Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1899-12-21
CHAPTER TX.
THE LOVE OF A WOMAN

/ grew steadily stronger. and soon
moved from my bed to a big chair
drawn up to the window 1t was the
heat of summer now Harry was more
dashing and poetic than ever before
All the household from the baron and
baroness down to the boy who twirled
the splits in the kitchen, was gay, and
yet deep under my slowly Frightening
face and outward improvement, lay a
black devil eating at my heart It was
the devil Of doubt for Marion whose
eyes had so often seen kind and soft
came to me seldom now, and when. she
did it was always with my mother or
Harry Never word Of my passionate
note under the verses ! think Harry
noticed it. too. for he was kinder than
ever to me Likewise Captain Castle
tree who would come and read aloud
from his books for hours at time
One day was sitting alone at my
open window 1t was early evening
My mother had just left my side, and
was in a half dream 1t was not glad
dream to cheer the heart nor mad
dream of battle to set my pulses leap
ing My gray medtations were broken
by the CHATTER Of huots in the courtyard
below and the sound of greetings
stood az best could for my weakness,
and looked out A biz roam horse was
there and a gentleman had Just dis
mounted and was leaning over my
mother hand The whole family seem
ed to he AT the dining ball door to greet
MIN Marion and the captain greeted
him with the tervor Of old friends
heard my father say wv elcome to my
house Sir Whilst
sank back in my chair
"Who the devil is thisT' said "Ee
bows like sword scabbard and has d
face like a bishop
Presently Harry came upand told me
that the newcomer was Sir Willis How
ard who had come on from England
posthaste with brave news for the cap
tam
"What is the news?" asked huskily
"rhat the estate In Devon viii he
Castletree again on Christmas day,
and that the real political offender has
been discovered
For some time | said nothing Tnt
light had gone out at the window
How young wasl
Then. "Who is Sir Whilst" asked.
"An old fSiend of the Castletrees and
the captains godson, he replied, land
a famous swordsman, too, | have
heard
All this, which should have cheered
me vastly, only threw me into a deeper
gloom
When Harry presented me to the
newcomer, | looked at him narrowly.
measuring him as one fencer does an
other before the saluting He was not
overtall but square shouldered and
long armed His face was long and
grave, his eyes steely, his smile slow
and sinister
, He said very little. but his shifting
eyes saw everything
, With the family he was quite a ia
, vorite at first, and. as the Castletrees
J were persuaded to stay in WassmarB
: until after Christmas, Sir Willis post
poned his own departure.
think we all saw his reason for do
] ing so before three days had past He
walked, rode and sat on the south ter
race with Mistress Marion, and she ac
r copied all his attentions with gayety
His manner toward Harry was al
j ways considerate and pleasant, but to-
, ward me that of a lord to "A footman-
! One day when he had come up with
the captain to borrow my spurs he told
my mother. who was reading aloud
. how in England the younger sons were
S always packed off to the ends of thu
' earth to find their own fortunes
l The captain flushed crimson, TIT
. baroness stared. but only remembered
4 it and made no sign
g In "A few days could move about thu
9 house, and even take short walks on th
terrace. At meals threw off my latel,
o acquired reserve and talked freely, lay
t ing myself open to his cutting sarcasm
l | enjoyed this because II made IN,
i rival anything but lovely in the eyes o
p the family and heightened my scor
n against him Marion. however, seemed
t to find his company rs fascinating a
a ever. and the rest had to put up wit
d their guest
Where was the open hearted bo