New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-11-13


pand and open, like a blossom shyly turning
sunward after a storm. The thought that IL
insisted on taking her home l might have little
opportunity to cultivate an acquaintance al
ready dear to me put another notion into my
head and although 1t wild enough was in
no mood to reject 1t on that score.
Il am going" said |. ito relative In Surrey,
and if you like to come with me, | can promise
you courteous. If not cordial. welcome. You
will be safe there. at least, and to morrow. or
al any time you wish. will see your father ana
plead for your forgiveness 1t already grows
toward evening and we cannot now be far from
my uncles house"
II will go with you" she said land, OH thank
you for the thought"
When it was settled. I began to see to what
pretty complication l working and indeed.
IT seemed doubtful whether my own reception
would be even courteous. The circumstances in
which l met the lady would. of course. ex-
plain something; but had no reason to suppose
my uncle either blind fool and 1 was de-
termined. from the first to let him see where
my preference lay. AS to my Cousin Audrey,
since she had never seen me- she could not love
me- 80 there would be no hearts broken. Inc
probability was that she disked the prospect
OF my visit as much as did.
1t a beautiful, clear evening. wonderfully
gracious and serene. and in the long silence that
fell between us l turned to the carriage win
dow and looked out at the country through
which sped.
NV companion. during all the time we had
been together, had never taken any account OF
the cOuntry-an omission l have observed In
many girls. Presently we passed over the base
Of a noble hill. with white shining through the
green. and all astir, as 1t seemed. with little
winds.
THAT must be Box Hill" I cried.
She started and laid a hand my arm, lean
ing to my side OF the chase to look.
"Box Hill,' she repeated and her face paled
and her voice shook.
''Why not Box HIP" said Were close to
Dorking now"
"Dorkingi"
The poor child shook with fright and hid her
ooh. you're taking me home" she cried. and
did so trust you!'
''Dear LADY, l said. 'if your home is here,
tits fault Of mine that you back again.
Remember. l beseech you. that you never told
me where you lived. nor did l question you"
She took no heed of me- but wrung her hands
and cast herself back against the cushions in
despair
"To come back after air. she cried. 'T was
wicked to run away. know know; but to
come back the same day like hild-truant! 1
really loved Mr.. Mortified. but he per-
suaded. and persuaded. and dattered me. and at
last | promised. l was to marry my cousin.
whom I'd never seen. and couldn't bear the
thought of it. He was coming to-day. and he'll
be at h-home n-now and l shall h-have to
m-marry him."
listened to this speech in blank amazement;
but when it ended laughed aloud for Joy
of the light that broke upon me:
you're un-k-kind to Laugh" she sobbed.
"Unkind to YOU" l cried. catching her hand.
what is your name, sweet mistress"
audrey M-Mortmer;" she said
"And mine" cried l. lis Nigel Gray. your
Cousin Nigel. very much at your service, and
very much In love with Cousin Audrey
For moment gaZed into each others
eyes in kind OF transport. and then. without
more ado took the little lady in my arms and
kissed her. At first she tried TO be little prim
and coy. but later she sat upon my knee, al
though the Chaise was narrow, and claSped her
arms about my neck.
"You dear brave cousin"' she cried.
Gam l so dreadful, and will you away
again
Don't tease me- Nigel" she pleaded. and laid
her cheek against mine She was little more
than child. after all. and my heart beat high
and quick to think from what under Provi-
denCe I had saved her that day.
what can tell father?" she asked.
"You only left home this morning."
yes cousin"
"Tell him that you ventured on to the road
TO see this strange cousin OF yours. and that he
recognized you and picked you up"
But that would be storyi'
"Wel, l will tell it for you. II you will for
give me afterward. Do you think you Will ever
love me. Audrey
u love you already. Cousin Nigel
Nigel. without the cousin"
"Nigel" she said
And 80, you see the adventure ended happily
for both of us. but told my Uncle Mortimer.
privately, exactly what had really occurred, in
order that we might be on guard against the
man Mortified. He. however. had had his les
son: and his wound. suppose, not proving ser-
GUS he hid the scar and thought it best to keep
q closed mouth Indeed, not long after he dis
appeared from the country, and was heard OF
tater on in America where trust he was better
APPRECIATED than he was here.
AS for Audrey sweeter woman ever
breathed than my wife and she has made up TO
me thOusandfold for thinking so lightly OF me
before she had ever seen my face And for my
self though have had many encounters since
then and against heavier odds, none ever had
20 fair a reward.-QIarmswOrth Magazine.