The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1894-10-25
A MODE RN R0 NANCE.

might be seen fishing in the little pond at
the end OF the grounds. Poets AMI prize
fighters gathered at his bachelor break
fGsts. The cream of society met at his cx-
cellcnt little dinners. And rs regularly as
the ladies gathered together in the draw
mo room after dinner somebody would al
ways say: What a charming housed 1t
only wants mistress" And one Of the
ladies would as invariably reply, You
know he has never married OH account oi
Mrs. Tromayne.
The world dearly loves bit of romance,
and this hopeless devotion was the key
stone OF Cyril St. Aubin's success He
had always admired his cousin Vera, but
had been. too poor to dream of proposing
20 her. Mr. Trcmayne Was man OF large
fortune, and Vera $ mother persuaded her
TO forget hor cousin and 20 accept the rich
er man. The day after Vera's marriage
Cyril st. Aubin became almost million
nire. This unexpected stroke of fortune
turned him from an artist into n dilet-
tante from a youth of promise into a
wandorer.
Cyril had Just sat down to breakfast. A
cheerful fire burned in tho old fashioned
kIhtc. htlt Ntit llANtAs tti Ahc hicth-
fast table, and the meal was exquisitely
served The place opposite him was occu-
pied by his great friend, Granger, who
was up for few days from the country.
''Do you mind my looking at this let
teri" Cyril asked.
''Is il from womanf" asked Granger.
"If so, better wait till after breakfast"
"Oh, excuse mel must read it," said
Anbi, sy.ilipa for ba saw that IL xya-
from Mrs. Tremayne.
Il have something dreadful TO tell you,
the letter commenced, and the usually
clear handwriting was contortcd like a
beautiful face in pain. John is dead. 1
can't believe it, though Iwrite it. He was
perfectly well yesterday. When the man
went to wake him this morning, he was
dead"
Looking across the table a moment aft
erward, Granger saw that st. Aubins
face was flushed with a sudden emotion.
"You had better have left IL till after
breakfast" said Granger grimly.
'Oh, don't joke, Graingerl John Ire
mayne is dcadl'
Not reallyl How dreadful" exclaimed
Granger. Look here, st. Aubin, old fol-
low, l shan't let you put me up any lon
ger. You will be better by yourself for
time"
st. Aubin family protested, but he was
glad to be alone. Il shall pack up and go
to Egypt" ho said. 1T will be more del
icate for NE TO be out of the way
Twelve months afterwnrd Cyril st. Au-
bin came home. He had decided to call on
Mrs. Tremayno that day. All further de-
lay was impossible. Things must be put
on proper footing at once He could not
pose any longer as the unhappy admirer.
Fate had given him his desire, and he
had to accept it with apparent willingness.
His cousin was not in the morning room
when he got to Palace square, but he sent
the footman to her boudoir To announce
his arrival.
The heavy portiere was drawn aside, and
Vera came into the room. She noticed his
flowers at opce, bending toward them
with the eager look of recognition he re-
membered in her.
what sweet rose" she said. Where
did you get itf'
Take II" he answered. adding gently,
IL may give you roses-now."
She looked at him critically for mo-
ment and said: mo; keep it where it is.
am not wearing colored flowers now"
At this the young secretary, who had
entered the room, went softly away, and
st. Aubin locked after him as he went.
What good headn' no said. 1T IL
like a Burne-Jonesl Where have 1 seen
him befores"
He is my husbands old secretary. she
said quietly.
His young secretary" corrected st.
Aubin.
"Yes. He has been so kind and useful
to me since that dreadful time. / don't
know what l should have done without
him. There was SO much to arrange, and
/ was all alone ut the time" She looked
ut st. Aubin, and he knew that she would
never forgive him for having gone away.
Vera, you blame mel' he cried, feeling
genuinely distressed at her displeasure
"You know it was much better should
60. 1t avoided all talk"
She looked straight before her. 81 was
alone and not in the least prepared. 1t
seems John always knew it. He had not
thought of anything else for me. +"
Knew it,"
Yes; he knew that he would die sud
denly. The doctor told him long ago.
And how cheerful he was, and so devoted
and always in the shadow of death''
Here she seemed as If she would weep,
but checked herself by an effort, and Cyril
inwardly approved of her for having con-
trolled such AN unbecoming emotion.
"Was he not good!" sho said. And
we, who thought ourselves SO supcrior-it
Is we who have been commonplace He
was little short OF heroic"
Yet you did not love him while he
lived, F" said -. Aubin, jealous of hearing
the dead man praised.
Il did not love him-no. That was i'm
possible, but what vexos me now is that ]
did not half appreciate his goodness"
I'VE always feel like that when we have
lost people, said Cyril. .gently. "Try to
turn away your thoughts. You should
never dwell on anything gloomy. Life
was meant for love and laughter '--hcrC
he put on his most sorrowful tones--''and
we must try TO enjoy IL while nc can.
Turn down the tear stained pago and be
gin new leaf, consecrated To life and to
love"
ITO whoscf" she said simply
ITO mine" he uttered softly, half rc
1iCyed that she Nyas making it so easy fOY