Evening journal., 1900-12-19

she 1cds standing up, nerUously playing
1glth her rings.
The room seemed strangely quiet after
the stormy interview in the sick cham
Der which we had just left. The pale
winter sunlight was stealing in aslant
through the low windows. The fire had
sunk to a deep red glow, and in an arm
chair drawn up in front of it, newspaper
in hand, was Carr, evidently fast asleep
"Oh. my prophetic soul!' whispered
Charles, nudging Marston, and then he
went forward and dshouted, "Luncheon!"
in a voice that would have walked the
dead.
Carr started up and rubbed his eyes.
why, believe you have been here
ever since | left you here, hours ago, "
said Charles, in a surprised tone, though
really under the circumstances it did not
require great stretch Of the imagina-
tion to suppose any such thing.
Yes" said Carr, still rubbing his
eyes. Have you been gone long?
expect fell asleep"
Il rather thought you were inclined
for a nap whan / left you," replied
Charles. airly; "anl now let rs go to
luncheon"
twas very dismal meal. Lady Mary
did not come down to it, and Aurelia sat
with red eyes. fearful and silent. Ralph
was evidently out of favor, for she hardly
spoke to him, and snubbed him decidedly
when he humbly rendered a peace offer
ing in the form Of potato. Evelyn. too,
was silent, or made spasmodic attempts
at conversation with Mrs. Marston, the
Bnly unconstraiued person Of the party.
Evelyn and Aurelia had appeared To-
gether, and it was evident from Evelyns
expression that Aurelia had told her.
What conversation there was turned
upon Sir Georges illness.
I'VE must go by the afternoon train,
my dear" said MarstOn down the table
TO his wife. In Sir Georges present
state all visitors are an incubus"
Carr looked up. II think ought to
60 too, he said Il wished to arrange
to do so this morning, but Mr.. Dan
vers," glancing at Charles, ''would not
hear Of it. l am sure when there is i'll
ness in house strangers are always in
tie way"
Il have seen my father since then, 50
replied Charles. "and fear his illness Ia
much more serious than 1 had any ldea
Of That being the case, 1 feel it would
be wrong TO press any one, even Middle
ton, to stay and share the tedium Of a
sick house"
After a few more civil speeches it was
arranged that Carr should, after all
leave by the train which he had proposed
in the morning. Itwas found that there
was still time for him to do 50, but that
was all. He was evidently as anxious
to be off as the Danverses were that he
should 60 The dog cart was ordered, q
servant despatched to the lodge in hoi
haste to pack his portmanteau and II
half an hour he was bidding as good-by
evidently glad to SEE it. Poor fellow
He little guessed, as he shook handi
with us, how shamefully he had beer
suspected, how villainously he had beer
traduced behind his back.
Somehow OF other 1 had not had {
moment Of conversation with him since
the morning, or a single chance Of telling
him how had stood up for him in hi
absence. Either Charles or Marstol
was always at hand, and when he tool
leave Of me could only shake his han'
warmly, and tell him to come and Sc
me again in town. Watched him spin
ming down the drive in the dog-cart
little thinking how soon l should Sc
him again, and in what circumstances
1--WE shall have more snow" SAT-
Ralph, coming indoors. Il feel it il
the air."
General and Mrs. Marston were tn
next to leave, starting an hour later an
going in the opposite direction. l SAY
Marston turn aside when his wife wa
taking leave Of the others and go up {
Charles. The old hand and the youn
one met and were locked tight.
"Good-by, my dear boy" said Mar
ton.
Don't go" said Charles, without lool
ing up.
Il must, said Marston. II am due {
Kemberley tonight, on business; but
In lower tone, Il shall come back t.
morrow, in case can be of any use."
They were gone, and was the onl
one remaining. 1t has occurred to II
since that perhaps tney expected me
90, too, but never thought Of it at Il
time. had been asked for a week, an
to GO before the end Of it never so muC
as entered my head.
There was no chance Of going out. II
early winter afternoon was already clio
ing in, and few flakes Of snow we
drifting like feathers in the heavy al
promising more to come. Every Of
seemed to have dispersed-Ralph l
stairs to his father, Charles out Of doc
somewhere in spite of the weather.
remembered that / had not written
Jane since left London, and went in
the library to do so.
As 1 came in / saw Evelyn sitting in
low chair by the fire, gazing abstracte
II into it. She started when she saw N
and on my saying wished to write sol