Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1895-03-06

Whispers concerning MS wne anu rnuI
colt having reached his ears it was
speedily made clear to Wilfrid that Mr..
Corin was by no means likely to find
place among the maris complaisants.
Acting OH the principle that when a
mans heart is broken he gathers up the
pieces and melts them together again at
the nearest candle, Wilfrid had gone to
Kathleen Mayse for consolation, which
consolation was possibly all the more
effective that, as setoff to her red hair
and hazel eyes, the young lady was sole
heiress to one Of the richest iron found
ers in England
The engagement had been formally
announced few days ago, and some
show Luciles maid had not found that
her lot lay among the lilies and roses OF
life ever since, and this letter capped
everything--the calmly impersonal tone
of tit might have been from any one
tc 2ny one-:ild her hands clinched as
she thought of the contents of the packet
that she was 50 summarily called on to
deliver up to this Mr.. Applegarth.
Mrs Corin unlocked drawer in her
writing table and took out small par
eel neatly tied up and docketed:
Letters from w, Juno-August,
1898. F"
She united it and glanced over one or
two of the most passionate.
ITO think that he could write like
that and then be SO utterly faithless, -
she exclaimed "I've great mind to
send the whole lot to that little Mayse
grill" She paused. 1t would be de-
lightfully dramatic thing to do. 1t sa-
vored of French novels and Dumas
plays 'No, no. 1t wouldn't be safe.
There's no knowledge, she might make
a scandal, and if it got to Gilbert's ears
it might be awkward. No, suppose
there's nothing to do, after all, but
meekly deliver them up. How wretch
edly tame What stupid, commonplace
ending! You've come for parcel for
Mr.. Endicott? So sorry to have given
you SO much trouble Thank you Good
morning No. / won't! l can't let it
end like that. W.lfrid shall come for
them himself, of course. I'll tell this
man SO. He shall come tomorrow morn
ing. I'll receive him here, and we will
say our last goodby."
And Mrs. Corin's busy brain imme-
diately went to work with the mise en-
scene-the gown she would wear, the
3 attitude she would assume. the words
she would use-ah, Wilfrid should re-
member that interview, she was telling
herself, when the maid brought her a
eard. ''Show Mr.. Applegarth in here. %
He bowed little stifly as he ad-
canced, and certainly, if he was suffer
ing from nervousness, Lucile's manner
was not calculated to reassure him.
''Mr Applegarth, will you be good
enough to sit DOWN."
The young man took the seat she in
dicated, and began:
'Endicott told me that you would be
kind enough to receive me, and"-
MAY l ask what else Mr Endicott
has thought fit to tell you?''
Applegarth looked up in surprise-it
was rather the tone one might use to
presuming footman.
''No doubt you are acquainted with
the whole story, she continued loftily.
81 am aware that there are certain
letters of Endicott's in your possession,
which he thinks you worSd be glad to
get rid of, and as such things occasion
ally miscarry in the post he fancied that
the simplest way would be for you to
give them into my charge. That is all
know of or care for i'll the matter -
"Why did not Mr. Endicott come for
them himself?''
Applegarth suppressed smile.
1t would not have been quite wise,
would it? He j.; not, / believe, a regu-
lar visitor at your house. .
''Neither are you.
"True; but am also total stranger,
whereas he was-I mean every one
knows that you-that is, p" he concluded
hurriedly, "as you were formerly ac-
quaintances comments might be made
if he were seen doing so unusual thing
as calling upon you. -
''Oh, is Miss Mayse SO jealous, then?'
The ambassador became interested in
minute speck upon his coat sleeve,
and made no reply.
Here are the letters" continued
Lucille, after a pause holding up the lit
tie packet, but you can tell Mr.. Endi-
colt from me that unless he comes for
them himself they shall not leave my
hands,
But, Mrs. Corin"-
II am quite determined Your friend
can call upon me tomorrow morning at
1880. | shall be quite free then, and'-
HE cannot possibly do that
'Why not?'
''He has to travel up to the north this
evening with Mr.. Mayse on business,
and he is particularly anxious that
"What can it possibly matter to him
whether the letters remain with me
few days longer? Is he afraid that l
may address them to Miss Mayse by
mistaken
Applegarth's hurried denial was a
trifle too emphatic not to have doubt
full ring about it, and Mrs. Corin was
too keen not to notice it. He was afraid
of her. Then he would put off the jour-
ney and come to her.
Let me entreat you, Mrs. Corin, to
reconsider the matter. 1t would make
things so much easier for every one if
you would trust mel Won't you seal up
the letters and let me take them away?"
81 have already told you that will
give them to no one but to Mr.. Endi
cott''-
But
"My mind is made up. Thank you
very much for all the trouble you have
taken, and excuse me if l must wish
you good morning. I have some shop
ping to do. p"
Applegarth rose.
eff you would''- he began, when
suddenly mans voice sounded with
out.
''Mrs. Corin is in the boudoir, you
said?"
"My husband!" exclaimed Lucille in
consterna ion. "What shall do?''
Applegarth looked in surprise at her
changed countenance. Was the worthy
banker veritable Othello that she ap-
peared so alarmed as she stood there,
the letter still in her hand. As the ham
die of the door turned she looked round