The sun., 1894-03-15


age | W"s lacking"
Shall bear you company 20 the cot
tage? l fancy l could be of some SER
vice to You just at this particular time"
Sir Basil replied without moments s
reflection. "Ay, come YOU with me-"
And together they accordingly set OF
in the direction of parson Gilruth'S cot
tage.
The young baronet was much elated,
while the creole was calm and thor
oughly Self-pOSSes Sed. The former
knew not the fearful abyss on the brink
of which was standing while the lat
ter was contemplating it smilingly.
Gradually, but surely, was Sir BASH
falling into the power of this arch hend
who would have no mercy whatever ON
his victim But Pelham Warrington
kept his cl0ven foot out of sight, and
the baronet was full of cOntiding trust
in him.
They reached the cottage, and enter
ing it, found there Il smiling. happy trio
namely, ParSOn Gilruth, Gertrude,
and Roger Baldrick.
Sir Basil turned pale and certain jeal-
Gus pangs shot through his heart at the
sight of his rival, who was Stalwart
fellow, with an honest cOuntenance,
beaming and intelligent, frank manners,
and an even buoyant spirit that set
care at defiance, and put everybody
about him in the very best of humOrS.
Sir Basil presented his friend to the
GilruthS, and soon they were agreeably
converSing together; Lieutenant Bald
rick'S voice raised high above the rest.
Once or twice Sir Basil paused to lis
ten to him: while he did so, his hand
some lips curled disdainfully.
Was it possible that Gertrude could
prefer this bOiSterOuS sailor to his own
polished Salf?" he mentally cried. Had
she no eyes, that she saw not the diff
ference 'twiXt booriSh manners and
those gentle and refined?" he contin-
ued to inwardly ask himself, as he sat
critically contemplating the young lieu
tenants every gesture.
Presently the baronet r0uS I'd himself,
and prepared to act part-tO follow
the instructions given him by Pelham
Warrington.
1T is Il fine old place that house of
yours, Sir Basil" Roger Bal Trick OBJ
served, in the course Of converse ton
Il haven't been near 1t since l was a
mere lad; but l remember Il lake filed
with gold fish, and sp med by a bcauti-
full bridge. Does that lake still exist,
Sir Basil?"
Il walked round it this very morn
ing"
And the gold fish, Sir Basil?" pur-
sued the sailor
Il really did not remark them," re-
tod 1,o 1NoV
Sneer in his well tutOred voice.
Not remark them" echoed Roger
Baldrick. well, now, that's odd; and
you the master of Ravensmarsh"
''Win you come and explore the wa
ters of the lake yourself? | shall be
delighted to see you at RaYensmarsh, ~
the barOnet said, with stiff pCIiteness.
Mr.. Gilruth," he added, turning to the
old gentleman, 'honOp me by dining at
on Wednesday next, and
by bringing with you your friend, Mr..
Thanks, Sir Basil! I shall be very
happy to do sor' the old parson re-
piled, pleased to receive the Invitation.
"Good!-at six o'clock
''We shall not keep yOu waiting, de-
pend upon it, Sir BASIL" laughed old
ParSon Gilruth.
Waiting: I should think not, in
deed!" put in the lieutenant, cheerily.
"A sailor knows how to obey orders.
I cannot tell you, Sir Basil, how glad
/ shall be to see the quaint, old place
again"'
And to renew your acquaintance
with the goldfish, eh, Mr.. Baldrick 2"
oi, Il I,,
Exactly, Sir Basil" returned the
young lieutenant, joining in the laugh,
which had gone all round. THAT was
not so bad! L enjoy a joke amazingIy.'
he added, rubbing his hands together in
high glee.
Sir Basil coughed softly, and slightly
elevated his eyebrows, while the cre ole
produced his snuff-box, and quietly took
thence sundry pinches of the pungent
mixture.
During the whole of this SceEe, Ger
trude had sat listening, saying not a
word, She was beginning to think how
rough all Rogers ways appeasrI, when
coDtrasted with those Of Sir Basil Dove
tree. Sir Basils voice Vas q winning
voice-a voice that fell mel0diOusiy on
4 woman's ear, while that Of the sailOP
was lOud-toped, and full of careless
iollity. Then there was a nameless
air-aQ unstudied graca-about the we'll
bred baronet, which was m liking itself
particularly appaient to her at
this moment, AMI 'endUT;ng her
somewhat dissatisfied with her sail
or loyer Once or twice she turned
away her head, and endeavored to EN-
v11o hO1 I1n nplZ
which was lying all unheeded in her
lap; but presently her attention was
again piVeted on the handsome and fas-
cinating baronet, and her stitches were
running all awry.
Gertrude was yexed with herself, and
she was likewise @ little frightened of
the feeling that were stealing into her
breast.
Did she not love Roger Baldrick,
and was she not his promised bride?"
she repeated within herself, over and
over again. "Oh, yes, she surely loved
him, and would be very happy as his
wife"
Happy! Was she quite certain that
she would be happy as the wife Of
Roger Baldrick?
NcEIFuaI was uUueSL, SeuJlG anu
good; she had 40 ambitious desires;
but she had a refined mind, and, lately,
a high appreciation of good breeding
and elegant manners had suggested it.
self withil her, and she had really be.
gun to admire Sir Basil Dovetree-the
man who had said he loved her, and
whose honorable offer she had but re-
Gently rejected.
Was she becoming fickle-hearted, that
she suffered her feelings thus to waveI
about, and to be drawn away from the
p6:nt On which she had once deemed
them firmly fixed?
Gertrude was only nineteen years OF
age. we cannot expect to find much
wisdom OF serious reflection in one SC
young as she. Bsgides, we must re
member that she was country-bred, and
inexperienced in many ways. iIGkine
these facts into consideration, we need
feel little astonishment at her vacilla
ton.
She was not dazzled by the young
baronets proud position, nor by his
wealth or his title; she admired him
simply for those qualifications in which
VI -