The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1899-03-12
PLOT AND COUNTERPLOT=

to Beauvoir Hall.
Lillian Vaughan, soon after. announced her
intention of going to her own home.
She had never yet stayed there, and knew
nothing OF the beauties of it's surroundings,
for the place had only been hers since her
uncleS DEATH and there were several pain
full associations connected with it; but she
had insisted it's being ready for habita-
ton at any moment, and now found herself
wondering at its beauty and looking forward
to making it her home.
In her eyes BramWell may have gained
something by the fact that Beauvoir Hall
had opened its doors once more-certainly its
mistress had heard that the Hall was barely
mile distant, with feelings much akin to
pleasure, though she had told herself she
must not let her thoughts dwell the man
who had already proved so strangely at
tractive, perhaps because she was romantic
and heartwhole and their meeting had not
partaken of the commonplace.
Pine woods stretched for miles round
Bramwell and Ralph Beauvoir had always
been fond Of these, peopled for him with all
his boyhoods pleasantest memories
Now, as he walked in them glorious
morning they were filled with image
only, a woman's face, that seemed to smile
at him from every leaf and flower.
His ear, too, had not lost the memory of
that soft, sweet voice. How you must have
suffered" and then, Il pity you," she had
Sa1d-could he ever forget?
| Why had everything changed since he met
her? Could he still say love was not for
him?
No, he loved Loved for the first time, but
forever, and he shivered as the truth came
home to him.
And yet, why should he mind-she need
never know-he would have strength to keep
his secret and to let her presence shed
little brightness the life that had been so
dark of late.
| AS Ralph raised his eyes, firm with resolu-
ton. he started back, for there within a few
yards, was the subject of his thoughts
Smiling and lovely, in light, silvery gown
that fitted her exquisite figure to perfection,
she called out:
Good morning Lord Beauvoir!'
Miss Vaughan-you here-I did not know
you had arrived believe 1 trespassing."
Are you? Then 1 hope you will again
these woods are so lovely, should be selfish
to keep them to myself. 1 was just going to
sit here-I have been walking walking-oh
for ever long!"
And she sat down a fallen trunk, he
leaned against a tree, very near to her.
| 'Of course you know all this country?" she
said Il think it is so beautiful, l wish 1 had
come here sooner
"Oh, am glad you did not-glad to think
you were not here when I was away!"
He spoke passionately and thoughtlessly,
but beyond getting up restlessy and walking
on, she took no notice of his words
Then he realized what he had DONE and
followed her silently.
With her presence he had lost his self-con-
| troll.
/ He longed to kneel at her feet, to-kiss the
/ hem of her dress. 49,
He dared not speak, his heart was beating
like sledge hammer; he walked beside
her, his eyes on the ground, his hands
clasped nervcusly behind him.
| rs there anything very interesting On the
ground, Lord Beauvoir?" she said presently,
but with no trace of anger in her voice They
were nearing the confines of the wood, and
Bramwell House was already in sight. "Ah!
see, how pretty!" And STOPPING, she picked
pale anemone Then. holding it towards
him. she added: Il. have been out long
|
Good-bye!"
the flower in his hand. he gazing after her,
asking himself if it was, indeed, Lillian
Vaughan he had been with and who had
picked the flower for him. And in her own
home Lillian was brilliantly happy.
There was light in her eyes, smile on
her lips that spoke of the joy with which
she was filled.
When Kitty Carruthers arrived day later
she was electrified at the beauty and high
spirits of the friend she had always admired,
Almost her first words were:
| 'Have you heard from Philip lately?"
"Philip-Philip-what Philip? Oh! Sir
Philip Fairfax! Yes, he honorS me with an
occasional letter"
| Lady Carruthers was nonplussed.
| It was evidently not love for Philip Fair
fax that was filling Lillian with such wonder
full life and spirits
'sWho is coming to you, Lilian?"
"a crowd OF people. Isn't it bore? We
should have been much happier by ourselves"
| "Why did you ask them then?"
ST believe they mostly asked themselves
am sure the Winters did, and the Hunger
fords and Mrs. Leighton-What is it, Wat
son ?''-this to a footman, who interrupted
them at the moment.
Lord Beauvoir, madam, is in the draw
ing ROOM
| "Ah! show him in here"