Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1890-04-03
CHAPTER XXX.

yot secure hi
CHAPTER Xxx.
awENDoLIHE's oRFKR
When Gwendoline and het father re-
turned to their humble home in the upper
part of the Marlowe mansion, after
spending the greater portion Of the day
at Boncourt's entertainment, the former
set herself about preparing their modest
evening meal, according to her custom
And now an unwonted silence, almost
Of sadness, possessed her while thus en-
gagged. Her father, however, did not mo-
hce 1t (his days OF character-reading and
penetration being pretty we'll over, poor
n.anD, but went on chattering and NUT
tering enough for two, as had latterly
been his custom. 1t was pitiable to see.
He seemed to have lost all that haunt
ing fear of the future that had SO over
burdened and distressed him at the time
of his dismissal from Mr.. Marlowe's en-
ploymeut. eappeared cheerier than then,
II at the same time he seemed less digni-
fed. He went on chatting ramblingiy,
but chiefly concerning the entertainment,
which naturally led him into enthusiastic
expatiations upon the perfections of JAS
mine Lodge, and on what glorious thing
it would be if he could once more call it
his own.
Surely, Gwenpy," said he, rubbing his
hands, ~there Is not such another place Of
its pretensions on the entire coast-line
from Dover Head to the Isle of Wight!
Not such another-not such anotherl" he
repeated, dreamily.
at is pretty enough--that is, without
entertainments Of certain kind, for
which have no fancy" assented Gwen
doline, while spreading the table-cloth.
"Ah, but you are right, Gwennyl There
was no decent music whatever, and there
was altogether too much drinking and
card d-playing, and that innovation of the
minstrel -show, with the ridiculous imp
in attendance-thatw was In taste which
/ cannot countenance. But, bless you,
childl we we're highly honored in being
invited there"
Doubtless"
what! Why, few days ago l could
not have dreamed of such an honorl And
then what sort of entertainment, how
soever questionable, could mar the beauty
of those divine grounds2 Never, in even
my recollection, did the parterres look
SO rayishing as to-day. Oh, the flowers,
the flowers! / felt like rolling among
them-like smothering beneath them
like drinking in their odorous breathings
till I died!"
Her sidelong glance was full of pro-
found pity as she saw him clasp his with.
cred hands in q species of ecstasy.
aAnd to think, he went on again, aftel
o pause, as if half speaking to himself
@to think that but little consenting word
from my Gwennys lips would make this
cliff-wonder, this patch of paradise, ali
ours again!' ALI ours again, with money
to support it in becoming stylel 1t seems
| like dream-like dream!"
| He stole timid glance at her as ht
| finished speaking, but she made no an
swer. Hints Of this kind from her fathel
had been growing more and more fre
quent and explicit day by day Of late
and, though they had not ceased to Civ,
her pain, she seldom answered them an,
| more.
| But her silence in the present instance
| seemed to cause him more than usual un
! easiness.
did Noel return to the house with tn,
rest of us this EVENING"" he PRESENT..
asked, as though feeling forced to chang
the subject.
"Only part Of the way, replied Gwen
| doline. e@He went off with Sir Harr,
| Wilding. I hear that he will not be bacl
| for several days-that from The Beeche
he will accompany several gentlemen OF
| q trip to London before returning home.
THAT is odd. should have though
| he'd have come home first. to make som
preparations. By the way, Gwenny, di,
did you not sadden him in some way?
II suppose l did," replied Gwen, a lit
tie abruptly, as she finished setting tn
| table and began sleeping the tea. Noe
| was put out because preferred Lor
Sauanderalls escort to his. He's per
| fectly absurd. Tea is ready, father.
The old gentleman drew up to the table
| Might - might / ask, Gwenny," b
asked, with becoming meekness, Will
| she fastened his napkin under his chin
ahow he's absurda"
What q question: cried Gwen, tryin
to laugh, as she poured out the tea. i
| it not notorious that Mr.. Noel Marlow
is engaged to be married to Madam
Ronceville? Why, then, should he max
pretense Of caring for me, by fits an
starts, as be does? She remarked it q
we were leaving the Lodge to-day, an
must have felt mortified over it. An
who could blame her for feeling so2"
@True, true; / didn't think of tina
Gwenny. I'm SO forgetful, and You al
always right. How delicious this tea il
and even the toast seems better tina
usual. Yes, yes. By the way, Gwenn.
how oddly one thing will bring on ar
other Do you know, there was SON
one else, as we we're all struggling hon
together, who also seemed greatly put OIL
at the attentions that you were receivin
from Lord Squanderah, which, of cours
were without significance, he being q rel
Il lord, and the grandson Of duke on b
mothers side"
Gwen made no answer, but looked
little impatient.
Il say, Gwenny, did--did you not he,
what I said?" he again ventured, after
! pause.
aYes, yes"
!. aBut the person referred to was Lay
, yer Croak himself, Gwenny. 1t is o6
to see q man at his age 80 hopelessly
love, know. But then / suppose
, feels himself, by this time, somewh
/ privileged with regard to you, and wht
be saw himself suddenly altogether j
, nored, as il were, for the sake Of tn
! beardless lordling, who, Of course, cou
not dream Of marriage outside Of b
own sphere, why, it seems but natur
I that the poor, love-lorn old man shou
feel somewhat desolate, somewhat
! @Fatherl fatherls burst out fro
/ Gwendoiine, stamping her foot und
I the table, and flashing her eyes up,
him; twill you have done2 Or what Is
that you are raving abouta"
4 He looked up, somewhat startled, b
still retaining q modicum Of his quer
\ lousness.