The times., 1900-12-30

the hussy! But I'll track her! I'll turr
her face hack to Tewipton!'
"Tut, tut, MARSHALL" said Mr.. Ferris
"Jula is here, having danced the night
through beneath this very roof. Ycndel
she is now.' For Mistress Truxall fel-
| lowed her father into the holly-room
while the dancers in the hall were still
| flying up and down the middle. and the
fddles were waxing furious.
| What does this mean, miss?" he thun-
| dered. How dare you leave home whe1
! a guest was expected-the man you are
| to marry?"
''The man I shall never marry" spoke
| Miss Truxall, with her chin up. Am
child, to be followed in this manner?'
Here. William, send for her cloak"' he
shouted, his face fairly purple. Call
Nancy, Your carriage is harnessed with
out. Well return in it. Have my horse
put up for tonight, Cad, she shall re-
ceive Dick Daggart at Tewipton on Christ
mas morning yet! And for the rest OF
this escapade shall be responsible to him,
too, Come, Juiai" sa.
He strode outward, and the fire SEEM
ed suddenly to die from her eyes and
EeariGess to take it's place. Nancy ap-
peared with her cloak which she wrapped
about her, and for an instant our eyes
met, as i bowed at the door, saying:
Mistress Truxall, may / have the honor
of appearing at Tewipton on Christmas
Day to pay my respects to your father?
She bowed her head and courtesied, and
followed her father outward without a
word.
1t was white Christmas when / rode
across country to Tewipton. rode hard, be
1t known, for that which had been born in
me on Christmas eve was sealed to GER
tainty by the stronger light Of day. 1t was
an early hour, and | was shown into the
great hall. where Mistress Truxall stood
with her arms full of holly and her cloak
upon her shoulders. She had but just
come in from the frosty air, for its glow
fingered upon her face as she came for
ward to meet me. But l seemed to see
a softer look back Of it, as OF tears shed
in the night time.
my father is with his overseer." she
said, when she had bade me good MORN
ing. 81 will send for him."
wait, Mistress Truxall." said, stand
ing before her; first l must tell you
that which causes my appearance at so
early an hour. l am not of the habit to
mince words. and 1 am come to crave
your permission to speak to your father
of the condition he has made concerning
Mr.. Richard Daggart." Her eyes fell be-
fore mine, and she stood motionless,
albeit with the color passing slowly from
her sweet face, as l spoke. 1T is far
too soon to hope that you would look
favorably upon me, Mistress Truxall; in
deed, I fear that my action may sayor>
of presumption in your eyes; but in all
truth l ask you to believe that none is
meant. 0uly last night, l learned past
any doubt whatever, that you are for me
the one woman on earth. and am come
to tell you so, before your father shall
consider the suit of that other. What
have you n saw TO madam?'
Il would fear the frailty of regard that
were so quickly born" said she, but with
low sweetness of voice. albeit trem-
blingly, that caused my heart to respond
as does a silent harp when touched to
sudden music.
Nay, there may come moment in life
that shows all which preceded it to have
been but waiting time" 1 answered. 1T
was thus with me- If il had not taken a
night for the learning of your spirit, Mis-
tress Truxall and | serve you as | woul1
be served by you, with truth, albeit with
suddenness. / love you, madam Have
you aught now or in the future to say
to me?"
In spite of herself her eyes were drawn
upward to my face, and rested there with
a deep questioning of my loyalty, and so
much of loneliness for one SO young that
they moved my soul. 'If ii be too soon
iONc 10 Sptdh " YOU win Sti ldihtJ, L
will not urge it, other than that mine
may strive TO teach you." I said Then she
bowed her head and l bent and kissed
her hand. which for moment lay In mine
with a silence that were a dearer promise
than words. 1t was broken by her faith
er's voice:
why, why, boyl Come at last! Well
come 10 Tewiptoni l have expected you
since yesterday. Welcome welcomed"
The old gentleman, who had entered with
his hounds at his heels. was delightedly
shaking my hands. but with a look of some
surprise at finding his daughter with me,
but she spoke. standing beside me:
"No. father, this gentleman is Sir Cecil
Eversham. who kindly accompanied me to
Kings Manor last evening"
''Sir-sir, what?" stanme mered he, start
ing forward to scan my face.
Richard Cecil Daggart- -Eversham. sir. +"
I answered. having recently inherited my
uneles title"
l felt rather than heard the quick-drawn
breath of her who stood beside me. and
the rustic of the holly which fell to the
floor.
What? Dick? Dick Daggart old Sir
Cecil's heir? Why, Dick, you scamp! You
rascal What trick is this?' Here he
broke into uproarious laughter as near
the surface as was his temper. Cad. 10y
the tales of your pranks were not false!
Old Sir Cecil dead and / never knew 1t!