The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1897-09-07

| !, Hhs got up, TO- and stood in his wy
II don't see why you should want h
hide what you've been doing"
"That would be dificult from YOU
sharp eyes, wouldn' it!" And he smiled
down At her good humoredly.
why don't you tell me all about IL
thenf'
"Thsre's 70 little in IT, you know.
Only two lettsrs-I and another"
II rec. You would rather ! learned
1t from the other, then. ] Can ast.her. -
II never said there was anything to
ask, please"
''Do you know that Beryl has had
letters from the manor2" asked Mrs. De
Witt, changing her line suddenly, irri-
tated at his fencing with her.
"How can I? haven't seen her since
they came"
"Your mother has written to her. I"
This was said as though with special
Significance.
"TLe dear mother! She has the best
heat in the world" he replied.
'tBGt she doesn't like the second let
ter OF that little it," And she sought
his eyes with challenge in her own.
'1f she has fault, am afraid she's
too fond Of the first letter. I've had my
own way all my life, " he answered, re-
turning her look and smiling.
/ She made pretty gesture Of irrita-
ton.
"You're more than provoking today,
Magog. At one time you didn't keep
secrets from me-"
"There are some secrets that are not
worth keeping from any one, little wom-
an, he replied. Then he changed his
manner and tone completely, and lay
ing hand on her shoulder said earnest
ly and kindly: "Don't worry; wait.
I'm only fencing"
II know that, you great-boy," she
answered. "But want to know more"
"All right; I understand. Well,
Beryl," he said, breaking off in differ
ent tone, as his cousin came out and
Joined them, II hear you have letters
from home"
The girl started slightly at this, and
her usually calm and rather cold fea-
lures flushed somewhat, as If the words
had some embarrassing reference known
to herself.
"Yes, I have had one from the moth
er." The two always spoke of Lady
Walcote as 1.-THE mother" Beryl being
motherless.
"Is anything up at the manor?" he
asked, noticing her concern.
''No. Everything is just as it was
when we left week ago. The mother
has not been very well; worried, she
says. She asks me to give you this let
ter" The tint on her cheeks deepened
somewhat as she held out to him q let
ter and met his eyes, looking at her
with direct and rather searching in
quiry.
While he opened the envelope, Beryl
turned to Mrs. De Witt.
"Do you know the news? Mrs. Will
yers is going home-tonight, I think, or
first thing tomorrow"
mo, I hadn't heard it," answered
Mrs. De Witt, looking with keen,
qnick glance at the baronet and sur
prised to see him start and flush and
then, with an effort, recover his self
possession.
1.-THE dear motheri' he exclaimed,
folding up the letter with a care and
precision which to the keen eyes watch
ing him were overdone. "She is the
very best soul in the world. What is
that about Mrs. Villyers? Going home?
That is coincidence. I am going homo
tonight. We must travel together if
that can be arranged"
Good" exclaimed Mrs. De Witt;
Every good and very natural. Magog,
you have inherited all your mothers
goodness of heart and have developed
with it all your own powers of acting.
This little surprise visit of yours will
give her such delight. She loves to have
you with her, talking over all your
plans with the frank innocence of |
childhood, and it will be SO pleasant to
travel with-dear Mrs. Villyers."
A dry little smile passed over Sir
Jaffray's face.
"You are keen thought reader" he
said.
What plot are you two Matching
now?" said Beryl, looking from one to
the other. II hoped you were going to
stay" she began to Sir Jaffray, but
then checked herself.
II had intended to stop, Beryl," he
said, looking at her steadily, "but am
to go homo to see the mother
after this letter." holding it up. 'If
you wish it, Of course I'll come back.
You know l always like to do what
you wish if possible. The mother knows
that too"
Beryl so rarely showed her feelings
that the deep scarlet blush which now
rushed over her face, coloring it vivid
red from the roots Of her rich brown
lair downward as she rose and made
IN excuse and went indoors hastily,
both her companions, and es.
2ecially Mrs. De Witt, who did not zee
anything in the baronets words to
,ause it and did not understand the
in them.
where are we all this afternoon,
dagog?' she asked in perplexity.
"Where we were not last week and
hall not be tomorrow" he answered
ententiously and with SMILE
"Are you turning sphinx?" she ask
d, little irritably.
mo, I'm only the soothsayer, wait
ng to see what I ought to say and act
ng on instructions. " And with that he
vent into the house.
IF I don't read that very clever Miss
Iola's hand in this, may never fiirt
gainp' exclaimed Mrs. De Witt to her.
elf as soon as she was left alone. "But
IL find out from her what passed this
fternoon, if have to ask the question
oint blank"
Meanwhile Sir Jaffrey had gone to
cad over again and answer the letter
rom his mother, aud he ensconced HIM
elf in a corner Of the smoking room.
II wish she hadn't gone so soon," he
wasn't thinking Of his mother
hen, however. ut makes it look as if
was following her; but, by Jove, it (