Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1896-01-23


Hopctoun positively trembled with |
suspense. Neither epistle vouchsafed |
any precise information, and it was |
impossible to determine what the term
fairly well" might signify. He de-
rived the most encouragement from his
uncle's invitation Though even that |
might be only courteous preliminary
to u snub), and after a flying visit to
Hampstead he took his courage in both
hands and bought another railway
ticket.
Lord DrillinghaIn was in the library
when he arrived, and Arnold, disap-
pointed in his expectation OF having
word with Kitty first, entered with
trepidation.
Good morning, sir" he said, "this is
very kind of you. / won't affect to be
ignorant that my cousin has told you
of our love for each other, and thank
you for your letter.
Drillingham waved white hand to-
wards an armchair.
"Iet us chat" he said. Kate has
surprised me very much. had no idea
sof this. none at all! Yes, l am sur
DrlScu, anu, YOU Woh ''hN MY sly
ing. Arnold that am not exactly over
joyed?"
"Naturallv," said his nephew; mo.
] could not hope for you to be over
joyed." His fairness was delicious.
"As a man of the world you see it.
Kate might have married anybody
say anybody advisedly. know that
Lady Damer will resent this attach
IIent of hers bitterly. 1t is not what
we looked for--no, mol" lie paused,
aud delicately licked or the ash from
his cigar. AT the same time he con-
tinued, while Hopetoun gazcd at him
lelplessly, at the same time Kate is
girl of remarkably strong sense. She
resembles the Drillinghams in both
vays-her intellect, and in her beauty;
lam not disposed to thwart Kate"
"You are very good" said Hopetoun.
81 like you, tool am very fond Of
you, my boy, MS think you know, am
endeavoring to serve you ofiicially-I
want to see you make your way in tho
world"
Then you do not refuse? IL may
) hope?"
What propose is this. Take few
months, both of you, to make certain
YOU have not mistaken your own
minds. In the meantime the matter
need not be made public, and | will con-
tinue my efforts Oh your behalf. Come
down here as often as you like. See
each other as much rs you like after
we return to town. 1t can be an en-
; gagemcnt to all intcnts and purposes
for the present, and by and by if you
are both still sure of yourselves. it can
be announced to the world. Does that
satisfy you?"
at delights me-" declared Arnold
. truthfully. at is most generous OF
!. you. | thank you deeply, SIR"
"Then,' said Lord Drillinghnm, 'gc
y out to Kitty, who is doubtless impa
/ tent to see you! And if you will be sc
: good pull down that blind first; ! think
!, could manage nap il | tried"
- Arnold found her in the morning
room, and seized both her hands ant
wrung them.
II "Best of cousins!" he exclaimed
! most brilliant of diplomatists! How
~ did you do it?"
= She smiled cordially.
I'm glad to have served YOU" sh'
said. "And ! don't think you neet
anticipate any lack of zeal on papa
part now. To my own knowledge 1t
! has written two letters about you al
- ready"
"You-you treasure! Kate, SHOULD
u like to wire the glorious news TO Bella
VIII YOU stroll as far as the station?"
! with pleasure she said, "if yo
don't want to intrust the message +
servant. Wait two seconds while
put on my hat. Iou may calm you
excited spirits with a cigarette If yo
n like"
y lie did, nor was she much longe
- than the two seconds. Passonate
:, in love as he was, he could not help It
-, ,nembcring that the lady of his ador;
~ ton always kept him waiting twent
minutes under similar circumstances
!. Now that the plot had been carrie
- out, his embarrassment ia the matte
NJ had vanished, and he found himsel
Il, talking to his cousin as frankly abou