The Dickinson press., 1894-06-02
CHAPTER VIII.
Duke COnfessea.

| vSys WIN AAlS uSSu WAY ASuAA'o AA
attendance during the past fortnight,
called while Ciccly was dressing to
start. Minna, who was not going with
her, was sitting at her embroidery i'll
the drawing room. When Leonard en-
tered, she glanced up with a flush on
her face. He was looking even more
solemn than usual. and, as usual. he
seemed to have nothing to say. Minna,
Of course, affected to think mis- visit
was for Cicely alone.
Il am afraid she will have hardly a
moment To spare for YOU" she said.
"Shc is going to fetch Duke home from
the hospital. AMI is afraid Of heinS late.
She is very much obliged to you for call
Ing the other %day-wll"n she was out"
when yoa we're out" corrected Leon
ard, aS solemnly as ever. You Know
who my visits are for"
"Whoever they are for, they haven't
bacn very frequent lately" returned
Minna, with Il slight but naughty turn
of the head.
Tiff that person had cared to have
any more, She would not have had to
complain Of any deficiency in that re-
spect."
Leonard was sitting very stiffly and
staring straight before him out Of The
window.
II suppose you mean," said Minna,
with II light laugh and an assumption
of grca, Indifference. that your visits
were for NE and | didn't appreciate
thrm:'
"YrS." admitted Leonard. 81 suppose
I did mean something like that. You
tolerated me while my dizziness was
mitigaled by Iiurst'S livclincSs; hut
xvhnn his visits ..nlS.A1-
He stopped abruptly for Il quick
movement on the part of Minna told
him what Il dreadful bluuder he had
made. There was Il dead pause.
Il see" said the girl III last. in Il chill
ing tone, you take your cue from MIR.
Hurst" .---,..v-,-a-
IF | did," said Leonard. in Il sort of
%stranglel voice. II should so and offer
my worthless attentions to some other
girl. some girl with money"
Minna rose and walked to the piano.
trying. not very successfully. 10 assume
the air of being intensely bored by this
conversation.
II don't think you could possibly do
better" She threw this speech care
lcssly at him al he passed.
She began to play Il waltz. II OF
which lAlgy Hurst was fond. hut the
tinkling emptiness Of which. as Leon
ard had often confessed nearly drove
the latter mad. So he stood bolt up
right in the bend Of the grand piano,
tapping the case ne'vonsly as he spoke.
You don't think l should be capable
Of such a think. Miss Minna: In fact l
need not ask you. For if | We're not
cursed with Il dog-like fidelity which is
proof against SnuhS. you would long
ago have had to see thar my devotion
to you is worth something
perhaps ] do know it now" she said
at last.
There was a dead silence again. Leon
ard being Il gvcat deal too shy 10 avail
himself of this opening, although Min
na waited for him obligingly.
But there limits to the patience OF
every girl. and especially to that Of one
who knows she is going to he proposed
to, and is ready to face the ordeal. So
ut last she heaved an Ostentatious sigh
and went on softly playing nothing par
%ticular.
II wonder how shy men ever get mar
ried at all" she sighed forth at last,
with her head tilted n little On one side
in a pensive attitude.
will you give me a kiss?' said sh.
"Or"-and she affected to draw he
head back again-"or are you too Shy?
=. He was not. And although she tor,i
great care. in the course of the max
half-hOur, to assure him TINT she On!'
accepted him To avoid the shame o
being deserted by .Alsy Hurst for y.
/, rich cousin. Richard took the explain,
. ton quite impcrtmbably.
II shouldn't much mind even y :
;. were true" he had the courage to ST.
, when you're very fond If Il girl, III
thing is to get her. And we've all crr
ceited enough to think we can prove :
her afterward that she's made Il goo
choice"
1t came With u shock upon Ties, NV
people when. the doOr-hcll having r;n
without their noticing IL, two VISION
. came in TO interrupt their trtca-tct'
= They were Mr.. William bennington an
Algy Hurst. The sight Of them rccalle
9 to Minna all the misery and mystery I
n the past fortnight. all her wonderif
fears as to what Dukes return wOul
. bring forth. For Mr.. Bcrrington's fl,
=. was full of hard determination as w.
:, as curiosity. He had. in truth. knn>
ing that Duke was expected to retul
home on this day, come Oh purpose
: prevent his nephew from getting in
!. the cellar alone before him.
. AlGy Hurst appeared not quite
much at ease as usual; while, on Il
other hand, Leonard Harvey cane ft
ward to shake hands with him wi
quite u"naccustOmen warmth and hear
I. ness. Roth mel looked at each 9th
as il anxious TO know what brought I;
other there. 1t was Mr.. Il" rii ST.
who started the inevitable explanation
i've brought AlgernOn With INC I
day.. he said presently, in order
Introduce to you what l may call 2,
Old friend with a new face Here
4 my future Son-in-law."
Llgy looked very uncomfort Tile, b
Leonard was radiant. Minna. tc
laughed quite brilliantly and easily.
It's epidemic" sHEl Leonard, wi
an eXulting glance at his late nv:
"Minna is going to marry me.
1t was with great relief thit all {
. younger members of the party presel
ly heard tho carriagc-wheels outsit
AS for Mr.. Bennington. who rad be
restless with excitement and expect
ton for the last half hour, he cou
- contain his impatience no longer. |
rushed out into the hall to meet |
nephew.
Duke, who looked i'll and weak. W
Il. SCSSihS OuI VI lHS S'ttiiNSGs stSSISttNt
OF side by a servant and Oh the 9th
by his wife. who looked far paIcr Il
more Worn than he. At the sight of {
Mr.. Bennington. indeed, Cicely's coura
and strength seemed TO give way
gether. She just managed to totter ir
., the drawing-room by her HUSBAND
side; and then. with the help Of MINI
who saw that she was at the end
her powers Of endurance. she left
~ room in time to avoid distressing Du
'.2. and ministered TO her quietly and xii
IN. iy, bathing her temples and letting
the soft summer air upon her witha
n word.
But Cicely recovered herself after
Fl few minutes with II great shock.
go down." she whispered hoarse
land see what that man has come I
Don't let him tease Duke. Tell him
keep his questionable is sure to