The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1899-08-25

had placed rrpnicl III ECr lEltn 10y way
of pity. Alas. Il day CAME when, instead
of the quaint blue envelopes of Mrs. Bel
made, there arrived Il square envelope.
with gloomy hacli boGtIerS. which con
tanned MIR. PrlnGadr'S announcement of
his wif"'S sudden death.
Happily Mr.. !ic!n.a,le took up the
thread OF correspondence Il few months
later. and Veronica felt she WAS not
quite abandoned 10 Il cruel destiny. He.'
guardian wrote regularly from month to
month and sent her countless little knick-
knacsS. etc.
This afternoon. the last of religious
hush and dimnrSS before Miss Romncy
should sally forth into the great big
world. Sister ChTySoStom talked ut
length and fnrc;hly ON the great goodness
of Mr. Bclmad". Veronica must never
forget his devotion to her, must never
forget what simple. ignorant worlilng
she was and how well qualified Mr.. Bel
made u proved man of affairs, would be
to direct her in any enterprise or idea.
Yet am afraid it will be rather hard
to obey Mr.. Br!madc. Think of this sis
ter. You know how many times | have
asked him To send me his portrait?" Miss
Romncy said rncfully.
Yes. child
well. he has just sent me one in n
sealed package. In the same mail comes
letter begging me not TO look at the
photograph until we meet in New York.
I'm sorry didn't open the package
first
"You have not opened the package?"
"No, sister,
"a good girl! You'll be with your dear
guardian now in five days. He knows
the very train on which you leave. Think
how happy you will feel to have abided
by his wish"
Miss RoEncy endeavorcd to take balm
for her curiosity out of the nuns noble
idea of obedience. The bell rang, sum-
moning Sister Chrysostom to chapel.
Miss Romncy kissed her again and felt
tear she knew to be not her own on her
check. then. left alone. she attended to
the last details of her packing. Twelve
hours later Miss Romncy was being hur
ricd eastward, with heart very heavy
and i'll, to greet the gay world she had
dreamed of during long years.
At Chicago telegram was brought to
the parlor chair. She took it, amazed
that anybody should know she was to be
found there. The telegram read:
Am called away. Meet Mrs. Calvertou at the
Hotel Bolingbrokc Take cab at depot.
DAMON BELMADE.
1t was sitting and hot day on which
Miss Romney again set foot in New York
after II years of exile. She would have
been just as familiar in the Sahara, but
she boldly summoned cab and was soon
deposited at the quiet and ariStocratic
Bolingbrokc. Miss Romney had to wait
in parlor but few moments after
sending her card to Mrs. Calverton. who
proved to be Il stylish, brisk frank little
woman, with the faintest tendency to-
ward overweight.
She explained volubly that the Calver
tous and Belma,!es were family friends of
Il generations; that Mr.. Belmadc. being
summoned north on unavoidable bust
ness. had requested her to look after his
ward. Mrs. Calverton could not desire a
more enjoyable opportunity. She regret
ted the intolerable heat and aTolugizel
for it, though she were in some way
responsible and then plumply asked Miss
Romney to go away with her to her
country house on the south shore of Long
Island.
We're situated within IL stones throw
of the beach" she said. land I'm sure
you'll run the risk of falling sick if yon
stay in town. Mr.. Belmade has promised
to come down rs soon as he returns
AS Miss Romney wrote the next day in
Il letter to Sister Chrysnstom, My first
night i'll New York was spent in Mrs.
Calvcrton's villa at 'Meadowmere-by- the
Sea- Long Island"
Two weeks later Miss R0mney was sit
ting on the vcranda of Mrs. CaIverton's
villa, drying her long bronze hair in the
sun and sea breeze. Mr.. Herbert Castle
mon was before her, holding an open nov
ell on his knees most earnestly beguiling
Miss Romaey witt Il conversation such
as was surely to be found in the novel;
They had been fishing, rowing, golfng
and swimming together for the past fort
night.
Other guests had Mrs Calverton also,
out Miss Romney fancied only this well
groomed athletic gentleman, whose quiet,
impressive manner and straight, black
hair, largely streaked with gray, remind
ed her of some middle aged heroes she
treasured in her memory from story
books.
The other guests, ladies and gentle
men, had gradually disappeared in the
last few days. Miss Romney. who feared
loneliness at the first departure. now
found herself forgetting that anybody
mad swung in tie hammock at this rest
full old villa except Mrs CaIverton, Mr..
Castlemon and herself. Mr.. Bclmadc, to
be sure was due any day. Would the
charm then be shattered! She must GER
tainly be less given to Mr.. Castlcmon's
society after Mr.. BrlmaGc'S arrival. Had
she said anything TO Mr.. Castlcmon that
she would not have said in the presence
o. Mr.. Bcimadc? Mercy, What hadn't
CHI h,,,. .I,.,ln
''Mr. Castlcmon," She asked suddenly,
81 hope I've never said anything that led
you to think lie too--too inexperienced"
why, my dear Miss I.omney, what
gives you such Il notiGal?" the gentleman
returned in aStonshmSnt
Bccausc-bccausc. the girl stammcr-
ed, letting her hair fall upon her checks
to hide their flame, lit seems to me I've
said everything toto YOU"
Mr.. Castlemon reached forth and took
her hand gently.
MY dear Miss Romncy," he said in a
voice alien to his habitual measured
tones, you have said much, but nothing
that you are capable of saying could be
at fault
Miss Romncy coughed, as though some
thing went wrong in l:uf throat.
Il also have said everything to you,
Miss Romney, save only one thing. Vera,
love you!"
"Oh, you must not, you must not" the |
girl demonstrated. drawing away her |
hand and rising swiftly.
IL know I'm not Il young man," Mr.. |
Castlrmon pleaded, standing and leaning |
over her shoulder. I'm not the hero of |
your day dreams. Vera. You'll meet him |
some day, | hope, and God bless you |
both, say l. Surely you can't he vcxed |
that l simply say what I can't keep lon
ger in my heart"
"No, no; it's not that" she replied and |
all at once fell to sobbng.
Don't cry. dear; please don't. You |
make me feel so guilty"
mo. no." Vera moancd: cts because
that is. do love you-but''-
But what?' he almost shouted, grasp |
ing at the straw Of the drowning man.
Il do love you, Mr.-Hcrbert," she re-
pcatcd. Il feel as though I've known |
you all my life, but I'm such n silly, ig- |
norant girl. and then-then-you' have |