Frederick citizen., 1895-02-22


much a matter of personal comfort
and religious concession as an act of
honor and honesty towards Christie
pher Hallam? And would II not be
noble act OF self-denial on the part
Of Hallam for family reasons to forego
the happiness Of making Terese his
wife?
Between these speculations and my
own anxiety for my peace of mind
and Of Ernstone and the future of his
daughter. l went to the club in a
more or less melancholy frame Of
The famous street was crowded
with carriages coming and going from
the Row. The sun. travelling down
to the west, was flashing with silver
harness and shining equipages.
On the pavements there were many
idle pedestrians ION pleasure bent"
as well as people on varied missions
Of business.
The shops were gay with their dain-
tiest wares; and yet the sad refrain
OF the Normandy ballad was in my
mind. and my thoughts were with
my two dear friends at Hampstead.
1t was calm night in April
The London season had set in with
great promise of gaiety and distinc-
tion.
/ walked down Piccadilly and real.
lied for the thousandth time the de.
lights Of its sunny side.
Was Tom Ernstone's one of those
secrets that 1t were best not to dis
close? Or II disclosed left only for the
Information of posterity? 1t is no good
thinking of arguing any question on a
logical or moral basis. II your feelings
are deeply engaged in the controversy,
| found Hallam sitting in a corner Of
the Parthenon library, near the great
window that looks upon Picadilly.
He was watching the long lines of
| carriages that flashed past, in bright
and snowy colors, with pretty women
and gallant men, enjoying the leisurely
| recreation of the afternoon drive He
| did not see me as l entered the ROOM
/ thought he looked more than un-
usually handsome. He was in evening
dress: but he also wore a loose. light
overcoat. and his crush hat was in
his hand. He had evidently walked
to the club and gone straight into the
library. He was a stalwart, well-built
young fellow, with dark-brown hair
and silky brown mustache. His
mouth came within the physiognom-
ical description Of generous; but he had
strong jaw and a close, well-knlt
forehead. His eyes were grey and full,
and his countenance frank, open, and
Of fresh healthy complexion.
"Ah. joe" he said, smiling, and
rising to his feet the moment he saw
me, ''it is very kind of you to come.
I felt sure you would. What a superb
day. l have ordered just the dinner
I think you will like: we two. I have
a great deal to say to you. Sit down"
He gave me his seat and took one
close by; then he drew the great club
Scurtain so that 1t partly screened us
from the sun and shut out a section
Of the picturesque traffic Of the street
leaving the budding tops OF the trees
In kind of stipple Of green against
the warm evening sky.
Congratulate me-" he said, taking
my hand. II am the happiest fellow
In London"
felt load suddenly lifted from my
mind. breathed freely once more.
"Terese has accepted me; Ernstone
has to-day given his final consent, and
we are to be married in June"
II congratulate you with all my
heart. Tom Ernstone Is as worthy a
fellow as his daughter is beautiful"
"And good" said Hallam. II don't
think II is possible for a girl to be
more desirably endowed-beautiful. ac-
complished, clever, modest. and with a
strain of that Normandy race in her
pedigree OF which we English folk so
often boast. I wanted to say this
much to you. old fellow, before we
dined, so that we can talk freely "
table without worry, or what you clever
writing fellows call emotion"
You are always thoughtful for
Others" replied.
"I didn't want to bother you over
dinner with my feelings, to spring a
sort of love-confession upon you; not
good for digestion; SO 1 simply remark
that the world to me just now is the
happiest invention imaginable; that
am going to marry the loveliest girl in
It; that l know this will delight you
as my friend. and hers, and these
points OF enthusiasm out of the way
want to ask you to be my best man
and over dinner to consult you about
my plans and the programme which
Ernstone has laid down for me and
Terese. more particularly as regards
the wedding ltselT.
The remark about Norman blood set
me wondering whether Ernstone had
really told Hallam all he had told me-
Over dinner I found myself somewhat
harrassed more than once by doubts
and fears in this direction.
I'VE are to be married In the little
village of st. Valerie. in the valley of
Les Ifs, that runs down from the sea
from the Pays de Caux; and our break
fast and other ceremonials and festiv-
tiles are to take place at Etretat. Do
you know the country"
mot WELL" l replied: II have been
to Etretat and Trouville; but I only
! know the prominent places along the
coast"
II know the whole country and the
people," he said; have yachted In those
waters; remember at Etretat they
would not let US battle in the deep sea
without a boat In attendance. A fine
primitive race the fisherfolk. There is
q quaint old jetty at st. Valerie: and a
cluster of red-tiled houses that remind
me of some OF our bits OF coast towns
in Yorkshire. Our friend, the Colonel
was married there and Terese's mother
lies in the little churchyard. Don't
care for churchyards much. or should
no doubt have seen her tomb. Ern-
stone has placed memorial window IN
the little chapel. I like the idea OF the
wedding being out there immensely.
What do you say?"
"oh, yes" J replied. ut 10 delightful:
almost romantic"
| Almost exclaimed Haliam." / think
II Is like the best chapter out OF good
1