Cañon City record., 1899-02-16

| low me.
"Who is that very distinguished
looking MANI" she asked.
Providence had indeed delivered Mrz
Vivian into my hands, engaged
her eye as | replied, without any show
Of surprise at the question: That Il
Lord ST. AlIeyne."
Inevcr saw terror sit more I.alpably
upon face; then, without word
said, the terror changed to beseech-
ing. really felt sorry for Mrs. Vivian
at that moment, bui l thought of Jack
and hardened my heart.
"Allow me to present you to him."
said Before she had time to reply
had advanced half dozen steps to
meet him.
Il want to introduce you to Mrs
VIVIAN l said You know all about
my love affair"
(which ?- he asked
'"rhe one said. BE thought care
fully for minute.
DO you mean Jack7" he asked
"Of course do"
"well?''
Mrs. Vivian is Jacks mother"
! glanced across the lawn and saw
Jack herself. alone, shining white
against some dark iaurels. Ny mind
was instantly made up.
-Weii?'' he said. again.
Il want you 10 ialk to her for ten
minutes. And, Ike dear old chap
say all the nice things you can about
me. will your
you want me to bamboozle her, do
your
Il want to marry Jack" said.
-All my friends are marrying" st.
Alleyne murmured; they'll soon be
all gone. I'm always doing them good
turns, and they never do anything
for me-"
I'll do anything you like for you II
you'll only manage this" l said. As
1 turned he caugnl me by the arm.
Look here" he said, what am 10
talk about-rising artist, increasing
popularity and all that kind of
thing?-
81 leave II to you. But for heavens
sake don't give me away" He smiled
tenderly.
''As if could" he said
/ saw that Mrs. Vivian's face famed
as presented him. / had never seen
her blush before; but at tie same time
there was a kind of feeble triumph in
her expression that made me sick. ST.
Alleyns dropped Ianguidly at her side
and / sped across the lawn. Mrs. Wv
ian was at liberty to look as much as
she liked; / could trust my friend to
hold her.
Jack saw me coming and turned
away towards the rose garden; /
blessed both her and her acuteness as
followed. She paused when we
seemed fairly alone.
where have you been all the after
noon?-
Talking TO Mrs VIVIAN
OH" she said. was it interesting p
Very. And you?"
I've been waiting for YOU"
We'll, I'm here now. Jack,-
Yes" she said
-Iou want TO marry ma, don't you.
Jack?-
You silly boy she said took her
hand and held it SO that no one could
see.
-You know you do" said; you told
me so once"
md II She asked. closing her fin
gers tightly over mine.
Yes and I'm going TO marry you.~
You dear boy." She said. But how
can you2 Mamma viii never conken nj. =
l thought l detected . hint of tears in
her eyes
But II gain her consent, and this
very afternoon?-
She looked at me with all her youth
OF fire | leaned towards her sudden
ly and she kissed me; the thing was in
evitable- II the world had been look
ing on ! believe she would have kissed
me then.
MY dearest Phil" she said. .Iil mar
ry you whenever you like She
stopped above rose bush and piucked
a blossom: / bent over her shoulder.
and my lips brushed her ear and cheek
selicious.y
Phil. Phii,- she cried. followed
her glance, and there was Mrs. Vivian
sailing towards us, leaning heavily on
ST. Alieyne's arm.
/ fel, convinced. by the indifference
Of St. Alieyne's manner. that he had
been doing his duty TO me. He left Mrs.
Vivian with me. saying; I'll see you
later, old chap" ard he added, in a
whisper: Strike now