The Monmouth inquirer., 1898-10-27

tAC COIn nCA6 . III Ills LlOutl. II 10 AaAOAJ
likely that Miss Errol-with her at
tractions--will be allowed to COM
plain of solitude"
In part, she understood his meaning,
and flush stole to her cheeks.
You mean that / shall marry" she
said her gaze turned towards the fire.
''That is the idea / wished to con-
vey," he answered. Such an event
does not seem at all improbable"
"You are mistaken" she retorted.
81 shall never marry
Il do not see why" he said, with
quiet decision. ''It ought to be every
woman's aim to make some good man
happy. Why shsuld you not fulfill that
same mission?"
She shrugged her shoulders, and
pushed her foot petulantly against the
fender.
Don't talk about missions" she
said, they always lead to such un-
pleasant results--cannibal and all
that sort of thing"
He smiled.
He saw she was anxious to turn the
conversation from the point in ques-
ton, and he did not press the subject.
by the way he observed, Il have
never quite understood what induced
you to suddenly dissolve partnership
with your friends, the lions. Did my
entreaties, at last, prevail?"
My cousin urged me to discontinue
the performance, she answered, with
out looking at him.
you are speaking of Mr.. Wilber-
force?"
''Yes, my Cousin Mare"
Il wonder he allowed you to remain
here all these weeks-within reach of
temptation"
"He could not help himself" Rose
answered. Besides, what temptation
was there, when once had given that
promise? Nothing could make me
break my word to him."
"Mr. Wilberforce knew you better
than did," Monckton said. HE un-
derstood how far he could trust you.
He did not even suggest my going
away. Where else could have found
homer"
There is one waiting for you now.
Miss Enrol, and I hope, with all my
heart, you will be happy at Drayton
Court"
She shook her head-somewhat sad
ly it seemed to the man who was
watching her.
ut is SO far away" she said. What
shall de there, all by myself?"
I'm the first Place, you will have to
have a companion or chaperone-a lady
of good birth and small means, who
could take you about. and in a general
way, fulfill the functions society would
demand of her"
81. should hate the sight of her."
Rose said, 81 have had my own way SO
much. I could not bear to be held un-
der restraint, and by a stranger, too'
You could get used to her in time;
you must have somebody with you"
"Then I should prefer Mrs. West"
"But would she care to leave her
husband?" with the suspicion of
twinkle In his eyes.
mo. I suppose she would not; she
would have to bring him with her"
And would ne, il turn, be accom-
panied by the cireus?"
She looked at Monckton, and saw he
was laughing at her.
ut would not do to have anybody
she said. IF Drayton Court is to be
my home, l shall have to live there
dlOu6-dlu uUW WItlChcQ 4 6ndli DC-
TT will not be SO bad as you ant1ci-
pate" he answered Besides, are your
pleasures here of such an enticing ma
ture?"
She was silent.
Gazing into the fire, she seemed tc
see, in the glowing embers, the face
that was scarcely ever absent from her
thoughts-Marc's face.
In her heart she knew why she
dreaded leaving this homely roof.
Scarcely day passed without vis-
1t from Marc-busy as he now was
with his painting; for he had returned
to his art, with Lew zest, and was
bringing all his will to bear upon his
work
If she went into the country, she
knew she would not see him very fire.
quently.
He would not be able to spare the
time for the journey.
1t was this conviction that made her
dread going to Drayton Court
She would lose sight of Marc again,
and how much his companionship was
to her, she herself scarcely under
stood.
For long time after Mr.. Monckton
had left her. she sat gazing into the
fire
Life had gone on so smoothly since
Marc had found her, since he had
claimed her as his kinswoman
She was not anxious for any change.
Taken altogether Sunnyside was a
pleasant home; everybody there was
kind to her-and it was so convenient
ly near Mares studio.
While she sat dreaming in the fire.
light, she heard the iron gate, that cut
off the front garden from the road,
swing back on its hinges.
Her heart throbbed, and soft rose
flush came to her cheeks.
Springing to her feet, she hurried
out into the hall, and opened the en-
trance door.
Marc stood out in the wind, snow
fla res clinging all about him, smile
on his handsome face.
Rose he said, taking off his hat.
and holding out his hand to her, did
you expect me in this evening""
Il hoped you would come" she ans
we. ed, closing the door as he entered,
and giving him her hand syVhaf !, lof