New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-08-16

A LOVE STORY,

mother was widow His father. country
gentleman, had freed burdened estate pc
oueathed TO him by his father. and when he
died left his widow and son well proNlueu lot;
The Vinnicombes were not an old family, ana
they had been received somewhat coldly at
frst when they took up their residence at High
Void But in the end solid worth. and that true
gentlehood which is neither pretenllous nor
officious conquered and overcame prejudice, ana
they took their right place among the county
families in that part Of Sussex in which they
dwelt Henry Vinnicombe the younger came 10
be regarded by-and-by as a very eligible party
and his way in life might have run IN III sIlloolh'
even tenor but for an act of disastrous ioHy per
petrated by his mother. Adela Ninnlcompe was
one Of those trying persons who, under the COAX
OF great humility and helplessness. are obstinate
to a fault. and who by their self-Will CONSTANT!
get themselves and others INFO serious scrapes.
She had been and still very pretty
woman. Of the pink and white order. and she
had held her husband in thrall to the last day
Of his life. Shrewd. careful, cautious 10 De
gree in all relations of his life. Henry Ninni-
combe the elder had been, in his Wlfes hands,
as clay in the pOtters hand. When he dled, ms
will was found to he rather an extraordinary
one TO have been made by man leaving behind
him a grown-up son of sound ability ana excel
lent character High Void and every penny or
his large fortune was left absolutely to his wiie.
Harry Vinnicombe dependent on MS
mothers within or caprice if he had been
baby in arms. AT first this did not at all trou-
BILE him. Having neither brother nor sister, ana
being very fond of his mother, he regarded him
self as much master Of High Void as If II had
been really willed to him. And this was all
very we'll Tor q tlMe. AFTER lHt ldlSc VI q ~"
years. certain things began to occasion him CON
siderable uneasiness and he often wished mat
his position were more assured especially as lie
had matrimOny in view for himself. He was
sitting in the little business room at High Void
one March morning wearing on his honest race
a somewhat perplexed and gloomy look lie
was in his twenty fourth year. a tall weD-built
manly fellow. with no special claln 10 soou
looks yet possessing a singular charm or APP
pearance and manner which won him friends
and regard everywhere. 1t was fine. bright
,,i,,cy with no
merry wind that swept across the open downs
and stirred all the budding trees To life and mo-
ton. The spring flowers were peeping up every
where. and all things breathed OF nope ana
promise 1t was not season for sadness, ana
yet the young man, for whom the emblems OF
spring should have had some kinshp, looked
upon them with Indifferent If not unseeing eye
The gloom seemed TO deepen on his brow as he
caught sight Of a housekeeping and perfectly
groomed riding horse being led up and down by
a groom on the gravel sweep before the door. Inc
man who owned the horse was clcseted with MS
mother in her own sitting-room. and Harry YIN
ncombe Of opinion that there had been 100
many private interviews lately betv cen Geof-
rey Delorme barrister-at-law. and the mistress
of High Void. He was still sitting when ne
heard the echo OF departing footsteps in the hall
and pushing his chair further back from the
window that he might not be seen. ne
watched Mr.. Delorme mount his horse and give
the groom the tip which never lacked. Ihat IL
was handsome evidenced by the par
ticuarly obsequous smile on the lads face.
Mr. Delorme though elderly made no bad figure
on horseback. but sat as straight as Harry NM
self. He gentleman, and looked II. so far
as outward appearances went. but he was re-
garded by young Vinnicombe in no favorable
light. Before the echo Of the barristers horse
hoofs had quite died away, Mrs. Ninncombe
came downstairs in search of her son. AS she
entered the room he was almost palnfully struck
by her Youthful appearance and by the glrlish-
ness Of her attire. A man does not care to see
his mother apng the appearance and dress OF
girl Of eighteen; and Harry Ninnicomn5e iacs
did not clear his eye took in every detail OF
the dressy gown. the deliberately dressed head,
and the smpering smile on his mothers face.
"Mr DelOrme has gone. Harry. Why didn't
you come and speak to him.
Because didn't feel inclined, suppose, ne
replied. rather more rudely than he had ever
spoken TO his mother in his life; but she did not
appear TO notice it. She sat down in basket
chair near the fire. and placidly smoothed the
plump white hands. which set off so we'll the
valuable rings which Mr.. NinnicOmbe had loved
10 lavish on her If she felt that Harry was in
a bad mood and that she was the cause of it,
she made no sign, but preserved a perfectly I'M
ruffied expression on her face.
at is pity" she remarked, quietly. that
you do not feel kindly disposed toward Mr. De-
iorme."
II don't see that 1t matters much" Harry re-
plied. quite surly for him. Il think the fellow
pokes his nose in where he isn't wanted that's
all"
came deeply flushed.
~Have the goodness to explain what you mean
by speaking in such insulting terms of friend
I'm sorry if he is friend of yours, mother.
for 1 don't like him. and never shall and
think he comes here too much.
Mrs VinnicOmbe'S color heightened still fur-
ther. and she was about to speak, when her son
continued; 49,, . =,
Nobody likes him, mother, and there must be
something amiss with the man VINO mas no
friends and Of whom so few have good word
to say. What does he want here? The ldea
that his mother could be contemplating second
marriage never occurred TO Harry Ninnicombe,
and he had attributed DelormeS constant visits
10 business matters. and feared that he was too
familiar with their money affairs, and had TOO
great an influence over his mother where they
were concerned He so Loyalty and lovingly
devoted the memory Of the father VINO mad
been all in all to him. that he could not conceive
Of any woman who had been his wife contem-
plating marriage with another man
at is unfortunate that you allow y0urseI 10
be biassed by the evil speech Of outsiders, Har-
ry" his mother said very coldly. 1T shows
sad lack of observation. To say nothing OF charl-
ty on your part. But apart from that. IT IS uh,
fortunate that you do not feel kindly disposed
toward Mr. Delorme, because you may have TO
see a good deal Of him"
Have you given him control Of our affairs,
MOTHER he asked quickly.
"Of my affairs" she repeated significantly.
ct have promised to marry Mr.. DeOrme.
Harry vinnicombe sprang to his feet and
deep flush overspread his face. ITO marry
him! God forbid" burst involuntarily from his
lips
BILE" his mother said haughtily, though she felt
secretly ashamed before his straight. honest
gaze. rs there anything 50 dreadful in the idea
Of a second marriage for me?'
1T seems dreadful enough TO me. altogether
intolerable" he said. hOtly
And why. pray? Ny dear Harry, pray be
reasonable | only folty three. You will
probably marry yourself before long; then
where should be? wish you would not be so
utterly selfish"
II beg your pardon, mother, but Deorme, and
NY father dead only three years Oh hang II
all can't bear IT," he cried. huskily, and turn
ing on his heel. STROBE from the room. His
mother looked askance for moment She had
not expected him to lay IL so much 10 heart but
her uppermOst feeling was not one Of sorrow
for the lad whose heart 50 cherished his fathers
memory II was the first time he had crossed
her or expressed dsapproval Of any act OF hers,
and the sensation was not pleasant. She was
not however a woman To brood over unpleasant
-. In fDu. che AZ ahlH d