Evening star., 1896-03-21
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pie; II he mistook not. she preferred the
companionship of her provincial friends to
the society she met when with her father
in London. Her interest in local concerns
became more pronounced: she was fervent
in orthodoxy, and, as years went on, ae-
cepted with decision her place as leading
lady in social charitable orsanizations
Personally. Miss Cloud no longer over
her. Her behavior 10 him was Of suoh
frank friendliness that no wonder their
acquaintances observed them with a genial
smile. Marfleet sometimes came away
from the house brooding. But for his In
credible folly, which had brought him
within sight of disaster he saw no means
OF repairing. might he not reasonably
have aspired to marriage which would
at once exalt his position and pro-
mote his happiness? What possibility Of 1t
now? The secret. of which no one had a
upon bis own mind.
In conversation one day with Miss Cloud
he CHANGED to speak OF some political irci-f
dent In the reign Of Queen Anne. a point
misunderstood.
Have you reached that in your book:"
asked Eveline, with a glance Of interest.
HIS eyes dropped; he was uncomfortably
aware OF that lurking smile about the
fresh-colored lips
I'm the first rough draft" he constrain-
ed himself to answer. And Evelines eyes
reassured him, so friendly. were thew so
devoid of troublesome curiosity.
HaVe you never thought, Mr.. Marneet,
oi o.; puonsning some portions of your work
IN peI1odicals-as some writer's do?"
Yes, he had thought of it, and very late
~. 70 be sure, 10 portion of hiSwork was
written, but might it not be possible to
shape out Of his notes a few interesting
and pay for? Miss Clouds happy sugges-
tion had strong effect upon him; it re-
VlVed MS energies, and for the next few
weeks he actually engaged in literary com
1f
length. and dispatched 1t to the editor of
an important monthly. What was more
SO sanguine had he become in consequence
OF this effort. that he revealed the matter
to Miss Clond.
Il am delighted" was her exclamation
and she really looked it. When do you
II INK it will appear?"
oh" he faltered. impossible to saw
as worth much'
81 What! st,n,, the result of years and years
nhe added: Il have noticed. Mr.. Marf1eet
that You seem rather despondent of late''
Iney were alone on one of the garden
terraces. and Evelnes voice had an inton-
alton OF peculiar gentleness A more ar
dent admirer or less scruIulous man would
nave used the opportunity; Marfieet merely
grew confused.
IT'S nothing I wasn't aware of its,,
m afraid you work too hard" sounded
In the soft. kindly accents.
I'm IN dear. no.: He laughed -'I feel per-
rectly well-perfectly."
And, indeed. there was little amiss in
Dis appearance. He had a pleasant color
eiear eye, the excellent teeth of healthy
gone to bed at IL O'Clock and risen onlv at
.: ne mad never fallen short in exercise
ave heartily, and found plenty of amuse-
ment. II would take long time before
mental distress such as he was now suf-
iering wrote itself upon his countenance
NO one thought 1t unnatural for Miss
ao;S aaoua TO take an interest in Mr.. Marfeet:
20 uyoo
set up, we'll featured and always carefmiJv
ores sed- Eveline. for her part, could not
De called handsome: but for her position.
sul,ors s. would hardly have singled her
from a group of amiable- looking young
women Yet the good blood in ner veins
the kindly. Intelligent light of her ewes
anu hnna .hat s lurking smile, wrought durable
oushly subdued to their charm.
Not long after this conversation Miss
oIoud went with her father to town, where
For nearly tie same period Percy Ma.
nee meet ived in uncertainty as to the fate of
MS historical essay. ard the time nassed
drear'y dre enolgh When Eveline's return
u[e" near ne res olved to make inquiry of
the silent editor, and a speedy reply mt
an end to his suspense The editor re-
sre.ted Ie.t mat he could not make use of Mr..
Marneets interesting paper, which he now
sent back. 1t was a blow to Marfleet and
after few days spent in RECOVERING fron,
tne olzziness, the poor fellow took y darL
resolve. ~ {. "aiA N
PART II.
While he still had a little rnonev ,of.
ne would go to London, and there as
h.erary man at any ones disposal, face the
struggle for existence
NO need to make known his intention
10 the OLD friends. His departure should
oe eApialhed as a temporary removal to
London for purposes of study In month
n onI11T rit
Obliged him to stay in town for an indef
mite period: his library should he sent IN
as II LOT use, but really for sale; and the
mouse there would be no difficulty in let
enauaS s,ng ior :, some e nifty pounds a year-just
enough, II the worst came to the worst to
save him from destitution. OF course he
must break the habits and the connections
OF h1etime; unless he were SO fortunate
career, of which he had painfully it'll.
hope The proba bility was that he wonid
come to be thankful for hack work at the
brltisn museum. such as he himself had
Cccaslonally employed poor devil to do
ere yet the day Of evil dawned on his Hfe
Ihe resolve taken. he bore up manfulIy
Al ne had to do before actually leaving
the town was to go through his nanars
destroying and packing, and meanvhiie to
wear the accustomed face. Not a soul sus
pected him. He even took the chair at the
snIuai am ,dn h,eet,ng OF the Literary Society,
brilliant Not the faintest hint that he
might be obliged to sever his connection
with this and other local organization
Two, Two days avs later our learned fellow-towns-
man was reported as usual in the boroueh
press. with wonted enccmium; and Mar
fleet smiled dolefully as he glanced at the
] familiar column. " >--S
He knew the day of Miss Clouds re-
turn; the day before would see his de-
| parture. TO meet her, and answer uues-
ton! tions s!,,sl, about his historical essay. was a
less she had mentioned the matter to other
people. and this disaster alone would have
been all but sufficient to drive him into exile.
How foolish to have spoken of his attempt!
But 1t was all one now. On the last day he
sat hour after hour in his study. totally
pnoeeupied. pie his mind miserable blank;
| he sat till late at night, and on going to he'd
had but snatches Of unrefreshine sleen.
Early next morning, when only the hum
bier classes Of the townsfoik were about. a
cab conveyed him to the station His sery-
ants understood that he would be away
for two or three weeks-nothing more.
When the moment came for breaking up
the establishment, he must rely upon his
| sister, or her husband, resident few miles
out Of town. to transact the necessary
business for him. Before midday he arriy-
ed in London, and went first Of all to a