Waterbury evening Democrat., 1890-07-14

peWlpchuiRt h1altc Ne Sah ahuIu Ni- most anything better than that. And then think" she added, thoughtfully, "how bad it will be for Naii to have her in the house. There will surely be some unpleasantness. She will make mischief between him and Marjorie. Oh, of course you will judge it quite necessary to dismiss her at once
 And Lady Athelston, acting entirely under Louisa's influence now, as she must always act under the influence of some one, promised to do what Miss Castillain thought right, and owned that what Louisa proposed would be exactly right but still qualm hovered over her.
 "Neil is so odd," shO said; che may be angry"
 "He is odd" assented Louisa, with no sign of having cunningly brought the conversation around to this point i; therefore, think the safest and Nisest thing for you to do would be to dismiss Miss Chester quietly, when Neil is away"
 "Yes, that would be better," said Lady Athelston, as if the very anticipN- tion of his absence were a relief
 "Then that is all aTTsngSd?" ques- toned Miss Castillain, with no evidence of being pleased herself, "spd I am sure it is wisely planned. But, dear Lady Athelston, do promise me that when the letter comes you will show it to me first at any rate, that you will consult me before you send Miss Chester away"
 "Of course," Lady Atheston an swered, not at all pleased at the pros- pect contained in Louisa's last fva words; "of course, my dear, as you and Mir. Jeffrey have done it all for me, I shall consult you. The letter is to come to him and, from all accounts, you first. Is that true?"
 "Iam sure, dear Lady Athelston, |" replied Louisa, blushing and bridling, "he will never think of telling that even to me, until you are told"
 "Well, we'll" remarked Lady Athel- ston, pleasantly. understanding the blushing and bridling. "he is a clever man, my dear, and handsome. Still you ought to have looked higher"
 But, you know" whispered Louisa, repeating credulously one of her sup posed lovers deepest ialsehoods, "he is only tutor for tune, and by his own choice"
 The tutor, who was a tutor for time, and by his own choice, had in the mean time found Lima Chester in the blue morning-room, where she had sat alone on her first arrival at High Athelstou.
 Miss Chester," he said, leaning with his back against the center-table, and speaking with coolnoss and ease, which, to her, seemed the essence of in- science, "I am deputed by Sir Neil Athelston to bid you to return to the ballroom.
 "You" questioned Lima, with quiet self-possession which showed no sign of fear. A strange ambassador even for him to choose"
 "What on earth is the use of your avoiding Sir Neil as you doP" inquired Jeffrey, curiously studying the white figure and the pure face. "It offsnds you, l suppose, that he is said to be en, gagged to Miss Castillain. Rubbish p sneered Jeffrey, excited by the thought, He will never marry her. Why, I can make you sure of that by word. {"
 "Never mind" interposed Lima, witla naughty coldness.
 :" Marjorie Castillain," be said, in a whisper which could not hide the passion else ever to marry Athelston does that satisfy you? ?"
 "I was not unsatisfied," remarked Lima, with quiet scorn. "what need have you to tt Il me this ?"
 "No need, returned Jeffrey, with 0 quick sheer II don't know why I tooh the trouble to tell you. I came for another purpose. Miss Chester, I have in my room a letter from the lady who lives at No. IS Berkeley Square, an ap- svea to one Lady Athelston wrote mak~ Ing inquiries about the young lady who puiported to have lived there as gov erness, and whose very fRtterlng testi- monial came from that address. That letter l give to Lady Athelston to-mor- row, unless"
 No cry had escaped tho girls white lips no tears rose to the wide, startled eyes but the pause which followed bis words seemed like an hour of agony to her.
 "The writer, Miss Chester" he con- tinued, breaking that awful pause ct last, "ignores sil knowledge of the Mrs. NoMullen whose name you gave to Lady Athalston, except that dust before last season) che left her house for @ month 1n the charge of her dressmaker, whose name IS McMuIlen, and who lived then in rooms in Conduit street. She explains thiS politely, Considering that the let- ter sent to her house iuqniring about & toxfder soverhess could scarcely be el- tended for this dressuaaker, she thought it best to answer it fer she opened it because the number was affixed and Ahe could not tell where to send it. When Lady, Athelstcn has read this re- Biy to her letter, she wiIb l am sure, either wish mo to go to London to in. vestgata this, or require you to leave here ct onco, Eithor of these things, though, can be prevented by your con seRtin0 to do exactly what I propose. Then. fl there is any deception of which you fear discovery, you will escape 1t. |"
 After his cold, calculating speech Li- mas passionate words fell like a cry.
 Why keep up this horrible veil be- tween us even now?-now, when you Show yourself to me alone in your own true oolors2 You know all that Lady Athelsten Will hear; all that you your self could find out for her if you went on puFpose.
 "Bnt what I know need not be told to any one," he said, avoiding, uncon- seioRSly, both the scorn and the fear