Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1898-12-04
CHAPTER VIII.
AN ANNOUNCEMENT.

to know what was the trouble and
anxiety which so wrought upon Karine
Cunningham. She was young, and it
might be that her youth and her sex
what was in reality trifle; yet, even
with my slight knowledge of her, l
could not believe this to be the case.
Many conjectures passed in review
before me, but that which seemed to
carry with it most weight of reason
was the idea that her guardian and his
wife were attempting to coerce her in
to some course which was distasteful
to her. Naturally the thought of an
Objectionable lover occurred to me,
and made my blood run the faster
through my veins. l could not for
give the unknown and possible for be-
ing lover, even though he might be
an Objectionable one.
l longed for the next day to come
that I might see the beautiful girl
again, but scarcely in the same way
that had longed for it before. There
could be no repetition of the half con-
fdences of to-day, the suggestions of
friendship (friendship-what a mock
eryD, the adorable glances which
meant trust, and a gratitude which
had not deserved.
Lady Tressidy would unfortunately,
be present. My visit would be osten-
sibly be paid to her Already began
to dislike her and fancy that her con-
duct towards the young girl entrusted
to her care must have been mysterious
ly atrocious.
No, could not expect much from
the call, having been blessed with an
unexpected glimpse of Heaven which
Still, I thought of little else until the
coming of the very earliest hour at
which I could shew myself in Park
lane on the following day.
Yes, Lady Tressidy was at home,
vouchsafed solemn footman. My
name was announced, and 1 scarcely
ventured to lift my eyes on entering
the drawing-room, lest they should tell
me that Karine was not there. Per-
haps she was ill., Indeed, it seemed
only too likely that she should be So
l wondered l had not mentally con-
ifoH>4d that probability before.
mere were I" lumber of guests as
sembled in the room, it seeuu~a 70 mo
despite the fact that everybody who
was anybody was supposed to be spend
ing the Christmas season far away in
other peoples country houses.
At length, when l had had a few
words with my hostess, the crowd re-
solved itself into a dozen persons at
most, and seeing Karine at far end of
the room surrounded by three or four
demonstrating young men, l desper-
ately resolved to outstay everybody.
l had scarcely more than a glance
and smile from Miss Cunningham,
and then found myself obliged to con-
verse with simulated amiability to a
semi-young woman, who was anxious
/ should know how often she had heard
OF me and my travels" and that she
had read the two or three books l
had been idiot enough to write. Half
an hour passed. l had been passed on
to other ladies, who seemed in my pref
udiced eyes. to bear an astonishing
family likeness, both in mind and face,
to the first of the series. Three or
four people had gone. One or two new
ones had come in, but at last l had
had the good fortune to escape from
the latest on my list of acquaintance.
could still see Karine. She had
got rid OF one of her adorers, but had
a couple yet In hand, and it appeared
to me that she would not be sorry to
bid them adieu.
At all events, her face was as pale
as lily petal held against the light,
her sweet lips dropped wistfully at the
corners, and I thought she spoke but
seldom. The smile with which she
had greeted me had been feeting. and
even as it fingered there had been an
expression in her large soft eyes, which
it CALLED me that l should be too dull
to read. 1t had seemed to me to say:
Something has happened since l saw
you last. Why did you offer me your
friendship, when it was too late to give
me any help?"
No doubt. I told myself, that was
but morbid fancy of mine. If l could
have known the true motive of the
glance 1 should have interpreted what
appeared like unutterably sadness as
mere boredom.
Instead of the earnest appeal or re-
proach, l imagined at most the eyes
intended to say: Il have talked long
enough with these stupid men, none
OF whom have minds above cricket or
euvthAll. RelisvA fae of them, pieAss,.
Rut had not even bean able 70 do