The times., 1890-10-03

devious, and learned that Capt. Lane
had gone to Europe with leave of alb
sence for year; and there her letter fol-
lowed him. She demanded, as q right,
to know the truth. She had given the
executors to understand that the debt
must be paid, if they had to sell the
old homestead to do it, She would be
glad to go and live in retirement any
where.
Not only did che, but so did Mr.. Wood
row, receive at last a letter from distant
Athens. The widow sobbed and laughed
and pressed her letter to her heart, while
Woodrow read his with moistened eyes,
asuspicious resort to his cambria hand
kerchief, and an impatient consignment
of all such confounded quixotic, unbusi-
ness like cavalrymen toto the deuce, by
Jupiter; and then he went off to show it
to his fellow-executors.
The long summer wore away. Au-
tumn again found mother and daughter
and Regy at the dear old home, but light
and laughter had not been known within
the massive walls since the fathers
death. The tragedy in Mabel's life COM
ing so quickly after that event seemed
to have left room for naught but mourn
ing. "She has so aged, so changed"
wrote Mrs. Vincent, on one of the few
occasions when she wrote of her at all
to him, and she wrote every month. II
could even say that it has improved her.
The old gayety and joyousness are gone.
and with them the wilfulness. She thinks
more-lives more-for others now."
Winter came again-the second winter
of Mabel's widowhood-and she was
urged to visit the Noels at their distant
home; but she seemed reluctant until
her mother bade her go. She was still
wearing her widows weeds, and her
lovely face was never sweeter in her
girlhood days than now in that frame of
Grape. OF the brief months of her mar
ried life they never spoke, but tho Noels
loved her because of her devotion to him
when not a friend was left. In early
March the news from home began to
give her uneasiness; mamma did not
seem well,' was the explanation, and it
was decided that they would go on as
far as Washington with her, and spend
day or two there, when Reginald would
meet and escort her home.
And SO, one bright morning in that
most uncertain of months, Mabel Noel
with her sister-in-law and that lady's
husband stood at the elevator landing,
waiting to be taken down to the hall
way Of their hotel. Presently the lighted
cage came sliding from aloft. Mrs.
Lanier entered, followed by the others.
Two gentlemen seated on one side re-
moved their hats, and the next instant,
before she could take her scat, the lady
saw one Of them rise, bow and extend
his hand to Mabel, saying, with no little
embarrassment and much access Of color,
something TO the effect that this was
great surprise--,a statement which her
fair sister-in-law evidently could find no
words to contradict, even had she de-
sired to do so. Neither Of the two seemed
to think of any others who were present.
Indeed, there was hardly time to ask or
answer questions before they had to step
out and give place to people desiring to
ascend, and then the gentleman nearly
tumbled over chair in tho awkward
ness of his adieu. Mrs. Noel's face was
averted as they left the hall, but all the
more was Mrs. Lanier desirous of ques-
tioning:
"Who was your friend, Mabel?"
And Mabel had to turn or be ungra-
cious. Her face was glowing as she an
swered, simply, :.
"Capt. Lane"
An hour later Mrs. Lanier said to her
husband:
"That was the man to whom she was
said to be engaged before Gordon; and
did you see her face?'
Once again they met-this time at the
entrance to the dining room; and there
Capt. Lane bowed gravely to "my sis
ter, Mrs. Lanier-Mr. Lanier," when he
was presented. The lady seemed distant
and chilling. The man held out his
hand and said, ''I'm glad to know you,
captain. I wish you could dine with
u.s." But Lane had dined and was going
out.
The third day came and no Reginald.
Expecting him every moment, Mabel de-
clined to go with her friends on shop
ping tour, and was seated in her room
thinking when there came tap at the
door; card for Mrs. Noel, and the gen.
tleman begged to see her in the parlor.
Her color heightened as she read the
name. Her heart beat futteringly as
she descended the stairs. He was stand
ing close by the door, but he took her
hand and led her to the window at their
right.
"You have news-from mammal" she
cried. Tell me-instantlyr
"Mr. Woodrow thinks it best that you
should come, Mrs. Noel; and she has sent
for me. Reginald went directly west
last night. Will you trust yourself to
my care? and can you be ready for the
next train--in two hours?"
Ready! She could go instantly. Was
there no train sooner? She implored him
to tell If her mothers illness was fatal
He could only say that Mrs. Vincent had
been quite suddenly seized; and yet they
hoped she would rally. Mabel wept un-
restrainedly, upbraiding herself bitterly
for her dilatory journey; but she was
ready, and had gained composure when