The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1897-09-07
copyright, 1897. by the Author.J

village near Walcote where Mrs. Will.
yers lived. to see for herself what the
girl was like and to judge whether she
could do herself any credit und serve
her own purpose BY taking her up and
bringing her out in London. She was
more than satisfied by her scrutiny,
and as Lola was careful to show some.
what different side of her character to
her from that known to Mrs. Villyers
though not at all more natural-Mrs.
De Witt carried her of there and then
to London, protesting that such O girl
must not be shut up in country box,
but must seek her fortune and her hus-
band in London.
At that juncture, however, Lola
proved her clever shrewdness. After
staying with Mrs. De Witt for few
days she relinquished what was in fact
inexpressibly delightful to her, the pleas
ures of the London season, in order to
return to Mosscombe and Mrs. Villyers.
By that one act she secured forever the
affections of the widow, who would
after that 60 anywhere to please her,
while she did not leave London until
Mrs. Dc Witt had seen how much use
the girl could DO in making the house
attractive to men.
She paid several visits to the lively
little woman's house, and it was in one
of these that she met Sir Jaffray Wal
cote for the first time. He had been
abroad on tour half round the world
hunting and shooting at the time Of Lo.
las arrival in England, and she had
thus only heard Of him by repute. She
knew, moreover. that he was to marry
his cousin, a distant relation of her
own, Beryl Leyoester. whose people
lived near Walcote.
Mrs. De Witt.had spoken much about
him. describing him always as one Of
her chief intimates and suggesting more
in her manner than in her words that
there was an understanding between
them Of the closest and most confden.
tial kind.
The moment that the baronet's eyes
fell on Lola, however. he seemed 70
y
cised over men, and he never had either
strength or inclination to attempt to
resist it,
Perceiving this and knowing in.ui.
lively that any encouragement on her
part would tend to estrange Mrs. Do
Witt from her and being quite unwill-
ing to have so agreeable house closed
against her, Lola held herself in the
strongest reserve against him and when
other Things failed made an excuse aud
returned to Mosscombe.
The baronet soon followed her, how
ever, and, going to Walcote manor,
much to the delight Of his mother. who
quite misunderstood the reason of his
return, began to stalk Lola with as
much persevering patience as he had
been wont to show with some rare
game.
At that time she was on very friend
ly terms with Beryl LEICESTER, and her
quick woman's wit had shown her how
strongly Beryl, who hid her feelings be.
hind mask Of reserve, loved the man
whom, by the common desire Of both
their families, she was to marry. Nor
at the time had Lola the least intention
or desire to come between them.
How that design was first formed she
never quite clearly knew. The baronet's
persistency was one great cause, while
her determination had been greatly
helped by an incident in which his
mother, who had never liked her, had
sighted her and insnlted the memory
Of her father and stirred the fires of that
temper which she knew SO we'll how to
control. But when once the purpose
was formed nothing could stay it, and
she set herself to weave such web Of
witchery over the man as he could not
hope to break.
She knew that the climax was fast
approaching, when, hearing that Mrs.
De Witt and Beryl Leycester were going
to stay at Torquay and that Sir Jaffray
was to be there at the same time, she
persuaded Mrs. Villyers to go there be-
fore them and thus made it appear that
the baronet had followed her.
When he found Lola was staying in
the place, no did not attempt to conceal
his pleasure, and he would have been
with her from morning till night if she
would have allowed it; but, knowing
the strength Of her hold over him, she
sent him away continually to be with
the others, while she herself would
avoid him ostentatiously.
This treatment only fed the fever Of
his passion, however, and, absorbed in
his love for her and desire to have her
for his wife, he was perplexed by the
thousand lovers fears and uncertainties
which the coquetry Of her manner to-
ward him created.
A hundred times in the first few days
of this visit he had resolved to ask her
to marry him, and he sought to make
an occasion, but always they seemed to
be interrupted just when he had begun
to frame the question, and his wits
were too dazzled by his love to see that
Lola herself contrived many Of the in
terruptions.
But on the day when he found her
alone on the veranda he had returned
determined that he would wait no Ion.
ger. He was hungering for the knowl-
sdge that she loved him. When she was
near. he could think Of nothing else.
His mothers objection to the marriage,
bis more than half engagement to mar
y Beryl-every hindrance and caution
Was burned like dead grass in the fierce,
hot flame Of his passion.
Thus he looked at her with the hot
yes Of desperate longing as she sat
With her face resting against her hand
md her eyes bent down, and it was like
! sweet delirium to believe, as he did,
hat the emotion which had brought
he blood to her cheeks and made her
BOSOM rise and fall in loveliest confu-
ion was due to the feelings which he
lad reused in her.
After long pause he moved slowly
,earer to her and nerved himself to
peak.
As he sat down close to her she turn
ID her head and flashed rapid glance
light into his eyes and then as quick
' turned AWAY, the hot blood SURFING