Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-01-07
An ENGAGEMENT,
BY SIR ROBERT PEEL
Copyright, 1896, by Sir Robert Peel.)
Continued from Mondays Star.)
SYNOPSIS.

CarStairS, who, with her mother, Is obliged
to keep up appearances in very reduced
loves Arnold, but is unwilling to marry
him until he gets more lucrative position, I
which his influential uncle. Lord Drilling
nam, has promised to obtain for him. Lord
birmingham neglects the matter, and Ar
mold proposes to Bella that he and his
cousin Kate, Lord Drillingham's daughter,
pretend to be engaged, with the idea Of in
creasing his uncle's interest In obtaining
an appointment. She consents and he goes
down to Deercourt to arrange the matter
with Kate. -
PART II.
1t was three-quarters of an hour before
they rose, and he had had to exhaust all
his eloquence to gain the desired result.
Still it was gained now. Kate gave him
her hand and they turned back toward the
house together.
well, 1 will help you," she said; "but
mind. whether papa consents or not no
body is to know! 1t is to be strictly
private engagement while 1t lasts. Papa,
you and I-nobody else must hear of it."
"Oh, Of course not" he said, gratefully.
Il am Immensely obliged to you, Kate: you
are doing me an enormous service that I
shall never forget"
when shall speak to him?' asked the
girl.
He hesitated considering
1T Is for you to decide" she reminded
him. Il have promised compliance, and 1
will play my part to him properly-you can
depend on me-but the plan OF action is
yours; you direct the affair, remember
Yes" he said. "Well. 1 should speak to
him as soon as l go, I think. 1 suppose it
would be better for ME to go first, wouldn't
1t: II he Is indignant, and-well, If he alb
soiutely refuses to entertain my preten-
sions. 1 would rather hear Of it by letter
l r6
And 1t will give him time to think it
over. observed Miss Drillingham. Yes, l
fancy you had better go first. I will
confess my wild alteration after your de-
parture."
He looked at her anxiously
you'll throw little warmth into it?"
he questioned. your tone doesn't sound
ardent just now"
oh, this is between ourselves. To papa
| shall be as sentimental as you can desire
Wen look here; go back to town tonight
and will write to you tomorrow"
You will pile 1t up?'
L viii pile 1t up, as you call it. earnestly
DON'T nave any misgivings about me- If
the plan rails. 1t will not be through any
fault OF mine, 1 assure you.''
fou' re a brick!" he said. 81 shall be on
tenter-hooks till 1 hear from you. And let
me thank you in Belia's name as well as
my own. You are being quite benevolent
fairy, Kate; it is splendid of your -:
lie was in truth confident of success In
imagination he already saw himself walk
ing up the nave of st. Georges, Hanover
square, with Miss Carstairs in her hridal
dress, and on the journey I'D to Euston he
decided where they would live and if they
should nave fiat or house, and many
other details which were premature.
The morrow passed without any letter
reaching him from bis fellow conspirator
but on the next day but one he received
two notes which brought his heart up into
his throat
The first was from Miss Kate announcing
that her father had taken the news fair
ly WE'LL the other was from Lord Drilling
ham himself asking him to go down to
Deercourt again.
Hopetoun positively trembled with sus-
pense. Neither epistle vouchsafed any pre-
cSe Information. ana 1t was impossible to
determine what the term fairly welr'
couragement from his uncles invita- ton
Though even that might be oney a cour-
teous preliminary to a snub). and after a
hying visit to Hampstead he took his couf-
age IN both hands and bought another rail-
way tfcke. -.
Lord Drillingham was in the library when
ne arrived. and Arnold. disappointed in his
first. entered with trepidation.
Good morning, sir" he said, this is
very kind of YOU I won't affect to be ig.
norant that my cousin has told you of our
love for each other, and 1 thank YOU for
your letter."
Drillingham waved a white hand toward
an armchair.
Let us chat" he said. Kate has sur
prised me very much 1 had no idea Of
this, none at all! Yes, am surprised, and
you went mind my saying, Arnold that /
am not exactly overjoyed?'
Naturally" said his nephew: mo. /
could not hope for you to be oyeriovedi :
His fairness was delicious
AS man OF the world you see 1t. Kate
might nave married anybody-I say any
will resent this attachment OF hers bitteri
". 1t Is not what we looked for-no. MOI"
He paused, and delicately fiicked Off the
ash from his cigar, "At the same tfme,''
he continued, while Hopetoun gazed at him
helplessly, "at the same time Kate is a girl
OF remarkably strong sense: She resembles
the Drillinghams in both ways-her intel
iect and In her beauty; am not disposed
to thwart Kate
You are very good" said Hopetoun.
Il ike you. tool am very fond of you,
my boy, as think you know, 1 am en-
deavorlng to serve you officianyD-I want to
see you make your way in the world".-
Then you do not refuse? IL may
hope?
What propose is this. Take few
months, both of you, to make certain you
Rave not mistaken your own minds. In the
meantime the matter need not be made pub
lie, and l will continue my efforts on your
behalf. Come down here as often AS you
like See each other as much as You like
after we return to town. It can be an en-
gagemept to all intents and purposes for
the present. and by and by, IL you are both
to the world. Does that satisfy your"
1T delights me-" declared Arnold, truth
fully 1T is most generous of you. thank
you deeply. sir"
'Then," said Lord Drillngham, ego out
to Kitty, who is doubtless impatient to see
you! And If you will be so good, pull down
that blind first; think 1 could manage a
nap II tried
Arnold found her in the morning room.
and seized both her hands and wrung them
BEST Of cousinsT he exclaimed, most
brilliant of diplomatists! How did you do
it,"
She smiled cordially.
I'm glad to have served you," she said
"And don't think you need anticipate any
lack of zeal on papa's part now. To my own
knowledge he has written two letters about
you already"
''You-you treasure! Kate, I should like
to wire the glorious news to Bella. Will you
stroll as far as the station?'
With pleasure" she said, eff you don't
want to intrust the message to a servant
Wait two seconds while I put on my hat
You may calm your excited spirits with a
cigarette If you like"
He did, nor was she much longer than the
two seconds Passonately in love as he
was. he could not help remembering that the
lady of his alteration always kept him wait
ing twenty minutes Under similar Of