Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-01-15
CHAPTER yX.-Contipued.

There rs the sort OF saying That a mother
speaks and a son hears to his shame and
wonder, Her heart all in me. while
mine was far away. Dependency had got
hold of me. Fortune IN her merriest mood
seeming bent on fooiing ME fairly. had
opened door and shown me- the prospect
Of fine doings and high ambitions realized.
The glimpse had been but brief. and the
tricky creature shut the door in my face
with a laugh Betty Nasroth's prophecy
was fulfilled, but its accomplishment left
NE in no better state: nay, l should be
compelled to count myself lucky if 1 came
off unhurt and We're not pursued by the
anger of those great folk whose wills and
whims l had crossed. l must lie quiet in
Hatchstead, and to lie quiet in Hatchstead
was HI to Ele-aye. HI, unless by some
Miracle whereof there was but one way
1t should turn to heaven. That was not
for me: l was denied youths sovereign
balm for ill-starred hopes and ambitions
gone awry.
The vicar and | We're alone now and I
could not but humor him by telling what
had passed. He heard with rare enioy-
ment; and, although his interest declined
from Its zenith so soon as | had told the
last OF the prophecy, he listened to the rest
with twinkling eyes. No comment did he
make, but took snuff frequently l. nv
tale done, fell again into meditation YET
own story. and my thoughts were less dark
IN hue The news concerning Lord Quintou
stirred me afresh. My aid might again be
needed: my melancholy was tinted with
pleasant pride as | declared TO myself that
IL should not be lacking for all that | had
been used as one would not use a faithful
doS, much less a gentleman who doubtless
by no merit of his own, but vet most cor
tainly had been of no small service n,
confess the truth, | was so persuaded OF
my NdIue thAt looked for every moment
10 brlnS me summons, and practiced un-
DER my breath the terms respectfuI w.,
reSentful, in which | would again Mace nv,
arm and sword at Barbara's disposal
-. You loved this creature NelI?' asked the
vicar suddenly. "
Aye" said /, 81 loved her,
You love her no more?"
ny. no, 1 answered. mastering a cool
smile Folly such as that goes by with
Your age is twenty-four?"
Yes. am twenty-four"
ana you love her no longcr?'
II tell you no longer sir
large pinch. 'ooh d
=, Ihen said he, the pinch being between
ms hnger and thumb and Just half wav on
the road to his nose. you love some Other
woman. Simon" 0'iiei
He spoke not as man vbo asL. , 49,
uch' nor even as one who hazards an
opinion ne declared a fact and needed no
answer I" confirm him. Yes. you love
- t.I' "oAbtn- simon, said he and
there left the matter '-'"
4 don't | cried Indignantly. Had T told
nlHSef hundred times that | was NOT in
rove 10 be told by another that 7 1vaso
true, i might have been in love had not
An, who goes there?'' exclaimed n.
wear. sprinsing nirnbly to the window and
iooklns out with easerness II seen, ~
Know the gentleman. Come, Simon. look -
oheyed him a gentleman. attended nv
tHo servants. rode rapidly past. twiri,rr.
hdd b.-sui to falI but The light served z,eii
eloHEn 20 snow me who the stranger ,,,ss
lie rote hard, and MS horses head was to-
ward the manor gates.
L think IT is my Lord Carford." said tho
vicar He gees to the manor as think I"
Il think it is. and / think he docs yai ia
I: ana Tor a single moment / stood there in
Ing. miserable.
What ais you, Simon? WHY shouldn't
my Lore tarfcrd 90 to the manor?" cried
the vicar. 'O
Let him go to the devil" / cried. and 7
seized my hat from the table where IL Law
The vicar turned to me with a smile on
his lips -' 'i'
Go, lad. |" said he. land let me not hea p
you again DENY my propositions They are
founded on an extensive observation of
humanity an
wen know not to this day on what be-
s!oes, Tor was out of the house before the
vicar completed his statement of the au-
'hority that underlay his propositions.