The Pioche weekly record. [volume] (Pioche, Nev.) 1877-1900, 1899-03-09

head and ears in love with her. Her
beauty and sweetness. added 10 the
interest she took in his work. had
made the author decide that in her he
mad met the IDEAL woman with whom
marriage would mean unending hap
piness. But the thought OF anything
more than friendship never suggested
itself to Lilac's mind. Mark Mowbray
might not have felt so happy. II he had
known how entirely her interest in
him was due 10 his profession, and
that Il would have been Just as great
II he had been old and ugly instead OF
young and handsome As Il was. he
felt very confident; and Sabina, who.
with her father. had Joined them in
the dining saloon. whispered TO the
major over the meal:
Don't you think, papa. that it would
be only kind to Mr.. Mowbray If you
Informed him that Lilac is engaged?"
That is Miss Marvel's duty" an
swered the major, in the severest tone
that he could put into a whisper; and
the young lady took a few more bird
like pecks at her food before venturing
on a reply
But If Lilac does not do her duty,
papa? She is very unconventional,
and may not know what is required of
her"
! The major stroked his moustache
/ fiercely
1T is not case of conventionality.
dear. but of rightmindedness II Miss
Marvel encourages the advances of an
other man. concealing the fact that
she is engaged to Sir Roydon Garth.
she is not a woman who will make the
baronet good wife. and / think it
would be my duty to inform Sir Roy
don OF the fact"
Sabina could scarcely conceal her sat
isfaction. 1t was just what she hoped
her father would do.
II do not think that you ought to be
hard on Lilac, papa" she said. sweetly,
"Of course Mr.. Mowbray is very hand
some. and he is a very distinguished
man. believe. He is a journalist"
THAT makes the matter worse re-
piled the major. 1T is very kind of
you to try to defend Miss Marvel but
really the fact that her friend is an
attractive man only renders her con-
duct more inexcusable."
AS he spoke. he glanced across the
table at the couple under discussion.
who were so deep in conversation
that the lowering of his voice was
hardly necessary as he went on:
lot course. if Mr. Mowbray is a very
I'D friend. l can understand that they
must have a great deal to say to each
other"
The sight of Lilac's beautiful in
nocent face made the major relent a
little. and doubt the unjust conclusion
that he was coming to with respect tc
his charge-a conclusion that he owed
more than he guessed to the insidious
suggestions OF bis daughter. Sabina
noticed the change in his tone, and de-
cided on a bold stroke.
Mfr Mowbray appears to be a per-
feet gentleman. papa" she said diff
IDENTIFY, and of course it is very nice
for us to know him; but, do you know
believe that Lilac had never seen him
him on board
Major Emmott's face was a sight tc
see.
> II had my suspicious when she in
troduced me-" he said-"her face red
dened SO: but. If what you say proves
true, I will certainly write to the bar.
onet. l will ask her openly"
Sabina's b!rd-like eyes had a look OF
fear in them. but she rejoined quietly
would 1t not be better to ask Mr.,
Mowbray privately. papa? Lilac nigh
not like to admit the truth.
sabna looked relieved when the ma
ior assented.
And to think that the barone
should prefer this girl to my blameles!
daughter he was saying to himself
Have you finished your luncheon
Sabina?"
The girl terked her head round nerv
ously
Not quite, papa. Why?"
II want you to take Lilac on decl
. while 1 have a chat with Mr.. Now
bray and try to discover what acquaint
ance he really has with her"
Certainly, papa. 1 hope you vii
find that our suspicious are false
said his daughter. looking the personifi
cation of the ''proprieties.'
But at heart she was very uneasy
What if Mr.. Mowbray told her fathe
the true story of how she made his ac
quaintance Even Sabina could thinl
Of no stratagem or falsehood by which
> she could explain away her action
She drew the menu towards her, and
when the major was not looking
scrawled five words on one of the cor
ners and tore it off. The little scra
of paper was lying by the side of tn
authors plate when. a few moment
later, Sabina left the saloon with Lilac
:. Mr.. Mowbray glanced at it with ap
: parent carelessness, and then. rollin
= it up between finger and thumb int
a pellet. dropped 1t upon the floor. On
of the passengers afterwards took tn
trouble to smooth it out and read 4
and then wondered what story was at
~ tached to the words, please do not te
, anything"
II Mark Mowbray was little in dout
: as to what was required of him, bu
. Sabinas request had put him upon hi
l guard when, as soon as the two girl
Il had left them alone. the major plunge
: into conversation. 1t promised to b
I very interesting to him, for it wa