The record-union., 1893-05-13

.
and Was afraid he was coming in. But
he didn't
This incident had quite changed the
current of Adelaide's thoughts, but they
were buster than ever in the new direc-
ton they had taken. At the high tea'
which, in Difference to the solid nature OF
Mr. ChessalPs luncn, had replaced the
usual dinner, she was very absent
minded and had to endure much raillery
from her younger sister, who supposed
she was thinking tenderly of the absent
Augustus. Later on Mr.. Chessan came
and Adelaide and he strolled about in the
garden together, while Mrs. Lilburne sat
under the veranda and beamed on them
benevolently. This was the usual course
OF procedure in fine weather. Generally
Mr.. Chessall, when left alone with his
betrothed, had not very much to say, but
on this occasion the picnic had given him
some material and put him in excellent
vein. He was able TO make deprecatory
remarks on the dress of more than one
young lady who had been present, and
ne found this exercise OF his artistic pow
ers very agreeable. So Adelaide's abb
straction passed unnoticed and the even
ing went by very pleasantly, and he was
quite surprised when he found it was
time to go.
AS he pressed Miss Lilburne's hand at
parting he murmured, Six weeks and
i've days.
The reference was to the wedding-day.
Since that interesting date had been fixed,
Mr. Chessall had never failed 70 remind
Adelaide, every time he took leave of her
at night, of the exact number of days
which still interviewed. He had an idea
that this-or something like this-was
expected Of him.
CHAPTER II.
The next morning Mr.. Chessall called
at Mrs. Lilburne's before II o'clock. She
was not very pleased at being called OFT
from housekeeping cares, but disguised
her annoyance admirably.
Adelaide is out" she said, walking
with Miss Gray. She didn't expect you,
Pm sure"
MIR. Chessall smiled complacently at
the mention of Miss Gray. Adelaide's
friendship for Miss Gray amused him
nightly.
u shouldn't have come so soon," he
said, 'if hadn't brought piece OF news.
We have actually distinguished stranger
stopping at Knagford, and thought you
would like to hear about it.'
Mr.. Chessall received every morning
by post the Tunes of the day before; he
had brought the paper with him, and he
now read an extract.
The distinguished traveller and eX-
plorer, Dr.. Wilson, has now left town
and betaken himself to the seclusion of
Devonshire. He proposes to spend u
month or two in the little village of
knagford, where he will devote himself
to his forthcoming book"
MI. Chessall read this passage very
slowly, and then looked at Mrs. Lii
burne.
Its not often that Knagford gets such
distinguished visitor" he sald. The
papers have been full of him, you know.
lie had great reception given him by
the Geographical Society, and he was at
the Princes garden party, you know"
Mrs. Lilburne replied vaguely. She
was thinking how fortunate it was that
she had been out the day before, when
Or. Wilson had called. For she had not
cared to encourage his visits to the house
five years before, and she might have
been very chilly in her manner to the
distinguished traveller and explorer"
| through being unaware of his social i'm
porJance.
Il think I shall call on him at once"
Mr.. Chessall continued. Now that we
have got a lion, we ought to entertain
him as well as we can"
He called here yesterday afternoon"
Mrs. Lilburne said, with some triumph
in her tones.
Mr.. CheSsalPs astonishment was eVi-
dent, and Mrs. Lilburne was glad to have
something to explain.
'Dr. Wilson was III practice here" she
said, before you came to knagford. We
knew him very well. He and George
were very friendly"
Mr.. Chessall was duly impressed with
this intelligence and rose to take his leave.
Il think | shall call, all the same" he
said. But what pity that our picnic
wasn't fixed for next week."
Mrs. Lilburne appreciated to the full
the importance of the news Mr. Cressall
had brought; she set herself to scheme
/ lalo I,ro,Nifa1irNr Eo Il;
traveller. There must be dipner-party
and a garden-party and perhaps another
picnic-not at kelVington Castle.
She propounded these schemes at the
luncheon table to which Adelaide had in
vited Miss Gray.
That lady established the fame OF DR..
Wilson by one clinching fact.
His portrait was in all the illustrated
papers of last week." she said, and a
short biography of him. But Knagford
wasn't even mentioned"
Adelaide made public protest against
her mothers schemes of entertainment.
"Why take so much trouble?" she said:
81 dare say he'd rather be quiet and
write his book"
This speech of Adelaide's aroused the
Indignation of her younger sister.
''lhaps all very well for you, Ade-
laide," she said; ~ suppose you prefer
walking about the garden with your
Augustus to anything else. You ought
to think of others who are glad enough to
meet man who WON'T be quite as heavy
and stupid as most of the men round
knagiord are"
When lunch was over Adelaide and
Miss Gray sought the GOODNESS and shade
Of the arbor in silence, till at last Ade-
laide broke out abruptly:
Laura, it was here L saw him last, a
month before he started on the Borneo
expedition"
Miss Gray's look expressed a sympa-
thetic curiosity.
He came TO say goodbye" Adelaide
continued. 81 think he knew l should
be alone. And he told me why he was
going. The expedition was dangerous
one, but if it were successful he would
gain wealth and some reputation, and
then he wanted to know tiff l could
give him any hope-in case"
Miss Gray darted a look of mild re-
proach at ner friend.
You never told me anything about it
till this morning." she said.
81 couldn't, somehow" Adelaide re-
piled. II never mentioned it to anybody.
| was very much afraid of mamma s
knowing it."
What did you tell him ? Miss Gray
asked after pause.
Adelaide hung down her head as she
replied;
II don't quite remember. But think
l told him that there was no one else
and that hoped he would succeed. And
l gave him two roses, one red and one
white"
1T was five years ago." Adelaide con-
tinued, land L haven't seen him since.
But now am so afraid that he has come
down toto see me. If he has, it will be
dreadful, for know he is not man who
would take things quietly. If he should
make scene"