The Irish standard., 1898-03-12
copyright. 1896. BY F. Tennyson N.e,y.l

impossible. Yet Chicago for he res, Q.
the winter was out of the question, es-
Pecially since the enlargement that
had grown up between her and her rel
atives in the east, that had even to some
extent involved Charlotte, her beloved
sister, Mrs. Grafton could not help
thinking how remarkably Frances had
developed since her school days. Then
she had never impressed anyone as be.
ing capable of much deep feeling. There
had been few months, indeed, when
Mrs. Grafton was angry and astonished
at Frances. but those were just after
she "brokc" with Randy Merriam and
married McLane, but Fan had wheedled
her out Of this unfavorable mood and
convinced her that she had never really
cared for Mr.. Merriam, who, somehow,
failed to inspire her with that feeling
OF respect, even reverence, which she
felt was due the man she married;
whereas Mr.. McLane was a gentleman
of such dignity and force Of character
that she seemed powerless in his pres.
ence, and his love was the sweetest fat
terry. the most surprising, thrilling joy
she had ever known. Not until he came
did she dream what love really meant,
and then it was duty, it was justice, 1t
was honor that compelled her to release
Mr.. Merriam. Had she married him she
would have gone to the altar with lie
on her lips. for she loved another.
Grafton said nothing, but seemed to be
thinking good deal, and it was plain
that he did not thoroughly approve Of
the tickle Frances. When, however, Mer.
Ram surprised every body at the Point
by his marriage to Floy Tremaine,
Grafton concluded it was time to drop
the matter.
All the same he could not suppress his
surprise when Harriet announced that
Fanny had actually almost consented
to come to them. II thought you knew
] disapproved of that scheme entirely"
said he.
"You did, dear, when first spoke of
It. and SO did I. didn't think it would
do at all. but Fan talked SO frankly
about Mr.. Merriam and the lovely time
they'd had together on the Pacific coast
with him and his charming bride
and how he and she had laughed over
1t would have been absurd, and now
they were such good friends, and she'd
bad such a sweet, sympathetic message
from Mrs. Merriam after her sad, sad
bereavement-why, what more was to
be said"
Grafton listened rather grimly. He
was many years older than his wife, as
has been said, and much less crcdulous,
Again the same uneasy presentiment
oppressed him. II don't think she
should come here, Harric," he gravely
said. "Anywhere else, perhaps. could
have shared with you the feeling of well
come-certanly the desire to pay the
debt of hospitality, but at Scdgwicls,
with the Merriams here, it cannot be-"
And here poor Mrs. Grafton broke
down and wept. "Oh," she cried, "it's
got to be! I thought you'd forgiven
her and that all was we'll; and urged
and she's coming-ne-ne-nex
w-wcck."
marks of Capt. Grafton on this point,
since they were after all imperative, but
the first dark shadow over their domes-
tlc peace fell that very day and hour.
For the life of him he could not but feel
that he had been triched and deceived,
and yet so plausible were the explana-
fions he could not brush them entirely
aside. At all events he would not now
require his wife to recall the invitation,
sent and accepted. 1t might even be
as she claimed, that Fan loved and
chung to her as her only dear and inu-
mate friend, and craved her society
and sympathy now in her bereavement
md ill-heL!th, and, though still sus-
picious and dissatisfied, he gave his re-
puctant assent to the plan, and was on
hand at the junction to meet and well
come his unwclconie guest.
The Merriams had been paying a holi-
day visit to Floy's devoted parents at