The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1899-02-26

said, softly. More pleased than I can say"
Perhaps even Sir Basil himself little
surprised though he replied, with all possible
Seniality, and with pleasant smile.
He and Lady Tudor were cousins, very
distant cousins it is true; but, a few years
ago. they had been thrown much into each
others company, and had found it pleasant
to take the cousinly privilege of calling each
other by their Christian names.
Ultimately, Sir Basil, then plain Basil
BROOKE without either wealth or title, had
fallen in love with his beautiful cousin and
made her an offer of marriage and had been
unhesitatinsly rejected for his pains.
year later she had married Sir Robert
Tudor.
Sir Basil had never met her from the day
when she rejected him, till now; and even
now the meeting had been arranged by her
rather than by him.
She had heard he was staying in Devonshide
not three miles from her own estate and
she had written HIM a little note, begging
him to come over and dine with her that
evening.
Il hope you didn't mind my asking you in
this informal way?" she murmured, looking
up into his face with her beautiful, lustrous
eyes.
'Of course didn't. 1 think it very good
OF you to let me come and you quite en-
famille. It's ever so much nicer So"
She had suffered her hand to linger for a
few moments in his.
Now she withdrew it, with gentle little
sigh, and resumed her seat by the fire mo-
tioning him TO take another at no great dis
lance.
The fire was yer. not, and she protected
herself from it with a screen of magnificent
ostrich feathers, which seemed to still further
helShten the effect OF her beauty and of her
violet velvet robe
You are not changed she said, with a
soft glance at him.
Am 1 not? Do you know I fancied I had
grown stouter. Five years is a long time
1nncr ln,,r
changed me from girl into woman, Basil"
And again my lady heaved gentle sigh.
You look exactly the same; may l say,
frankly, as beautiful as ever?"
flush of pleasure dyed her cheek, her eyes
were wonderfully sweet IN their soft lustre
All, you say that to flatter mel"
NO, indeed! It is the honest TRUTH Lady
Tudor
Lady Tudo1?" There was reproach in her
glance, as well as in her tone. Surely may
be lsobel to you, as 1 in the old days
the DEAR old days Have you forgotten them,
Basil?"
Assuredly he had not forgotten them; but
he wondered a little to hear them thus allud-
ed to by her.
He had forgiven her long ago; but never
theleSS, ne was quite aware that she had
treated him very badly.
He had been little more than boy GER
taInly very young man, when She a bril-
liant, fascinating beauty, lured him on to fall
madly in love with her, and then refused him
with the coolest air of surprise in the world
The allusion to those dear old days" came
with rather an i'll grace from her, he thought
and then-albeit, he was by no means a con-
ceited man-there flashed across his mind the
idea that, perhaps, she would now be dis
posed to give him a different answer if he
were to ask that momentous question over
again.
1t was distinctly embarrassing thought to
Basil Brooke for his love of this beautiful
cousin Of his had died a natural death long
ago, and, badly as she had treated him. he
shrank from the idea of having to give her
pain.
Fortunately for him, the entrance of the
chaperon-Mrs. Foster-broke in upon the
tete-a-tete.
The next moment, footman appeared, to
announce, Dinner is served, my lady," and
all three repaired to the dining-room.
Lady Tudor was in the gayest of spirits all
through the dinner.
She TESTED with Sir Basil, INCREASINGLY,
flashing soft bright glances at him from out
of her beautiful eyes, and showing plainly
how Delighted she was to have him for her
guest.
as hostess, but I've got no one to keep you
company over your wine,'' she said, laugh
ing, as she rose from the table.
Thanks. l don't care for any wine. If
you want to be really indulgent to me- you'll
give me permission to smoke just one cigar
on the terrace and then to join you in the
drawing ROOM
You know we shall be pleased to see you
whenever you like to come Two poor lonely
women We are, with to entertain US
but you,'' and she smiled on him very sweet
ly as she swept her violet velvet draperies
out of the dning-rom.
CHAPTER VII.
An Unexpected Meeting.