The sun., 1894-02-15

SLe may Ue IlurTleu.
Married" echoed Basil, his face
suddenly changing color. Il never
thought of that"
But what matter whether she be
welded or single, If you have taken q
fancy to the rustic beauty? You have
gold enough to tempt her to forget
everything"
Sir Basil bit his lips in moody silence
and cast his eyes upon the floor; while
the creole. drew forth his jewelled
snuff box, and took thence a large
pinch of the pugnent mixture.
Let me bear you company" said
Pelham Warrington. Il care not to
sparkle and it's favour with me when
self. Come! let me go with you, Ba-
SILL" he continued, pushing his glass
away, and rising from his chair"
"As you will,. Warrington"
May, as you please; do not, wish to
force my society upon YOU"
Nor will you, Warrington; choose
to have you with me, SO come along
And accordingly the two men left
the house, and linked together arm-in
arm, proceeded towa' DIS the village.
For some time they walked on in 81
lence, each busy with his own thoughts
while the sN eet notes Of the wild robin
in a hedge hard by filled the ambient
air with dulcet, heaven-made melody.
How do you purpose to proceed in
this little affair, Sir Basil Dovetreew
the creole demanded, in a strange
tone.
II shall go at once to her cottage;
what's the use Of shilly- -shallying in the
matterT' the other answered, excited
ly. "She has set my whole heart
ablaze, I tell you, and I ca mot pause
to act coOly.'
"But we are strangerS-gentlemen ]
trust-and as such. are bound to use
some ceremony, especially on occasions
and where a lady is concerned"
Yes, l am aware of all that, War
rington; but if the girl saw to-day be
free, heart and hand, mean to marry
her"
"YOu mean to--what, BasilT'
''I'N take her to church and make her
mine, in the face of heaven and manw
''Sir Basil Dovetree, are you taking
leave of your senses? You, rich man,
proudly born, to contemplate wedding
a peasant girl"
warrington, am my own master,
and am at full liberty to act as l may
see fit"
Granted"
"Then sneer no more about the mat
ter; do not ask you to wed her"
The creole laughed softly.
"NO, no, Of course you do not" he
said; "besides, / am not at all matri-
monially inclined; 1 am for freedom,
not for slavery"
Slavery
"Ah; what is marriage but such?'
II cannot tell, have not yet tried
the state, you know.
''Take my advice, Basil-never try
it; never part with your liberty"
II should not like to do so, Warning
ton" the young Baronet replied, in a
wavering tone.
mo, no, love the woman just as
much as ever you please, but beware
how you barter your precious freedom
for their smiles"
You speak as If you had some pain
full experience in welded life"
The creole laughed merrily; but his
mirth was discordant. Sir Basil looked
up, startled by the harsh sounds. The
expression of the cre0le's swarthy Wis
age was hidden in the gathering shades
of eve.
"Ah, we'll, never mind; you believe
that / am capable of giving you good
and disinterested advice|'
Most assurdly do, Warrington"
Every well, then; be guided my me,
and 1 pledge you my honour, that,
whether she be married or single, free
of heart or otherwise, sooner or later,
she shall he VOurSp
Sir Basil Dovetree made no
reply. He did not exactly
like to engage the creole in
such q service as this he was proposing
for himsel. The young baronet had not
for himself. The young barOnet had
not devoid of delicacy, which same
delicacy caused him to hesitate ut ac-
cepting the proffered assistance Of his
seeming friend.
"You do not answer me-" said War
rington, after q pause of some few
moments.
Il cannot at present" was the brief
reply.
"Wherefore?"
"Because-Well, to deal honestly
with you, l would rather act in the
affair entirely unadvised by any one.''
ooh, with all my heart, Sir Basilr'
the creole rejoined somewhat hastily
"only recollect that have warned
you'
but there is no occasion for any
warning, is there?'
well, If you meet with a designing
woman, she may exert her influence
over you, and you may yield unto
her wiles, and sacrifice yourself"
"Pshaw! she whose face I saw to-
day knows not the art of deception"
'Be not too sure of that" returned
the creole. Trust no womanv'
Sir Basil laughed carelessly.
They were now in the village street
in which no living being was to be
seen save themselves. A few yards
hence stood picturesque, whitewashed
cottage, with pretty green porch be
! fore it.
'Yonder is her home" said the young
baronet, stopping abruptly, and point
ing to the little dwelling.
''It Is the house before which We
saw her standing, certainly; but wheth
er it be her home or not, will not pre-
sumo to say"
MY heart tells me that she is there
at this very moment"
Probably she is" Warrington an
swered, with some sarcasm in his
tones.
How shall I be able to gain admis
sion to her presenceW uttered Sir Basi
half to himself.
"Ah, how indeed!'
81 will not return to Ravensmarsl
until have seen her once again, b'
assured Of that muchr'
Why, Basil, never saw you SO de
termined. This is truly love at frs
sightv'
Il wish could unroof yonder place
and gaze upon her, unknown and un
seenw the young baronet said, slowly
Walking in the direction Of the cottage
the creole following him.
Suddenly, Sir Basil, arrested b,
sounds from Within the cottage, pauset
at It's garden gate, -"
A guitar, accompanied by a female'
voice, was merrily twanging.
"Harkw he cried, deaning over tn
gate to listen. mo rustic fingers toucl
yon strings-no vulgar, untaught tones
are those we hear!'