Frederick citizen., 1895-01-25

his beard, the result must needs be
extraordinary. Staring at her full,
with eyes that nave dreadful vague
ness. as Marian thought, he said, us
that you, cousin?"
Eyes. dear, darling Fred" she ran
swiftly to him, and caught his hand,
while her pretty eyes overflowed. "Is
this true then? oh, what a terrible
misfortune! Let me lead you,dearr
Dick had 10 resist many such temp
tations afterwards, but no one 80
keen as this. All his body flashed with
shame to be deceiving such a sweet
innocent girl. Had Marian looked up
he must have betrayed himself. But
her head was bent, and, looking from
above, he saw only the crown of her
grotesque bonnet, for she had arranged
herself conScientiously to go out as
soon as the interview ended. Dicks
sense of the humorous was keen, and
whenever afterwards the inclination to
confess became urgent he recalled that
absured spectacle and trumphed
After all, 1t was a harmless comedy,
in which his happiness depended-and
Marian's too, praise Iseaven!
She led him to sofa. holding his
hand tenderly. "You have come to
London for advice? That's right. Dick
started this mornig to see you. Oh,
to think that we should meet again
like this Fredv
But you must not exaggerate, dear!
Our regimental doctor feels certain
there's nothing radically wrong. If
can keep up my nerve, not worry nor
talk Of this weakness, it will pass.
So let US not mention it more than we
can help. The General knows of my
call?"
"Oh, yes! but" she paused.
But he does not care to see me?
Well, dear though bitterly regret the
cause, 1 am not sorry altogether 1t
is painful to be pitied by men. The
General allows me to see you some
times?"
How very like Dicks your voice has
grown! OF course you mean to con-
suit the best authorities? Mr.. Powell,
our director, was the first oculist in
England before he joined the church.
Unfortunately, he Is not in town."
'Yes, that's unfortunate. These
specialists are jealous l believe, and
DIR. Molyneaux will be offended If l
consult your director on his return.
Now tell me about my brother Is
he a good fellow?"
"I hope so-indeed, believe so. But
rather worldly. You, Fred, under this
dreadful affiiction, must turn
"But you don't think badly of
Dick?"
mot at all! He is a fine young
soldier, and-and very amusing"
''Is he? I must try to be amusing
too. Clutterbuck, our Doctor says l
ought to keep up my spirits before
anything, and 1 mean to-but it's
hard sometimes"
Poor Fred-Oh poor, poor Fredm
She clasped his hand with such loving
pity, and her sweet face qUivered so,
that in self-defense. to hide his guilty
looks, Dick drew her towards him and
kissed her, feeling like a thief all the
while.
"I've been reckoning on my good 1T
tie cousin to cheer me up" he said,
rather hoarsely. She had given him
no kiss the day before. May 1 call
every afternoon?"
"Oh, 1 must not see you again with
out papa's express permission"
"Then ask it, darling. He cannot re-
fuse it-no human being could"
'I will! Now, dear Fred, we won't
refer to your Illness again; but just
tell me how it arose, and the symp-
toms. I will report to our director,
and get his opinion"
The man who plays such a game as
this cannot forsee all the chances.
Dick had posted himself up in the
principles OF ophthaImic disease, and
l,l obo ,l,I ,;,,l, ;<xl,t
answer his purpose. But when Marian
produced a notebook, and began jot-
ting down the heads of his report
with the judgment which experience
of nursing gives, he became alarmed.
pray do not consult Mr.. Powell,
dear. If his opinion differs from that
of DR.. Molyneux I should be sadly
embarrassed, which could not fail to
be injurious. Let us drop this misery,
and talk of pleasant things. You
agree?"
with all my heart, poor Fred. How
brave you are There is a higher and
noble courage than that which they
reward with the Victoria Cross"
''It is another reward which hope
to win. Now tell me about yourself,
and the Sisterhood, and everything"
So they chatted merrily, but with an
undertone of petting and compassion
on her side which stirred Dicks con-
science painfully, though 1t promised
success He vowed once more that If
the trick served his turn, that first
reproach which must be expected when
the truth came out should be the only
one Marian addressed to him SO long
as life endured.
Fred's face haunted her, and his
brave pleasant voice rang in her ears
henceforward as she went hes round
Of duty. Both became familiar. For
the General. after a long and-on his
side-rather warm argument with
Dick. consented to recognize the fraud
in some measure And as soon as
Marian, perohins on his knee after
dinner began to plead, he met her
halfway.
my dear. it's quite true that your
cousins offenses were not disgraceful
But they belonged to the class which
begin with youthful folly, and end as
years go on-anywhere. Fred's trouble
touches me deeply. but he will soon
get over it,"
"Oh, papa! Oh, I am so rejoiced!
How do you know"
"Eh? These matters are reported to
the Horse Guards, of course. AS /
was saying, 1t does not seem judiclous
that I should receive Fred until he
has quite certainly outgrown his weak
ness. But l have no objection to his
visiting you--qute the reverse! Cheer
him up, my dear! Sustain his courage
in every way. Don't let him grow
down-hearted, but stretch a point II
necessary"