Morning journal and courier., 1894-03-10

ome; to Lady Nincer Iather, spare of 1esh but ample in sdjestives; to the Hon. 'rable Mrs. Edgefurther, square ss hewn timber, dark and hard as antique oak, and :iaid as ships steel mast. ss if bound to make up in austerity what she lacked in | itle; and to the evident pet of the party. Lady Odde Posthums, a charming maiden | ,f thirty or theresbouts, with 8 jelly like body and quivering little head like Q painted apple, with whom there were SC. ,ret hopes in the breast of the duchess of her wsyward SOD, Lord Rande- 7ille.
 Anyone could have seen that the young rector, who found himself quickly seated lmong the noble ladies, was good d. al of ! man; good deal of 8 man along all the line of boiy, face and brain. He was . powerful fellow physically; more Morse than British in color and look; with fine. firm mouth and square, determined chin; an almost classic nose, broad, white fore- head and large eyes of grsyish blue, which looked kindlily and squsrely at those be- fore him, resting on the face of each with out boldness but with steady look of at of inquiry, or of both.
 There was but one pair of eyes about Ballnsgee that ever looked una uailingly back for any time into his. Those were Lucy's; and MT. Brisbin always remem- bered that when he first began noticing this characteristic in the girl he had some vsgarous ethical reflections as to whether, ture. positive fearlessness of spirit, or ir- revocable hardness of heart, gave human eyes their most unflnching, steadfast glow.
 ''We are all dear friends together, MT. Brisbin," began the duchess wheedlingly. "We are all in perfect sympathy about the matter of Lucy;" here all the ladies nod ded and smiled; *'and we all wish to know briefly, how you have progref ssd with the strange creature, since decided to permit the Noggins family to remain at 6allna- gee. It was really asking too much of you, MT. Brisbin. to attempt the reformation of Lucy, but do hope there have been re- wards to a mana man of your calling, MT. Brisbin."
 "It has been pleasure to serve your grace;" he replied measursdly, after look ing into her pleasant face for a moment If hardly knowing how else to answer her until better intimations of her own thought were given: "She is but little diff arent than when you left for the continent"
 ''The same dare devil, minx and poach- er!'
 t'The same impulsive, happy. hearted, fearless, generous nature," returned the rector, as If politely emphasizing milsdy'a line of thought and words, but conveying in his manner and intonation 6 world ot different meaning.
 s'Indeedj" exclaimed the duchess, scarce. disguising her contempt in her quickly following smile. "Do you think there is any hope of modification of her char actera'
 "That depends, your grace" con what, MT. Brisbina' He was never more squarely cornered in his life, but he did not snow it as he gently tapped the fingers of his two hands togeth. er, laid his head back upon his chair and apparently studied the rich frescoes of the ceiling.
 "Well, chiefly upon environment and association. She has really noble quail ties. If these could be wisely developed and nurtured-"
 "She could almost become the wife of a nohlemsu, suppose?'
 'sIf he were truly 8 noble man, yeei'' MT. Brisbin's ''nving" was a good one. It was held at the whim of the master or mistress of Ballnsgee, and he had never before been quite so frank in the expres- sion of sentiment.
 Could perhaps become a suitable sue cessor to myselfi" pursued the duchess.
 She knew where to stab the deepest, but sine could not tell whether or not she had given 8 cruel hurt, from the kindly impas- siveness of his face.
 "Ob, could not ssy that, your grace. Indeed, I could not even think or wish it."
 The eyes of the duchess were full of banter and smiles, but 6 steady blaze of vicious triumph was the deeper light be- hind.
 "Mr. Brisbin," she concluded, rising and changing her manner instantly to ono of sympathetic concern, "you have made me deeply interested in this girl. My friends here are interested, too. Is she about the grounds nows I would like to have the ladies get glimpse of her."
 ''Isaw her in the court yard as came in;" he answered with something like . tiny cloud drifting across his fine face.
 "Ob, very we'll; thank you" The rector had already bowed to the other ladies and often while you are here. And another matter, MT. Brisbin." The duchess came quickly to the rec.or's side and took his arm confidentially. eff you can find that girl the right kind of 8 Administration soon. MT. Brisbin, real splendid fellow, you know-why, if he were handsome and able as yourself, MT. Brlsbin, I wouldn't mind seeing that the Ballnsgee living was made perpetual one, and give my cheque for thousand pounds, to boot! Good af- ternoon, Ar. Brisbin."
 Whatever the rector might have thought, he parted smilingly from the duchess and descended the grand stairway as sturdily ss he had come.
 The ladies were now together in little bunch moving toward the great groined window overlooking the quadrangle of the castle, where the rector had told the duchess the girl Lucy had just been seen.
 "Humph!" wheezed Lady Gray Nolde; rector. I'd have no airs like that around my estates. These fellows in orders are getting much too free with their betters, and much too close to the dear people Humph!a
 ssNot bad fellow, now, my dearsl Quite charming, in fact. Elegant manners; very"; hsped Lady Mfncer Mathsr.
 Gather engsging-that is, not bAd'';; quavered Lady Odde Posthume, who was slightly in advance of the remainder of the moving group.
 tsWhy, your fine rector is the very fellow who is in love with this Ballnsgee siren, after all" solemnly crooked the Honorable Mrs. Edgefurthsr. "No doubt whatever about itl"
 ooh, of course; yes; certainly" they all echoed In unison.
 aIndeed wish was as sure, respond cd the duchess with come feeling, 'that Lord Randsvills were not!"
 Here . faint scresching cry of dismay from Lady Odds Poathume, who with ono hand pressed . jewelled siniag.etts to her brioht little nose, and with the other re- nrss.ed the throbbings of her rips, little heart, while her bulbous, httlseyes opened vide moon some amazing scene below, put sn end to comment and conjecture, and brought all the ladies In haste 70 the great window.
 But | few minutes before, Lord Drogo Victor Vaudeville, descending from the ducaI apartments of Ballnagee in some thing Ike the easy attire of an under gardener, and accompanied by his friends, for . 1eisurely inspection of the pack and studs, had proceeded half the length of E.. '