Chicago eagle. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1889-19??, 1897-03-06
CHAPTER XIV.

wrote to soy that my 8runOmOtneE, ON ueT
deathbed, had bequeataed to me hsr dress
ing case, containing few rare and valua.
bic Jewels, the caly ones saved out Of the
wreck Of tho Damien property; he added
that, 40 the case itself was very old, and.
IN consequence, rather valuable heir
loom, he would not trust It to any hands
but his own, and 10 would ask me 10 wait
until he could pay bis loag.promised visit
to Gray Ashtead.
I began to know something Of the life
Of society young lady" during the next
few days. The house vas full, and the
festivities nevcr.cndine. My engagement
was not to be made public until the ball
on the 9th: but think rumors of It were
freely circulated by the servants. At last
came the famous night had looked for
wnrd to for six weeks past.
The dancing was Mt Its height-that 10
TO say, every one had arrived. and every
one was dancing, when saw figure Gle.
waiting itself, as II seemed, a head am
shoulders above the other people. ! saw
the lamplight on a blonde head, anu
caught n well.remembcred, quiet. self
contained smile.
ut 10 Mr.. Burnside; he has come after
njl," I cried, as I hurried along toward
him. laid light hand on his arm. He
must have been lost In reverie. for, rs i!
touched him, he started violently, and
recovered himself with nm effort.
''Miss Damien! no faltered, cycling me
from head to foot. =.
"When We parted last In Rome" said,
smiling, "you asked inc II, when you came
to Gray Ashtead, l should have a well
come for you. I have not forgotten my
promise! Welcome, Mr.. Burnside!
never saw light break more radiantly
over any face than II did over his then.
Each noble feature was illumined. He
took my hand.
"You arc 30 wonderful and 30 dazzling
tonight" he said, ''you rob me OF my
speech altogether. I need not ask you II
you are well--your looks tell me you arc
suprcmcly well. 1t IL such pleasure to
see you again."
He lifted his eyes as he spoke and look.
cd ut me. Some impulse could not cx-
plain made me drop my own, aud sent the
hot blood to my checks.
II have been thinking" he went on,
steadily, 'of some one who, anon. tho
ruins of tho Coliseum. told mo that one
should thankfully take all the pleasures
one can get. On this still more loathed
my selfish solitude. l began to DO haunt
cd by fancy--Of more brilliant form
than you can picturc--yOu, who live sur.
rounded by no many loving faces. ~
rode up tho drive pictured to myself q
young, fair form on the threshold-witll
welcome for me. When ] sat at my lone
y table, still pictured my vision smiling
ut me across the dishes; and, sweetest Of
NIL, ~ I sat alone by the fire on my desc
late hearth, my vision came and sat by
me. took my hand. smoothcd my hair
and"
His voice broke on with strange ire
NOR. felt nervous desire to say some
thing to al tho awkward pause.
"Oh, I am so glad to hear you talk like
this" I said: ut shows that you IRE
thinking Of being married."
With slight start he turned his eyes
upon me, full Of amaxcment.
I'VE have all wondered 10 often why
you never married." blundered on; "and
/ am 30 sure you would bc fur happier
with some one to love you, as you say
have felt the delight Of Il 10 myself-cvei
since my engagement to Rayvcnham."
He had my costly fan In his hands ~
sp0ke-and hardly had tho words left m!
lips. when he let It fall sharply on tn,
tesseilntcd floor. swapping tho mothcr.O'
pearl In two or three places.
IL am very sorry" he said, after exam
lining the broken toy In complete silence
for minute. ut was very clumsy; IN,
] interrupted you In something you wer,
saying. Miss Damien?'
"I-only mcntioncd-I thought 20,
would know. Did not Aunt Resale tel
your"
.'She told me no news. Did ! under
stand you to say you were engaged Il
your cousin RayvenhamY
EYES,"
He did not congratulate me. He leaned
his elbows on his knees, aud his forehead
ON his hands. A sudden trembling scixet
me. ! wondered what was passing In. bill
mind. After minute he raised his heal
and slowly turned his eyes to me. Will,
his fingers played nervOusly with bis lonl
anustache.
"All this time I have never congratu
lated you, Miss Damien. What a savag,
sou must think me! Please put II dowI
TO the mental isolation have just beer
through. ! believe was right In tellin,
Mr.. Carewe that was unit. just now
for a houseful Of company. DO not b,
surprised II ! am gone before you ar,
down to breakfast tomorrow. My
take your fan with me to get It mended
No, do not ask me to stop; had better
20, believe me. One thing must say I.
you: have brought with me the Jewel
case ! promised y0u-the one which be
l0nged to Mrs. Burnside. want you Il
he very careful ,Of. It; never let II froll
your own keeping, and do not talk Of
that 10, do not let any one outside tn,
family know Of its contents. Above all
never give away anything that It con
tains. Promise"
II do"
He hesitated q moment, towering ovel
me. and nervOusly making holes with hi
program pencil In glossy camelia leat
which grew near. have that leaf still
pierced through with little holes In tn,
form OF. the letter 0. As passed fro,l
the warm twilight of the cOnservatOr!
back into the full glare Of the ball room
felt as II had dreamed dream.
CHAPTER XVI.
had very long and loving epistles from
Rayvenham after bis return to Oxford
but they .disquieted me rather, for h,
said that Lady Lascelles Hervey hal
taken a house there for three months
aud that her niece. Ermyn Lyndon. wa,
staying with her. knew, somehow. tina
Ermyn Lyndon did not wish me well, ant
the thought troubled me. However,
put It aside and set myself to shake OF
the strange depression which had seizet
me.