Chicago eagle. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1889-19??, 1898-10-29
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ChAHIHN Ns--NOOuunueuD
They had reached the end Of the plat.
form BY this time, passing the earl and
his companion on the way. The latter
glanced at them quickly. then averted bis
eyes 40 quickly. and a slight angry look
crossed his face. Yet they were hand.
some couple. pleasant to look upon and
we'll suited 10 each other--Lord Keith tall,
stalwart. graceful, In his tweed travelling
suit: the girl slender and charming In
her simple gray gown: and. II they were
not agreeable In MIR. Sinclair's sight, many
an admiring glance followed them. a.
they sauntercd slowly up and down, the
young mans head bent low toward Miss
Hatton's, his blue eyes rarely leaving her
beautiful profile.
my poor roses.' said Miss Hatton soft.
~. They are dropping for want OF wat
or, the poor, pretty things! Are they not
fragrantY'
every fragrant: but I am inclined to be
Jealous Of them" answered the young
man. significantly.
jealous Of them--why PIN q tone Of
surprise. AS to whatf
As to--forgive me-the donor Of your
roses"
She turned her eyes to his face with a
quick look Of questioning surprise.
1.-THE donor Of my howersT she said;
and then she smiled. "Was II not from
you they cameT' she asked.
II regret to have to answer. NO." he
replied, q shadow Of regret clouding his
frank blue eyes.
1T was not your she said quickly.
''Thcn I have been grateful TO the wrong
person all the day. The roses have been
such pleasure to me! Are you sure you
did not send them, Lord KcithT'
quite sure. Who brought them to
"They were on the table of the saloon"
she replied slowly. ''Some one had left
them there for me-"
A quick. angry flush came into the blue
eyes again. and Lord Keith bit his lip
with vcxation.
"Whoever sent them. I am very crate.
full" she said, and raised the roses again
to her face. inhaling their fragrance and
sweetness. ut was someone who knows
my tastes WELL" she added, smiling. II
love roses"
Lord Keith's blue eyes darkencd with
annoyance; he who was 80 anxious to
please her, ought TO have remembered
that also.
"What strange group that Ii yonder,"
he observed. with an effort, but speaking
In his usual light tone; land how unn,is.
takably their profession Ii stamped upon
them"
"What groupT' Barbara asked. rather
ianguidly. She was beginning to weary
Of the grimy railway station and all her
pretty color had faded.
'Ihat group to the left Of those numer.
.ous imperials In which you keep the soilcd
gloves and tumbled dresses which are the
only remnants Of u London season." he
answered. laughingly. "Do you see them
-four men aud three women
Eyes, ! sec Them" she replied. glancins
at them with q look Of Indifferent dis.
,dain, - II the somewhat shsbbiiy attired
group were beneath her notice. ITO what
profession do you suppose they bclongY"
1.-THE dramatic" he answered, without
the smallest doubt"
II wonder II we are to remain here oil
night" Barbara said impatiently. break
ing In upon his speech. 1T 10 too provok'
mgr
Barbara looked round. The train had
come into the station, two or three pas
sengers had alishted. aud most Of the PEG.
pie assembled on the platform hurried
toward the carriages. Among the hur'
rying groups was that which had at
tractcd Lord Keiths attention. Barbara
looked at them. and oOntemptuous ex
precision crossed her face AZ she watched
the shOwily dressed, slovenly women. who
seemed just then to exercise strange fas
cination for her.
"Hallo-where's Robson?' one OF thu
party asked. hating just beside her
"He'll miss the train! Where did he 70 =
'lnto the waiting ROOM" the pretty
yellow haired girl answered as she wen,
on swiftly.
"Ah, there he is!'
The train was full one, and there wa,
some difficulty In finding places. Bar
bara HattOn stood mOtiOnless. holding he,
roses to her lips. Suddenly the flower,
fell from her hand on to the dusty plat
form. She made no movement to picl
them up, but stood sta ring helplessly be
fore her. Lord Keith's attention was Oc
cupied by q poor woman whom he wa,
assisting with kindly courtesy to find
seat for herself aud her little child. and IL
another moment the roses might hav,
been trampled under foot had not gentle
man, In passing. lifted them, and, with q
slight bow, placed them In Miss Hatt0n',
trembling hand. Their eyes met for
moment as her lips murmured q word o.
thanks.
When. q minute later, Lord Keith re
turned to her side. Barbara's face wa,
colorless; and, when he bent toward he
hurriedly, asking IL she were III, she look
ed at him with blind, unseeing eyes, the,
reused herself with little start.
I'll? No: there IL nothing the matte
with me; hut ] am tired--and- i
that the carriage? Oh, ] am so glsdw
Barbara" the earl said, quickly. jus
as they were about to drive away, 'hav,
yOu lost your howersT'
1T does not matter" she answered. 90
do not want them; they were fading"
She had resumed her graceful, langui>
manner now, vet her heart thrObbed heav
ily, and her lips were quite steady unde
the gray gauxe Of her veil. The roses
with their fragrance and l0veliness, re
called what she would fam have forgot
ten, oil she l0nged to ignore and to for
get; they had brought to her an echo o
the past she wished to put from her for
ever. 30 she had left the roses behind
they fingered her; and memories they re
csned had no part In her life now.
1t was only trivial accident which ha
delayed Lord Elsdale's horses on thei
road from the castle, aud 1t was but
short quarter Of an hour that Basbar
HsttOn had been detained at stourto
Station; yet that tri6ing accident and III