The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1897-10-09
CHAPTER x


long vacation at once The slowneSs Of
the train was disgraceful. If the train
seemed slow. what shall | say about the
cab: 1t crept along no faster than an
infirm snail; the wheels seemed stiff and
rheumatical, the body of the vehicle lead;
but it did at last deposit me at the door
Of the pretty little fir-tree hidden house
taken by Lady Estmere during her stay
at the seaside.
valentine and Claudine are out, sad
Lady Estmere They did not expect you
so early. You will find them on the sands
at the pier But you must have cup
of tea first. and, Mr.. Norris, | want to say
a few words to you
bushe1 to the roots Of my hair she
looked very sad and there was regret III
her last sentence.
"Oh, Lady Estmere"' | exclaimed I'M
pulsivety, Il could not help it-who could
after seeing CIaud-Miss Neville: L tired
all | could to conquer it, but II was no
uSeI'
Poor boy she said with Il faint smile.
Il know YOU did. Valentine told me. lie
has persuaded me-you know his way,
Philip-that it is all for the best. People
always tel you that, when your dearest
hopes go wrong But | blame no one,
least Of all you, for Claudlne Is very
lovely"
.'She is / cried enthusiastically. An.
Lady Estmere, you will gain another son.
for, if you will let me. | will love you as
the mother | never knew
so re it." she said: Il will try ana
grow content But after all, we are set
Ting everything without consulting the
principal person.
am afraid | drank my tea at the risk
Of scaIding myself-at any rate refused
Il second cup Lady Estmerc, who guess
ed my impatience, soon set me free
hurried down to the beach-the most
likely place, l thought, to find the cousins.
| saw gentleman in summer attire lying
on his back with a broad hat over his
eyes. Seated by him. on hillock OF
sand, was Claudinc. ! knew her quar-
ter of a mile away. and noticed with JOY
her start and look of pleasure as she rec
oguized ne. | was close by them, even
holding her hand, before Valentine was
aware of my presence. | found her
strangely silent. Valentine ratified on
mcrrily, and the time slipped by until We
decided that dinner must be thought Of.
1t was only when we reached Lady Est
mere's house that l found 4 chance of
saying a word for Claudiue's ear alone.
Valentine had passed on.
"Claudiup." | said. az turned the han
die of the gate, YOU remember how we
last parted; YOU know why have come.
Shalt ! go or stay:'
She answered nothing. but a vivid
blush was on The girls cheek as she pass
cd through the open gate. Altogether, |
thought il better to decide to stay.
All happy love messages are the same,
and monotonous and embarrassing enough
to all, save two persons. Claudne did
not keep me long in suspense. | scarcely
remember where ii was | summoned up
courage TO ask her if she loved me: but
from the fact that the odor of pines seems
to mingle with my rccollcctions of that
moment. | fancy it must have been in one
of the many evergreen groves that BoUr-
ncmouth boasts. | asked her simply and
earnestly, as a true man should ask Il
! woman, if she loved me, and raising her
clear eyes to mine. she answered frankly
as a true woman should but she added:
Il think l have loved you ever since
we first met Philip"
Then hand i'll hand we went to Lady
Estmere. and received her good wishes
and Valentines unaffectedly hearty CON
ordinations
\ fortnight soon passed away-thc hap
pest time my life had as yet known. And
now its nights dreaming was over; Lady
| Estmerc would return to town; Claudiue
was due at n friends Valentine and |
were planning 4 second holiday together.
and had accepted an invitation to STAY
with Lord Rothwcli at a place of his in
the North, where he promised us good
i-Jn
US visit. Our noble friend was closetcd
some time with Lady Estmnrc, whose
eyes bore traces of tears whom she reap
peared among us. He returned to town
the same evening. and asked me to ac-
company him 10 the railway station. From
his manner fancicd he wanted me alone.
so | tore myself away firm Claudnc.
Il am very sorry to hear about this"
he said, as we walked together.
You mean You are glad. Lord Roth
we'll
NO, | mean what l say-verv sorry.
foresee trouble and acknowledgements"
You are thinking of Valentine and
Lady EStmerc's disappointment" | said
NO, | am thinking about yon-and
Claudine-the match is neither desirable
nor suitable"
Va Nhi'h' S''t, idtAtF HauSHtll},
! fear.
For neither Now, don't catch on fire
like that. Philip. | am only speaking rs
| friend You can scarcely have the
face to marry Il girl like Miss Neville.
| who has thousand Il year, without a
halt-prnny of Your own to keep it com
pany."
This was the truth: but he pat it with
! nm col u,
! unpleasant.
Yes, | must wait until | know that my
father will guarantee an income. or until
| make one for myself
Fathers don't see with their sons owes,
Philip Don't think ] am blaming YOU
for your choice. my boy Claudine is very
beautiful. am only bidding Won pre-
pare against disappointment Few get
their hearts desire in this world Philip.
have told Claudinc all have told You.
be added
l walked slowly back to Lady Est
mcres, wondering what be meant 10y his
gloomy forehodjEgs and mysterious say
insS. and determined to consult CiaUdino
, on the matter, She was As much puzzled
as | was He had spoken in a similar
way Ia her. and, naturally. his words had
affected and troubled her more than they
had ME, He was such a valued friend of
ali that the girls disappointment was
great when she found his COugrat rlla-
tons were tempered with melancholy
( prophecies. Anyway, after looking al the
! subject i'll every light, we could only de
| eide Que thing that We loved each other
/ as no two people have loved yet-and. i'll
| spite Of unknown evils the world could
| work 10 mar our joy, we would defy al
| and everything.
CHAPTER Nj
| After pleasure. duty-a convenient and
! not uncommon reversal Of an old saying.
! ClaudiI. has gone 10 pay ug-promiSed
! visits. Gone after the usual VOWS. prom
| Uses and adieUs. Gone. but leaving ne
/ the dearest recollection Of the true>t.
| most trusting look of the sweetest eyes