The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1893-10-12

ture of 30 years ago. There is heroism
in these little things, none the less be-
cause it gains no renown.
Our conversation led to no definite re-
suit. Mother wanted John to marry,
and she shares the general infatuation
regarding our Cousin Sinfre, and yet
could perceive that her mind was not
entirely at ease. The forces of tradition,
of convention, of temperament, were
working in her against her special and
arbitrary affection for this strange young
woman. Reason prompted her to dis
trust, or at least to wait and prove
while instinct, or something like that,
urged blind acceptance. Between the
two my excellent parent was unwonted-
ly perplexed.
Lord Cedarcliffe is so impetuous and
so unused to restraint" she remarked.
She still calls him by the pet name he
used to bear in the nursery when she is
especially moved about him. The re-
public would be amused if they knew
how many odd scraps of feudalism and
monarchical tricks are to be picked up
about this house. perhaps he would
not be so set upon this if Sinfre seemed
more willing to meet his views. It's
very odd, don't you think, that she
should hesitate? She can't be sincere,
and yeti
"It isn't so very odd," said l. "She
has penetration, and she recognizes
Johns impetuosity as plainly as you and
do. don't dispute that she wishes to
marry him, but she wishes also to be
sure that he loves her outside of his i'm
petuosity"
John is incapable of trivial attach
ment," returned mother impressively.
eff he were capable of it, Cousin Sim
fire is taking the best means to make him
serious" replied. II don't doubt it will
come out all right in the end-on the as
sumption of course that their marriage
is the right thing"
"Don't you think it is the right thing?"
she asked quickly.
"Well, if you don't think 80, advise
you not to let them know it,"
sit is true we know comparatively lit
tie about her." said mother after pause.
"There is really nothing except my poor
brothers letter and her own account.
But it would be absurd to doubt either.
I should not think of such q thing"
That is to say, she does think of it, but
could not draw me into either encourage
ing her suspicious or opposing them. As
a matter of fact, don't know that it
makes much difference whether Sinfire
be really what she purports to be or not.
She is fine creature, capable of being
the mother of noble race. All the rest
is rather an object of curiosity than of
practical Importance. But suppose it is
Johns fortune she is after and means
when she has got it to disappear? Well,
that would be Johns business. If he
couldn't keep her, he wouldn't deserve
her, for she has heart for the man who
has the stuff in him to win it.
But if she be an adventures how
came she in connection with my late Un-
Gle Edward? There is no doubt that he
had one daughter at least. Really there
is no reason for any misgiving-except
that she does seem to be withholding
something, and that she is 80 remarkably
handsome. People don't expect to find
women like her among their own private
relatives. But let her become Mrs. John
Mainwaring by all means!
John came into my bedroom the next
morning while was dressing. He is a
man whose body and unconscious move
ments speak more plainly than his tongue
can, especially when he has anything to
say. So as he forged about the room,
stared out Of the window, took up The
Medical Record from the table and tossed
it down again, pulled sprig from my
pot of heliotrope and crushed it between
his fingers, or laid hold of an Indian club
and swung it over his shoulder, took it.
as said that he had been making love to
Sinfre, and that she was still amusing
herself by parrying his attacks. No
doubt she found it good sport. Wo-
men are made that way, whether they
love the victim or not. John wanted me
to begin the conversation, but I made
believe to be profoundly abstracted and
kept humming ~ preoccupied way to
myself as l went IN shaving.
''Strikes me you're mighty particular
about your toilet for man who doesn't
go into society,"" grumbled the heir of
Cedarcliffe at length. Anybody would
would say you were in love"
1T is the lovers who pay no attention
to such things" returned. "That is
what Shakespeare said, and he knew.
You are the one who wears the lovers
marks"
81? Who is there for me to be in love
WITH" asked transparent John.
"Well, that is your affair. But If
We're you think should be in love with
Cousin Sinfire for lack of something bet
ter
Something betterw he called out.
"Fd like to know where in this world
you could find anybody better than she
isl"
WELL" said /, wiping my razor and
going to the washstand, 'if you think
her the right sort, she is the right sort
for your
"It isn't what / think; it's what, she
thinks" he replied.
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