The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-05-27

| deed. the easiest of guardians. and any
man might have made love to Mrs. Eil6.
yard under his very nose without his beins
conscious Of 1t.
Who were your visitors?" he asked
She told him.
They come here pretty often, dom
they?"
Not oftener than other people"
''Ah!" he said. II like 'em both. Ha-
vers is clever, Emerton dashed pleasant
I've thought once or twice they were get
ting rather fond Of you. Nellie"
My dear uncle. you're always thinking
the most foolish things,''
Il don't blame EN-, dear child II
were a young man, and not your uncle.
should want to marry you. L don't say
would marry you; I'm not sure that you
could be trusted more than any other wo-
man. But il people will marry they might
do worse" shHof,
Mrs. Hiidyard was thinking again. and
hardly heard what the Colonel was saying
Dom forget she said. that on
Wednesday we're - go to the Haymarke,
with Mr. Havers. And do remember tc
put on new shirt, not pne of those old
old things you're so fond Of
They were good enough in my day" he
grumbled. But II YOU remind me again
Oh lutStdy 1 Will see dDOut w..
And you might let me have my dia-
monds for that evening" she said. He
opened his eyes and looked at her from I'M
der enquiring brows, but he was too wise to
question her.
Emerton did not hurry matters, but by
Wednesday evening he had worked himself
up to such a pitch Of excitement that
there was nothing for II but ito get into
a hanson and drive to the theatre. He
vas rather late, but by good fortune he
secured stall. and took his place in a
rapidly filling house. The orchestra was
half through the overture, and before he
could discover Hrs. Hildyard the fights
were down and the curtain up. He began
to feel uncomfortable; perhaps she had re-
pented, after all. and had not come, Just as
she had escaped from the Pettigrews' to
go to the Lyceum with him and the obedi-
ent colonel. Perhaps she had been expect
ing him to call and renew his offer; per-
haps she had chosen to put him out Of her
mind altogether and he and all his hopes
were to be cast adrift. He looked at the
stage vacantly. as man in a muse looks
vaguely at picture; only 2 detached
phrase here or there made any impression
on his brain, and when the end of the
i1rst act came he rose YEARLY to go out.
All at once, however, he sat down again.
fully alive. Two rows in front Of him ne
had caught sight Of Mrs Hildyards beau
tiful and animated profile: on her left sat
Colonel Oliver. on her right Havers. An
ironic conversation between two exasperat-
ed gentlemen in the gallery caused her to
turn around. She saw Emerton, recognize
ed him with a little bow and flicker Of the
eyeiids, and went on talking quietly to
Havers. Havers. on his part, was speak
ing very earnestly: the tense attitude of
his shoulders indicated effort. At inter-
walls he glanced at his companion like one
who wishes covertly to see the effect Of a
story on his auditor. Emerton felt I'M
comfortable: he could not hear a word of
what passed between them but he had
rather the feeling Of an eavesdropper and
began to wish he had not come.
But he waited to the end of the second
act and then to the end of the third Mrs.
Hildyard looked particularly brilliant that
was strong in him. He was not jealous Of
Havers: he only envied him his seat. that
was all. 1t was fair game. and he was
prepared to play 1t squarely. He wondered
how Havers was cultivating his opportu-
he made no doubt. He
resolutely refused to watch them. and
succeeded IN getting faint impression of
what the fourth act was about.
AS the theatre emptied. he managed to
reacn MIS-. H1ldyardS side
II thought you were going to Covent
she said. au NJ
so was he said. s-ifS you had been
able to go. came where Icould see you"
If you were so anxious to see me-" she
said, you might have called
I'm coming to see you tomorrow morn
ing he said
You speak as though you had decided
about 1t long ago." 5di
so did. I decided threeodays ago."
Why tomorrow particularly"
For an unimportant reason" he said.
but 1t pleased my conscience. Good
night" He nodded to Havers and Colonel
oliver and slipped away. e;
The next morning he called On Mrs. Hill
1yard. He assured himself that he vas
cool-and SO heIuwas until his
hand was on the knockef; then he went to
pieces. The collapse was so unexpected
hat he incontinently thought of fligat
That. however, being impossible, he had to
stifie his nervousness between the front
loor and the drawing room. This he did
by the not uncommon plan of drifting into
For time the careful re-
serve of Mrs. Hildyard's demeanor kept
him in strangling check; but all at once
his discretion snapped like dry twig.
Il can't keep it any longer!'' he blurted
'Ns' io'c yNu. IL you tCi uc " 6O
lway. III CO. and-and-I want you to
marry me. / know 1t seems absurd. I've
iothing to give you except my love. I shall
lever do anything great or make name
or you. I'm not in the least clever: but
1 you'll only take me for what / am Ill
-. He broke off. There was a most te-
coming moisture in Mrs. Hildyard's eyes:
Ter voice had a tremulous softness that
made Emerson suddenly look up.
II don't want you to be anything great
" make a name for me. Do you think
should love you any better if you did?
will marry ycu-as you are"
She rose as she spoke. and Emerson
prang up with a little. joyful cry. and |
lad her in his arms before he could speak |
word. His victory had been SO easy that |
t dazed him. To possess the desired of |
lis heart was almost too rich a conquest, |
nd Mrs. Hildyard's cheek was wet-wet |
With the happiest tears.
Last night Emerton said a little
ater. as they sat hand in hand like little |
hildren. "as I was watching you thought |
'hat horrible thing it would be to lose
ou-to know that you would never come
ny nearer to me-"
You mustn't think about such things
ny more. Here is Colonel Oliver. Tell |
im all about it,
Later in the day Emerton met Havers.
he latter was rather downcast, but he |.
the other quite cordially. Emer-
on told him that he was engaged to Mrs.
Iildyard.
Il expected it," Havers said. II proposed |
D her myself last night. and was refused.
was at the end of the second act
Poor old chap" Havers said. I'm
orry.''
Il shall get over it, Havers said, lit
lie YEARLY.
II gave you fair cbance. didn't I?'
sked Emerton eagerly. Il never saw her |
fter that afternoon last week. 1 guessed !
ow things were going. and made up my |
lind to wait until today. II you won last |
igt-"