Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1895-08-13
iHE TRANSLATION OF IsLVlrH
By GILBERT PARKER.
Copyright. 1905, by the J. b. LippInco,, Col

Copyright. 1906, by the J. b. Lippincott Col
(coNTINUED.1
When Marion shook hands with Cap
tain Vidal, she had herself exceedingly
well under control. She looked at him
in slight surprise and casually remark
cd that they had not chanced to meet
lately in the run Of small and earlies.
She appeared to be unconscious that he
had been ont Of the country, and also
that she had been till very recently in
deed at Greyhope He hastened to as
sure her that he had been away and to
lay siege to this unexpected barrier.
He knew all about Frank affair, and
though it troubled him he did not see
why it should make any difference in
his regard for Frank sister. Fastidious
as he was in all things, he was fas-
tidiously deferential Not an exquisite,
he had all that vanity rs to appear
ance so usual with the military
man. Himself Of the most perfect tenn
per and sweetness Of manner and con.
duct, the unusual disturbed him. Not
possessed Of vivid imagination, no
could scarcely conjure up this Indian
bride ut Greyhope.
But face to face with Marion Armour
he saw what troubled her, and he de-
termined that he would not meet her
irony with irony, her assumed indiffcr-
cnce with Indifference. He had learned
one Of the most important lessons of life
never 10 quarrel with woman.
Whoever has SO far erred has been fool
ish indeed 1t is the worst of policy, to
say nothing Of its being the worst of
art, and hfe should never be without
srt. Il IS absurd to be perfectly natural
Anything, anybody. can be that. Well,
CAPTAIN Hume Vidall was something OF
an artist, more, however, III principle
than by temperament. He refused to
recognize the rather malicious adroit-
ness with which Marion turned his re-
marks again upon himself. twisted out
of all scmblance. He was very patient.
He inquired quietly, and as If honestly
interested, about Frank and said-be-
cause he thought il safest rs well rs
most reasonable--that naturally they
must have been surprised at his marry
ing n native, but he himself had seen
some such marriages turn out very well
in Japan, India the South Sea islands
and Canada He assumed that Marion's
sister in law was beautiful and then
disarmed Marion by saying that he
thought of going down TO Greyhope i'm
mediately to call on General Armour
and Mrs. Armour and wondered II she
was going back before the end OF the
season.
Quick us Marion was, this was said
so quietly that she did not quite see the
drift Of it. She had intended staying III
London to the end Of the season, not be-
cause she enjoyed it, but because she
was determined TO face Franks mar
riage at every quarter and have it over,
once for all, so far as herself was con-
cerned. But now, taken slightly aback,
she said. almost without thinking, that
she would probably 60 back soon-she
was not quite sure-but certainly her
father and mother would be glad to see
Captain Vidal at any time.
Then. without any apparent relevan-
cy, he asked her il Mrs. Frank Armour
still wore her Indian costume. In any
one else the question had seemed imper-
tinent. In him il had touch OF conf
dence, of the privilege Of close friend
ship. Then he said, with meditative
look and very calm retrospective voice,
that he was once very much in lave
with native girl in India AID might
have become permanently devoted to
her We're it not for the accident Of his
being ordered back to England summa-
rily.
This was q piece Of news which cut
two ways. In the first place, 1t lessened
the extraordinary character Of Franks
marriage, and it reused in her an i'm
mediate curiosity, which a woman al
ways feels in the past affairs" OF her
lover, or possible lover. Vidal did not
take pains To impress her with the fact
that the matter occurred when he was
almost boy, and It was when her
earnest inquisition had drawn from
him, bit by bit, the circumstances OF
the case, and she had forgotten many
parts Of her combination service and to
preserve an effective neutrality in tone,
that she became aware he was speaking
ancient history. Then 1t was too late to
draw back.
They had threaded their way through
the crowd into the conservatory. where
they were quite alone. and there, with
only little pyramid Of hydrangeas be-
tween them, which she could not help
but notice chimed we'll with the color
of her dress, he dropped his voice lit
tie lower and then suddenly said, his
eyes hard on her, II want Your permis-
sion to 20 to Greyhope. "
The tone drew her eyes hastily to his,
and seeing she dropped them again.
Vidall had strong will, and, what is
Of more consequence, a peculiarly at
tractive voice. 1t had vibration which
made some Of his words organlike in
sound She felt the influence of it. She
said, little family. her fingers toying
with a hydrangea: II am afraid do
not understand There is no reason why
you should not go to Greyhope without
my permission.
'I cannot go without it, he persist
ed. 81 am waiting for my commission
from you"
She dropped her hand from the flower
with little impatient motion. She
was tired; her head ached; she wanted
to be alone why are you enigmat.
ical?" she said, then quickly: II wish l
knew what is in your mind. You play
with words so. F"
She scarcely knew what she said. A
woman who loves man very much is
not quick to take in the absolute dec.
ANAL S1lc