Rocky Ford enterprise., 1896-07-02

to attend. / had to see my own solicit
tor and give him instructions about the
settlement which l wished to make on
Viola. had also to make my will,
matter which until now had neglect
ed; so that Tuesday and Wednesday
promised to be fully occupied. Viola
also wished to pay a visit to her old
friend. Miss Rossiter. The prim
spinster would never forgive her II she
passed through town without calling.
She did not press me to accompany
her. Perhaps. In the present changed
and unexpected state of affairs. she had
much to say to her old friend which
could not be well said In my presence.
So / suggested she should go alone
to her old home. spend an hour
with her friend. and meet me at Mr..
Monks at twelve o'clock. In the mean
time would go to my own solicitors
and arrange my business. the. purport
Of which did not make known to my
wife. hired a private brougham for
her. placed her in 1t, and stood at the
window saying adieu. 1t was the first
time since our marriage that we had
been parted for an hour. 1t was, more
over, her twenty-first birthday. and on
her hand was ring which I had Just
given her-a ring the value of which
had startled her, for she had not yet
realized what 1t was to be a rich mans
wife.
AS I wished her goodbye, l remem-
bered that my own business would take
some time. ''If / am not very pune
tv,I you tyop,t mind uoittpuov r,tl
mo, I shall like II. Eustace will be
there, and / have so much to say to
him-so much to ask him. Don't hur-
ry. Julian"
fancled that Viola wanted to see
Eustace Grant alone, II possible, in or
der to persuade him. as she had tried
to persuade me. that we had only to
know more of each other to be like
brothers. She could not understand the
gulf between two men who love the
same woman. l thought 1t was well
she should see him. He would make
clear to her the impossibility of any
thing like frier iship between us. Just
as was about to bid the coachman
drive off, Viola looked at me with a
little pout. / knew its meaning. l
passed my head through the carriage
window. My shoulders insured strict
privacy. Then a light kiss fell upon
my lips, and a word of love passed be-
tween us. I linger on these trivial
evidences of affection. 1t will soon be
seen why.
/ watched the carriage which held
all l loved join in the broad stream
of traffic Then I lighted my cigar, and,
the happiest man in England. walked
over to my solicitors
My business took even longer than l
expected 1t would. There was much to
discuss. What stock could be settled as
1t stood-what should be sold out-who
were to be trustees-what was to hap
pen in the event of Viola's death: was
she to have power of appointment or
not? All sorts of questions like these
had to be ventilated. The consequence
was that when l glanced at my watch,
Hound 1t was nearly one o'clock. I told
my solicitor ! must defer giving in
structions for my will until tomorrow.
jumped into cab, and drove to Lin
coins Inn Fields. No. SO, ready to make
the fullest apologies for my unpunctu-
ality.
went up stairs, found Mr.. Monks
office, and sent my name in to him by
his clerk. I am invited to enter his pri-
vate room. Mr.. Monk was busy with
some papers.
"You win find your friend In the next
room. Mr.. Lorraine" he said, IT will
join you In q moment"