Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-01-21

= - - 49, - = 49, - - - = . =
pause, during which Bsryl. still steadily staring
at the print before her, trembled rs much from
anguish as from anger.
DO You really mean what you say, Beryi?"
asked Lorraine solemrly.
''Of course. Why should / not?''
because gathered quite the reverse from
your manner. that night three weeks ago, when
last saw You.
You were quite mistaken
"And so was L.
Lorraine drew q long breath as he sank into
chair.
We were both mistaken. in fact" he OBJ
served, taking up a newspaper. "How fortu-
nate We discovered our mistake in good time"
Mr.. Weatherley and Mrs. Courtsville re-
turned just in time to sit down to lunch. DR..
Vincent had not quite fulfilled the expectations
reused by Mrs. Courtevie, he having to a
generous rule of diet affixed the peevish re-
striction that his patient should touch no wine
or spirits. Still. that was an Improvement on
Dr. Ciinker. and one which Mr.. Weatherey. at
this special time. fully appreciated, for among
Mrs. Courteviiles many endearing qualities
was her habit Of keeping good cook, and Civ
ing her or him plenty of employment. Luckily
no medical interference prevented Mr.
weatherley's appreciation of the feast, for
beryi. on one side Of the table, could hardly
swallow. and Lorraine, at the other. placid as
NC iooked was lar too wretched to know what
he was eating.
II am so glad you like that" said Mrs.
Courteville, as Mr.. Weatherley helped himself
for the second time to bewitching compound
OF most unwholesome ingredients. ''Sir Fran
els Gourmes-the great epicure, you know
gave me the receipt, and said this peculiar kind
OF wine was the proper thing to drink with it.
Oh, please, Mr. Weatherlet-I Insist-you must
take some. Pray. don't think of DR.. Vincent's
tiresome rules till you 60 home
Mr.. Weatherley gallanty obeyed, and praised
the wine with air Of authority, but confessed
that for light wines in general be had very lit
tie respect. person who drank them and
nothing stronger was he considered, next door
to a teetotaler.
How horriblew cried Mrs. Courteville. ".n
that case l must take to drinking port and
sherry. Teototallers. consider, are quite too
dreadful, almost as bad as the Salvation Army.
Yet some nice, kind people belong to them, like
the Verneys, you know. When their eldest
girl was married this month"; told you about
it, Beryl--but fancy, Mr.. Lorraine, they gave
MS nothing to drink at breakfast but lemon
ade."
Poison observed Mr.. weatherley.
why should you tell Mr.. Lorraine anything
about it when he there HIMSELF" asked
Beryi suddenly. laying down her knife and
fork.
Mr.. Lorainer' cried Mrs Courteville for
an instant unfeignedly bewildered. 'was he
there?"
Certainly not. ] was a. Basset Deane."
81 thought did not remember seeing you"
You told me yourself he at the we'd
ding" said Beryl doggedly.
Il did, repeated Mrs. Courteville, as il in
amazement. Impossible. dear Beryln'
"You told me in your last letter." said Beryl,
with slow and distinct articulation of every
syllable. lyon told me that Mr.. Lorraine at
the wedding, making himself agreeable to Miss
Verney as usual. These were your exact
words"
Not Mr.. Lorraine, darling" responded Mrs.
Courteville, her tone changing from the high
tender persuasion. ''Not Mr.. Loraine-Mr
Lennox it would be. My handwriting is quite
illegible."
And what on earth does it matter. Berry,
exclaimed her father impatiently. Don't be
SO childish. Mrs Courteville if YOU will allow
me, will ask for little more of that lobster
salad. l don't know when 1 have tasted a
dressing I like better. Now the tarragon-
what. what!-Beryi?"
For Beryl had risen and, with that admirable
indifference to time, place, and above every
thing, persons, which always distinguished her.
was walking round the table toward Lorraine.
While her eyes sparkled and her lips trembled,
she held ont her hand to him. and "a in q
strange mixture Of rapture and discomfort he
rose to take it, she said:
"iou see, thought-but I did not mean
what said. beg your pardonn'
1.-The girl has gone crazy!" cried Mr.. Wealth
erley. "What manners. Sit down, and let
other people eat their lunch in peace, if you
don't want any; and pray, what is it all about?'
But an explanation undesirable. at least
for one person present. WAS averted by them
her-very singular awkwardness with which
Mrs. Courteville suddenly overturned her
champagne glass into her lap. and the no less
unwonted agitation she betrayed over the in
jury to her gown. Even Beryl was affected by
this misfortune. and before the fuss it
created had subsided all was forgiven or for-l
gotten.
Lorraine accompanied them to the station
that evening. lovely evening, flushed with the
promise Of a lovelier day.
There is no mistake now, is there, Beryl?"
he whispered as, standing by the carriage
door. he toyed caiessingly with her little
hands. while Mr.. Weatherley was hunting fer
the tickets
WHY, here they are in my pocket after all!
But I'll swear I never put them therei Well,
then, Lorraine, we shall expec. you tomorrow
in time for dinner. We Will have a haunch of
venison just At to cook and glass of port
wine" He paused, checked by Disagree
able recollection. then concluded impatiently,
"Oh. hang the London doctors! | don't be-
lieve in any one of them. I'll send for little
Panton tomorrow"