New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-10-03


an insult followed impertnence his blood began
to boil with shame for the honor Of a noble
countess.
The occasion OF the uproar was mere uiAe
The poor little goyerness had for few minutes
forgotten her position and her responsibilities
and had accepted the invitation OF some OF the
girls Of the house party to make up set at
lawn-tennis one Of the little girls, her charges
had taken the opportunity to wander away
among the lowcr beds and get lace frock
torn and dragged.
The culprit had made little defence AZ first
and that in an almost inaudibie voice. but as
the whip Of words still descended he caught
reply given in tones OF quiyering Indignation
What was there in the sound Of her voice to
make him feel rs though something had clutched
at his heart? Trembling he crcpt from his seat
and placed himself 50 as to get 4 glimpse Of the
two wCmen.
The girl stood facing her angry mistress
There were marks Of tears on her flushed checks.
but she held her young body proudly. and her
eyes dashed back answering haught.ness James
Honershain from his hiding place watched her
with di!atng pupils and wildly beating heart
1t was as though from the dim background OF
the past a figure separated itself from a crowd
Of shadows ard became clothed with the live
tints Of flesh and blood. For q moment he lost
count II time 1t was his sister-the sister Of his
youth the sister he had loved. then neglected
and fargotten-who was undergoing insult and
humiliation, and Involuntary he held out pro-
toctive arms Then memory came back 70 him.
and he realized the truth Not her. but her child
the little girl he remembered 70 have held once
on his knee He could recall the touch of that
brown hair against his cheek. And as he saw
her now in her distress he was shaken with a
passion II anger and pity. He would discover
himself 10 the two women and claim her-she
was his-and carry her off from all this wretch
clncss And he took step forward. Blinded
hy his emotion. he had for moment lost sight
II his amb!tions-but only for the moment. The
slight noise produced by his movement among
the bushes caused the Countess TO turn her head
in his direction, and he shrank back. appalled,
Ly a sudden fear of detection There flashed
before his Imagination that womars look of dis
dain at the revelation Of his connection with a
scm-nursemad. his lost prestige among the
rest Of the party. all the uncomfortable conse-
Quences II a family reconciliation. His arms
dropped ut his sides and he crept back to his
seat opposite the white lilac: but. for him. all
the beauty had faded from the April day. lie
could hear the rustic OF thu Countess's dress
the teatabc on the terrace. and the quick step of
the nursery -governcss hurrying back TO her
neglected duties till such time she free
TO 20 and cry her heart out in the solitude OF her
attic
The habit II long years had been too strong for
him. he had let the moment so.
After all he told himself. sitting crouched up
with misery on the garden seat. it was possible
h.. 10 baI Nt.ifh
traordlnary cases Of resemblance. Only, for his
peace Of minds sake. he must never hear her
name He must leave the place that evening
as soon AZ possible. He knew that letters would
have arrived for him 10y the afternoon post. He
would pretend To find in these something that
would require his immediate presence in town.
only to be gone. to be gone, And he rose and
hurried back To the house at a feversh pace
avoiding the terrace and reaching the hall where
he expected to find his letters, by side en-
trance.
A few minutes later he appeared. with an open
letter in his hand. among the party in front of
the house. and. going up To his hostess informed
her. with some INDIFFERENCE of the necessity for
his departure.
1T is too bad Of you. Mr. Homersham, The
punishment for such descrton should be loss If
afternoon tea. But I'm Il forsivng creature. ana
here Is some of my best brew. by way OF stirrup-
cup. l VIII send for the dogcart. You Will Just
catch the $50"
And the Countess handed him cup of tea with
one of her most alluring smiles But her ewes
rested curiously ON the gray. drawn face OF the
man who tried. with dry lips to give her back
an answering smile as. with n shaking hand his
took the cup from her. lkatharinc sylvester In
The Sketch.