The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1894-07-18

rur cold. and l turned TO flee. but alasl
/ vas too late, for he had recognized
me, and. laying one huge hand on my
shoulder. compelled me to stay.
Pray do not run away before 1 have
time TO make your acquaintance, sir, 4"
he said, with grim politeness. Il think
/ have the honor of speaking to Mr..
Hughes-Norreys, Of Copseby Manor. in
Derbyshire2''
1 blushed to the roots Of my hair, and
stammered out a reluctant Yes"
And yet" he continued quietly, 'un-
less my eyes deceive me. you are also
Mr.. Frank Leigh, late OF Barbelham?"
1t was useless TO deny il. 1 hung my
head and looked. 1 doubt not, the picture
of convicted guilt.
You have been engaged TO my ward
since last May, have you not, Mr.
Leigh" was his next inquiry.
l muttered something about a boyish
infatuatiOn, but he cut me short before
1 could complete a sentence.
And 1 think you have been engaged
to my niece Miss Westbrook, since last
January, Mr.. Hughes-N Orreys?"
His niece, Oh. what an unhappy fate
was mine! He-Mr. Jagg-'was Uncle
John!
Your niece, SIR I cried. Are you Mr.
John Westbrook. them
NO. sir. One names quite enough for
a simple man like me. Plain John Jagg's
good enough for me-
But you said you were Miss West
brooks uncle 1 persisted.
And so 1 am, sir. Her uncle and her
mothers brother"
Mrs. Westbrook's brother! Somehow I
had never thought of that. 1 had never
heard him called anything but Uncle
john" and had taken it for granted
why. know Eot-that he was Mrs. West
brooks brOther-in-law. had never
asked any questions about him. because
when 1 was with Lillian we had always
had something more interesting than IN
Gle John tC talk about, but 1 now bitterly
regretted my fatal lack of curiosity.
And now, Mr.. Hughes-Leigh,'' said
Mr.. Jagg. with savage humor, Il beg
pardon, Mr.. gh-NorreyS-really, it is
very confusing-I mean Hughes-NOrreys,
I'd like few words with you. How for
tunate it is that the two ladies to whom
you are engaged happen to have the
same guardiani 1t saves so much trOu-
be. In one interview we can settle about
both. You see, If l arrange my business
with Mr.. Hughes-N Orreys tonight, 1 need
not trouble to keep my appointment with
Mr.. Leigh tomorrow; and. between our
selves. Mr.. Hughes-NOrreys, the less
see of Mr.. Leigh. the better I'll be
pleased"
1 smiled a sickly smile and intimated
that was ready to listen to him.
Very good, sir he answered. leading
the way to the door, "but not here. sir.
Wen go to the study, where were not
so likely to be disturbed. So come along,
please"
Without a word I followed him out of
the room, along the hall, and into the
study. Arrived there, he seated himself
in an elbOw-chair in front of a writing
desk. while l collapsed into a seat oppO-
site. and strOve to assume an air of
grave composure.
Now, sir" he began sharply, (which
of the ladies do you really hope TO
marry?'
l hesitated for moment, but only for
a moment With quickness of percep-
ton almost amounting to genius, | in
stantly OWNED the proper course TO pur-
sue, and for the second time that day
completely altered my tactics in the very
face of the enemy. Mr.. Jagg was Car
res guardian, but he was Lilian's I'M
Gle, and was likely TO have her interests
even more at heart. 1t was obviously
the better plan to abandon Caroline
promising TO make such pecuniary atone
ment as her guardian thought fit, and TO
lay myself, COpseby Manor, and my
seven thousand a year at Lilian's feet
Before he had time to repeat his ques-
ton. I was ready with my answer.
1T is a painful question" | said sadly
but 1 must be candid. own that
when l was young and thOughtless, l
drifted into an engagement with Miss
Mayne. but since l saw your niece she
has reigned alone in my heart"
And yet, only this morning" an
swered Mr.. Jagg. Il heard Mr.. Leigh
state that his feelings for some one else
had never altered, and never could. How
do you account for that, Mr.. Hughes
Norreys?''
"That-that was a flower Of rhetoric"
l muttered, turning very red.
I'm plain English, lie?" he suggested.
l received this remark with the silence
of contempt.
ITS my private opinion, Mr. Hughes
Norreys. that Mr.. Leigh's scoundrel,
for. from what you say. l suppose I'm
to understand that he declines 20 fulfill
his engagement with my ward?"
1 bowed to intimate that he evidently
understood me perfectly.
There is abundant proof of the en-
gagement, you know" he resumed. "If
this case came into court. the result
would be very heavy damages, sir, to say
nothing of the scandal and loss of repu-
tation. If 1 were you, I'd advise Leigh
to settle it out of court, Mr.. Hughes
Norreys."
"Sly old foxr' I thought "He doesn't
want a Scandal any more than 1 do.
knew he wouldn't allow COpesby Manor
and seven thousand a year to go out Of
the family. Mr.. Jagg." continued
aloud, my first engagement was an in
discretion, l own, and all indiscretions
must be paid for sooner or later. l assure
you am ready to do everything that is
honorable"
I'D like something more definite than
that" he returned dryly. Our ideas of
what is honorable seem to differ con-
siderably.'
Il leave it entirely to you, Them
said, scOrning to notice his pretty sheer.
To my establishment and disgust, he
named-but no. my modesty forbids me
to mention the value which he set upon
me. Suffice il to say that I have had a
much higher opinion of myself ever
since.
''Monstrousr' cried. starting up. at
is really more than 1 am worth"
II am well aware of that" he re-
sidering your value at present. but the
value of the man Miss Mayne thought
you were. The sum I've named is the
lowest I'll accept on her behalf"
Really, Mr. Jagg, l must say you've
wonderful eye for the Mayne chance"
l said, hoping TO prOpitiate hipr at he
received my harmless little Pleasantly
with such a blood-curdling scowl THAT 1
nearly fell off my chair.
Wen have no tomfoolery. if you
please he raped out. That's my ulti-
il as you like. If we have to bring an
action, the damages will probably come
to even more and in addition you'll have
the cost to pay"
AS there was a certain amount of truth
in what he said, decided TO capitulate,
and, after one more effort to beat him
down, drew a check for the amount.
Then Mr.. Jagg, who. it appeared, had
been a lawyer, drew up certain docu-
ments, and a footman who came with
a message concerning dinner and an
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