Waterbury evening Democrat., 1890-06-26
oHAPT1R vn

0HAPT1R VII Col Stuart and Marjorie were both persuaded to stop for the day; but the Oolonsl only did 90 on the condition that the young people would walk VII Neither Lame, as he had an appoint ment with the artist who was living there.
 "I think-I think Lady Athelston will be sure-to want me-" stammored Lima with that frightened, drinking look which was not new to her.
 "Oh, you must come" said Marjorie, with decision which was very gentle and quiet in all its fun, eff it is only just for the pleasure of comparing this call with the one you made this morning. Why, you won't hear 70 much scandal talked there through all the afternoon- If you stay-as you heard Louisa and me pour into Lady Athelston's ear dur ing the first ten minutes she was in our house"
 "Miss Ohestsr, I am sure, is not . wornhiper of the Blatant Beast, said Col. Stuart, with . smile for Lima.
 "That, Miss Chester" explained Mar jorie, with . quick Aash of pain in her eyes. "is scandal-slander in Spenser's old English, but scandal in modern En- glish, . more pettifogging word, and more appropriate. We are great gossips .t H.Ti:d:ls ;i:d and gossip always aesen-
 "I know an old lady who encourages you finely" put in Neil, struggling his shoulders with an amused glance at his mother.
 Ana snos young %spo who in the same tone "but whether its Col. Stuart, or Sir Neil Athelston, or MT. Jeffrey, I won't tell"
 "Why don't you say One of the three: I won't say which, but it's not Col. Stuart, or you, Neil, like the boy and his grandmother and the cat? We should not understand 1t . bit better than we do now," laughed the young baronet.
 Thoroughly in the dark, retorted Marjorie, audaciously. "Youwin comeY she added to Lima, almost appealingly. "I am rather surprised at yos4r will ingness to go. Miss Marjorie" said the Colonel. |It is not . week since you told me that paying calls to strangers was . species of day.mare, worse to you than any night-mare."
 "But I called on Miss Chester, after that, returned Marjorie, lightly, and I found 1t so pleasant that changed my mind. By-the-way, Col Stuart, will you tell her how you first met with MT. Spendir? believe I told her everything about him except that, and that l for got"
 Lima moved little apart from them all, and nervously took Lady Athslston's work from the table. Neil's eyes follow l cd her.
 "How bored she looks at the idea of hearing the history of this precious artist r he thought.
 VI was in the Strand one day, when in London, Miss Chester" said the Colonel, using but few words for his story, "and . photograph exposed for sale took my fancy. While waited in the shop, I could not help hearing q gentleman-shabby enough, but still . gentleman urgently requesting the master of the shop to purchase from him few original sketches. listened aching for the poor fellow then, instead of buying the photograph, I took Mr. ependH's sketches. Afterward. when wanted an artist to illustrate my fathers book, I remembered him. That is all. No wonder Miss Marjorie forgot, was hP"
 "Had he been painting all his life, and never sold picture before ?" asked Marjorie, showing no sign in her voice of the pity with which she had spoken of this artist to Lima only few days be- lore.
 "No. He told me he had been ac- sustomed to gain a Evelihood-a very good Hvelihood-by his voice, but that t had failed him, and that the possibil- lty of that was over-over, I hope, only tor time"
 Lina's hands had dropped the work now, and her eyes were wide and hot. It seemed to her that every one in the room was intsntly and questioninglJ watching her.
 "What a much jollier life that mus have been for him than this one isl"
 A very grave look Col Stuart gav' Marjorie when she said this.
 "Perhaps he may have other ideas O tho collier life you chose the term Miss Marjorie, so pardon my adopting i but this life may be as good one don't you think?">
 "Depends," returned Marjorie, witl rapdom thoughtlessness, "on his re ceapts and disbursements"
 And tho instant the words had lief her lips she could have cried out 1, anger with herself. Why was it that b
 always made her ashamed of herself
 made her feel heartless and worldly
 Why must she always show her worst t
 him, whatever different intentions sh
 might have had? Why could she neve
 help itf But, whatever Marjorie felt, she shove
 nothing of it in his presence. 6h would never, she said to herself, sho
 him that his words could influence hs
 In any way. She never would show hi1
 that she cared for his approbation-ne' CT. How could she? when he treate
 her with calm and never-varying col, . ness,, oftsn amounting, she fancied, { contempt. What did it matter to hil l how much of her words were felt an
 how much feigned? She would nevt oondescend to make it plain to hin 7 This was Marjorie's decision, often an