The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1897-09-09
copyright, 1s97, by the Author.1

II was In its effects then that Lsola's
olevernsss in giving the pledge not to
marry without Lady Walcote's consent
was proved. II was difficult 10 accept
the promise as anything but proof Of
the girls complete good faith, and %
this It prevailed with Lady Walcote.
She had gone to the interview con-
WINGED OF Lola's deceit and with Q
strong belief that, II only she could
strip of the veil, . past more or less
compromising would be seen, but the
interview had changed much Of this
opinion, and again in this the girls
shrewdness had been great.
She had not attempted to make her.
self too white. She had painted her past
as having its evil associations and con-
neotions with which she would neces-
sarily be brought in contact. Her plea
was that she had not been injured In
the contact. Had she pleaded that there
was no sort Of guile in her past Lady
Waloote would have rejected the plea
without a word, but the implication
that there was much temptation to do
wrong and the plea that she had been
kept from 1t by the thought Of the honor
Of her family had gone straight home
to one in whom the pride Of race was
like religion.
Another effect Of the interview was
10 convince Lady Waloote that II Jaffray
loved Lola his love was returned to the
full as passionately, and this had ap-
pealed naturally to the mothers heart
softening her judgment Of Lola.
She regretted the affair as much as
ever. She did not believe that Jaffray
would find half 30 much happiness with
Lola as with BeryI, and she would have
cut of her right hand to have him mar
ry Beryl instead of Lola. but the sting
of her opposition was gone because the
reasons for 1t were changed.
Sir Jaffray saw this almost as soon az
he met his mother at the carriage door
and gave her his arm into the house.
"Well, mother?' he asked as eager
~ almost as boy.
"What say will not stop you, Jaf-
fray, know. You are set on this mar
riage, and I can see In it disaster as
plainly as can see Lola's beauty" He
noticed the use Of the Christian name
and was pleased. IF you do what I
wish, you will not marry her."
"And if I cannot think as you do?'
he asked.
II shall not stand in the way any
longer"
II am glad"- he began, but she in
terrupted him at once.
Don't misunderstood me. I am as
much opposed to 1t as ever, but since
seeing Lola I have changed some Of my
thoughts I dread the maj iage and
fear the consequences, but you shall not
find me otherwise than ready to try to
welcome your wife, even if my heart is
full Of foreboding"
II am glad," said Sir Jaffray quiet
~, and he kissed her.
It was not a very suspicious consent,
but Sir Jaffray was satisfied. He knew
how strongly his mother had desired the
marriage with Beryl and how hard she
always fought against giving way in
any much cherished project. He was
pleased also at the thought that Lola
had thus won her round from what
seemed an unoompromising and irwin
chile resistance.
"And Beryl. mother?" he added aft
er pause.
II will see her myself" said Lady
Walcote. "And now that you have con-
quered in all"-she smiled sadly-"let
me CO."
He opened the door Of the room
where they had stood, and as she passed
out he said:
II know all that this means to you,
mother. I shall never forget 1t all my
life"
She answered with smile and
glance laden with love, but yet sad.
When he was alone, he became
thoughtful and restless, and after wan
dering through the house and round the
stables he had his horse out and set out
for q hard gallop across country-an
old habit.
He met his mother again at dinner
and was sorry to notice kind Of re-
serve between them. Neither mentioned
the name Of either Of the girls who
formed the subject of the thoughts Of
both until the end of dinner, when, as
Lady Walcote was leaving the table, she
said:
II have written to Beryl, Jaffray,
thinking you would like the thing set
tied at once and not feeling equal to q
Journey to Torquay."
II am glad. You are as thoughtful
as usual he said. Then, as if seeking
her opinion, be added, II was thinking
of going back to Torquay.
The old lady paused.
at might be trial to you both, but
If you could have some sort of explana-
ton IL would smooth the future, and
Beryl is very dear to me-"
On that he resolved to go, and, that
Beryl might have warning of his COM
ing and so avoid an interview If she
pleased, he wrote little note to Mrs.
De Witt, saying that be proposed to re-
turn to Torquay on the following day
and that If they were not staying or
had other plans she had better wire
him in the morning. There was no tel
egram by noon the next day, however,
and he started with questionable antioi-
pations of his talk with Beryl.
One effect of his letter to Mrs. De
Witt he had not counted on. She thought
that the letter to her came as result Of
their friendship. aud she met him alone
at the station.
"I'm glad you've come back, Ma
gog," she said. II thought you would.
had to use my wits, though, to get rid
of Beryl-those innocents are always
such stiokers-but I've done it. Your
letter was quite stroke of genius.
She laughed and flashed at him look
which she meant as Il signal of her pleas