The Irish standard., 1900-04-07


Hamlyn had Il chance of taking Miss
Valentine out alone
The constant companionship. how
ever. had brought about the usual re-
suit Humlyn WIS not an intlam-
mablc man. lie had reached the ma
turc age of 3o--not unsought after
without having Succtnnbcd to felni-
nine charms. Eut there was some
thing about the fair American which
fascinated him in spite of himself.
To-day. as She came into his room.
Il perfect vision of freshness and love-
illness in the gloomy atmosphere of
the Temple. Hamlyn WAS conscious Of
Il certain shyness and reserve in her
manner that he had not noticed be-
fore.
Il don't believe | ought to come
here by myself" she said, as She
closed the door. II wonder what
AUNT Catherine would say TO it,
You are late" said liuunlyn. 81
have been waiting impatiently for
YOU"
Am I. rcalIy??:' replied Alice.
What is the time. them"
He pulled at hi; watch chain me-
chanically. for@ctfu OF his rscapade,
and disclosed the bare swivel. He col
ored slightly rs he realized his mis-
take, and felt her eyes upon him, but
answered lightly:
'Ab"ut 20 minutes past one,
fancy"
She was walking around the ROOM
glancing at the Notwithstanding
books and the papers tied with pink
tape, getting. as she expressed it. the
"atmospherc" of the place
ut must be just lovely TO work
here" she said. "Evcrything seems
so old and historic ! believe should
only have to sit here IL few hours Il
day and ! should become a lawyer by
breathing the air"
(which reminds me" said lIumlvn,
"1hat have been breathing air quite
long enough and want lunch. Where
shall we go?"
Alice Valentine hcsiin'"d
Look here" she said, at last, 81
want to say something to you. You
have been taking me about such IL
lot and have done nothing for you.
| feel real mean. want you to let
me stand YOU Il lunch to-day"
He shook his head Iaughingly.
'lon forget he said. that you arc
my guest; but want you to say
where yolI would like to 60
He named Il wclI-knuwn restaurant
in PiccadiIly, where she knew the
prices were ruinous.
NO., she said, don't let us go
there, Will YOU take me to one of
those little bohemian places you told
me OF where YOU get Il table d'hotc
lunch for Is pence. | should love to
go. 1T would be u new experience"
"lou look to" smart, he replied.
glancing at her admiringly: ''but |
tell you what will do. We will split
the difference and go 10 Il kind of
scmi-fashionablc place where you
shall see all sorts and conditions of
people and hear Il band"
Once of twice during lunch when
conversation tagged. IIamIyn noticed
again the thoughtful expression on
her face. At last he took the mat
ter up.
Tell me-" he said, what you are
thinking of"
81 was Thinking" she replied. slow
ly. "of how ] could help some one
who has been very good TO me"
mot difficult matter. sureIy-for
you?"
cit is very difficult" she said. "un-
der the circumstances. The person i
want to help is poor and, | think, very
proud
cloth. and stndiously avoiding his
eyes.
Can be of any assistancc?" he
said.
"You--why-" she laughed "Ycs.
perhaps YOU can. / will think about
it and lie, you know"
There was new sympathy in her
voice and manner. and lIamlyn felt
Il mad desire TO take her there and
then in his arms and cover her face
with kisses.
tfftic WIS NO opportunity then
to tell her of his love. Immediately
after lunch they were obliged to hlr-
ry Off TO meet Miss Stafford at Il matt
nee. and llamlyn had no further
| chance of Il trtc-a-tcte With Alice. but
he arranged satisfactorily Il meeting
for Monday afternoon. when he deter
mined to put his fate to the test.
You will not forget" he said at
parting. ito let me help you in the
matter you mcntionch?
No" she replied, with IA singular
look on her face. Il will not forget
AS Evcrard walked bone he rccaled
checks. sweet mouth. earnest brows
and eyes of soitrst fire There was
that in her look which satisfied him
He was awakened from his revert,
by an urchin innuring what o'cloc,
it was. For the second time that day
he mechanically tugged at his watcl
chain.
"Confound it!' he exclaimed, as he
realized his loss. 81 never knew that
it was such a nuisance to be with
out watch. must get it out first
thing on Monday morning"
The urchin. grasping the situation
ran away, grinning.
On Sunday llamIyn again hcthough
himself Of the watch.
81 had better study the ticket" ht
| said "anO see what | shall have IL