The Washington weekly post. (Washington, D.C.) 1878-1916, 1899-08-29
she knows all abou, it, she has talked to

she knows all about II. She has talked tc
him more than we have"
IL was three weeks before the squire re-
turned, unaecomPanied By the vsnes
Lady Vane had been terribly upset by her
mothers death. and Sir Percy decided that
It would be best to so abroad for the win
| ter, a course which met so fully with the
squire's appreciation that he asked them
/ 10 take Muriel with them. saying that he
would himself join them as soon as he
had made some necessary arrangements
| at orsett.
| Nothing had been said to MvrisI on the
subject. as the squire expected that she
would be so delighted with the idea OF
having first peep at foreign lands that he
wished to read her pleasure on her pretty
face.
she met him with ELUSIVE tenderness
for Auriel dearly loved her father, and
deeply regretted the pain and sorrow he
had been suffering OF late, but when he
told her, as he at once did, OF their intend
ed pilgrimage to the Riviera. shadow
came over her face. but as II almost i'm
mediately changed into a smile he did not
heed II. but went into his study to busy
himself over much correspondence which
had accumulated during his absence.
On the top of the pile of letters that
awaited him lay one that had evidently
been placed there quite lately. and which
had no postmark. The squire did not know
the handwriting. and his curiosity being
aroused. he opened II at once and turned
to the signature
Eyre Lestranger'
He read the missive rapidly through and
then began again and read 1t once more.
by Jovep' he exclaimed. as. totally dis
regarding the rest Of his correspondence,
he went out of the study, across the hall.
and into the drawing-room, the open let
ter still in his hand.
Muriel's arms were about his neck be-
fore he had time TO address her.
You will give your consent. father?
You will not refuse?"
But, Muriel, child, I was given to I'M
derstand that Lestrange is a married man.
At the party at Weldon Castle / was soon
shown his wife"
"Ah. you heard that story. But IL Is not
true. father; he is not really married"
Not really married? What does II
mean? Lucy Vane told me she knows the
marriage took place in a German town. l
believe she was there at the time. or only
left the day before II took place. The lady
has not died since the Weldon Castle
party, 1 suppose?'
oh, no. She Is not dead. Only Colin
Gordon is also alive. so how could she
have married Mr.. Lestrange? Cousin
Lucy apparently only knew half the story.
1t was very trying one for my poor dear
Eyre, and 1t was to escape the ridicule of
his friends In London that he took the ap-
pointment of stipendiary at Grandtown.
But this time we will have no ridiculous
fiasco, but a real festive wedding" And
Muriel. In the exuberance of her youth and
spirits. gave the squire such a vigorous
hug that for a second or two he was quite
incapable of speaking.
Having released himself from her filial
embrace. he said. looking exceedingly
grave and perturbed:
ut will not do at all. Muriel cannot
allow my daughter to share Lestrange's
away from London to avoid public laugh,
by Jove won't have the echo of it ring
ing through this house. Why, there is the
fellow coming up the carriage drive at
this moment. I'll LET him know what I |
think of any man with slur on him max |
ing love to my girl"
cannot allow high words to pass between |
my father and my future husband" said |
Muriel, 50 taking the squire's breath |
away by this newly developed self-asser- |
ion that he offered no resistance when |
she opened the French window and called /
70 Lestrange to come in.
He of the eagle eyes scarcely looked as /
Ieen as usual when he saw the squire |
An unpleasant explanation and confession
# past foolishress had to be made, aud
o proud man ii was most CALLING /
Nothing but the strong love that had
,een awakened for Muriel would have in
iuenced him to face IL.
How dare you write and ask me for !
ny daughter when there is a mystery
ranging over you? Have you or have you
Tot married another woman?' asked the
quire roughly.