The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1899-02-26


have helped me with this. AS it is, l cafnot
take it off your fingers till I've Strengthened
it out little My dear"-turning to Nora
I'VE are longing flor little music. Will you
obge US? And, Mrs. Forster, perhaps you
wouldn't mind turning over the leaves for
Miss Drummond. You see how helpless Sir
Basil is
IF Miss Drumnnond will wait a few
minutes began Sir Basil, eagerly; but Nora
was already at the piano. and the next mo-
ment my lady claimed his attention so i'm
newing his offer.
Nora played and sang for about half
hour Lady Tudor taking care to monopolize
Sir Basil nearly all the time.
Again and again Nora heard her call him
Basil and she once heard him add her
as "Isobel."
Her heart felt heavy as lead as she listened.
Il could have made him happy" she
thought, with perfect passion of regretful
pain. Yes; whether that offer of his pro-
ceeded from real love or only from high
She never will
Presently she heard his voice close behind
her
Miss Drummond, you must be tired of
Playing he said with the frank, kind look
she knew well.
And again her heart achell with a sense of
passionate pain, as she realized what she had
lost-what she had put from her with de-
lliberate hand.
Il have some new views here" said Lady
Tudor, who had moved towards the piano the
moment Sir Basil done SO. snail We look at
them?"
She opened large picture album as she
spoke.
Sir Basil placed chairs for the ladies round
the table, and his cousin noticed, angrily, that
it was against Miss Drummond's chair he set
his own.
However, she had her revenge, for in a
minute or two, Fate played straight into her
hands.
Among the pictures there was one of a
Nora loked at it with interest, and re-
marked, softly
Il am very glad I have that picture
very glad, indeed 1 have a dear friend out
there, not three miles from this very town.
Lady Tudor shot a swift glance at Sir
Basips face, and told herself triumpslantly
that he imagined that dear friend" WIS the
lover to whom Miss Drummond hoped some
day to be united
He asked no questions, and Nora voa1ch-
safed no further information as to the nature
Of her friendship with the person whose home
was in Canada
That unfortunate impression was allowed to
remain on his mind, whereat my lady ne
joiced greatly.
Two or three albums of views were duly,
examined and criticised, and then Lady Tu-
dor challenged Sir Basil to a game Of chess
He. was, in courtesy bound to comply; but
of course, this left Nora and Mrs. Forster
nothing to do but become unlookers.
After watching one game through, and the
commencement of another, Nora said
IF you will excuse me- Lady Tudor, I will
wish you goodnight"
"Oh, certainly; goodnight Miss Drum
mond!" said my lady, feigning to be deeply
absorbed in her game.
Sir Basil was absorbed, too, for he was
planning checkmate.
Nevertheless he rose from his seat with a
hurried Excuse me moment" and
crossing the room, had opened the door for the
governess to pass through, as if she had been
a duchesss.
She little paler than usual, and
looked sad and weary. At least, thought
Sir Basil.
"Good-night Miss Drummond,' he said,
taking her hand and holding it for one
moment.
The kindness in his tone almost brought the
tears to her eyes.
1t seemed, in unobtrusive fashion, to say
he sympathized with her in her changed po-
sition; and yet without one touch of patron
age or of aught that could hurt the proudest
or most sensitive nature.
And l once dared to say he was no gen.
tleman she murmured to herself as she
went YEARLY up the great staircase, with
down-bent head and tear-illed eyes. "Oh!
l wonder if a girl has ever been more bitterly
punished for fit of caprice than II"