The state republican. (Jefferson City, Mo.) 1871-1896, 1895-02-07

since she herself intended to reign
mistress Of the marble halls of Bell
agranda, and she knew as we'll as
Elvira did that they would never
dwell in amity under one roof.
"Good gracious" she exclaimed
starting up, ''there is Mr.. Delane on
the terrace; If I don't go and talk to
him l shall miss one of my chances,
Ia, ia, vi; come over to luncheon
o-morrow. Vaughan has gone to
town to-day, but he will be back this
evening, say will you Gomez"
81 will say that 1 will not. Some
day when you are alone. You dou't
want me if YOU have MIR. Vaughan"
"Oh, vi, what a fool you are.
Should | ask you to come If l did
not want you. Do come, there is u
dear; but l must be off or | shall lose
MIR. Delane, he is disappearing round
IA corner"
She was gone, and Elvira, who had
dropped back into a comfortable
position, maintained 1t, while a sneer
came over her pretty face.
"Of course she will marry Pierce
Vaughan herself; she will never
marry papa, that know for certain,
he is much too wary, and when she
finds ~ y bite is<t4~HogsR-tke
other fish. She loves Pierce, but
thinks papa's money-bags are
weighty, and as for Pierce, l suspect
ne cares about her, he is always
here, only perchance he III nks
have more coin. Still Lady Marcia
IL not a pauper. Brentwells is her
own. Yes, | suppose that is how it
will end. Heigho, lite is a hnrrid
puzzle: it is tlightiully difficult to
put the pieces together, espr cially
AS, like tiresome children, we all
manage to lose some of the leading
bits. So Sir Clement loves another
Aoman-just what i suspected.
Poor GETTY, she has made a mess OF
matrimony and no mistake. Upon
my word, Elvira Delane, you were
far wiser to remain a spinster; the
men are not worth making yourself
unhappy about"
And having uttered this final fiat
she got up and stretched herself
with a yawn.
Then looking out of the window
she burst out laughing. Elvira's
moods were always rapidly change
ful. 1t amused her to see her faith
el's rapturous expression, as, having
been caught by Lady Marcia, she
stood there cycling and making love
to him in most approved fashion.
"What a terrible old humbug papa
is" she murmured to herself a,
not for a single moment had she the
slightest fear of his falling a victim
matrimonially to Lady Marcia's wiles
If she had had any fear she would
scarcely have laughed, for, ever
though she had a very strong predi
lection for Pierce Vaughan, she
would infinitely prefer to see hin
Lady Marcia's husband than that Mr.
Delane should take the frisky widow
into his home.
Still Elvira vas at cross purposes
for Lady Marcia had not the slightes
desire to marry Pierce Vaughan; t.
receive and not to give was a motiv,
on which she always acted, and five
thousand was not worth calling any
thing; nor had Pierce Vaughan any
inclinations towards Lady Marcia
he, too, expected to receive largely
and the mistress OF Brentwells die
not possess by any mean the amount
Of riches that would decide him tc
give up that very dear possession
his liberty.
For several minutes Elvira stood
at the window watching her father
and Lady Marcia, until her attention
was distracted from them and theil
affairs by the opening of the snugger.
door.
She turned to face the intrude,
and the footman, who waited solel,
on her, announced "Slr Miles Berke'
ley"
She was eve going to marry, sht
had just been say ing so to herself
yet she received Sir Miles Berkeley
with a degree OF expressement that
to say the least, was very mislead
ing.
"How do you do, Sir Miles. I an
so glad to see you," she exclaimed
as she went towards him with ex
tended hand.
And, closely analysed, this was M
fit, for, although Elvira did no
ccuse herself OF having any deeI
feeling for Sir Miles, she felt thank
full for the sight of his honest face
beaming at her as it did, amid all the
Hypocrisy and intrigue which seemed
to hedge her in.
He did not disbelieve her for al
instant, and was radiant.
81 am 80 glad l have come if i
affords you the slightest pleasure
he said. "You know l would d,
anything in the whole world a
whatever expense or trouble if i
only afforded you five minutes hap
piness."