The enterprise. [volume] (Wellington, Ohio) 188?-1899, 1892-04-27
CHAPTER XIV.
,EAwARp AYIsToNE AT HON


sEAwARD AYIsToEE AT HOME
"There is no reason why should not
bring her to see pictures" said the
chaplain. "You say you can count
upon Miss VilliersP'
"Most certainly" Seaward answered.
"Adeline is a comrade true and tried.
Already she has seen Miss Winfield in
the flower-shop, and does not wonder
that want to know more of her. There
is not an atom of petty jealousy in Ade-
line; and-rare quality in woman
she is always willing that man shall
be happy in his own way. Poor grill
l wish was quite sure about her hap
piness."
The chaplain and the painter had
dined together and were now talking
quietly over q bright fire, The weather
was clear and cold; heavy curtains
kept out all possible draughts; deep
chairs invited rest; the warm light fell
on paneled walls, painted by Stewards
own hand. Here were golden wheat
ears, mingled with scarlet poppies and
ox-eyed daisies; there was messy
bough, laden with blossom; n glimpse
of shining water and dark rushes filed
another panel; the next showed frag-
ment of snowy woodland. It was
perfect room to spend winter evening
in. 1t glowed with rich colors, and
abounded in small arrangements for
ease and comfort.
"She will soon be married, suppose?
Mrs. Villiers told me that the time was
almost fixed," said the chaplain.
Granny wants to fix everything"
cried Seaward, in an angry tone.
Nothing is definitely settled yet.
Adeline has not made mp her mind, and
l begged her not TO be hurried. Some
times II occurs TO me that we are all
using the poor girl very badly. She is
more and more surprised at Claud's
curious languor. No one has ever given
her even the faintest hint of that dis
astrous affair Of his"
"Has he not got over that AFFAIR."" the
chaplain asked.
"No; and don't believe he ever will.
He knows that he behaved like scoun-
drel."
"He wanted to marry Mrs. Villiers'
companion. Was not that it?" said
Mr.. Sidney.
Eyes. My grandmother had en-
gagged a young woman as maid,
Just as she was starting for the
Tyrol. The girl was singularly
clever and beautiful, and actually found
her way into the old lady's affections.
When they returned she was no longer
maid but companion. And then Claud
met her in the house in Curzon street,
and straightway fell in love"
"They must have attracted Mrs. Viii
liers' notice." said the chaplain. "She
is keen-sighted, / fancy"
"No; she was quite blind. Moreover
her mind was steadily set on marrying
Claud TO Adeline, and she thought Of
nothing else. 1t was pity that her
eyes were not opened sooner"
"But they were opened ut last?"
''Yes; just when things had gone so
far that IL was n sin TO interfere. Clnud
was passionately in love; and upon my
word believe that the girl was as
good as gold. He had the banns pub
lished in church that was never at
tended by anyone he knew, and every
thing was arranged between the pair.
They were to steal off early on a Mon
day to be married; but on the preceding
Sunday the plot was discovered"
"How?p asked the chaplain.
II can hardly tell It was the house,
keeper who had set watch, think.
Anyhow, Mrs. villiers burst upon them
in storm Of fury, and the companion
was sent out OF the house that very day.
She thought, Of course, poor girl, that
her lover would keep his word at all
costs, but she leaned upon broken
reed. He did follow her, but II
was only TO bcwail his own weakness
and beg TO be set free"
The chaplain's contempt was too