The Irish standard., 1892-10-15

Birchmore, and noddlng goodby to us
he went out.
How far is it from here-tlis farm
house. Miss BirchmoreY' asked when
we were alone.
II believe about two miles"
II should like to know it's exact situa-
ton"
why didn't you go with papa, them
Cant you imagine?:"
She had been absently puckering her
handkerchief into folds in her lap. Now
she looked up
..Why do you wish 10 know where we
are goingY"
Because I've taken great fancy to-
to Mr.. Slurk, and can't bear to think
Of losing sight of him!''
1 had expected her to laugh and per-
haps blush; instead of that an express
sion of something like terror swept over
her face, and she laid her finger on her
lip.
Don't talk Of him!' she whispered.
Her emotion had so astonished me that
could only stare in silence. Here was
another mystery-or stay! could it be
that Slu1lz was at the bottom of all those
strange signs and enigmas that had
been puzzling myself over from the first?
was prepared to believe whatever
amount of evil concerning the fellow
might be required. But what could he
have done, or have in his power to do,
that could SO affect Miss Birchmore?
Had he held her life or fortune at the
mercy of word. she could hardly have
betrayed more dis1nay at my jesting
satire.
Its nothing" she said, recovering
herself after a moment Only | don't
like him much, and you-and | WASH
expecting to hear his name just then"
Heaven knows it is a very different
name should have spo'sen!''
mo, no. no! You have amused your
self with me today, and tomorrow you
must find some Que else to a1nuse you.
that's all!'
Amused myself, Miss Birchmore?'
"Well, Mr.. Gainsborough. I'm sorry
If l failed to entertain you. I'm sure |
tried hard But it s so difficult to enter
tain an Englishmanr'
Upon my word, believe you've been
laughing at me from the beginning!
But however ridiculous may be, Miss
Birchmore, L can have thoughts and
feelings that are not ridiculous -
"Oh, please-please don't be angry.
And Im sure never thought You ridic-
ulous-I-oh, anything but that!'
The tone, the look which accompanied
these Last words made me forget caution
and self possession for moment. Miss
Birch1nore-oh, Kate! ] cannot lose
sight of you-l cannot lose you! Do you
care--is it nothing to you if we never
meet after today? Kate, love your
Had the confession come too soon?
Was she offended? She shrank away
from me with q glance searching. yet
pathetically appealing.
''Do not forget yourself. sir. You are
an honorable English gentleman. What
have you said?'
Il love you---yes, love your
- ''TIe loves me" she repeated slowly
and caught her breath with kind of
sob. Her eyes fixed themselves on me
with an inward look. as of intense rev
erie. 1T must not be! it must not bel
but he does love met Her hands fell in
her lap; there were tears now in her
eyes, but smile quivered over her lips.
why do you say it must not be, Kate?
II is! It shall be!'
took her hand, which she scarcely
attempted to withdraw. | felt that l
T. 4 l.,
all corners,
Just then a knock came to the door;
she snatched her hand away and rose to
her feet. Mr.. Slurk entered.
''The band is going to play in the
court" he said in German. II have
kept chairs and d table for the lady and
gentleman beneath the trees
He made low obeisance as he spoke,
but his malignant glance never swerved
from Kate, and she, half turning toward
him, seemed inpelled by a power
stronger than her own will to meet it,
though slightly shivering the while with
pure aversion. For my own part |
longed with all my heart to kick the
varlet into the hall or throw him out Of
the window. But prudence warned me
to bide my time. If obtained the foot
ing to which l aspired in Mr.. Birch
more's family would settle summary
with MIR. Slurk; meanwhile should
best consult my interests by conducting
myself with all due quietness and de-
corum. offered Kate my arm to lead
her from the room, but with a barely
perceptible gesture she declined it, and
walked swiftly before me through the
doorway, Slurk making another deep
obeisance as we passed. The fellow had
smooth, unimpeachable way of getting
the better of one that made my blood
boil. commanded myself, not without
an effort, and nursed my wrath to keep
it warm.
When we reached the court the brass
band had established itself in the little
pagoda erected there for it's accomoda-
tion and was just striking up, and there,
sure enough, were a table and chairs
awaiting us beneath the trees. But
neither of us was in humor to face a
crowd of people, and by a tacit agree
ment we turned to the left and, crossing
the little plank bridge which spanned