Chicago eagle. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1889-19??, 1898-01-29
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let me feel that you are going to be
friends"
II am quite willing for my part to be
The best Of friends" said Evelyn cordial
~, rs she extended her hand.
Mr.. Lyle took II, but for a moment he
did not speak. Then he answered. with
more decided French accent than usual
Il am happy, also. to make the nc
quaintnncc Of one 30 dear to Agnes"
Evelyn's first view Of Agnes lover had
been a genuine disappointment. jasper
Lyle was not manly enough to suit her
taste. He looked more like poet or n
troubadour than a gentleman Of the nine
tecnth century. And then his hybrid
dress and manner of talking rather repuls-
cd her. She liked an Englishmnn to look
and speak like ono. and she fnncicd there
was some affcctation in Mr.. Lylc's pro-
nuncintion. and that It was not wholly
natural to him. When Agnes had at last
drawn her into conversation with him.
Evelyn found her thoughts running In the
same channel.
"You must have lived long time
abroad. Mr.. Lyle. TO have acquired so de-
cidcd an accent" she said. 'Wcrc you
born thcrc?"
The simple question seemed to confuse
him. lie stammercd as he replied:
"Ycs-no. That IL to say. my mother
was French. Miss Rayne; 80 you sec,
am only half English"
And you were educated abroadT"
II have lived there nearly NIL my lifc,"
he answered, with his face bent down.
"And you must become English, you
naughty boy" exclaimed his fancec. do
you know, Jasper. your pronunciation
grows worse instead of better? I really
think you IRE more French to-day than
ever. Evelyn Is staring with all her eyes
at your accent. She never heard anybody
speak no badly before. Did you. EvclynY'
Miss Rnync was indeed staring In the
most unaccountablc manner mt the strang-
or. Her eyes seemed fixed In his dircc-
ton. and when Agnes laughing question
recalled her to herself. she turned them
In n dazcd manner upon her.
| "Your friend does not like me. I had
an intuition It would he so," whispered
Mr.. Lyle to his bctrotEcd, under cover
Of the general conversation.
Talk, talk. Evclyn!' cried Agnes gay.
~, after little while. "Whnt has come
TO you this evening. darling? You--who
arc generally 40 full Of life. Have you
nothing to shy to us after ~ long an ab.
! scncc;'
"What shall I say?" exclaimed Evelyn,
rousing herself ut the challenge Of her
friend. "YOu are the queen of the feast,
Agnes, and should lend the conversation.
II IL really very embarrassing to be or.
,lcrcd TO say something. May I make II
u question? Have you ever been In Amer.
lea. Mr.. Lylc?"
There wns tone In her voice that mndc
jasper Lyle dread he knew not what, and
forced him to raise his cycs against his
will. It was the first time Evelyn had
fairly met his gaze, and the room seemed
to 90 round with her as she encountered
II.
T-hNvc - not - been - to - America,
mndcmoisellc," he answered slowly.
"lIavc you not!" she asked again, with
out removing her eyes from his.
AS they regarded each other thus, Mrs,
FcatherstOne saw all the color die out OF
Miss Haynes fresh cheeks, leaving them
Of an ashy palcncss.
Evelyn. my dear girl" she cried, ris.
Ing aud passing round the table to her IN.
sistancc, "what In the mattcrY Are You
nv"
II don't feel very we'll" said Evelyn,
In u strange voice. 1T II this sudden
spring heat that always upscts me. With
your permission. Mrs. Featherstonc, !
will leave the table and await your return
IN tho drawing ROOM"
Mrs. Fcathcrstonc gave carly notice OF
a rctreat to the drawing room. Az soon AZ
she had left the dining room behind her
Miss Raync's lassitudc gave place to IN
eager excitement, which accorded
strangely with her pale face and luster
less eyes.
"Dear Mrs. Fcathcrstonc, do let me n
home before the gentlemen leave thcil
wine. lnded, am not well. II 10 Inn
possible that can sit out the remainder
Of the evening. Pray let me order my
carriage and 60 at once"
They did not oppose her decision
though Agnes insisted upon walking dowr
also, with her arm fondly thrown abou,
her friends waist. Evelyn kissed her me
chemically, and babe her good night a. she
mounted into her vehicle; but 90 soon q,
she had passed through the drive gatei
and Feathcrstone Hall was left bchint
her. oil her enforced calmness gave way
and she sank hack upon tho cushions In {
| storm Of grief