The Van Buren press., 1898-11-12
ne bore slowly down upon us. I made

Vivian into. my hands! l engaged
her eye as replied, without any show
of surprise at the questions: THAT ia
Lord st. Alleyne."
never saw terror sit more palpably
upon a face; then, without a word
said, the terror changed to beseech-
ing. really felt sorry for Mrs. Vivian
at that moment, but l thought of Jack
and hardened my heart.
"Allow me to present you to him." I
said. Before she had time to reply I
had advanced half a dozen steps to
meet him.
81 want to introduce you to Mrs,
Niyian,' said. You know all abou.
my love affair.""
(Which one? ?" he asked.
'rhe one" l said. He thought care
fully for a minute.
'Do you mean Jack?" he asked
"Of course | do"
"Well?"
Mrs. Vivian is Jack smother"
l glanced across the lawn and saw
Jack herself, alone, shining white
against some dark laurels. My mind
was instantly made up.
"Well?" he said, again.
81 want you TO talk to her for ten
minutes. And, like a dear old chap,
say all the nice things you can about
me, Will your"
"You want me to bamboozle her, do
your
Il want to marry jack" l said.
"All my friends are marrying" st.
Alleyne murmured; they'll soon be
all gone. I'm always doing them good
turns, and they never do anything
for Me."
'l'll do anything you like for you il
you'll only manage this" | said. As
l turned he caught me by the arm.
Look here" he said, what am l to
talk about-rising artist, increasing
popularity and all that kind of
thing?'
81 leave it to you. But for,heaven's
sake don't give me away" He smiled
tenderly.
"As if | could, he said.
saw that Mrs. Vivian's face famed
as presented him. had never seen
her blush before; but at the same time
there was kind of feeble triumph in
her expires that made me sick. st.
Alleyne dropped languidly at her side
and | sped across the lawn. Mrs. Wv
ian was at liberty to look as much as
she liked; | could trust my friend to
hold her.
Jack saw me coming and turned
away towards the rose garden; l
blessed both her and her acuteness as
l followed, She paused when we
seemed fairly alone.
where have you been all the after
noon?"
Talking to Mrs. Vivian"
"Oh!" she said, was it interesting p"
Very. And you?"
I've been waiting for you"
'Well, I'm here now. Jack!"
YES" she said.
"You want to marry me, don't you,
Jack?"
"You silly boy" she said. I took her
hand and held it so that no one could
see.
"You know you do" said; "you told
me SO once"
did II" she asked, closing her fin
gers tightly over mine.
"Yes; and I'm going to marry you"
you dear boy!" she said. "But how
can you? Mamma will never consent" I"
l thought l detected hint of tears in
her eyes.
But if gain her consent, and this
very afteTnoon?
She looked at me with all her youth
on fire. | leaned towards her sudden
ly and she kissed me; the thing was in
evitable. If the world had been look
ing on l believe she would have kissed
me then.
my dearest Phil" she said, "Ill mar
ry you whenever you like" She
stopped above a rose bush and plucked
a blossom ! bent over her shoulder,
and my lips brushed her ear and cheek
deliciously.
"Phil, Phil" she cried. I followed
her glance, and there was Mrs. Vivian
sailing towards us, leaning heavily on
st. Alleyne's arm!
I felt convinced, by the indifference
of St. Alleyne's manner, that he had
been doing his duty to me. He left Mrs.
Vivian with me, saying: "I'll see you
later, old chap" and he added, in a
whisper: "Strike now"
I did strike, and I won that after
noon. The feeble objections that Mrs.
Vivian offered were easily overcome;
attacked them all triumphantly and
gained her consent; it was not given
grudgingly, either, and although Jack
could not understand it, could.
Iwalked home with st. Alleyne after
wards. 81 had an awful quarter-of-an-
hour with that woman" he said; you
really should have more consideration
for a man."
I'm your eternal debtor" said.
"What did you talk about"
"You," he said.
"Did that tire you?"
Horribly" he murmured.
"What do you think Of Mrs. Vivian ?"
l asked. He waved his arm despairing-
ly. "Don't!" he said. wouldn't mar
ry into that family TO have all my debts
paid; not that they worry me much" b"
he added, thoughtfully.
"All you beggars are getting mar
ried." he said. What the deuce am
going to do?"
MARRY Mrs. Vivian" said; "she's
a widow, you know, and would jump at
you" lie paused on the steps of his
club TO think about II.
at would be rather fun. wouldn't II