New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-09-23

THAT Ailsie knew all-that she knew as nluch
az Penelope did-was not FOR nloiIen. ~ w
srnuosed but that she was painfnliy on Inv a'ei /.
soaking "a guard AGAINST some evil when might
vet be averted-scotched as 1t were. without De-
ing brought to the lirht-seemed Only 10" p'oo-
able. ~ - o,,or
nor sisters had experienced the veriest ripple
upon the smooth surface OF their inphcl. ,ai ,
in Mna-Mna. who was to thein tie cI'ipou-
ment OF youthful innocence ana BuliersshesS-
was aDparent to the meanest Entertaining.
What then was Penelope to do? no" was
she to bear her part in the drama whose o'acK
shadow hung In front
All through the long light night which seemed
"a though IL would never end. she thought and
thought Al times she wept melted thereto by
some straying emo Ion Of tenderer qualty IMAM
those which for the most part had dominion ovsr
her soul: but tears did not relieve her over
charged bosom. an soon dried giving way
afresh 10 shuddering contempt. ana wild, iruit-
less wrath
This again resolved itself into the helpless In
terrogation: What am | to do!
To keep her detestdble secret To herself was tho
last answer to sucr demand. An involuntary
spy she had been. an inforiner she ,hisn' DE- ou.
no thought Of shetering herself behind the rear
az such imputatiCns entered Into Penelope's
heart
TO save and next how TO shield her erring
cousin.
Nina had entered upon a downward course
whose incline Is ever frightfully rapid ana peril
.
She must be stopped Instantly and stopped ef-
fectually.
How was this To II. done?
To 90 TO Minas father? Lord Carnoustie would
roar with rage lock his daughter into her room
hound Torquil Macaster out Of the district. and
imagine that he had stamped ont the whole dls-
graceful affair. even while smartng from tne
wound TO the end Of his DAYS. Add to which the
whole countryside would ring with the tale; and
II would be handed on from parent To child. Till
generations yet unborn would hear its echoes
The same result would follow any allegations
made before any member OF the FANNY Inc
truth ascertained high-handed policy would
ensue with widespread publicity and disgrace as
its side issues: and perhapS-who could tell :
a defeat at the hands OF the Offending PAIR IN the
long run.
Nina was just the girl 10 be crushed for the
moment and to revive presently. upon lower
and still baser level
She would weep copiously. ana promise apuh-
dainty. but would she give up the chief soiacr OF
her dun unlnteresting life, and consent 10 fore
go the sweets Of love once tasted. at me com
mands of parents who had already shown them
selves callous 10 liz claims?
Peneop. had heard Louisas version 81
Mina's love story. Louisa had enjoyed relating
the exciting incident. which always held fore
most place In the family annals and having de
scrlh-d with JUNCTION how complet" had been IN"
route Of the besieger and the triumph ot Inc
victorious garrison had been not n little sur
prised 10 hear Penelope muiter: Poor thing
What a shame" as her eye fell on the uncon-
sclous form Of Nina in the garden below.
Nina had realized the strength Of the forces
around. She had seen II was hopeless To con
tend with them openly. and 10 her view the
cruelty which hal slammed the door without
hesitation on her or" chance = n happier lot
justified both her lasting resentment and her
secret opposition.
Reneath Nina. a,ft AMI gentle exterior there
ranked "A fostering spirit II rebellion. She owed
and all grudgc. Pcrchance IN" hrst De
ginnings Of her present infatuation had had thelr
source In that emotion
They had not cared how they thwarted her
she would not care how she hafiird them. For
no rcason-the poor girl had never been told
even ~ the patry reason th"r" Wns-'hey had
turned away from The door suii"r whose only
crlme-so IT app-ared-was loving her and why
should she hestitat" Ia future TO ch'os" Tor her
self who should be- lis successor?
Her feelings werr nothing to them--ihelrs
should BE- nothing - her.
All this was now unfollcd AMI. as II were.
spread ont befor" Penelope eyes.
She saw the whole first blt hy BIT then In on"
complete mosaic
Wounded In her tender youth. nlppei In her
budding womanhOol all The sweet sap VI Nina
Carnousties nature had turned 10 gall ana th~
gentle Welding trustful child had given plac"
10 the artful and double-faccd woman.
An II she had been differently treated In those
early days,
Now II was too late Penelope. very child
herself yet wise with the wisdom 50 sorcly
needed. 50 hopelessy lacking In her elders. per.
celved one thing with appalling clcarness ~
vision al thu present moment No coercion no
supervision would strike To the root II the evil
which threatened her noble kin and kin
Lord and Lady Carnous,i" might do their ut
cNosi. they would but blazDn abroad their own
grace. and Nina. desperate. might descend To-
still lower depths than those TO which she had
STOPPED az Yet.
Was there. any enc Penelope could trust to
bring her poor foolish cousin 10 her senses?
Again and again she put the question 10 her
self varying It. sitting It. wringng from II In an
agony each reiterated response OF None
Then she would fling herself across the bed.
and clench and tear the cOVerlld.
Something must be- done-some one must do II.
Torquil Macaster must be prevailed upon 10
quit the place; authoritatively. or Torqull would
laugh the request 10 scorn, persuasiNely. or Tor
quils suen spirit might revolt.
That the shepherd was not actuated by mere
audaclty and insoent ambition Penelope owned
with fresh sinking beneath her burden She
could have dealt with bascr metal; but II would
be "A harder matter to qu"nch In n vehement
passionate. undiscipned nature the fire Of love.
1t was love. however misd!rected. which she had
seen either ahane in fury. as on the rocky sea
shore. or melting In tenderness on the quiet wood
path. The mOuntainecr had lifted his eyes high,
but he had shot their bolt straight
That he was simply allowing himself to bask
In the present without thought Of the future was
the most rational solution Of his presumptuous
folly. Possibly II had been begun by some act
OF daring on his part. some feat which had ellie
tied from Nina applause-or anxlety-or tears.
Who could tell how long she had been watching
him. marking him. admlrng him I'm secret. be-
fcre that day came? And there had been an ex-
plosion and revelation. and all barriers had
fallen before the tumult.
But whatever might be the strength OF his own
feelings or Of hers II was impossible 10 suppose
that either Nina Carnoust!e or her prcsumptu-
Gus lover could Imagine for single moment that
they could dare TO hope for any thing further.
Each must be equally we'll aware that recOgn-
ton and sanction were not for them: and yet
they meeting In secret. and meeting con-
stantly. at what hazard to both each knew only
too we'll.
Perchance the sense Of danger might be feed
Ing the fuel of Mina's stolen happiness: but II
could hardly be adding TO that Of penniless
mental, since detection must mean 10 him the
sure and certain loss Of all but life itself
As retainer Of Lord Carnous,ie's. he enjoyed
4 good position. an easy life, abundance for his
simple requirements and n field for the display
Of his simple vanity. Until the daughter OF his
lord stopped TO cast over him the glamour Of a
new emotion. he had been content with his sta
ton, his surroundings and himself
The question now was. would the genuine pas-
aIa ..ith ..hin N ManalIslor hnL