Evening star., 1896-01-11
An ENGAGEMENT.
BY SIR ROBERT PEEL.
Copyright, 1896. by Si- Robert Peel.)
Continued from Fridays Starr
SYNOPSIS.


Continued from Fridays Star)
SYNOPSIS.
Arnold Hopetoun, clerk on small sal
cry in the foreign office at London, is en-
gagged to be married to handsome Bella
Carstairs, who, with her mother, is obliged
70 keep up appearances in very reduced
circumstances. Bella believes that she
loves Arnold, but is unwilling to marry
hin, until he gets a more lucrative posi-
ton, which his influential uncle, Lord
DrilEnghdm, has promised to obtain for
him. Lord Drillingham neglects the mat
ter, and Arnold proposes to Bella that he
and his cousin Kate, Lord Dillingham; S
daughter, pretend to be engaged. with the
idea Cf increasing his uncles interest in
obtaining an appointment. She consents,
and he goes down to Deercourt to arrange
the matter with Kate. Kate agrees. Drill
Hngham approves of the engagement and
bestirs himself about the appointment. He
obtains the offer of an important position
in Canada, but Bella refuses to go to Can
ada Kate calls on Bella, and endeavors
to persuade her, but in vain. Kate is
determines to win rim from Bella. He falls
desperately in love with her, and declares
himself, while she admits her own love.
PART VI.
He was still intoxicated when he woke
next morning Anxiety as to his position
did not oppress him yet A delicious feel
ing of excitement throbbed in his veins.
He descended early. His room cooped
him, and the freshness of the air outside
harmonize better with his mood
She also was out. He caught glimpse
Of her white frock in the shrubbery, and
overlook her with delight.
Good morning, sweetheart" he said
She blushed with pleasure, and surren-
dered her lips bashfully.
And have you been thinking of me?'
she asked.
$50 much. And yet can hardly credit
my good fortune
No need to set down what they said. 1t
was not until later in the day that Miss
Drillingham spoke of Bella, and ques-
toned how he intended to act, and then
she declared that he must write to her at
once.
She was, in fact, beginning to tell herself
that she had played a shabby part. She
wanted to admit it to Arnold. but was 10th
to humiliate herself in his eyes, and when
he demurred to sending the suggested let
ter. and proposed to see and speak to Bella
instead, she did not press the point.
Hopetoun, who was not a coward, in
tended calling upon the Carstairs on the
morrow, when Bella, who was on a visit
back in town.
Kate had therefore several hours before
she was required to abase herself before
him, and until the time arrived she aban-
doned herself to the charm of their new re-
lationship completely as possible.
Nevertheless. her doubt obtruded itself
constantly, Ind lastly new terror came.
Had she the right to let Arnold jilt the
girl?
She could not determine.
As result she resolved to leave the de-
cision to the man. She would extenuate
rothing, and set naught down in malice.
If he could say, Il love you; don't care
what you have done-you are the only
woman 1 can be happy WITH she would
be his wife, if he reproached her, and said,
1T was unwom2nly, petty, 1t was not
worthy of you, Kate nothing should ever
induce her to marry him.
The pauses in the conversation of the
cousins became painfully frequent and
Hoefully prolonged. 1t was a relief to
both when DrIllingham broke in upon their
tete-a-tete, and then Semblance of cheer
fitness returned until dinner time, when
Kate said to Arnold: .Afterward / want
to speak to you-come into the drawing
room. as soon you canI' Her face was
very pale as she whispered the words. He
wondered if anything was amiss.
When he joined Ter she was standing on
tie hearth-rather desolate figure in the
big loom, it struck him all at once. She
oid rot respond to his smile of inquiry;
obviously she was disturbed Had some
thing harpened?
What is the matter?'' he asked; 'is any
thing wrong?"
ArnOlu, Sne SAID, L nave something 70
say to you-scmething I owe to you and TO
nysen-and to Miss Carstairs!'
ITO Miss Carstairs? he echoed.
She nodded. Her lips trembled, and ne
looked at her with dismay.
Kate" said Hopetoun, you are talking
mysteriously- uncomfortably, child. What's
it all about?'
ArEold, you remember when 1 went to
Miss Carstairs, and didn't tell you?"
Il remember" he answered. "Well?"
Il did rot tell you because l did not like
her | am anxious not to say anything in
her disParaSement, but in justice to my
self-to make my explanation clearI must
say that l found her ungracious, that it
much as she did for herself She-she got
on my nerves."
Il suspected it," said Hopetoun. "Yes?''
When L left her II made a vow all to
myself in the cab. 1 swore 1 would take
ycu away from her.
WHAT"
Il swore / would take you away from
her-that things should happen just as they
have! I've done it, and now I'm ashamedr'
She stood looking at the carpet in silence
Hopetoun crossed over to her before he re-
piled.
Why he said; why, what was your
rotiye?'
She hesitated. "Say it was vanity, if you
Ike, she murmured, "or petty spitei
What do you think of me?'
u shall Eot say 1t was either" he said
1t is for you TO say what it was You do
not wish me TO believe you have only been
ah@ as2 4A