The record-union., 1892-08-27

! NO. not DIT OF 1t, ~ she said decidedly.
! She IS just the same; but you"
/ aye! there's the rub" he answered
bitterly. Il am-not. My dear child, il
Is no use saying we will remain the same;
we never can. The years bring changes
10 ourselves, TO others, try as we may to
prevent their doing so. 1t is the law OF
nature and OF human lives-nothing ever
remains unchanged for long,
leel just the same," she answered
quietly.
The white feathers of the fan fiuttered
close to her cheek, touching its faint rose
Hush. he looked up and sighed.
ou are to be envied then" he sai0
gfaveiy. will the world leave you that
feeling long, l wonder?"
Il do not trouble myself about the
world, she said petulantly. 1T is pleas
ant TO be admired and have plenty of fun
ana pleasure ana amusement; pleasant
for time. ApreS-''
"Apres?" he questioned, as she left the
sentence unfinished after meeting his
eyes.
There are so many other things" she
sald, the color wayering titiully in her
! delicate cheeks. lone cannot be blind
| one must see the sin and the sorrow and
! the suffering. 1t seems to me some
nmes as II were heartless to enjoy life
as | do; to feel so happy; to have so
many to minister to my whims and fam
cies."
My dear child,o cried her companion
! in mock establishment, 'has not your
! tfrst season taught you that the supreme
! essence of happiness is selfshness? :?
! Trust me, the dark days will come soon
enough. Don't anticipate them by fan
cled sorrows or sentimental regrets"
Y ou misjudge me-" she said indig-
| sentimental fancies. What L said
meant. [ thought you at least would
| know me betterJn
| Her voice broke. The fan f1uttered
| quickly, the sweet red lips were tremu-
| lous with emotion. Maulrever noted the
signs OF agitation with feeling of genu-
| inc surprise. His hand touched the small
gloved fingers and stayed the movement
OF the snowy feathers that they held.
Pardon me-" he said gently, 81 did
not mean to offend you. The world is a
bad school for faith.''
In men or women ?' she asked
| quickly. ''Ah, do not answer. I know
what you will say-but L am not of your
world, Colonel Maulrever You might
| judge me differently, if only for the sake
OF the child you were so good to in years
| gone; the child who has never forgotten
! you ..
| And whom [ can never forget"
| The words were very low, but she heard
them, and looked up with such gladness
4
faithful than his own.
| They were both silent.
something Of his own youth came back
| to his memory; some remembrance of
| higher, purer, better things. To him
| Cora was not 'the beauty of the season,
but only lovely, wayward child, with
| all the future unmapped before her care
less feet-a child who had pelted him with
rose blossoms in the sunny Devon lanes
"a child who looked at him now with a
woman's soul dawning in the wistful,
| tender eyes.
And how could he guess he was the
| hero Of her life?
CHAPTER II.
| OF dreams now dwelling where dead roses
dwell.
Cora Tresillian sat in the pretty morn
ping her chocolate and chattering to her
mother of the last nights ball.
She was spoiled child. Her parents
had never crossed wish or whim of hers
in their lives. 1t said much for Cora s
sweet nature and sterling good sense that
neither Hattery nor love nor indulgence
had in any way marred her perfect tenn
per, or that honesty of thought and
speech which were so characteristic of
''the beauty"
This morning she seemed a little more
thoughtful than usual. Her description
of the partners Of the previous night
| lacked the good-humored mimicrv with
which she generally reproduced them for
her mothers benefit.
| Mrs Iresllllan was extremely delicate
and the duties of chaperon were too ar
duous for her. She had, therefore. given
| her daughter into the care of Lady For
teScue, at whose house Cora had been the
night before. 1t was her greatest delight
however, to hear the admiration her child
excited. Not that Cora was vain of that
admiration. She took it as lightly and as
| gracIouSly as young Queen takes the
| homage of her subjects, and though she
did deal of mischief in her way it was
not an intentional mischief She was too
gay, she enjoyed life too thoroughly for
any serious thought of the future to
| trouble her.
And you wish to know why Colonel
Maulrever went away?' said her mother.
IN answer to the eager question that fol-
lowed the girls description of that meet
ing the previous night.
es, mother. Tell me ali about it..
lie is so changed-he looks so unhappy.
Young as | was, l remember hearing
about some mistake or folly-something
that had spoiled his life.''
ut was simply this,'' she replied. .He
made foolish marriage The girl was a
dancer, or actress, or something of the
sort. Her. father had been private in
i A'Ae'SAAA ~ ANSAAlICIb, duCi WAS SilOD
some hare-brained exploit that Maui
rever had led. He promised the man to
| look after his child and when he came
back to England he found she had gone
on the stage. He fell in love with her and
| married her. They were not Happy, [
| believe, and no one would receive the
girl, of course. What they quarreled
about [ don't know, only he went sud-
denly off to India again.
"And-she?" Cora's voice was very
low and troubled as she put the question.
"She remained behind, 1 suppose. [
never could hear anything definite, and
1 did not like to question Maulrever."
But now," persisted Cora, impatiently
where is She now? Is she alive, or
what?'
81 cannot tell, my dear,o said her
| mother, somewhat surprised at the petu-
liant tone. Perhaps Jack would know.
Ask him when he comes to take you for
your ride"
HE looked unhappy" Cora said
dreamily. Il wonder if he cared for her
very much? l wonder it-she-cared for
him?''
"How this story interests you, Cora y"
| exclaimed her mother. but then you
were always so fond of Stuart Maulrever
even as child. But, my dear, he must
"Old ~ interrupted Cora impatiently.
|, He isn't bit old He is worth a hun
I dred of the young fops L see every day.
He at least looks man."
Not good man, my dear" said her
mother gently. mot man to trust in or
to love.n
She looked after the girl wistfully as she
walked off to prepare for her ride. II
hope-I do hope they won't meet often. :"
she murmured. IF Cora should take a
fancy to him of all people in the world
| 1t would be terrible. And then there is
Jack
Cora meantime cantering down the
Row on her pretty chestnut. with Jack