The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1897-09-16
copyright. 1GN. by the Author.1

Yet there had never been sign Of
hostility or resentment on Beryl's part
at the breaking Of that old tacit engage
ment and the wreoking Of Der life.
Why was this?
Lola had puzzled over that problem
more than once, and the episode of the
dinner table showed her now that the
answer to it might be the hinge on
which the whole future Of her life at
Walcote manor might turn.
Given that Beryl harbored any sus-
picion and that by any freak Of fortune
she could get at the truth. how would
her old love for Sir Jaffray prompt her
to actf
II should strike at any cost" thought
Lola, "but we are very different She
may have that power Of self sacrifice
which I have not, and it may be that If
7 could control other things" and she
glanced in disgust at Pierre Turrian,
"she would even do nothing. wonder
what she thinks"
"You seem very quiet, Lola, !" said
Sir Jaffray, coming to her side at this
moment He had glanced several times
at bis wife and had noticed how unusu-
ally preoccupied and silent she was.
"Yes, / was listening for once" she
answered, smiling.
Where is Beryl? Turrian is going to
sing, and I know she would like to hear
him.
"she went away with the mother.
I'll 70 and tell her." And Lola, glad
to be alone for o moment, went out Of
the room.
She did not 60 directly to Lady Wal
oote's rooms, but when she reached the
long, broad eorriaor which led to them
she staid and walked two or three times
the full length of 1t. pursuing the train
Of thought which had been interrupted.
While she WAS thus occupied Beryl
came out Of one of the rooms and stood
in astonishment watching Lola, who
was 80 absorbed that's did not hear
the door open.
When she reached the end Of the cor
rider and turned, Lola for the first time
noticed Beryl and thought that the girl
was Watching her.
"Aren't you well, or 10 anything the
matter, Lola"' asked Beryl.
''What should be the matter?" re-
turned Lola little irritably, for Beryl's
cold manner always seemed to ruff1e
her, and she was annoyed now at hay
ing been found doing what was unusual.
II was coming to ask you if you would
not like to hear M. Turrian sing. He is
going to sing now"
at is very good Of you to think Of
it," said Beryl. "I'll come. should
like to hear him. He interests me-"
"It was not I who thought Of it, but
Jaffray," answered Lola. II mustn't
claim credit that belongs to him.
"Well, you came to fetch me at any
rate" replied Beryl, with a smile that
warmed her face and lighted it. Then
in different tone she said as they went
down stairs together: IN. Turrian is
strange character. He seems to show
new side every time see him. I have
not heard him before In the role Of story
teller" ..
"Have you mott" answered Lola in
differently. II am rather surprised at
that He prides himself on bis powers
a good deal, and Jaffray thinks much
of him on account Of them"
But though Lola had answered light
ly she had an instinct that there was
something behind the remark which
menaced mischief.
As the two entered the drawing room
together Lola glanced round her rapid
ly, with a curious sense that in some
way crisis was at hand; but, meeting
her husbands eyes, which rested upon
her with an expression Of warm love,
she smiled him back signal and went
and stood close to him, as though safe
in the strength of bis protection.
Beryl crossed to Mrs De Witt and sat
by her, looking chilled and half re-
strained, taking the chair which M.
Turrian offered her with exaggerated
gesture and politeness.
linen tho tre0Cnman WeUG 10 tne
piano, where Lola and her husband
stood together, and sang to Lola's ac-
compartment.
When he sang, 1t was difficult to
think of him as connected with any
thing OWL. He had marvelously rich
and sweet tenor voice, which he used
with consummate skill as the vehicle Of
every phase Of emotion.
Beryl sat listening half in dream,
leaning back in her chair and drinking
in tho Intoxicating sweetness of the
mans voice as it swept at will the un-
derlying chords of her nature.
Satan certainly had voice like
that when he sang to Eve about that