Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1896-06-11


except when the house was in regular
use.
lie went over to the fireplace and stood
with one foot on the high brass fender,
furtively watching her. She seemed to
be dazed, like a bird that one catches
half dead with fright in chimney that
lies in u ruiiled heap in ones hand.
He tried to talk to her about trivial
matters, told her some small details of
his journey, which she answered with
feeble comments lie told her of his
i'll success with the show cattle. At
that she smiled family.
"That must have gone near to break
ing your hcart-or as near as anything
can" said she, rather bitterly.
Her husband moved uncnsly. Even
in the anxiety from which he was suf-
fering, something of self-rcproach
stung him.
81 thought" she went ON, with n lit
tie more spirit, perhaps little more
hope, that something had happened TO
upset you. That was it, of course"
Sir Alexander looked at her, and felt
UlOTt uDtOlllOl lh'ill tNtls n'It
was some shadow of an excuse for her
bitterness, perhaps. She was really n
very pretty woman, and pretty women
are vain. and expect n good deal of at
tention. This she had not had from him,
certainly.
"Tf you wish to imply, Mary" said he,
earnestly, that nothing but what con-
Germ my short-horns has power to dis
turb my peace of mind, you are mistake
en-, wrong. Anything which affected
you. for instance, would trouble me
much more"
"Oh. but don't think SO! You could
find another wife tomorrow, you know,
if-if anything were to happen TO me.
But if you were to lose Durham the
Third, why. you would be inconsolablc.
1t would take you long time to find
another animal you could be as proud
Of"
"And do you think AIN not proud of
you?"
"Oh, in a sort of way l suppose You
are, certainly. look all right in those
old high-b backed chairs, | believe, and pco-
pie don't look less at the family jewels
because they are on me-"
"You are very bitter to-day. You have
never spoken to me like this before!'
what chance do ever have of talk
ing to you. at all? Not that | want to
complain," and her tone changed sud-
denly. you can't help Yourself, of
course. We can none of us help our
temperament. We all have to 90 on
Just the best way we can. and it is of no
Use TO grumble, because nothing ever
come out quite right in this world"
She spoke in subdued voice. but
with much bitterness. Her husband
was staring ut her newly-opened eyes,
and was on the point of making some
reply, when Mrs. Jock came In with the
tea.
Lady Auchlean jumped up quickly,
and seized the teapot. She was bent
on nurrying through tie proceedings
alleging that she was afraid the night
would be u wet one. and that She
wanted to get home before the rain be-
gan.
"lf you are afraid of that" said her
husband. I'VE can send Jock for the
carriage"
"Oh no, don't do that. We can mako
haste over this tea. / shall enjoy the
walk"
She kept glancing out Though the
window, opposite to which she sat. Sir
Alexander jumped up and drew the
curtain.
1T looks cheerless out there, -" he said.
eve will shut out the prospect till we
have to face it of necessity"
And he sat down again.
Lady Auchlean, in whose blue eyes n
strange fire was burning, played with
her teaspoon, but said nothing. She
was waiting, listening. Both husband
and wife were constrained, silent, op-
Pressed by the knowledge of what was
coming.
1t came.
There was sharp rap at the door,
and Lady Auchlean sprang to her feet.
Then the door opened, and pushing
away the screen, handsome young
fellow of five or siX-and-twenty burst
into the room.
He saw no one but the lady, and he
came straight towards her with an
nlacrity which was damning indeed.
Capt. Tanterdcn! why, what has
brought you hnre? Alexander, isn't
this an odd coincidence? cried Lady
Auchlean, before he could get across
the room.
The young man started, stopped
short, turned, saw Sir Alexander and
held out his hand, rcddening very
much.
But the baronet who was standing in
an attitude of great stiffness, did not
respond to the greeting.
"A very odd coincidence" said he,
dryly. II should like few ords with
you, Capt Tcnterdcn."
And he strobe out of the cottage.
Capt. Tentcrdcn would have fingered
Il moment to ask an explanation from
Lady Auchlean, but she, wiser than he,
shook her head and signed for him to
follow at once.
Outside the cottage, on the little
tGbleland, with the mists of the noun
tains all around them, the two men
met. Sir Alexander was dignified,
abrupt and stern.
answer me at once without lies"
said he. "lIow often have you met my
wife here?"
"Never before, on my honor Ask
the people here"
And you arrived tonight? 1t was
IN accident, suppose" said Sir Alex
ander, with cutting mockery.