The sun., 1890-01-12

petulant: all In one breath as II were. Poor
lovers they have a hard time OF It with her as
| q rule But youth is often so, and the cold,
still yearB, as they creep on us, with dull COM
mon sense and deadly reason In their train
cure us all too soon OF our pretty idle iollies.
Just now she was bent on rebufinG him. but
you see her strength failed her, and she spoiled
her effect by the smile she mingled with the
rebuff The smile. indeed, was 80 charming
that he remembers nothing but 1t, and 80 she
| not only gains nothing, but loses something TO
| the other side.
well, I'll try to mend all that" says he. but
| 30 lovingly, and with such unaffected tender
ness that she quails beneath his glance. Co.
| uuette as undoubtedly nature has made her,
she has still SO gentle q soul within her bosom
that she shrinRs from inncting actual pain.
| A panR or two passing regret 10 be forgotten
tho next hour-or at all events in the next
| change OF scene-she is not above imparting.
| but when people grow earnest like-like Mr..
Dysart for example-they grow troublesome.
And she hasn't made up her mind to marry.
and there are other people
Tho Clontarfs arc to be there. too" goea on
| Dysart, who Is q cousin Of Lady Baltimore's,
and knows oil about her ARRANGEMENTS; and
| the Brownings and Norman BeRuclerk."
The-Clontarfs" says Joyce. in hurried
way, that might almost be called confused; to
| the man who loves her. and Is watching her,
| It is quito plain that che is not thinking OF
Lord and Lady Clontarf. who are quite an or
| binary couple and devoted to each other. but
of that last name spoken. Norman Beauclork,
Lady Bnltimore's brother, man handsome.
agreeable aristocratic-the man whose alton
tions to her month ago had made little topic
for conversation among the country people:
dull country people. who never wont anywhere
or saw anything beyond their stupid selves.
and are therefore driven to do something to
avoid suicide or the numbering OF each other;
gossip unlimited is their safety valve.
Yes, and Beauclerk" persists Dysart. a
touch OF despair at his heart; you and he
were good friends when last he was over, oh ?"
lam generally very good friends with every
body; not an altogether desirable character.
not strong one" says she. smiling, and still
openly parryinG the question.
You liked Beauclerk." says he a little dog
Gedly perhaps.
"Ye-es-very we'll"
VERY muchl Why can't you be honestl"
says he flashing out at her.
Il don't know what you rnean." cold If
you persist on my looking into It. l." defantly
-" yes. I do like Mr.. Beauclerk very much"
well. I don't know what you see in him."
Nothing" airly having now recovered her
sell. that's his charm"
III" eravely. you gave that as your opinion
OF DIcky Browne could believe you."
She laughs.
Poor Dicky," says she. what cruel judg-
ment; and yet you are right" She has
changed her whole manner. and is now evil
IDENTIFY bent on restoring him to good humor
and compelling him to forget all about Mr.
Beauclerk. Il must give in to you about
Dicky. There isn't even the vaguest sugges-
tlon OF meaning about him. l." with a de-
liberate friendly glance flung straight into his
eyes" don't often give in to you. do n"
On this occasion. however. her eoquetry-so
generally successful-is completely thrown
away. Dysart. with his dark eyes fixed un-
compromisingly upon hers. makes the next
move-an antagonistic one
You have o very high opinion OF Beauclerk"
says he.
Have ?" laughing uneasily. and refusing
to let her rising temper give way. I'VE all
have our opinions. on every subject that comes
under our notice. You have one on this sub
ject evidently"
Yes, but it is not high one." says he. un-
pleasantly.
After ALL what does that matterp don't
pretend to understand you, will only suggest
to you that our opinions are but weak things
mere prejudices-no more"
II am not prejudiced against Beauclerk, II
you mean that" q little hotly.
didn't" with light shruR. Believe me.
you think q great deal moro about him than
l do"
Are you sure OF that?"
L am, at all evOnts. sure Of one thing" says
she quickly. darting at him frowninR glance
" that you have no right to ask me that ques-
tion."
II have not. indeed" acknowledges he
stffiy. still but with so open an apology in his
whole air that she forGives him. MANY con-
fiicting thoughts led me astray. 1 must ask
your pardon"
why. granted !" says she. "And-I was
cross. wasn't l. After all. an old friend like
you might be allowed little laxity. There
never mind" holding out her hand. Let us
make 1t up"
Dysart Rrasps the little extended hand with
avtdity and peace seems restored when Tommy
put an end to all things. To any one ae-
quainted with children / need hardly remark
that he has been listening 10 the foregoing
conversation with all his ears and all his eyes
and every bit OF his puzzled Intelligence
Well go on" says he, giving his aunt push
when the hand-shake has come to an end.
GO onr Where" asks she. with apparent
unconcern but a deadly foreboding at her
breast She knows her Tommy.
" You said you were going to make 1t up with |
him" says that hero. regarding her with dis
approving eyes.
" Well, have made 1t up"
No YOU haven't when you make 1t up with !
mo you always kiss me Why don't you
kiss him2'
CONSERVATION on the part OF the principal
actors Dysart. strange to say. Is the first to
recover.
why. indeed ?" says he. giving way all at
once to a fatal desire for laughter This. Miss
Kavanagh, being vexed with herself for her
late confusion. resents strongly.
am sure, Tommy" says she. with a mild
ness that would not have imposed upon an In
iant that your lesson hour has arrived. Come.
say good-by to Mr.. Dysart. and let us begin at
once. You know am going to teach you to-
day. Good.by, Mr.. Dysart: II you want to see
Barbara, you will find her in the study"
Don't 90 like this" says he anxiously. "Or,