The record-union., 1894-06-30


ously and rallied me with:
''Ah, Bob, ] see in which quarter the
wind lies. They shall comer'
and so they did. How generous he
was about it all, besides!
He never made them feel dependence.
Mrs. Hardie gradually and graciously be-
came the lady of the house; discreet,
wise mother to both, and we were very
proud Of her fine courtly ways, while
Robena, shy, shrinking, voiceless Robe
ma, how soon she became our pet and
household joy!
l remember, too. how glad and grateful
L was to have Neville swear he loved
Robena as deeply as myself bis good
ness had expression i'll numberless dell
cate ways which always came TO her as
mutual kindness and gave her splendid
maturing powers fine development In
music III art and in the languages, while
her mothers eager almost savage prlde In
all this was a joy TO see.
1t still seemed dream as / sat there to
remember the honest college work to-
gether; the
ever stirring pleasant memories
OF many q bright laborouS afternoon
ON the old Isis;
the sweet home hours of toll and rest and
peace; the grand good courage Robena
gave us both until the coveted degrees
her pride III our we'll earned victories
which, until now, had alone seemed
worth all the heroic struggle.
That was but yesterday. \ lifetime of
bitterness seemed TO have come between.
Why, as | sat there huddled in the com
parunent corner the agony OF the utter
change in all my life-norizon, indeed in
It's complete blOtting out until prison
walls of hopelessneSs, black as the night
against my carriage window, chOked and
stitled me until | cried out above the
roaring OF the train.
1t had all come, too, in an instant.
How could human being so change in
day, or an hour?
We were sitting in the library discus
sing our future plans. Both Lord Ne
Vile and myself had ambition for liter
ary achievement. He had the ability, the
prestige, the wealth, to win almost in
stant attention AID appreciation. | had
no doubt OF him, and loved to spur on
his ambition Neville, you have
Byron's genius. Be as great poet and
a safer mani'
As for myself, the old long road through
labor for support and eventual preterlnent
on the London dailies, the weeklies, the
reviews and magazines, was to be mine.
| was satisfied to toll and wait, and al
ready bad good connections with lead
inc London journal. / had been telling
him how soon l hoped 10 be able 10 repay
him at least in part for his munifcent
generositles
II shall be offended if the matter is
ever again referred to-" he answered in
his bright. decisive way.
We were at opposite sides of the library
table. His splendid head rested in one
hand, and the disengaged hand had APP
parently unconSclOuSly touched my own,
as if TO emphasize the protest Of his words.
My gratitude was so overhowing and
tender that l involuntarily raised his
hand to my lips. He withdrew it quickly
and said:
Newton, there IS another matter we
may not be able to settle so easily"
"Why, what can that can be. Nevilie?"
[ asked with concern.
"Robena."
"Robena?"
"Yes."
The tone of his voice, the strange ex-
panSion and contraction of his eyes and
the sudden paleneSs OF his face, instantly
revealed to me the gulf worse than hate
which must now lay between US for
ever.
1--WE can scarcely disagree about Ro
bena, Neville, when you are so much my
friend and have known for more than a
year that she is to be my wife," | man
aged to temporizingly offer.
''Oh. yes, that's all right, Newton" he
returned lightly. ''But you ought to
have known, all along, that | love her
quite as deeply as yourself. Now, when
two men love the same woman, one or
both, must stand aside. Pm not going to
stand aside. To be perfectly plain and
end a painful matter, L have decided TO
take Mrs. Hardie and her daughter un-
der nv own wing, Newtoni"
ITO what endY" l managed to falter.
Notwithstanding his astounding impu-
deuce and heartlessness l could not yet
believe him a villain.
Il decline to answer any such ques-
ton, 1t is enough to say that in all you r
lire YOU can never be in a position to fit
tingly provide for two ladies Of their cul-
tivation aud tastes"
us your love for Robena such as to
give her the protection OF your name,
should she consent to wear it, Lord \ e.
yille?"
at is sufficient to make her comforta-
! bic anu independent for life. \ man is u
coward who will profess love for any
woman before he has acquired that abil-
ity."
l now knew he was villain, however
! long he lad been one. My impulse was
! to strike him. lie saw this, but never
uuailed. l controlled myself, and. in
/ stead, sprang toward the ladies' apart
/ ments with some swift, confused resolve
! ~ know the worst from them. | would
| have stal1ed my life on Robena's loyalty.
! But would not also have staked it upon
| Neville's honor and friendship five min
utes before? Was the ain bilious, patient,
| Dolished mother OF the woman | loved
! real author of the subtle cunning behind
! ord Neville's insoient assurance?
remember that when | had reached
| the door leading To the drawing-room it
] was standing ajar, and that | caught the
! sound of hastily retreating skirts, and
now knew RoDena's mother had list
ened. My hand WAS scarcely on the
! door-kuoD when Lord Neville, without
! changing his position. spoke quickly and
.sNewton.n he demanded. Newton,
! have YOU for2 often that you are merely q
guest here? | should regret having to
/ summon an oificer.'
! What dogs favor and obligations make
/ of men; / was as helpless as his valet
I against the intamy. 5affied, half-crazed
! and lnconceivaDly wretched, | turned d
! plt:tui face upon him and appealed TO his
/ inaunanimity, his honor, our olden
! friendships, 10 everything sacred be-
/ tween men. His splendid head still
! rested in bis hand and he was toying
! idlv with his watchfob, while mis- feat
/ ures were as passive and restiul as in
! sleep.
'sW hen you are calm and reasonable
i say this evening or in the morning.
would be glad 10 see you again. OEtli
then, Newton, won't you obllge me,
won't you oblige US all, by withdrawing
from the house?"
| I went out into the sweet old streets OF