The Saint Paul globe., 1899-04-30
CHAPTER XI.
The Wine of Life.

The Earl of Krailin met Castlemaine as he
was leaving the hospital, and together they
walked towards Princes Gate.
Scarcely a word had passed between them;
the mind of the younger man was too full of
the tragic story he had just heard and the
death of his faithful valet, while over the
agitation Of the ea1l at the death of his old
friend there hung & certain embarrassment
as of one conscious Of having made a mis-
take, and anxious to rectify the past, but
fears the true and unpleasant construction
that nay be placed on his actions.
'"This is a terrible thing, terrible tting!"
he broke forth at last. Il never thought two
years ago, when parted in anger what
would be the end. L lancy, Castlemaine, you
never knew that Craymore and 1 had a very
bitter quarrel Prior to his marriage? No;
well. the facts of the case were these clear
ing his throat vigorously. 81 considered you
had been shabbily used, and made it my duty
to tell him pretty plainly, with the result
that he cut up rough, and there was an end
of itI''
81 am beginning to find great deal of
trouble centered in my unworthy self,' said
the younger man. wearly.
well, you see I-er-imagined I had cause
for annoyance" assented the earl, deprecat-
ingly. "Eer-fancied there was little some
thing between yourself and Kitty
There was" interrupted Castlemaine
quietly. I was devotedly attached to your
daughter, but with my change of prospects all
was at end between u.s.
plain broke in the earl, quickly. you be-
haved as an honorab man in Offering the
child her freedom, but to that reply it
was my doing, not hers
'Yours!' cried Castlemaine, stopping short
in amazement.
girl crying and dragged the truth out of her,
and in spite of her protestations that she
would never give you up, under the threat
OF my lifelong dispeasure, and the assur-
~ 70 Wit 6h0 Of
Iconstancy would simply be drag and a bur
den to you. I forced that answer from her,
an answer deeply regret"
Would you have regretted it if, today, my
position were month ago?'' queried Cas-
tlemaine trifle bitterly.
Wen, perhaps not; a father only has his
child's welfare at heart, and must be for
given. Poverty is a sorry partner, Castle
maine. But what I wanted to say is this: If
your feelings are unaltered, I should be proud
to own you son-in-law."
Thanks was the cold reply. But it is
doubtful whether your daughter, now, would
approve Of your opinion"
81 think she would though it is not for me
to say anything" said the earl, quickly.
"Shc vowed two years ago she'd never marry.
and she has kept her word; refused eyery
offer, even to prince of the blood since then.
though you know best whether you've had
any part in her decision"
At that moment they stopped before the
earls house, and Castlemaine, with a look on
his grave, handsome face, that sent the earl.
on second thoughts. off to his club, went in
search of Kitty.
He found her standing as ne had stood
only the previous evening in the great shad-
ed drawing-room leaning against the heavy
rose-colored curtains that threw into such
perfect relief her slender graceful figure and
lovely Irish face, surrounded by its frame of
wavy hair.
Her face vas pensive, her whole attitude
weary, detected ans Castlemaine felt his
brain whirl and his heart beat as he stood
fo- moment motionless in the doorway. ere
he crossed the room, and stood quietly by
her side.