The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1894-12-21
TCoNTINUED.l

her about not showing her emotions and
passions, had told her that violence Of
all kinds was not wise or proper. Her
fingers ached to grasp this beautiful,
exasperating woman by the throat But
after an effort at calmness she remained
still and silent. looking at her visitor
with scornful dignity. Lady Haldwell
presently rose. She could not endure
the furnace of that look, and said good
by. She turned toward the door. Mrs.
Armour remained immovable. At that
instant, however, some one stepped from
behind large screen just inside the
door. 1t was Richard Armour He was
pale, and on his face was sternness the
like Of which this and perhaps only one
other woman had ever seen on him. He
interrupted her.
Lady Haldwell has fine talent for
irony" he said, "but she does not al
ways use it wisely. In a man it would
bear another name, and from a man 1t
would be differently received" He
came close to her. "You are q brave
woman" he said, cor you would have
been more careful. OF course you knew
that my mother and sister were not at
home"
She smiled languidly. "And why of
course?' "
IT do not know that. Only know
that think so, and I also think that
my brother Franks worst misfortune
did not occur when Miss Julia Sher-
wood traflcked without conjunction in
his happiness. -
Don't be oracular, my dear Richard
Armour, :" she said. "You are trying
really. This seems almost melodramat-
ic, and melodrama is bad enough in
Drury lane"
'You are not good friend even to
yourself" he answered.
s'What discoverer you arel And
how much in earnestl Do come back to
the world, Mr.. Armour. You would be
a relief, a new sensation.
II fancy I shall come back if only to
see the engineer hoist with his own
torpedo. -
He paused before the last word to-
give 1t point, for her husbands father
had made his money out Of torpedoes.
She felt the sting in spite Of her, and
she saw the point. "And then we will
talk it over at the end Of the season."
he added, land compare notes. Good
afternoon.
"You stake much on your hazards"
she said, glancing back at Lali, who
still stood immovable. eau revoirr'
She left the room. Richard heard the
door close after her and the servant re-
tire. Then he turned to Lali.
AS he did so, she ran forward to him,
with a cry ooh, Richard, Richardr'
she said, with a sob, threw her arms
over his shoulder and let her forehead
drop on his breast. Then came q sudden
impulse in his blood. Long after he
shuddered when he remembered what
he thought at that instant; what he
wished to do; what rich madness pos
sessed him. He knew now why he had
come to town. He also knew why he
must not stay, or, If staying, what must
be his course.
He took her gently by the arm and
led her to a chair, speaking cheerily to
her. Then he sat down beside her, and
all at once again, her face wet and
burning. she flung herself forward on
her knees beside him and chung to him.
"Oh, Richard. am glad you have
come" she said. would have killed
her if had not thought Of you. want
you to stay. am always better when
you are with me. have missed you,
and know that baby misses you too. "
He had his cue. He rose trembling a
little. "Come, come" he said heartily,
"it's all right, it's all right-my sister.
Let us go and see the youngster. There,
dry your eyes and forget all about that
woman. She Ia only envious Of Yea
Come. for his imperial highness.
She was in tumult of feeling. 1t
was seldom that she had shown emotion
in the past two years, and it was the
more ample when it did break forth.
But she dried her eyes, and together
they went to the nursery. She dismissed
the nurse, and they were left alone by
the sleeping child. She knelt at the
head of the little cot and touched the
child's forehead with her lips. He
stopped down also beside it.
"He's grand little fellow, he said.
'Lali," he continued presently, sit is
time Frank came home am going to
write for him. If he does not come at
once, / shall go and fetch him."
sNever! NevnrW Her eyes flashed an.
grily. "Promis, that you will not. Let
him come when he Is ready. He does
mot care" She shuddered little
''But he will care when he comes,
and you-you care for him, Lali."
Again she shuddered, and white,
ness ran under the hot excitement Of
her cheeks She said nothing. but Look
ed up at him, then dropped her face in
her hands.
''You do care for him, Lali, !" he said
earnestly, almost soiemnly, his lips
twitching slightly. "You must care for
him. II is his right. And he will
swear to you know he will-care for
you"
In his own mind there was another
thought, hard, strange thought. and
it had to do with the possibility Of his
brother not caring for his wife
Still she did not speak.
ITO a good woman, with good hus-
band" he continued. "there is no one
there should be no one-like the ia
Their of her child. And no woman ever
loved her child more than you do yours. I"
He knew that this was special pleading.
She trembled and then dropped her
cheek beside the child's. "Iwapt Frank
TO be happy, he went on. There "a no