Daily Kennebec journal., 1895-01-23
CHAPTER III.

When clouds are iron-gray above the
blows flakes of dust, stable straws,
scraps of soiled newspaper and sharp
pieces of grit into the eyes of foot pas
sengers, less inviting and romantic
dwelling spot than Eaton place can
hardly be experienced.
But the princes daughter of the Can
ticles, emerging from her palace to
see the vine flourish and the pome-
granates bud forth with her beloved,
could not have looked more uncon-
scious of crime than Rosalys Ambrose,
as she came down the steps of one
of the tall houses OF the aforesaid
highly respectable place of residence.
Her checks were hotly pink, her
eyes shining, her lips parted. Hav-
ing once made up her mind,
''qualms of prudence, pride and
pelt" had died within her passionate
little heart. After to-day she would
belong absolutely to Jim, be his alone,
through all the eternities, as it seemed:
and of what account was anything
else in the world? The entirely phys
ical character of his affection for her
and perhaps of hers for him, was an
unconjectured element herein which
might not render less transitory the
most transitory of sweet things. Thus
hopefully she stepped out of the com
monplace home that would, in one
sense, be hers no more.
The raw wind whistled up the street,
and deepened the color on her face.
She was plainly dressed in gray, and
wore q rather thick veil. natural to the
dusty day: it could not, however, con-
ceal the sparkle of her eyes; wells,
even thick ones, happily, never do.
Hailing a hanson. she told the driver
to take her to the corner of the En-
bankment.
In the midst of her preoccupation
she noticed as the cab turned the cor
ner out of Eaton place that the bory
chestnut horse went lame. Rcsalys
was superstitious as well as tender
hearted, and she deemed that some
stroke of ill-lucl1 might befall il she
drove to be married behind suffering
animal. She alighted and paid off The
man. and in her excitement gave him
three times his fare. Hurryilg fer
ward on foot she heard her name
called, and received cordial greeting
from a tall man with gray whislsers, il
whom she recognized Mr.. Durrant,
Jim's father. 1t occurred to her for a
second that he might have discovered
the plot and have lain in wait 70 pre-
vent IT, However. he spoke in his
usual half-respcctful, half-fricndly
tones, not noticing her frightened
face. Mr. Durrant was a busy m2n
Besides holding several very important
land agencies in the county where
Rosalys lived, he had business in the
CITY to transact at times. He ex-
plained to Miss Ambrose that some
urgent affairs he was supervising for
client of his, Lord Parl1hurst, had now
brought him up to London for few
weeks.
Lord Parlxhurst is away?" she
asked, to say something. Il hear of
| him sometimes through his uncle, Col.
Lacy"
"Yes. A thorough sailor. Mostly
afloat," Mr.. Durrant replied. well
were rather out of the way in Por-
chester terrace. Otherwise my wife
would be so pleased if you would come
to tea, Miss Ambrose? My son Jim.
lazy young beggar, is up here now. too
going to plays and parties. Well,
well, it's natural he should like to
amuse himself before he leaves for
Burmah, poor boy. Are you looking
for a hanson? Yes? Hi.' and he
waved his stick. ...
Thank you SO much" said Miss Am
brose. s'And will tell mamma where
you and Mrs. Durrant arc staying"
She was surprised at her own com
posure. Her unconscious father-in-
law elect helped her into the cab.
| took off his hat, and walked rapidly
away. Rosalys felt her heart stand
still when she drew up at the place Of
meeting. She saw Jim, very blooming
and very well dressed. awaiting her.
outwardly calm, at any rate. He
jumped into her vehicle and they
drove on city-wards.
"You are only ten minutes late,
dearest" he said. do you know, ]
was half afraid you might have failed
me at the last moment?''
sYou don't believe it, Jimw
swell, I sometimes think I ought
| not to expect you to keep engagements
with me SO honestly as you do. Good,