Chicago eagle., 1896-12-26
looking out of the window. Oh, do let nj

go!
The child flies to the front door. and
his mother follows. to find him already in
the arms of his uncle.
"Oh, Jcni. this IL n welcome surprise"
she exclaims. as he turns to greet her. II
was feeling quite unhappy at the pros
pcct of solitary Christmas day. My
dear. dear boy. How glad am TO see
you safe home again."
"1f you are glad TO scc me. dearest
Nell," he replies. 'what must be to get
home to you again? But don't stand ont
here In the cold. I will he with you as
soon as have settled with the coachman.
Run In. Hughic. till come and show you
what have brought you from India"
And It II at this moment that Gladys
turns her ponies heads into the gate. and
sees the coach standing before the door.
The comnotiOn she makes In trying TO re-
treat again. and the smOthered exclama-
tions of the groom and gardener. attract
the attention of Mr.. Brooke. fIc raises
his head from the money In his hand.
and catches sight Of the back Of the phae.
ton as II plunges through the plot of
American shrubs.
"Who is thnty' he demands of his
valet, standing by.
IL think. II you please. sir. It's the pony.
chaise. from Cnrronby House. I think
her ladyship is driving. sir. Shall | go
and tell her you are hcrcT'
"No. No!' said his master. hurrieily.
but the blood mounts TO his forehead as
he speaks, and the hand with which he
drops the fare into tho drivers palm
trembles like a leaf. Then he whistles
carelessly, and divcsts himself of his grcat
coat In the hall. and walks into tho draw
ing.room with an assumption Of being per.
fectly at his ease.
"siy darling boy!' cxclnims his sister
aN soon rs he has rejoincd her. II cannot
say how delighted ! am to see you. I had
given up all hopes of your being with us
at Christmas. Jennie. You know
have not heard from you since October,
and thought the attractions Of Calcutta
had been too much for you. and We should
not SEQ you ill the spring."
hope ! have not put you out. Nell.
! always meant to be home for Christ.
nas, you know. and had nothing partic.
olsr to tell you the last MONTH"
| "You have enjoyed yourself. I hope"
"vsfy much: but II pallcd little at
1sss. ! seem 10 have lost my taste for
balls, and we couldn't go 'skiknrring' Cur.
, iaS the monsoon"
| II thought you would 20 to Simla with
the Governors staff"
Il did think Of It; but I gave up the
i6ea. ] left home, ms you know, with enc
lrtention, and that being accomplished,
(kers was no further need Of delay"
NJ en- glad II Is accomplished" says
Eilnos, softly.
"Now, let US talk Of something else"
fays Jennie. anxious to change the sub
tsct. "What's the news Of Nutlcy ?
rainat'
Everything"
"Apd how are the cousins"
"Mountcarron and Gladys? Oh. very
wcllc'
"That's all right" he answers. heart.
ily.
"At least" continues Elinor. correcting
herself, "Afountcarron's very well, bu,
his wife II not"
Jennie starts.
whats the matter with herr"
"Noshang particular, ! believe, but she
In not strong. and she is very thin.
thought might as well prepare you for
seeing her, Jennie, for she Is certainly
changed. and Tit might be surprise
to you."
She then went on to tell her brother all
that the reader In already acquainted
with. Including the runi0rs concerning
Lord Mountcarron and Agnes Rusherton
which, she. too had heard.
Jennie Il naturally indignant. and de-
clares that the scandal must be stopped
"Whsn shall you go and see them 2
asks HE sister.
Mr.. Brooke looks uneasy, and begins te
stammer.
~ don't know! I cannot tell. To
morrow, perhaps, II ! have time"
Tomorrow 10 q hunting day. Tn,
hounds meet at Wordley Copsc. I sup
pose Mountcarron and Miss Rushertol
will be there. ] believe they have no.
missed q meet this season."
"D0es not Gladys hunt, to0?"
"Oh, no. She has given up riding alto
gether. She tells me she is not stroni
enough. Shall you ride to hounds to
morrow. Jemmiey''
"Perhaps ] may. am not sure.
should like to find out little more abou
Mountcarron and Miss Rusherton 6rst
for were to see them together, and o
oil confidential, I am afraid ! couldn'
keep my hands on him."
"oh! Jennie. remember he is you
cousin"
II remember more plainly that Glady
10 my friend"
"Might not the world misinterpret you
chivalry ON her behalfw demands Lad!
. Renton. hesitatingly.
. He stops short and regards her Gxedly
, Her eyes dr0op, but his are steadfast.
II shall not care what the world
thinks" he answers slowly, $50 long q
. have the approval Of my own con
science. And from this moment to m
last, Elinor, my protection and all tn
, best energies possess will be at the ser
!, vice Of my cousin, Gladys Mountcarron.
. He debates with himself after thl
, whether he shall attend the meet upO
, the following day, or pay a call at Gar
|, r0nby House; and. for awhile. his incl
nations tend In the direction Of the lat
! ter. Gladys may cOnfde In him-h
! hopes she may-and afford him an open
Ing to espOuse her cause. But when
comes to the point his courage ooxes ou
. at his fingers ends, and he feels he eau
not trust himself to meet her, for the frs
, time after that terrible parting, alone
. He has the strength Of giant, CON
! pared with what he used to have, In he
/ presence; but he Ia not yet strong en0ug
for that. 30 he alters his mind for tn
twentieth time, and rides to WOrdle
COpse instead to join the meet. The frs
people whom he encounters are Mount
carron and Agnes RushertOn, WHO'S
!. horses are standing side by side waitin