New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-09-30
CHAPTER XVIII.

Within an hour nevertheless. she had agreed
to renounce him.
Argument expostulation and representation
had had their due effect. when joined 10 con-
seriousness OF being in Penelopes power; though.
nerhaps II is not too much to say that il was
the latter conviction which eventually carried
the day.
Be that as it might. me erring Nina was at
length reduced to trembling submission ana be-
fore the two girls quilted their leafy screen. had
promised everything and bowed to every decree
Once discovered she had indeed known from
the first that resistance must be hopeless' OUT
there had been an instructive desire - palllate
her offence in Peneopes eyes. or at all events
10 enlist her sympathy.
Penelope had sympathized. but she had con-
doned nothing. and thercupon Nina had thrown
I'D her arms. and abjectly quailed before every
mandate Peneopes decision had been that on
the instant withdrawal OF Torquil Macalisier
from the scene. and on her receiving his solemn
word together with that Of her cousin that all
should be unreservedly at an end between them.
she would not betray her secret. Unless these
terms were agreed to. and rgidly carried out
she would go straight TO Lord Carnoustie.
With detected mien and swimming eyes Nina
promised on behalf Of her lover. Yes. he would
|
you will tell him nothing" said Penelope, sig
nihcantly Then a Der cousin looked surprised,
You will never him-ncver speak t. him
again. You Will give me letter"-Mina started
do not be afraid will deliver l. myself" said
| Penelope, looking AT her steadily. And VIII
| take care that he reads It," Then she put her
! arm round the others neck and for the first time
pressed kiss upon her pale cheek.
Penelope was very young she was now almost
| happy.
Shall We be doing her injustice II We su'-
pect that in the rebound Of her spirits she OK
perencel a sense Of elation which made all the
past endurable and all the future possible?
At first she had been crushed to pieces. abso-
lutey numb beneath tie Overwhelming respon-
sibility laid upon Eer but now-now all was
bright again. and all the brightness was due 10
her At last she had done something in life
worth doing
We fear this will be ncomprehensble to many
readers Hours like those from which my
heroine has just emerged are not 50 lightly for
gotten by those over whom the storms Of life
have passed. and apt 10 leave scars which
time can but slowly, If ever, efface. But In
youth 1t is so natural to be happy-so fright
full to be sad and despOnding The blacker the
night Of sorrow, the fresher and clearer the dawn
| OF hope and gladness which succeeds.
She kissed and embraced her cousin hundred
| times. She vowed that Nina should never hear
another word, never behold look OF reproach;
she babe her be Of good cheer. cast the past be-
hind her. have faith in the future, and consola-
| ton in the present
| She would be her poor Minas guardian angel;
| they wONld be all In all to each other: have no
secrets from each other; never more shun each
others society.
| She planned plans instituted ideas; the whole
| morning passed away only too rapidly; and at
| length the position Of the sun In the heavens
warned them that II was time to return within
| doors.
1t was arranged that Penelope In place Of her
cousin, should meet Torquil Macaster on the
moor at the trysted hour that evening and de-
! liver to him the few written words by which he
was to be Informed that discovery had taken
| place. and that upon every consideration he
must at once depart from the neghborhood. 10
see the writer's face more.
1T will be dreadful for him." sighed Nina. the
tears again rising. You do not think Of what
1t will be to Torquil. Penelope"
NO. do not said Penelope. shortly.
| This the only time she adopted that tone.
now that the compact sealed. but her in
dignation and contempt had by this time TO-
cussed themselves upon the treacherous High
| lander, and the very sound OF his name was
| pugnant TO her feelings.
Nina saw that IT would not do to go on. IT
! would have yielded her some poor satisfaction
| 10 have expatatcd on the beauty and ardor OF
| her lover to have recounted tales of his devo-
| ton and prowess. and sighed the cruelty
| OF fate. which could make all these Of no avail
| ginning Of a frown Penelopes brow. and
| checked herself.
Penelope was but child. but she had a lip
| with which no one would dare TO rihc.
| And then. Nina could not but own that her
| cousin had been generous as we'll as brave a
| word from her and the whole house would have
| been turned into raging Pandemonium and
| finally and forever into a sitting prison house
| OF what would have been said and done she
shuddered to think. She could not dwell on
! what the hotblooded Gael might not have been
/ goaded into by flashing scOrn. without the dew
| drops starting from her forehead.
| From this Penelope had saved her-saved him.
4 Penelope had solemnly promised To shield Tor
gull and keep his insolent secret-the words were
| Penelope's. but Nina burst not cavl at them-if
| Torqui obeyed instructions and departed with
| out again transgressing.
| question then arose Could Lord Carnoustie
| thus suddenly lore one of his most valued and
| necessary dependents without raising a commo-
ton which might be unfortunate?
| He must 60" said Penelope. decidedly TT
/ 10 for him to put what color he chooses upon H.
| don't suppose he will care what 10 said behind