Waterbury evening Democrat., 1890-06-26
THE ATHELSTONS; VICTOR AND vANQUISHm.
BY MARY CECIL HAY.

from Col. Stuart himself, but that never makes any diherence-has made an offeR to Lady Helen Burton. and been re- fused. "Not true" returned Lady Athelston, promptly and deoisively. "Ha has never even admired her." "But. dear Lady Athelston, what has that to do with tY inquired Marjorie, opening her frank brown eyes in comioA surprise. "You don't understand the love-making of the nineteenth century go we'll as do. If I see gentleman and indifference, am pretty sure that they have chosen each other out of ell the world. If their indifference amounts to neglect then am sure they would die for each other. And if sec . gentle man paying attention to Q lady, am equally sure he is in love with her mother, or aunt, or any other relation. | Some note m Mar1or1e's voice gave this speech tone of bitter earnestness which two at least of her listeners de- tected, though only one could apprs- ciate the irony of the last sentence: Yet l all the while her face was full of ire pressible mirth, and her eyes had tho comical look of a child who, enjoying the mischief it has done, waits in timid expectation of the punishmsnt.
 1T shall tell Neil your opinion of his love-making," said Lady Athelston, not without vexation in her voice, though she smiled; "Miss Chester, you are witness"
 "Don't bring Miss Chester in," en- treated Marjorie, hastily. "H one girl forms an opinion from her own e1peri- ence it is very unjust that another whose experience is likely to have been widely diferent-should have to indorse it."
 "I should be very sorry to have to slowly and smilingly round. "I find that the gentlemen of the nineteenth century know exactly how to pay atten- tion in the most acceptable and agreed ble manner"
 This speech, though deposited in Ls- dy Athelston's trumpet, was intended for another destination too, and evident ly reached it. MT. Jeffrey bowed with a courteous, pleasant smile.
 "Being the only representative of the sex present." he said, "my unworthy thanks are all your kind words can win, Miss Castillain. And hope that you agree with me in thinking that the men , of the nineteenth oentury-with' the | U are influenced in their love-making q n will retain your sisters word) by the conduct of the ladies to whom they are making love. I hope you think this, and that Miss Chester, at any rate, thinks so too."
 He looked . very handsome and intel ligent specimen of the nineteenth-centu- " man when he spoke, and Lina's eyes were riveted upon him, while the color r slowly rose in her face at his words.
 "Is she assenting to his words or de- nying them ?" unused Marjorie. "Is she angry with him, or of some one of whom . his words remind herr"
 "Have any right to ask you, Miss Marjorie" concluded MT. Jeffrey, rather earnestly, "what reason you ,, have for thinking us either cold or de- e oeitful?"
 II have no other but a woman's req son-I think you so because think you so."
 - Marjorie's eyes, so gravely mischievous, went back to thsir quiet observation of Lima, until Lady Athelston looked up = and touched the round arms that were crossed on the back of her chair. X: "I only want you not to pretend that 70 70 She said. "We can take your nonsense for what it is worth, if you won't tell 6 direct falsehood. You cannot meet with coldness from one you love, or deceit - from one who loves you"
 "Can't IF" laughed Marjorie, while 10 the red famed in her face with vivid " suddennsss. "Why not ?"
 "Because all those things have beer Tt arranged for you, and there is no def. ciency in your courtship.'
 "Oh, none l" replied Marjorie, raising her eyes sublimely.
 "You and Neil are sure to agree en = tirely about that sort of thing" re sumed Lady, Athelston, graciously 7 "you are both just the persons to vii attention and admiration"
 "Listen, ys shades |" cried the girl [. "I don't know about Neil," she added ' her laughing lips again at the trumpet
 "but l an just the person to win no
 but, if ever did, it would be those o
 'iust the person never could care for Is not that bad state of affairs, Lad, V Athelston?"
 A "It Is partly Marjorie's own fault tha
 people see no good qualities in her,
 put in Louisa, seeing nothing of tn iieSs stern compression of Jelfrey's lips. "Sh .I. will not even make . little show in SC . ciety. I don't mind what she does a
 home with ne but think she owes
 to society to show some different feeling
 hear many people say she is not at q Es like Castillain."
 "Tidings of hope," put in Mariori.
 "But," resumed Louisa, pityingly
 "like some unoouth peasant girl dresse
 up."
 "Any peasant girl who could 'drel . up on my allowance would be prod19
 quite worthy of my imitation" ed
 Marjorie, good humoredly. "You have the same as have, dear, 'ay rejoined Louisa, looking up innocent
 from her low seat.
 "Don't let us discuss that" inte
 posed her sister, with sudden grayit. m, Tive have bickered enough, and on thi tha | aubiack T varA1v kaNn my tanner esp