New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-12-17

4
give in to me in this There infinite en-
treaty in his tones; but II Mr.. brooke was less
obdurate in his aspect, when, after pause, he
I made answer. II because there was some
thing In Uncle McShane's voice and manner
which woke dark doubts OF the. reality Of that
relatives wealth.
You are too partial to Val" he said. III
yield in this instance lay myself open to being
perpetually drained"
Faith, YOU needn't. Won't this wise woman OF
a wife Of yours close the noodgates any time
you lke?"
Mrs Brooke looked M and said with dignity
81 trust shall do my duty
Uncle McShanc murnurcd something in an
, bndertCne which, but for her unfamiliarity with
vulgar Irish phrases. would have given her a
shock.
ooh. don't know, lie went off at = tangent
to some Of his worthless companions after talk,
ing Some nonsense about quitting the army and
getting a money consideration from his brother
officers for clearing out Of the way
"Oh. faith that will never do at all. NJ all.
I'll sit M for him. Mrs. Brooke. ma am, If YOU
have no objection; YOU may trust 70 me to lock
mp hard and fast-maybe Val will hear reason
from mo"
"IIoavon knows in what condition he may
return" Calculated Mrs Brooke.
I'D lay long odds he'll return like n sober
gentleman" calculated Uncle McShane.
Mr. Brooke murmured something about hope
less spendthrifts and left the room. His wife
folded up her piece Of work, and. rising. OBJ
served: "Well. Mr. McShanc ! will send the
servants to bed. and trust YOU 10 lock up the
gate and the front door, and will Won please
see that that wretched young man goes t bed
without setting the house fire.
In a few minutes silence prevailed throughout
Alma Lodge. ana after pouring himself out a
very modest allowarce Of Whiskey ana water.
Uncle NGcShano proceeded 20 sip il slowly whl"
he sat in profound meditation. Ultimately ne
drew out his memorandum book took the pencil,
and on the envelope Of letter began 10 scrlbbe
calculations. sucking his pencil frequently.
Uncle McShanc had begun to mol over his men
tai exercise when he heard the latch of the gate
lifted. and hurried briskly to open the door
fg, sl,.., r,If oaf
'sttine up for me-" exclaimed Val; it's
dcuced kind Of you. l rather dreaded coming
in"
"Ah. where have YOU been. You unfortunate
boy" asked Uncle McShanc. with severe as
pcct. and looking at him keenly.
walking to and fro to recover my cquanim-
itv No, have not tasted even n glass Of water"
he added. answering the question in his grand
uncles eyes.
Then come in and I'll give YOU the best Of
good advice and mari; We. Val. me poor fellow.
It's all | have TO give ye.'
Never mind. a word in season Is worth lot
and q friendly word" the young man broke
off abruptly.
'Sit down" said his uncle Faith, Won are
the liyin' image Of Your poor mother ana sh"
was like a sister than niece 10 me in the
old times. when were all poor enough in
this wilderness Of a city before ! went away
TO Canada" and the curiously contraStcd couple
fell into serious talk which lasted far into the
night
The next mornings breakfast was earlier than
usual for Mrs. Brooke and Sarah Jane had
planned To make an 'Nl'plll'n va lN'hH'I' ~
lunch with an old maiden aunt ~ the latter who
lived alone In a beautiful villa. and was the OBJ
jcct Of much attention from boih mother ana
G%9sRter on this cd me SO fa e wdnGcr
hsr faithful Kitty was H. have holiday
Val was not Mt the morning meal tho servant
reported him gone out having mao 'uP, 81
Tea and slice Of bread and butter an hour be-
fore
"'Pon my word he thinks the house is his
OWE" calculated Mrs. Brooke
4 .ltstfn Of
breakfast table: every one was cross except
Uncle McShane lie delivered himself 81 a mes
sage from Val a. his fathcr 10 the effect that
he was returning TO Aldershot. ana hoped not
To- trouble him further. at which uit"ranc" MT
I,rool,c's countenance cleared. Will" h. said In
his heart "Thc young scapegracc has been per-
suadng his uncle 10 help HIM"
What cried Sarah Jane. won't he come
back for his traps?'
NO" said Mcshane. 81 have promised to send
them after him ,
Il don't wonder he Is ashamed to see us" said
Mrs Brooke. with sniff go
you wait q bit" said tncl" McShar"; nell
pull through yet. no thanks to any one"
How do you mean asked Sarah Jan" look
ing eagerly at him.
trouble-rnaybe an elegant. kind -heaiTed young
lady. with a neat little fortune. that he's fond
Of. but afraid TO speak up to- VIII take pity on
him The great thing s to get time.
1.-THE girl would be fool to give her money
10 n spcndthrift like Val" cried Mrs Brooke
growing very red. But have various things
ing Let me see YOU before you 60 To town
this N her husband she left the room.
Sure" resumed Uncle McShane. addressing
Mr. Brooke "Tve a fcow-feeling for the poor
Young fellow having been In trouble meesclf
know what II Is 10 be In want OF money
ooh come that must be an old story
mo not so very old nj all. began McShane
when the parlormaid came ip.
"WiI you come please. and speak TO Missis
slr?" she said. and Brooke Immediately rose and
followed her.
The house quite quc, -every one had de-
parted an hour or more. and Kitty Graeme had
come quietly downstairs To replace some books
she had ventured 10 borrow from small ana
somewhat gloomy apartment dignin"d win the
nppeliation ~ library" The only joys OF kity's
rather suppressed. monotonous "Nist"nc" We're n
fit Of good humor on Mays part. or new IN
teresting book-neither came frequently; natur-
ally the poor invalid was often frettul ana Try
ing while the last way Of expanding money that
suggested itself 10 the Brooke FAMILY was on
new books
Kitty was slim. wilowy creature Of twenty,
slight but not angular. with a long graceful
tnroat. and n rather pale oval face. when was
Illuminated by n pair Of large well-shaped eyes
that were sometimes dark and bright. sometimes
dull and light. the spirit moved her. Her
mouth was rather too wide. but then II could
smc-a sweet pathetic smile. when II displayed
n row Of pearly white teeth and her small head
was crowned with plenty II way bronze-brown
hair with glints as If OF FURNISHED metal among
It's ncshcs She did not look bright on TINS par
ticular morning, rather did her young face wear
n troubled expression. though. intending TO pay
"A visi, 10 her only friend. she had donned her
best frocl;-a very humble one. YET precious IN
her eyes II was lilac and white lowered mus
lin with a pretty little founce round the skirt.
n wide. folded black silk sash and a narrow black
lace scarf round her white throat. She was sun
standing I'm thought after having replared the
hooks when one OF the servants entered.
"Oh please Miss" she said In tone OF en-
treaty would You be so KIND as 70 90 the 'apie
flowers Tor me There's n lot To do. there's
company tonight. and I'll not have time to fix
them propcrly-then Miss Smalley viii scold'
VERY we'll Susan"
"Thcv are all I'm the dining room-the vases
and things all OF 'em. Miss"
Kitty had nearly the whole day before her.
and rather liked the task. which went quickly
under her def fingers IT was nearly finished
when she heard footsteps In the hall. she started
and grew very pale: the next moment the door
opened and Val Brooke came In. carefully clos
q. lot, i,J him