New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-11-03

Better have a last look at the river nrst,
careessy.
~ think not. and besides ] an, sure the mist
Ia thckening: 1t will be wet night
We'll. it looks like It," says Lansdale, with a
glance above: after which he rows her pack III
silence to the landing slip.
Lillian runs lightly up to her room and throws
herself into chair. After all what fool she
has been. or rather Aunt Bessie mas. VI course
ne has been engaged all his time to that other
girl. And yet-he had not been In such over
great hurry to get back to meet her. stu, ne
had called her lovely. Lovely. she recalls
photograph Of Miss Linton belonging to Aunt
Bessie and surely face that Is all gray eyes
set very widely apart, and A nose that dis-
tinctly turns up. could hardly be called that
Lovers must be blind indeed and Mr.. Lansdaie
the blindest OF all. Suddenly an angry desire TO
show him what might honestly be called-at all
events-pretty. SEXES upon her. She pulls down
her hair. and does IL up again In her mort
coauettsh style. Takes out her latest SILK
blouse--a charming thing all pale blue. with
little chiffon of the same color. and tries II on
Yes IL will DO. She adds skirt to 1t. fastens
her neckband with the little diamond star papa
had given her her last birthday, and finally
seeing a pale pink rose pushing us way In
through the window as though to get peep at
her (and no wonder tooD. she plucks IT,. and
fastens ii near her fair and slender throat.
Just at this moment Aunt Bessie opens the
door.
What, dressed already" says She The
prise is involuntary, but she quickly suppresses
it, She has caught the situation. Wise child.
j 1
rest before dinner. And how sweet you look
dearest"
Mrs. Musgrave is student Of nature. She
is quite aware that to tell any girl In the world
appearance than even new frock from Worth
I'VE came In early Mr.. Lansdale is expect
ing friend this evening"
Lefty Linton? Yes. she has come. She and
Godfrey are old friends
And dear ones apparently.
Are thev?' asks Aunt Bessie the wise.
In spite of the early dressing. Lillian and her
aunt arrive little late In the dining room
Their own special table Is waiting for them as
well as the who attends on them, and who
regards them with reproachful eye-but
Lillian scarcely notices his mild reproof. Her
glance has wandered instinctively TO the small
table little beyond hers. where four people are
sitting. Mrs. Musgrave Is nodding TO them
There is an elderly lady. very fat. very good
humored-loolSing; gir-yes. certainly her nose
has heavenward tilt young man with brown
eyes and rather weak mouth. who Is Captain
Westropp. and Godfrey Lansdale.
They all seem very merry The waiter is
pouring out champagne. and Lansdale. leaning
little over the table is evidently telling some
absurd storytelling 1t to the party generally
Of course. but certainly more particularly to
Miss Linton. The lamp dantily shaded with
pink. casts a soft glow IN the four faces. Pre-
sentlv little low chorus of laughter arises
The story has come to a delightful finish.
How happy he-they all seem.
When dinner is over the fat lady rises and
comes toward Mrs. Musgraves table.
Dear Mrs. Musgrave." says She in tones that
suit her size. you must introduce me to your
niece" She holds out her hand to Lillian. who
tries to grasp it. I'VE are connections | think
And this is my grl-Letty."
How dye do?" says that young lady in
loud, clear Tone and with the friendl:est smile
at Lillian. "Geoff's told me all about YOU Great
chums you and he-eh?'
Really. Miss Linton, ="
When next afternoon Godfrey Lansdale COM
Ing up to Lillian ask her to go for a row with
M iu tt;th at,I+ .l,A
aston!s hment. There is a touch Of scorn in her
eyes "a she answers him. although her voice is
studousy ordinary.
Are YOU not going with Miss Linton?" asks
she.
she wouldn't come. She hates boating. Makes
her ill., she says"
Lillian hesitates for moment. To refuse now
after all these days. will seem Ike pique. Yes,
whatever ii costs her. she must keep up the
present state Of things, TO the end There is
only to-day-to-morrow she will be far away
from him. quick, sharp sigh comes, in the
most unaccountdble way. IN the head Of this
thought
Il should like to go very much" says She
quietly: Il love the sea-
Your only loveY' with careless smile, yet
his eyes search her face for the answer
on. yes. says She smiling too, but absently.
I'VE shall have our last look at Proudly River
after all, says he. as they push off. And afte.
a while, having rounded the bit Of wooded land
they enter the narrow strip Of water that leads
10 the mouth OF the river. Down this the boat
BldeS smoothly passing by Raunt black rocks
that guard it on either side, and that are over
hung with ivy and topped by giant fir trees.
And now here at last IS the river. dashing foam
ing over its stones. cleaning like snow in the
ftful sunshine that breaks through the trees
overhead. sending green tints upward to the
light every now and then. but rushing always
as all rivers do to their eternal home in the
ocean.
Tell me-" says Lansdale. abruptly, why did
you change your mind about going home, that
day-after arrived"
He had heard then.
Il often change my mind" says she coldly.
Naturally. But why on that particular occa-
sion?' She makes no answer to this and seeing
she will not. he goes on. almost with the av9wed
determination Of provoking her.
why did you want to go?" says he. Was 1t
perhaps to prepare a welcome for me? You
knew. Of course. that meant to pay visit TO
your mother"
a." she stops grows crimson. and her eyes
fash IF you will insist knowing she says,
Il left home to avoid meeting you
What a great deal Of trouble to take about
nothing says he at last. 81 can only express
my regret at having driven you to such extremes
TO get rid Of me. 1t is very good of you to have
made matters clear-as otherwise I might
stu have gone on to see-your mother"
II hope you will do that STILL" says Lillian. who
is row very pale. Her voice Is trembling. Il am
sorry ! said anything about It, TIT all sounds
so nhospitable You will come and stay with
us?'
II think not. thank YOU" He has taken up
MS oars again The river Is beautiful here, is
il not? Shall we stay a II tie longer, Or"
mo Let us go home" says she, In low tone
She does not raise her eyes. They are full Of
tears.
1t is quite half-past eight The moon, that last
night was vague and shadowy. Is brilliant,
lighting up the islands far and near Lillian, a
little out OF spirits. though she hardly knows
why. has stroed across the road to the Es-
planade to take. she tells herself last glance
at sweet Glengarif. The place seems deserted.
but the shadow Of figure and faint spark of
light on one Of the seats near. warns her that
she is not the only person present Fearing 1t
may be Godfrey. she would have gone in again,
but for a voice that halls her joyfully.
That you? Come along and SIT down." calls
Miss Linton
Lillian approaches slowly and drops into the
seat beside her. strange curiosity has drawn
her
We'll how are you and old Geoff getting on
What did you do TO him when you went out
boatin'? He came back like a thunder cloud"
Lillian rises almost speechless with anger and
grief. and the most uncomfortable astonish-