The Princeton union., 1891-10-15


"Now tell me what became OF
Charlie Gray? Did he ever marry
that girl he was so fond Oft pretty
girl with dark eyes?"
Much surprised, but with the innate
good breeding Of a gentleman, Loren
replied: "No; she died. 1t nearly
killed him, and he went to India soon
af'"r. He is doing we'll and shortly be-
c~.Ae a Colonel"
For some time the ebb and flow of
college reminiscence went on, while
Lady Alice sat stunned by those seven
cruel words
"Oh that could die!!" was her first
thought. "Life is uncomfortable.
She gave no heed to the converse
tion still going on, the two young men
seeming to enjoy the exchange OF news
of former friends until Mr.. Fairhaven
exclaimed!
"By George! you were a sentimental
chap in those days, Geofrey remem-
Der the day caught you telling Maud
how you loved her, and that nobody
could ever take her place in your heart.
l shall never forget the look on your
face when it dawned upon you that |
had listened to the whole rhapsody"
Joining in Loren's laugh, Sir Geof-
frey said: "We all have had our
salad days, you know, and Icertainly
was gone on her. ++
Lady Alice waited to hear no more
She hastened to her room, and there
shed the bitterest tears OF her life
that life which had been the happiest
possible, but into which would never
come another happy day. So, with
the impetuosity OF youthful despair,
she said in her heart. --..
The days which followed were full Of
such suffering that Lady Alice felt al
most relieved when her husband told
her one morning that he should start
for Egypt with some friends at once.
1t would be easier, she thought, to
grow accustomed to her burden, and
learn to live without his love, during
his absence. On his return she could
meet him with Indifference
AS for Sir Geoffrey, knowing that the
honor of his old name was safe in her
hands, hefelt that any place remote
from the scene OF his misery would be
preferable to his home, where the sun
OF love had set in darkness. ,'.
On the morning set for his depar-
ture to take place he had asked his
wife to meet him in his :'den," that he
might explain to her the financial ar
rangements he had made for her dur
ing his trip. His few instructions had
been formally given, though his heart
was near bursting, and she had to bite
her lips to force back the rebellious
tears.
AS he handed her check-book for
her use his eyes met hers; something
in their depths caused him to waver,
and at that moment a lady and gen
tleman entered the drawing room,
talking with all the egotism of newly
engaged lovers. .-.s. ~.
The room was otherwise quite emp
ty, as gayly conversing, they traversed
its length, until they reached the cosy
seat so near the estranged. husband
and wife
"Oh, Frank, didn't it seem an eter-
nifty before mamma would consent to
our engagement? If it had not been
for your kind friend, Lady Alice Her
rescombe, I don't believe she ever
would have given in. But such sweet
ness as hers no one could wholly re-
sist,"
Sir Geoffrey, remorseful love shining
from his big brown eyes, gently drew
his wife's slight form closely to him,
holding her to his heart as if he would
never let her 60 again. Lady Alice,
though still believing ne had loved and
perhaps, still loved-another, could
not quite help letting her head lay on
his shoulder, that dear resting-place.
"Now she has persuaded mamma
that you are one of the most desir-
able young men in existence"
'Please don't make me blush, !"
laughingly answered Captain Halifax.
"After this I will never say woman
cannot keep a secret, for I do
not think Alice has lisped word of
the whole business, even to her hus-
band. have fancied that he has
looked a. little suspicious once or twice
when he has happened to discover us
in consultation, but that is only a
surmise."
"Now, Frank, want to ask great
favor OF you"
"What is it, darling." 4s...
"Can't you learn to call me by my
new name?" !"
"What? Mrs. Halifax? Twill try-'
here his utterance was somewhat i'm
peded by a soft white hand laid on his
smiling mouth. .....
"You wretch! Certainly not! That
will not be necessary for ever and ever
so long" :" -,
"Opinions differ. But tell me, dear,
what you do mean?"
"Why, you know, when we came in
to the title so unexpectedly, I took
the name OF Maud to please the rest
OF the family, because there had al
ways been a Lady Maud Charteris-
ever since the flood, I presume and
mamma thought it would have pleased
papa, had he been living, as he wanted
me to bear that name in the first
place, but yielded to her desire to call
me Alice"
Sir Godfrey started.
sVery we'll, dear, will try to do so,
although l have thought of, loved.
dreamed Of and wooed you so long as
Alice that it will be difficult at first
to call you Maud. Then there is an
other objection" =