Waterbury evening Democrat., 1890-07-19

U been. and who has been with you all this day. You told me at the ball last night that you would come to High Athelston- today"
 "And I intend to do so, Neil," re- piled Marjorie, her voice catching tho anxiety of his. "Where are you going nowY
 "To the rectory. I have been delu- ded into some appointment with our two active magistrates, borden and Stuart, I must not fail to be there to meet them"
 "O course not" laughed Marjorie, "beinr High Sheriff. What an awe-in- spirinG meeting, Neil-two magistrates and a Sheriff Shall I come. self-in- vited, and introduce little counter-ele- ment?"
 "I wish you would," he answered, absently, little guessing how unheeded her presence was to be when she did come. "But the fact is, Marjorie, l thought you had Miss Chester with you. My mother is at Burton, and so l thought that, as you are always so good to Miss Chester, you would have taken her out, or called to see her, or done something to make this leisure day kind of holiday to her."
 "But you must have known (seein9 her at home) that she was not with me. '"
 And Marjorie, little frightened-she hardly knew why, except that she was always prepared for sorrowful tidings oi Lina-spoke far more earnestly than she wot of.
 "But have not seen her today" the young man said. "Martin found out that she was in her room all the morning, but she could not have stayed there until left at dusk-could she. Marjorie ?"
 "Hardly," said Marjorie, tersely. "Neil, I will walk on with you. Shall tell James to keep the phaeton here to take us back2"
 "Not necessary, Neil answered, read fly, by no means relishing the idea of driving the ancient Hawkdale quadru- ped. "My dog-cart is to follow me to the rectory. enjoyed the walk into the town, butdon't care for it back again. Let me drive you, Marjorie, and send James home"
 She did as he bid her, and they turned and walked up the street together, many eyes following the handsome young couple, whose marriage-day would not be long in coming now, and would be 8 holiday for Churchill.
 twill you come into the formidable rectory study, then, Marjorie," Sir Neil inquired, "and make out case to divert us?"
 "To give you something to do? The talented young Sheriff has had no op- portunity yet for displaying his ideas of justice"
 "Churchill is such stupidly cautious and exemplary spot" he answered, still with the absent tone in his voice. "Our magistrates never have a case worth hearing. Can't you bring us one?"
 "I could take papa up" unused Mar jorie, "for robbing me of every luxury; but do not think of anything definite against-Nei, she added, suddenly breaking of in her forced jest. is there any reason for Miss Chester's keeping her own room to-day?"
 "Reason he echoed, astonished. "Why, Marjorie, what reason could she have to-day more than on any other day?"
 "I don't know," ruminated Marjorie, "but one never knows what may have been dis-may have happened in one's absence, and so-and so, at any rate, l am at liberty to ask," she concluded, with forced laugh.
 "No," Neil answered, wondering now at her earnestness. "nothing has hap. pened indeed. don't see what could have happened. Have you heard any thing, Marjorie ?"
 She raised her face suddenly to his, q grave wistfulness in her eyes, as she answered, almost solemnly:
 eff did hear anything, Neil, what difference would that make? No friend of mine would ever be doubted in my heart because of anything had heard. Neil, should you believe evil things of one you had learned to respect? Can you-could you ever do it, Neil p
 He was wondering at her tone, half inclined to smile, when a sudden idea struck him.
 Miss Chester when you say this 2" in particular" she answered, rather quickly. "Look how fast some one is riding down the valley. From the rec tory gerden, we shall be able to see who
 So, in the garden, they turned little aside among the shrubs, to look over the hedge into the valley. A boy was hastily opening the gate which led from 1t into the road, and through the opened gate the horse and rider carle on with out a pause.
 "Tristram-Louie-I declare it is Louiep cried Marjorie, starting Httlej "slone, and in haste I wonder why ?''
 "Rare event." laughed Neil. "1 wonder whether Louisa has ever been in 0 hurry before in all her life." Even before the words were uttered, Louisa had turned Tristram, and drawn him up at the rectory gate. Neil moved forward and opened it for her, but she passed him without word, cantering on up the sloping drive.
 "Stop, Louie, stop l" cried Marjorie, in breathless voice, subdued in all it's eagerness. "Stop one moment, Louie, and tell us first"
 Neil stood astonished. "Tell what p' he questioned.
 But Marjorie did not heed him in hel esgerness, and Louisa did not heed either of them. She drew up Tristan at the door, and dismounting with Neil's ready | help, but giving him no word or glance