Chicago eagle. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1889-19??, 1896-12-05
CHAPTER vr.-(continuedJ

CHAPTER v1.-(Contlnued.)
Lady Renton and her brother have been
iovited to dine at Carronby House on
Christmas Day, and 1t is not until Christ
mas Day that Gladys meets Jennie after
their mutual understanding. She has
watched for him each morning since. hut
she has watched In vain. The only sign
she has received thnt he remembers her
II conveyed by basket Of Christmas
roses, which she finds In her room OH the
evening Of that day. As she fastens some
Of the pure, waxcn-looking, white How
crs. with their golden petals. In her hair
and bosom. she wonders why her fingers
trembie. and laughs ncrvously ns she
catches a reflection of her flushed anu
agitNtsSi features In the mirror.
"POor, dear Jemmic." she thinks. Il
shall be glad when this meeting Is over,
for his sake. / dare say he Is nervous.
Boys are so foolish; but he will feel better
afterward, and then We can go on IN the
old way again"
She IL relieved when she desccnds TO
the dining room to find 1t full OF GUESTS
and Lady Uenton and Mr.. Brooke among
them. She has to apologize for her late
appearance, and her futtered manner ana
uneasy lnugh pass muster ms excuses.
She dare not lift her eyes TO Jennie =
face. but she colors brightly under the
pressure of his hand when he comes for
ward to greet her. and the Christmas
roses I'm her bosom rise and fall lie living
things.
"Are you glad to see me, Gladys" he
whispers.
She does not answer. but her breast
hesveS. and her white teeth clinch them
selves upon her lower lip to hide Its trem'
bling. Mr.. Brooke regards her In silence.
aud in,erpvets her agitation Alright.
"Ny darling" he says In . low voice,
% he leads her into the dining room.
After this the Christmas dinner passes'
for two people there at least. like trou,
bled dream. Gladys eats nothing, and
fer hand shakes NO she can hardly Keep
up the scmblance of eating.
81 have not thanked you yet. Jennie.
for your roses. You see. hope, TINT l
am wearing them. md l like them more
than all my other presents put together
che says. when later they find themselves
together ngnin.
"Ilnd l dared I would have sent you
something better" he replies.
"You could not, had you tried. You
know you have taught me yourself to love
going TO ask you to take this" she says,
In rather n timid manner, as she holds out
q ring set with a single diamond, to him.
Uand wenr Il In remembrance Of this
Christmas Day" =.
III thank you for the thought, Gladys
he answers; "but would rather not
"NiountcarrOn did not give II to me-
returns Gladys. quickly. ut was pres
ept from my father on my sixteenth birth
day, aud I wore It till-tili last July.
Please take II, Jennie. wore II for
three years, and would like to think
you wore 1t now"
"If that II the case I will accept It,"
replies Mr.. Brooke. gravcly. drawing th'
ring upon his little finger. "and 1t II need
less to tell you I shall value 1t. Gladys.
need something to comfort me- he con-
tinues, raising his weary eyes to hers,
"for am going away"
"Golny away! Whercf" she asks, In
disniay.
II have decided TO go M to London,
end study for the bar. l think ! have
told you It was the profession for which
ms father intended me. And 1t II one
luckily for me-which a man may enter
Ut any age"
"But you have no need Of a profess
sion," says Gladys. brcnthlcssly. "You
had relinQuished all thoughts Of embrace
3ng one. What has made you alter your
decision9"
"Can you ask me. Gladys?''
81 mean-why should you not stay al
Eutiey, as you have always done? There
= plenty to occupy You there, II you want
OccupatiOnY" =,
"Eecause Nutley In too near Carronby. v
he answers. simply. "Besidcs ! have
more need Of a profession now than ever
must have something to divert my
. thoughts, and know Of nothing better
than hard work. I ought not to have
come here tonight. Gladys. ! am toe
weak even to stand In your presence.
shOuh not have done 10, had 1t not been
for the last time"
Her eyes seek his like those Of fright
socd fawn. She hears nothing--know'
nothing-.exccpt that he 10 about to leave
her.
.Oh, ,1emmiew she exclaims, pathetl
caily; "don't 20. Don't leave me alone
You are the only friend care for In the
world"
He raiaes his eyes-vcry weary and
isnguA they look, az IL he were tired Of
6ghtins with himself, but very full OF
Iassion-Aud 6xes them upon her plead
ing face.
"Will you tale the responsibility Of my
staying on yourself, Gladys"
She does not understand the full mean
ing Of his words, but II she did she would
answer just rs boldly. 1t Is her nature
TO he reckless, and her education hal
made her more 10.
eyes. win take all the responsibility
n you will stay, and will be answerabl.
for nothing IL you go away. You are my
only friend and adviser. II you leav.
me l shall 60 all wrong, and poison
MountcarrOn. or do something awful
oh, Jennie! promise me that you vii
stay"
~ do promise" he replies. "IIeavcr
forgive me II l am wrong to do No, hui
you have broken down all my resolutions
and made me weak as water. For goo,
or for evil, Gladys, ! will stay"
CHAPTER VII.
After this the Christmas week passes
merrily. The guests of Carronby amus'
themselves with riding. dancing and act
ing charades, and Lady Mountcarron ant
Mr.. Brooke are the gayest and mos
mirthful of them all. 1t has been paten
TO all her family that Gladys does no
love her husband. That fact Is nothing
new. But she has never openly expresses
her Indifference, nor evinced a palpabl'
dislike to him, And now she does.