The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1892-08-13

visitor in, but he walked in OF his own
accord, and taking seat near my table,
babe me be seated, too.
7 obeyed mechanically, at the same
time making light; then for a little
while we were both silent, fumbling
the letter which still held in my hand.
and Mr.. Bernard glancing about the
room. noting the contents.
:'Wcll," he remarked, fixing his gaze
on me, ''yon seem to be very coy here. .
eyes, sir" answered; II arm very
we'll situated"
'Ycs, very well, indeed" he replied.
II thought when ! recommended this
place to you that You would find it TO
your liking, hut knowing your propen-
sity for accepting things without muir
muir Of protest, / thought it better to
come and see for myself whether you
were satisfied and comfortable.
"Yon are very mindful Of me- muir
INJURED, considerably embarrassed.
mo more than should be- he an
swered with wave of the hand. ''lf ]
don't feel SD interest in you who willi
If l don't show some thought fer your
welfare, FROM whom can you expect it?
IT there was anyone nearer to You,
brother, an uncle, or some other near
relative, it would be different. You
understand what my DUTY is under ex-
listing circumstances, and 1t at times 1ny
conduct seems of6cious you III ,-->-
member that am your nearest conn2c-
~ hin III
strange of me-"
made some remark which thought
applicable to the occasion, but | was
still very i'll at ease and my mind deep"
~ illustrated, and l dare say my
words were somewhat unintelligible. ]
tried to reason myself into the belief
that Mr.. Bernards utterances were
from the heart, and that he felt IA
therly interest in my welfare and was
striving to serve me as true friend;
and, in truth, I did believe it in g. way.
Yet I was not altogether satisfied, and,
In spite of all tiny reasoning and all my
belief. shade Of uneasiness and fear
lurl1ed about my heart.
There was a momentary silence,
broken by Mr.. Bernard who suddenly
remarked:
II see you have letter there. Is it
from your home?'
ssNo, sir,"I answered: ''it is not"
s'Indeed,' he exclaimed. II was not
aware that you had friends elsewhere.
1T is from one I knew but few
days. l replied, ''btt one whom count
8 true friend.'
"Ah! A lady, suppose?''
eyes, sir; it is from lady"
''May I ask her name?'
':She is Mrs. Cornell" L answered;
''the lady with whom I remained
week before ( came here"
stAh, certainly. remember some,
thing of her now. It was her son, be-
lieve who brought you to my house,"
eyes, sir, it was,' ! replied, little
shortly, perhaps. for was beginning to
feel somewhat annoyed.
BE made no further remark im1ne.
diate}y, but sat staring into my half
averted face as though he would read
my soul in nay features. Finally he
observed:
:sThat doesn't have the resemblance
of a ladys writing" pointing to the
letter. s'1t is too hsavy and bold for
lady's hand"
He waited for reply, but ventnreo
none, and after the lapse Of a moment
he spoke again, more explicitly;
''Did the lady with whom you stopped
write that?" he asked.
.'No, sir; her soa wrote it for her"
answered, considerably nettled by the
persistency with which he continued to
pry into my personal affairs.
s.Indeedi' he exclaimed cooIly. 81
was sure it was written by a man. ]
presume, now, you are very we'll &C
quainted with the son?"
Eyes, sir: met him every day dur
ing the week I was there
''How did he impress yora7" w,
I looked up in surprise, wondering
what the man could mean by this cues
tioning. It appeared to me that he was
not prompted solely by any idle curiosi
ty, but that, on the contrary, he had a
purpose In view. he saw my surprise
but did not remark it, simply repeating
his question as though had not under
stood him.
"He impressed me very favorab]y," !
replied, las he must everyone who
knows him. He is 80 great and noble.
and so generous.
Mr.. Bernard frowned and looked dis
pleased. and for little while drummed
the table with his fingers, watching me
from under his eyebrows.
$50 you formed a great liking 10Y
that young farmer, eh?" he asked, with
something like a sheer.
Yes, / did, answered, unhesitating
IL. 81 formed q great liking for al
three members Of the family. I could
mot do otherwise it was at all CRATE.
full
1.-THE young countryman, presume.
was very attentive to you9"
Gle was very considerate OF me-"
Exactly. Quite gallant, too, / sus
pect. y
HE was gentlemanly.
aust so,'' and again my visitor
frowned and looked displeased. i
dare say Won thought him very gentle.