The state herald., 1895-12-27

iiaSc Win margaret Ohellly
was for the present an imposslbili.y,
and that Ruthven would not even con-
sent to the engagement being consid-
cred settled event.
You are far too young to think Of
such a thing, even were you the pos
SCISSOR Of thousand year; but under
existing circumstances, l can not un-
derstand how any one with particle
OF sense could wish to draw young girl
into an engagement which has no pros
pect of being ended"
Oh! come. uncle, think that is put
ting 1t little too strong. Why
shouldn't 1t end as other engagements
do?"
How are you to support wife. and
when?"
We'll. suppose my profession will
bring In money some day. and then
thought"
WHAT"
That you would help us. uncle"
Exactly SO. That should supply n
suitable income for your housekeeping.
why don't you say SO at once? Blu.
you may dismiss that idea from your
mind. have no Intentions Of helping
you In any way"
Il think It's precious hard" grum-
bled the young man.
You can think what you choose. 1
adopted and reared you for your moth
ers sake, and mean to put you out In
the world, but further than that | do
not see that owe you any particular
duty. And certainly will not help you
10 make fool of yourself (and per-
haps mar all Margaret's chance of hap
piness in this life) one day sooner than
s necessary.
why should I mar her happiness ?"
Because you are not steady nor re-
liable. nor always truth-telling. If
you outgrow these propensities. which
sincerely hope you will. you may be-
ready to take the duties OF marriage
upon yourself. But at present 1t is
utterly out OF the question"
But you cannot prevent our being
engaged to each other, uncle"
Nor do wish to prevent II. SO long
MS 1t is distinctly understood that it
letters neither party. II you continue
constant to Margaret until you become
NJ age, will talk to you on the subject
again. But. meanwhile. l shall send
you abroad"
oh. l say!" said young Shore. depre-
ratingly.
Excuse me, l say" retorted Ruthven,
iryly. you have never attended as
itrictly to your studies In London rs
5ou should have done. Now we will
&c what less exciting place. and the
mbition Of working for Margaret, will
for you. l have an English friend
Established at Rouen. who is as capa-
lie Of directing your work as your
resent tutor. l shall send yon to him
soon as the preliminary arrange
tents are made Meanwhile. you will
blIge me by spending the entire day
nth Mr.. Longdale. MS We first agreed
pom, and not run backward and for
ard between his house and mine. as
arrett tells me you are in the habit OF
ling"
In fact. uncle. II amounts to this,
1t I am not to marry Margaret at
4"
I did not say so. Are you afraid OF
'ur own strength OF purpose?"
No. | shall be all right, OF course
ut Margaret may see somebody she
kes better. Girls are such strange
teatures-you never know when you've
1t tbem-and she'll be going about
18th you, ! suppose. whilst ! shall DO
'oped up ut Rouen."
oh. It's Margaret's consistency you
ubt7 Well. rs I'm older than you.
y boy, let me give you one piece OF
lvice: Never try to detain woman
ainst her will. II she loves you she'll
ick to you. II she doesn't love you.
st let her CO.
sun the boy hummed and hswcd and
'umbled: but Ruthven was firm, and
saw that his word had no effect upon
i'm. and what seemed harder was. that
Though Margaret received her guen d.
ms decision with burst OF tears she
would not admit that II was unfair.
No. Hamilton: you mustn't say so.
Remember what ! was-and from what
Mr.. Ruthven rescued me. Surely, he
has the right to determine my fate,
and no one can say he Is unjust. And,
perhaps" she added timidly. "he thinks
| am not 1T wife for you"
It's no such thins. Pearll It's all
his cross-fraIned nature. II ever I
wanted thing In this life he opposed
Il. And as for your fitness. I believe
you're as ouch OF lady us any girl ir
London"
"Oh. Hamilton"
II do. Look at your hands and feet.
and your beautiful fnee. My belief Is
that you're n dukes daughter In dis
guise. or that some wicked nurse stole
20 away from your home and substitute
ed her own brat instead OF you"
The girl blushed and smiled at her
young lovers far-fotchcd fancy. but was
very pie sed nj II NIL the same. and min
glcd her lamentations freely with his
over their coming separation. although
he could never induce her to Join In
his abuse OF her guardian.
Ruthven's plans ON behalf OF his
nephew ,hroyc. however. without an
obstacle. ana. some fow weeks after his
return from Paris. he had first tho
pleasure OF witnessing a fearful and
passionate farewell between Hamilton
and Margaret. and secondly. the satis-
faction OF conveying the lai To Dover
and shipping him on 10 Calais.
A the boat steamed on from the pier.
and Ruthyen acknowledged the last
wave Of his ncphcw'r hand. he felt a
glow steal over him in the conviction
that II was tho finest days work no
had done for long time,
And then he returned to the little
house In Kcnslngton and Margaret
o'Rcllly.