The Saint Paul globe., 1899-03-19


change in the young mans circumstances,
and but too delighted to see his daughter
happy, and to give his consent to their mar
riage.
indeed Lady Melita professed herself to be
quite in love with Brian-that is, she would
have been, she said, had she any heart left
to lose-and Mr. Warrington and Brian
speedily became great friends. The settle
ment of Mr.. Marchs affairs proceeded quick
ly and it seemed probable that Brian would
at very early date be put into possession OF
the Grange and his uncle'S fortune
visit to the old house was amongst one
of the pleasantest events Of this time-a visit
Lady Melita suggested, and which she en-
joyed almost as much as Violet herself did.
You think you could be happy here, dar-
ling?" said Brian, in low tone, as he stood
with Violet in the deep bay window of the
drawing-room. "The poor old place is in
want of thorough renovation, but
Happy Who could not be happy here,
Brian-and with your! she replied, looking
up into his face with eyes full of love-
You will announce the engagement soon,
day. You, vi, ought to be beginning to
thing about getting your trousseau. You
don't know till you have to do it what an
anxious time it is, and what a very long
| while it takes. I declare I wore myself to
skin and bone before I came down here, rum
ming from shop to shop, and paying perpet-
ual visits to my dressmaker. I'm thankful
| it's all ordered and ready, T can tell you.
Now about the party, unce.'
What party, my dear Melita?" asked
Lord Forester.
"The party you to give in honor of
Violet,s engagement, of course, uncle re-
Wednesday, amt they, and the Heathcotes
and Cecils-all relatives of ours in the neigh
borhood, amt they? You must call all your
our friends and relatives together, uncle,
and give a jolly, delightful party-a dance
would be best-in honor of the engagement
and to introduce Brian to his new relations" "
ANY excuse for party, said Reggie, mis-
| chievousy "Melita is never satisfied till
| "Melita knows how things ought to be
done, and means you are to learn too sir"
cried her ladyship, with feigned indignation.
But, seriously now, uncle dear, don't you
think little dance would be very nice and
appropriate? vi would like it, and Brian too.
1 am sure' she added, insinuatingly.
We'll well, settle it amongst yourselves,
young people," said Lord Forester, good
naturedly; "only don't expect me to make
any of the arrangements, that's all. I'll
| leave it all to you and Violet, Melita, remem-
ber that
The responsibility did not appear to have
any terrors for Lady Melita. Plans were
evening, and it was settled that dinner
party, to which all relatives in the neigh
| borhood should be asked, should be followed
/ by dance, to which all friends and ac-
| Quaintances round about the Court should
| be invited, and that at the dinner Brian
should be formally introduced to his fiancee's
relations as Lord Forrestier'S intended SON.
in-law and her future husband.
| "You look charming, VII" said Lady Me-
iita, as she and Violet descended to the
drawing-room, dressed for dinner, to re-
ceive the expected guests. How proud
Brian will feel of you! Heigho! 1 shall have
| to retire into the shade, I suppose, now, In
deed, I feel my day is over, and 1 am no
| longer object of interest to anyone-no
more the bride Never mind! I forgive you
and will give way to you with good grace
since have had my day!"
! The dinner was great success, and if
Lady Melita thought her cousin looked WELL
no one disagreed with her. Dressed in white
and wearing an old-fashioned handsome set
| of pearls and turquoises, her beautiful fair
| fastened by pins set with the same gems in
a coil at the back of her well-shaped head
Violet looked wonderfully handsome and
high-bred, and very sincere were the con-
gratulations rendered to Brian Beresford on
his approaching marriage, and to the fair
bride-elect on her future prospects.
| Dinner was over, and Violet was about to
| give the ladies the sign to rise from the
| table, when an unwonted noise was heard in
the hall; there were voices, hurried footsteps
| someone speaking in a peremptOry tone.
| Violet looked at her father in astonish-
melt, but before Lord Forester had time to
open, and in spite of the efforts of the butler
and other servants to prevent them, four
men unceremoniously entered the room.
| The foremost advanced to where Brian
| was seated, and laid his hand on his shoul-
der.
| II arrest you, Brian Beresford," he said, in
clear emphatic voice, "for the murder of
Devos Guarda, at Cliffville, Ontario"
| Brian started to his feet, as did Lord For
restier. Violet, pale and trembling, put her
hand on Brian's shoulder.
What do you mean? It-oh, Brian,
father" she said in faltering accents.
II have made my business plain enough
Miss" replied the police inspector 1T will
be best for the prisoner to come away with