The sun., 1891-11-08
CHAPTER XII.

A day or two later. when Matt Hilary went 10
Hatboro'. he found Wade In his study at tho
church. and he lost no time In asking him.
''Wade. what do you know Of tho Miss North
wtcks7 Have you seen them lately2"
Wade told him how little he had seen Miss
Northwick. and how he had not seen Su1ette
ct all. Then Matt said. II don't know why
asked you. because knew all this from
Louise She was up here the other day. and
they told her What am really trying to get
ct is whether you know anything more about
how that affair with Jack Wilmington stands.
Do you know whether he has tried to see her
since the trouble about her father came out p
Adeline Northwiok had dropped from tho
question. Is usual. and It really related 80
wholly to Suzette In the thoughts Of both the
young men. that neither Of them found 1t neo-
sssary to limit It explicitly.
II feel quite sure ho hasn't" said Wade.
"though I can't answer positively"
"Then that settles It." Matt walked away
70 ono of Wade's gothic windows. and looked
out. When he turned and came back to bis
friend he said. e. II he had ever been in earnest
about her. think he would have tried to see
her at such time. don't your
II can't imagine his not doing It never
thought him cad"
"No. nor L"
He would have done Il unless-unless that
woman has Some hold that gives her COM
mand Of him. He's shown great weakness. to
say tho least But don't believe there's any
thing worse What do tho village people be-
ueve2'
IAN sorts Of lurid things. some Of them
others believe that tho affair IL neither more
nor less than It appears to be- It's Q thing
that could DO just what Il Is In no other coun-
try In the world. It's the phase that our civili-
zation has contributed to the physiognomy Of
scandal. Just as the exile Of the defaulter Is
the phase wo have contributed to the physiog-
nomy Of crime Public opinion here isn't
severe upon Mrs.. Wilmington or Mr.. North
wick"
I'm not prepared TO quarrel with II on that
account" said Matt with tho philosophical
serenity which might easily be mistaken for
irony In him. "The book We get our religion
from teaches leniency In tho judgment of
others"
1T doesn't teach cynical Indifference" Wade
suggested
perhaps that Isn't Whist people feel" said
Matt.
"Idont know. Sometimes dread 10 think
how deeply our Generalization goes In GER
tain directions"
Matt did not follow the lure 70 that sort Of
speculative inquiry he and Wade were fond Of
he said. with an abrupt return to the personal
ground: "Then you don't think Jack Will
mington need bs any further considered In re-
gard to herr"
"In regard to Miss Sue Northwiokf Idon't
know whether quite understand what you
mean"
IT mean. Is It anybody's duty-yours or mine
to 60 to the man and ind him out; what no
really thinks. what he roally feels? l don't
Al HATS -N,rIA hn
unworthy OF her. But perhaps he's holding
back from q mistaken feeling of delicacy. Of
remorse: when II he could be made to see that
It was his right. his privilege. to be everything
to her now that man could be to woman.
and Infinitely more than any man could hope
to be to happy or fortunate woman - What
do you think2 He could be reparation. pro-
lection. safety. everythingl"
Wade shook his head "Itwould be uselesa
Wilmington knows very well that such girl
would never let him be anything to her now.
when he had slighted her fancy for him before
Even II he were ever In love with her. which
doubt he couldn't do It."
mo. suppose not" said Matt After little
pause. he added. "Then must 60 myself"
Go. yourself2 What do you mean ?" Wade
asked.
"Some one must try to make them under
stand Just now they are sltuateu. uon uiAnk
Louise did; l don't think she knew herself how
the legal proceedings would affect them; and
think had better 60 and make 1t perfectly
clear"
"Ican imagine It won't bs pleasant" said
Wade.
mo-" said Matt, II don't expect that But
I inferred. from what she said 10 Louise.
that she would DO willing to see me. and I
think had better co.
He put his conviction interrosatively. and
Wade said heartily. Why. Of course It's the
only thing" and Matt went away with face
which was cheerful with good WILL II not the
hope Of pleasure.
He met Buzette in the avenue. dressed for
walking. and coming forward with the mag
niicent. naughty movement she had. As she
caught sight Of him. she started. and then al
most ran toward him. "ohi Your she said.
and she shrank back . little. and thon put her
hand impetuously out TO him.
He took II In his two and bubbled out. Are
vat sailing soms msuharaf Ara ron Veuf Il