Waterbury evening Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1887-1895, 1890-07-31
THE ATHELSTONS;
VICTOR AND vANQU1sHE
BY MARY CECIL HAY.


ting over their wine-it was the very
mildest sherry, but Louisa would not OF
any consideration have foregone her Ian
guild enjoyment Of it-when Marjorie
came home, her face unusually pale.
IBID Adhesion reach The Anchoragt
before you left ?" inquired her father.
"No."
"Hetold me he should leave the town
ns early Is he could, and that he wanteC
to see Mrs. Esdaile. Then YOU haven't
seen him p"
This was a different question.
eyes, I've seen him, papaP"
"And what did he say ?"
"a variety of interesting things" 70.
turned the girl flushing nervously.
"I've no doubt" said the old gentle,
man, with laugh which testified to his
real enjoyment of the idea, but which
made Marjorie vince; "I've no doubt
of it. I don't wish to probe into your
Rffectionate secrets only mean, what
did he say about the dinner?"
"I think ne had forgotten it." re-
piled Marjorie, her lips twitching lit
tie at the corners.
"What did he say about tomorrow? p
put in Louisa. "Win it be a trying day
to him, as well as to us all Horrible
it is" she sighed, "to be mixed up in
such an AFFAIR." most degrading thing
for us Castillains.
Otherwise immaculate" ct was
Marjorie who capped the speech so
promptly 1--WE come of Q splendid
old stock, don't we, Louie3 But we
are rather a sort Of potato crop, the best
part of US is under ground. believe
there were some Castillains worth pick
ing up in the last century"
Don't hesitate about insulting me.
Marjorie" spoke heF sister, resignedly i;
"but I think you might stop and con-
slider before you insult your own father.
It will be we'll, I'm sure, when this trial
is over, for your temper has been getting
mole and more unbearable every month
since that man was taken up. After
tomorrow, perhaps, We shall have a
little peace. You cannot excite your
self about condemned criminal"
The word came Involuntary from
Marjorie's lips then she paused in sud-
den consciousness Of how little her sister
would understand the speech she had
begun.
"There'a no if in the case, +" laughed
Louisa, Eeyery one says it. You know
that Neil says the same, only you will
not acknowledge it."
whats the use of trial by jury, il
every ignoramus knows the verdict be-
forehand?" asked the younger sister,
angTily. Beside, may say IL if
like dozen and a hundred times. !
like if 1 say, with Pouohstone,
Much virtue in if >"
Papa says" persisted Louisa, with
a smile, THAT by this time tomorrow
there won't be . dissentient voice about
this mans guilt"
"How can there be2" inquired Mr..
Castillain, conclusively, "when it is the
truth; and plenty of clever men are
here to disclose and sift and pronounce
that truth ?"
but even clever men, papa, ever so
CLEVER" said Marjorie, gently, "may
construe thing in utterly different ways,
either by chance or will"
There's no fear Of things being con-
strued unfairly, at any rate, inrerposed
tie older sister, as she rose from her
chair. "The counsel-not to speak of
the judge and jury-will see this whole
thing in a moment. Rest satisfied: with
that, Marjorie, my dear"
Don't put me down as if were a
baby" exclaimed the girl, rising too,
her eyes flashing passionately. II have
different ideas of justice from you. Tt
thankful to say so. Be quiet"
Louisa smiled compassionately. al
hope your behavior will be little i'm
proved when this mans degradation is
over, she said as she left the room.
at won't be any degradation" cried
the younger girl, with q stamp Of her
foot, and Q hot color flaming In her
go al A. "A
be bit of degradation. Shakespeare
it's the hereto that makes the fire, not
he that burns In it Don't talk any
more to me-"
You are 9 little goose, Marjorie,"
put in her father, pettishly. "Ruu
away to your tea, and leave these mat
tors to the lawyers.
said hesitating still with him, in her un-
willingness to Join her sister, and look
ing into his face with eyes half defiant
and half wistful; az could quite saw
with Cade-wasn't it?-'The first thing
we do, let's kill all the lawyers. -"
Mr.. Oastillain laughed his short
grating laugh, but all he said was,
"ThAt shows how unsteady all your con-
hdence is, child and advise you not
to begin making these random speeches
to Adhesion"
On her way to the drawing-room, Mar
iorie stopped before the great carved oak
clock In the hall. A long while abe
stood, and the steps that passed Gas the
old butler went to and fro) never reused
her.
Twelve hours more before day be-
gins" she whispered to herself, at last,
as she turned away, "and then the vast,
immense day itself; and them But
! think almost anything on earth Is
easier to bear than doubt"
That last day Of suspense was dying
in its midnight hush,
Al Hawkedale Louisa Castillain was
sleeping the untrouh1ed sleep Of the In.
nocentI while Marjorie (tossing wake,
fully upon her pillows> still tried to
think that thought she had 80 often
whispered to herself, that anything was
easier TO bear than doubt-forRetting
how doubt is the shadow Of hope itself.
At High Athelston. LADY Athelston