Chicago eagle. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1889-19??, 1898-10-29

ing dark head held haughtily erect, but
with her dark lashes dOwncast, hiding
her proud. angry eyes. Lord Elsdale's
displeased face softened as he looked at
her--at the beautiful girl who had brought
back to him some Of his own youth and
hope.
"rhen need not detain you from your
guests" he said. seating himself at his
table. perhaps I have already tres.
passed too much upon your time"
II have been here exactly fifteen min.
utes." the young girl responded. quietly;
''snd my guests--those Of them who are
not asleep-can amuse themselves with.
out me. Before return to them. Uncle
Norman. will you not show me the letter
Of which you have just spokenf"
ITO what sndT' he asked. slancing up
at her. you will remember that, when
I decided to return to England. I feared
that this would happen--that, hearing Of
your residence here, they would endcavor
to renew their old acquaintance with you,
and"
"You cannot tell that they have done
So" she interrupted.
"what else can he desired by the letter
which Mr.. Sinclair fortunately gave to
me instead"
mfr. Sinclair has taken great LID.
ertyr
by fulfilling my dircctionsT'
"The letter wWs addressed to me-" Bar.
ban said, faltering q little.
I'm q handwriting which he rccognix.
Cd" Lord Elstlale commented.
"1iow should he recognize ~" Barbara
asked quickly. HE has never seen It
before"
"You are mistaken; I showed II 10 him,
desiring him to notice H."
"But"-Barbara dark eyes went quick.
y to his face-"you have held no com.
municntion with -"
The earl avertcd his angry eyes ere he
answered.
"pardon me-" he said ccldly-"onc com.
munication passed between ~. I sent
Mr.-Mr.-what IL this persons name?-
q check, and he returned Il to me torn
across and IL anything the matter.
BarbaraT' he asked suddenly. looking up
at her o. she uttered q faint little cry.
"Are you M Shall send for your maid
or for Mrs. FairfaxT'
"You sent him check" the girl gasp
cd. with quivering lips.
"Certainly-why not? Did you think I
was willing to lie and to let you lie under
such an obligation 70 q low-born actor
He returned II. aud shall not readily for.
get that insult"
"Of course he returned ~" Barbara
cried. bitterly, her face death-like In Its
pallor. 1.-THE debt owed him was one
no amount Of money could repay. Did
you not feel shame In offering Il? The
insult was yours. not his, Uncle Norman"
"You speak foolishly. and In error" he
rejoinetl, with chill displeasure. "The
difference In our positions is 50 wide"
THAT Il might have made you more con.
sideratew she broke In passionately. "Ac.
tor a. he ID, he In a true gentleman, Tin.
Gle Norman. Let me have the letter. I'm.
Gle Norman; they may be ill-or In trou.
BILE: and-they were 10 good-so good to
met
She held out her hands to him In eager
entreaty. her face beautiful In It's plead.
Ing and agitation. She was not all heart.
less. this lovely girl who had 80 easily
learned lesson Of worldllness and ambi.
ton.
| As the earl hesitatcd. glancins from her
to the letter In his hand, she went on
earnestly:
Il have obeycd you only too well until
now, Uncle Norman. I have put my past
away 70 easily that the thought OF Il
makes me ashamed Of myself: I have
given them scarcely 4 thought for all
their love and care: and that they write
at all. believing me to be the base thing
an. must show how good and f0rgiving
they are"
'"rhis IL childish. my dear Barbara" the
/ - To- N ~
In your positIon-you will attain proud
er position ere lOng--yOu would learn the
folly Of such weakness. Keith would"
"Despise me thoroughly II he knew the
TRUTH" she broke In bitterly. selfish.
base ingrstitude 10 hardly 4 quality to be
desired In . wife. IL he has any thought
Of making me- s,tch."
"Any thoughtv' the earl echoed. you
are speaking wildly. Barbara. 1t 10 now
three weeks since Everard asked my per.
mission to pay his addresses to you. II
he has not spoken to you. II 10 simply
because you give him NO opportunity. not
because he IL hesitating about that which
might make other men hesitate"
Barbara glanced at him. her color
changing.
"You have told himy' she qaeried
family.
Eyes, I have told him-.I told him whsu
he spoke TO me. Barbara, congratulate
you heartily on the love you have won."
As he spoke. he stretched out his thin
white hand to her with smile. The Cir
put her fingers into Il; but there was nc
answering smile on her lips.
"YOu will show me the letter!" she
urged, and with a little gesture Of annoy