The Lamar register., 1900-06-27


board and started for Tasmania.
"She is most extraordinary GIRL"
he says, sitting by his mothers bed
side, and giving her report of his
proceedings. Just fancy! She would
not buy a single thing for the voyage
except a deck chair, rug and some
lavender water: and she insisted on
travelling second class, though her
fathers friends were going first, and
seemed greatly annoyed. They will,
through Barbara's obstinacy, be un-
able to be of the slightest use to her
during the voyage"
What can she mean?" calculates
Mrs. Saville, looking very grim and
grey as she reclines on her pillows.
Sebastian shrugs his shoulders
Who can assign any reason for the
vagaries OF a woman's mind? That
fool Bouverie came to the railway sta
ton, and they stared into each others
eyes like couple oflunatics. thought
Barbara was going to have Mysteries
Well, she has seen the last of him.
II rumor is right he has about come
to the end of his tether. He looks bad
enough, and 1t strikes me his express
sion spells ruin more than grief at los
ing sweetheart
''It Is a good thing Barbara has
gone" Mrs. Saville remarks. BY the
time you go out to Tasmania she will
have forgotten Bouyerie and be very
glad to see you"
II hope So" says Sebastian drily.
considering she is to have all the
accumulated savings of her father and
her mothers fortune as we'll" Then
his face changes suddenly. And If
she hadn't penny should marry her
all the same. She is the only woman
ever wanted for my wife"-rising
and leaving the room.
And while the great steamer con-
tanning Barabra in her second-class
quarters ploughs her way through the
grey pillows. George Bouverie once
more looks out into the world, with
hope shining in his eyes and look
OF relief on his handsome face
To-day. that before sunset is to be a
day OF tragedy, is as other days with
the scent Of coming spring in the air.
Mrs. Bouverle has been moved to the
sofa, and lies like a fragile lily, with
her white hair and meek, q, let eyes.
George is beside her. and her deli
cate. blue-veIned hands are lying in
his broad. sunburnt palm. They have
had a long talk. mother and son-one
of those rare talks that have brough.
heart very near to heart The moth
er's lips are tremulous, her eyes tear
ful. They have been talking about
Barbara. and II the young man has
given his all 10 the Woman he hopes to
makes his wife. there is no jealousy in
the heart that has loved him since the
moment he was born.
You don't know what she is.
mother" he is saying. Il cannot tell
you all. but she is an angel. I don't
think there Is any one like her. Bar
bara has saved me-" he whispers very
low. his sunny head bent. Il am go
ing to be a good man. mother. for her
sake. to fit myself to be her husband;
and, God helping me, she viii never
have cause to blush for me again"
For a moment IL seems to Mrs
Bouverie that there is bitterness in
the thought OF the easy victory won by
girls love. the promises made that
all her prayers and tears could not
gain; but it is only for moment. The
mother-love crushes down every un-
generous thought, and 1t is a very ten
der. smiling face that lifted from the
silk-trilled pillows.
My boy, my son. you have made me
very happy"
George stoops and kisses her.
Some day you will know how Bar
bara has saved me. Mother dear,
must not tire and worry you when you
are so weak. am going to turn over
a new leaf and take to farming. oh.
you don't know all I am going to do"
laughing as he speaks, a laugh that
is little tremulous because he feels
like one who has been reprieved.
George goes of to Portraven, still
with that tremulous joy and relief in
his heart. and feels very humble and
thankful.
George goes to the bank. eashes a
small cheque-a cheque that now he
feels ashamed of because the money
has been won from a bookmaker
However, 1t is the last time, he says to
himself, pocketing the gold and leav-
ing the bank. As he runs down the
steps he comes face to face with Sc
bastian Sayille. The two men nod to
each other in the manner of those who