The morning call., 1894-04-01

One of these was addressed to Cyril
Dunstan, and was in the writing that be-
longed to Mary Sebastian; the other, In
Lady Lilian's owl characters, was ad-
dressed to a firm of lawyers in Lincoln's
Inn, and contained an Enclosure, which
she requested the firm to be good enough
to forward to Miss Sebastian.
Just about the beginning of the new year
Cyril Dunstan accepted an invitation to
dinner with his aunt He was much
changed on this occasion from what he had
been during the past few months. Lady
Lillian watched him narrowly. After din
ner she found herself alone with him for
amoment. o
anything pleasant happened? Have you"
she hurried little over these words
shave you heard anything of Mary?"
Cyril Dustan laughed half bitterly, half
reckesslv.
Eyes, have heard from Mary at last.
She wrote to me two days ago. She-she is
going to be married, and writes to give me
the news. She learnt to forget more
quickly than / did. you see, Aunt Iii. the
young man said, pausing abruptly. You
must promise he one thing. Never men
tion Mary's name TO me again. lt-hurts
too muchi"
Lady Lillian pressed his hand tenderly.
Dear Cyril she said, softly, you car,
trust me-" and she spoke the truth for once.
When the season was well started. Lady
Lillian announced with much delight the
news OF her nephew'S engagement 10 Miss
Donnithorne.
"Tney will be married directly" she
cnnfided TO everybody. ut is ar adorable
affair. Cyril has always loved her. and he
well. you can see for yourself how it is
with her. They will be very comfortably
off. too. Sir William has been most gen.
erous; he gives Enid a nice little income
now. OF course, she will inherit the rest
when be- dies, which alas! must be soon
fear. That is one reason why am hurry
ing on the marriage
Despite Lady Lilan's outspoken enthu-
siasm, however. the business of the en-
gagement was far from being all roses and
no thorns. Ii was not only CyriPS apathy
toward his betrothed, bnt Sir William. in
stead of dying. as he most certainly ought
TO have done several months before, was
reported 10 be growing better and stronger
everv day.
I'm not going under just vet, you will
be sorry to hear" he wrote to Lady Lillian
when ne gave his ready sanction to lis
daughters engagement. This part of the
and the care and attention | get have
pulled me round in the most marvellous
way. | mean to remain abroad for year
at least"
His tone was anything but agreeable to
Lady Lillian, and when further news came
of Sir Williams Improvement she almost
regretted that she had so hurried on CyrIps
engagement to his daugh ter. However,
she hoped and hoped, and at last one day
there came summons from Sir William
Donpitho rne desiring his daughters rance
TO travel to the south to see him without
further delay. Lady Lilian's spirits rose
to the highest pitch of excitement and de-
light.
SIT was only tempo rary convalesceDce.
she said TO herself triumphantly. HE
feels, of course, his end is near, and he
wishes, no DOUBT. that the marriage shall
take place as quickly as possible and to
arrange all his money matters comfortably
before he goes"
Lady Lillian was in state of pleasure
bic anticipation all the time her nephew
was absent. She gave strict orders to her
butler on the evening of his return.
TELL Mr. DuDstan to come TO my room
the instant he arrives" she said. Il must
see him at once"
She was busy putting some final delicate
touches to her complexion when her maid
announced Mr.. Dunstan. Lady Lillian
turned round in her chair with a radiant
smile to greet Sir Williams future son.
in-law. But the smile died away instantly.
The word of welcome was frozen on her
pretty false lips as Cyril Dunstan advanced
out OF the shadows of the room and stood
beside her chair. The look on his white,
haggard face was so terrible Lady Lillian
covered before him.
"Cyril-what-is- Are you going to
kin me?' she gasped.
He laughed at her fear, and then. taking
a note case from his pocket deliberately,
be opened it and held out two letters to
her.
They belong to you. l return them."
he said CURLY. and he put the letters on
the ia BILE before her.
Lady Lilian's face was white as death,
the pale skin showed anonymously be-
meath the rough touches and the pearl
powder. Her eyes dlated as they rested
on the two letters. The one document
of her skill and treachery. the other
triumph of woman's cruelty and hardness.
She was so overwhelmed with mortifica-
ton and fear at first that she could do
nothing. say nothing, but she conquered
herself in moment.
why do you bring these things to me?
What is the meaning Of this insulting tone.
CyrllY' She rose as she spoke, and assumed
a weary air. II am really not equal to
vulgar wrangle." she said languidly. IF
You are going TO reproach me for an act of
wisdom, an act tbatany sane person would
have done had they been in nv place.
WELL there is an end of the matter"
Cyril Dunstan turned and faced her.
said. in a broken vsce. Until | came
face to face with Mary Two days ago, when
your falseness to us both was fully re-
vealed. / had not known it was possible
for man 10 suffer such despair. such Bit
ter unhappiness, as fills my heart TO- night.
I on are clever woman, Aunt Lillian. /
congratulate You on your success as for
ger and liarp'
~ did it to save vou," Lady Lillian said.
with white lips but defiant voice. 81
knew unless you were assured she was
put completely out of your reach you
would 60 on wasting your life for woman
who is dishonored and an cufcast, woman
you could not possibly marry. You abuse
me now. but you will think differently
some day when you will realize how much
you owe me-"
Cyril DunstaD looked at her with a Curl
Gus smile on his lips. "No one can cues
ton your wisdom or the sincerity of your
affections. Aunt Lillian. Least of all will
it be doubted by Mary, or by her grateful
patient and friend Sir William Donni-
thorne. or by myself"
Lady Lillian started at the words, and
horrible apprehension came over.
"Whatt she cried. $50 that is the line
this most astute young woman has chosen,
is it? She has had the insolence 10 utilize
her acquaintance with me, and foist her,
eoIF nf f,ia bo-,