Diana,
laughing in a. somewhat mirthless fashion.
That l am like the historical Miss Biddy
baxtor, who refused man before he axed
aerF No, you must not do that, George; see
What an undignifed position you would
Place me in. You must leave the matter
Rhere it stands
1T seems to me-" said the young man,
otly, that am in the more undignified po-
saon of the two. You are really bearing
N le blame for me-"
Not much blame, is it!" asked Diana,
Slll laughing. mo, George, you must
III ave 1t il my hands, now that matters
ave got so far. 1 assure you know what
am doing. You cannot, in fact, without
great want of generous feeling"-she now
5 poke seriously-"betray that ! declined
our offer before you made it. That is a
9Stession which would brand me in Col
asVwood's eyes as a woman without any
aeheacy of feeling at ALL You must not
ay word about itn
am very sorry, Diana"
I N wen, so am / very sorry" she said,
ID = 5nViy, that we have mismanaged things
IS ureadfully; but it would have been far
orse II you had been persuaded into ask
- me to marry you, or
: ny been persuaded into say
les, when neither Of US cared for the