New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-09-23
THE MATCHMAKER.
sCoppright: 1894: BY Tongmons Green q co..
BY L. b. WALFoRD.
CHAPTER XXIV.


Others besides the Israelitish monarch of o!c
have screamed IN alright beforc'the spectre con-
tured ND at their own desire. and the first I'm
,,,,se OF the wretched Penelope was TO shrek
aloud and fall upon the earth for very shame
and horror.
What had she seen? A sight to haunt her &c
her dying day.
Whom? noble maiden of.ancient lineage, In
whose veins flowed the blood Of long line OF
ancestors whose thoughts and imagnings had
been fed from infancy with proud traditions OF
the past and dreams of the ffture. yielding a
response TO the presumptuous aspirations or a
low-born mental!
Her cousin Mina-Mina CarnOustie-Mna on
whom the fondest hopes were placed and the
most tender affections lavished.
On this point Penelope had never been msled
She had always seen that codness and reserve
meant nothing in Mina's case-that she was the
cherished object of the stately home. its pride
its ornament.
That Nina should so fail from her high estate.
The shock stunning bewidering. Again
and again Penelope caught herself saying 1T
cannot bet cannot be-" She must ihave been
mistaken; hideous vision had passed before her
and blinded her sight
But back upon her memory there swept a
and then another threw themselves. as 1t were.
before her eyes. and demanded her remembrance.
Minas secrecy-her double-dealing-her agita-
ton over trifes-her concealment of apparently
simple matters-the gradual withdrawal of her
cousny intercourse-the episode Sof the silver
brooch, all pointed the one way. and all with
one wild burst OF realization overwhelmed the
mind.
Penelope put her hands before her eyes
81 am misunderstanding, she muttered:
but. alas! she knew 1t was no dream.
In the dark she heard her own sobbng, loud
and regardless.
The pair had passed on passed down the little
path. and were soon lost TO view.
"Oh know I was mistaken" cried Penelope.
aloud. 81 know H. know It, l could not see
clearly. Nina IS in her own room high up
among those castle turrets. She is not here. all
alone at this late hour: she has not stolen out
10 meet a. She shuddered from head to foot.
The dusk descended suddenly. She heard a
quick step back. and shrank again behind her
bushy screen. II was Torquil Macalister, re-
turning 10 his mountain sotudes, where at this
season he often passed the night in some rude
bothy on the moors.
He had parted from his companion He looked
JOYOUS and contented-a different man from the
sullen savage who had already once to-day
crossed the path of an unseen spectator.
This then the solution OF his anger against
n one at advantage. 1t was more than his passion
ate spirit could brook until assured that of Red
wood he need have fears
Penelope now called TO mEd how TorQuil had
dashed up, the hillside 10 meet The water carriers.
and how almost Immediately aferward Red
wood had quilted the party, leaving him and
Nina together.
She also recolected that the bronZed coun-
tenance of the Highlander had worn an air Of
covert Nation. while he carried his head high.
and swung his oar as though In the very bravado
Of strength and SKILL on the homeward journey.
She had noted at the time TorQuirs altered
demeanor; but deeming 1t due to some trife OF
little conseQuence-the commentator OF his
master, or tht~ gracious acknowledgment Of his
mistress. possibly the good meal provided for
the rowers in their own nook on the sands-had
only fanced the shepherd a shade less disagree
able when in good humor than In bad. His
handsome face could not cover the repulsive ex-
preston of his eye and brow. whether 1t were
Of insolent seqf-eseem malignity.
Alas, all YVES now explained
And Nina? Had she appointed then this tryst;
feigned WEAKNESS? Too surely.
That was. supposing 1t were Nina. Eut might
1t not even yet lie some other than her cousin?
All at once Penelope staggered to her feet.
She would not condemn without proof-abso-
lutte proof-proof positive. The clothes. the
little shawl I'M which the head was enveloped.
the movements, tho murmurs all indeed were
Minas: but she cried out in the aching soliciude
OF her heart that Minas face she had not seen;
and might II not be possible-barely possible
that all the rest might be accounted for?
Nina asleep in bed. might not her own little
maid. girl about the height Of her mistress.
have taken leave 10 borrow the pretty dress and
drapery: and might noS Penelope. misled by these
wrappings have fitted In the rest from her own
1maginings?
she would know the,.truh and soon.
The next minute saw her Fastening down the
hank stumbling in the uncertain light against
this and that projection but Needless OF every
obstacle, hurrying along in the direction Of the
Tiii Penelope. is thattyou?" called voice
from behind
II was Lord Carnoustic returning from his
round.
"Why did you not come along with me II you
wanted turn" said he good-humoredly. II
thought YOU we're of to bed. the whole set Of
We Then I see Nina flying in just now, and
here are you flying after her"
"Did Nina go in just now. uncle?" Penelope
heart sickened.
aye, not five minutes ago. We have all
been our own ways. then. She was not with
your
mo. uncle" family.
And why did neither OF you come with me /?
was lust round by the farm and stables taking
q look at everything. 1t would have amused you
to come"
ION the shore? Why. you were coming from
Il went there few minutes. to see If
"Oh. you were looking after her? Set your
mind at rest then. She's in. She ran out Of
the wood before could get up 10 1t: but saw
her plainly enough.
Which door did she go in by. uncle?"
(Which door? This door'-they were enter
ing by q garden entrance. only used by the
family ''she crossed the bridge. just You
hate DONE" continued Lord Carnouste. "and
came straight up here. 1 thought you must have
been together"
I'VE observation-disclosures other" II the voice
of the speaker were husky and strained one
noticed Il but herself. II will go and say Good
night TO Nina. Good night uncle" and Pencil
Ope slowly turned away.
The worst was being confirmed by his unsus-
pectng testimony
SIN she resoiutely ascended the staircase lead
ing to her cousins ROOM andNnot allowing her
self time TO think, tapped at the door. Oh If
Nina were only in bed-only in bed! And II the
pink Bingham dress were abstracted-only alb
stractedi
Penelope had curious feeling as II that
amount Of evidence would be al-sufiicent to out