The Elbert County tribune., 1900-06-14
BY AMY BRAZIER,


woman. and casts sundry glance. a,
a face that owes much to art
Barbara turns round suddenly. her
heart beating wildly beneath the
white. lace-trimmed bodice of her
Aunt Julia. want to tell Won
something" ''u
rhe agitation in the young voice
does not escape Mrs. Saville. shs
crosses the room suddenly. and laws
Two 1eweled hands on Barbara's sboul.
ders.
MY dear. are you going to be my
daughter? Is tnat what you are going
to tell me, Barbara?"
Barbara turns rather white but
the beautiful blue eyes are brave
enough as she looks up at her aunt
NO, Aunt Julia. / told Sebastian
today-this afternoon at Barrystown
that could not marry him. because
l am engaged to George Bouverie."
II is out at last, the wondef,I
secret. and the girlish face is covered
with confusion.
Engaged to George Bouverie?" Mrs.
Saville echoes the words wildly. "I
am surprised, Barbaral Since when.
may I ask?"
About month ago." Barbara re-
plies, George wanted to sneak TO
you, but / wished him to wait till
heard from father. He ought to know
nrst." with pleading look.
Mrs. Saville is very angry. A leaden
look comes over her face. and her pale
full eyes scintillate with passion; yet
she only gives short, unpleasant
laugh.
MY dear child, do you think your
father will sanction such an engage
ment for a moment? / have no power
over you. Barbara-engage yourself as
much as you please; but do not for
one moment think your father Will
allow you to marry young man who
possesses nothing but debts. As for
Mr.. Bouverie, he may be very disin-
terested; but 1t is far more probable
he imagines you have money. But |
may as well tell you at once you will
have no fortune II you marry contrary
to your fathers wishes
I'VE could not help caring for each
other" falters Barbara.
my dear, with that have nothing
to do. l am sorry for Sebastian. He
has loved you for years. and 1t has
been the dream of his life to make
you his wife. but OF course all that
is at an end. Come, Barbara, feel
sure dinner is ready. and Sebastian
will not like to be kept waiting
laying her hand on Barbara's arm.
And together they pass through count
less long, draughty corridors, Mrs.
Saville sweeping along in her velvet
gown, inwardly furious at Barbara
having dared to become engaged with
out her knowledge; for Barbara's for
tune had been destined to build up the
Court and restore the Saville family to
prosperity.
Barbara, feeling as IL she were In
deep disgrace, walks beside the mas
sive figure OF her aunt. to confront Sc
bastian with lowering brow and furi-
GUS eyes. He and his mother exchange
glances as they take their places and
tonight Barbara is strictly left out in
the cold as far as conversation goes.
She does not care-her thoughts are
full of happiness.
But In the evening Sebastian joins
her as, sitting at the piano, she plays
dreamy music while Mrs. Saville slum-
bers peacefully.
Sabastian's fingers closed on Bar
bara's wrist with clasp that is pain
full.
TIL 7 han orft
up to him?" he asks, fixing her with
his strange, powerful gaze. I'VE Sa-
villes know how to keep our own!"
II am a Saville. too!' 'retorts Bar
bara, shaking off his hand. land you
have no right to speak to me like that.
Sebastianl"
Have / not?" he whispers. Il have
the right of every man to try and win
the woman he loves. and | will make
you love me yet. Barbara"
"Never.' the girl exclaims, passion
ately. "And l think you are cruel
and cowardly."
Cruel and cowardly? You shall
unsay those wordsi" he breathes out
fercely. his face close to her scarlet
cheek. Barbara, your beauty mad
dens mel l have looked upon you as
mine for so long, and your father
wishes you to marry me. He wrote to
me himself"
She lifts her dark head with pride.
and am I to have no voice in the
matter? Sebastian. you need not say
any more; | have made my choice"
"And so have T." he says, with a
ring OF suppressed passion in his voice
as he rises to his feet. Don't think
for one moment. Barbara, that l will
give you up,,-moying away across the
room, ..-....----..-
The days that follow are unhappy
enough. Barbara finds her engage
ment ignored, and she herself under
goes a sort OF domestic boycotting.
George arrives at the Court one aft
ernoon and holds a short interview
with Mrs. Saville. That lady gives
him to understand pretty plainly that,
without the consent OF Barbara's fath-
or the name even of engagement 10
not to be mentioned.
"Barbara is under my charge, MT
Bouverie, and her father would never
forgive me II she made an undesirable
marriage. I may as well tell you at
once he has other views for his daugh-
teri"
George is furious; but what is the
use of being angry? He and Barbara
are treated as a pair OF children, al
lowed to play at being engaged II they
choose. with the distinct understand
ing that It can never come TO any
thing.
"of course I cannot prevent my
niece promising to marry you.' Mrs
sayille says. with great frankness'
turning her heavy. expressionless face
ON George. "She is quite at liberty
IN enpaee herself to any one she