New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-08-09
CHAPTER II.

Such was the lull that preceded tho rrcat
storm.
The storm had been giving signs ~ l,a ap-
proach long before it actually brolo Little
sDeeches little gestures. like the leave ,,hirl-
ing before the rising wind; little misun l'rsthnd-
ings little chdings like the dust clouds, early
showed to Mr. Freke. II To no one else that Eva
Jovce's limit Of endurance was rapidly being
neared What would happen then? Surprising
she threw herself on Archie urquharts protec-
ton appealed TO his pity (Which pity the world
would have US believe, is akin TO love-, what
might Archie do? The possibility Of that might
alarmed Mr.. Freke. for the first time In his life,
into actually deciding upon doing something and
into violating the only principle by which his life
was governed-that principle which, IN those
who succeed. is called mastery inactivity, ana
In those who fail drifting
And so. one fine afternoon. taking his courage
IN both hands Zone hand would really have con-
tanned all he possessed) Frederick Freke turned
into the Lloyds' gate, resolved TO propose to Eva
joyce before the sun went down.
How unpromising the occasion turned out TO
be- in spite Of all Mr.. Frekes preparations for the
dread interview! AS Mr.. Freke was immovably
a steady man. that whisky and soda, OF which
the fragrance still fingered around him. must
have been necesstated by the heat not by that
sinking Of the inner man which makes the diff
dent betake himself to Dutch courage Yet at
first sight 1t appeared as though he had disar.
ranged his internal economy and bereft himself
OF an appetite for dinner-all In vain
For Mrs Lloyd was out In the garden under
The great trees in the shade, and entertaining
the whole missionary body.
srorted by men whO most of them, ought TO
have been ashamed, at their ages, to handy
words as they were attempting 10 40 win EVa.
Archie IJrouhart, leaning gloomily against a tree
In the background. was watching with thor
oughly ill-tempered scowl on his face-the tea
table group, was 1t? NO, IL must nave peeh
something the tea table hid from his (Mr.
Freke's) view for when Eva turned around to
speak TO him Archie gave n great start and
blushed a most hot, unaccountable crimson
And Mr. Freke, walking up to Mrs. Lloyd, to
shake hands with her, the little group In the
background which had been hidden from him be-
fore. -
ONLY young missionary, very young, very
Main and very much In earnest. who had drawn
his chair particularly close TO Lima Aliens, and
was talking increasingly to her. And. on guard,
with an odious simper on her faded countenance,
the redoubtable Miss Brown. Lna's guardian
and tormentor .,.,o.
Mr. Lloyd prowling around the tea table, flung
the words with O backward jerk OF his thumb
over his shoulder, at the entire company OF black
coats who forthwith turned their heads as one
man, while Eva Uttered
''They seem exactly suited for each other.
cept in age" she laughed. There, fancy. she
has the advantage. Don't you think so. Mr.
Urquhart?"
But for once Eva had made slip.
Il think Miss Allen great deal too good for
and | greatly admire that gentlemans taste"
And before Eva had time to make the smart
repartee which set all the black coats coughing
and choking with laughter. Archie Urquhart had
slouched across to Lima. and. thrusting himself
between Miss Brown and her charge. had COM
nt,.d tho Youthful missionary TO transfer his at
tentons to the elder iady' 49,, ,,
Eva made her repartee and her circle applaud,
ed az they had applauded everything she had
W. ID ,Lot afternoon But II was her last
sparkle. in any sense of the term. Her mood
changed noticeaby. so noticeably that the biack
coats began to look at their watches' anu mail
turn toward their respective SPOUSE Mno mis,,
one ear devoted to Mrs. Lloyds shghtiy prosy
anecdotes Of her amahs and children. naa pen
listening with scarcely suppressed lndlsha.io,,
to the conversation around Inc tea '"o'e SHS'N