The Red Cloud chief., 1892-07-08
CHAPTER XIV.

bbAWAND ArLSTONb NJ uOuh
"There Is no reason why I should not
bring her TO see pictures" said the
chaplain. You say You o count
upon Miss Villiersp"
"Most certainly" Seaward answered.
"Adelinc Is q comradc true and tried.
Already she has seen Miss Winfield in
the flowcr-shop, and does not wonder
that l want TO know more OF her. There
is not an atom of petty jealousy In Adc-
line; nnd-rarc quality in a
she is always willing that n ma shall
be happy in his own way. Poor girl!
/ wish ! was quite sure about her hap
piness."
The chaplain and the painter had
dined together and were now talking
quietly over o bright fro. The weather
was clear and cold; heavy curtains
kept ont oil possible draughts: deep
chairs invited rest; the warm light fell
ON panclcd walls, painted by Stewards
W hand. Here were golden wheat
cars, mingled with scarlet peoples and
ox-oyed daisies; there was u messy
bough, laden with blossom; n glimpse
Of shining water and dark rushcs filed
another panel; the next showed n frag-
ment of snowy woodland. II was a
perfect room to spend q winter evening
in. II glowcd with rich colors, and
aboundcd in small arrangements for
ease and comfort.
'Shc will soon be married, l suppose?
Mrs. Villiers told me that the time was
almost fixed" said the chaplain.
ss(,roppv Svonta 20 Nv nyDrvtlfnD "
cried Scaward, In On angry tone.
Nothing is definitely settled yet.
Adclinc has not made up her mind. and
l begged her not to be hurried. Some
times it occurs to me that we nre all
using the poor girl very badly. She Is
more nnd more surprised ut Glands
curious languor. No one has ever given
hor 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 no behaved like o scoun-
drcl."
"Hc wanted to marry Mrs villiers'
companion. Was not that ~" said
Mr.. Sidney.
"Ycs. My grandmother had en-
gagged q young woman 0s maid,
Just Us 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-"
"Thcy must have attracted Mrs. VII.
liers' notice." said the chaplain. 'Shc
is kcen-sighted, I fancy"
mo; she was quite blind. Moreover
her mind was steadily set on marrying
Claud to Adelinc. and she thought OF
nothing else. II was q pity that her
eyes were not opened sooner"
"But they were opened ut last??"
"Ycs; just when things had gone so
far that II was a sin TO interfere. Clnud
was p~assionatcly In love; and upon my
good as gold. He had tho banns pub
lished in q church TINT was never at
tended by anyone no knew, and every
thing was arranged between the pair.
They were to steal of early on q s.Ion-
day to be married; but on the preceding
Sunday the plot was discovered"
"How?' asked the chaplain.
~ can hardly tell 1t was the house
keeper who had set . watch, I think.
Anyhow, Mrs. Villicrs burst upon them
In o storm Of fury, and the companion
was sent out Of tho house tina: very day.
She thought, of course, poor girl, that
her lover would keep his word al all
costs, but she leaned upon a broken
reed. He did follow her, but 1,
was only to bcwGil his own weakness
and beg to be set Free"
Tho c~haplain's contempt was toe