Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1900-06-14
CHAPTER III.

I
lace cap rests on her white hair. On
the hearthrug stands Barbara, in a
simple white frock, primrose sash
round her slim waist. There is an
| expression Of resolution on her pretty
face, but the eyes are wistful and APP
pealing.
Mrs Saville is putting on her brace
lets. Even in her old age she is a vain
woman, and casts sundry glances at
a face that owes much to art.
b lara turns round suddenly, her
! cart beating wildly beneath the
white. lace-trimmed bodice Of her
gown.
Aunt Julia, want to tell you
| something"
The agitation in the young voice
does not escape Mrs. Saville. She
crosses the room suddenly, and lays
two jeweled hands on Barbara's Shout
| ders.
MY dear. are you going to be my
! daughter? Is that 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.
mo, Aunt Julia. told Sebastian
| today-thls afternoon at Barrystown
that could not marry him. because
l am engaged to George Bouverle."
1t is out at last, the wonderful
secret and the girlish face is covered
| with confusion
Engaged to George Bouverie?" Mrs.
Saville echoes the words wildly. Il
am surprised, Barbara! Since when,
may | ask?"
About a month ago." Barbara re-
! plies. George wanted to speak to
you. but l wished him to wait till |
heard from father. He ought to know
| first" with a 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 a short, unpleasant
| laugh.
MY dear child, do you think your
| father will sanction such an engage
ment for 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 it 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. | am sorry for Sebastian. He
has loved you for years. and it 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 If 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 SUM
bers peacefully.
Sabastians fingers closed on Bar
| bara's wrist with clasp that Is pain
! full.
DO You think ! shall ever give you
up to him?' he asks, fixing her with
| his strange, powerful gaze. I'VE Sa-
| villes know how to keep our own"
Il am a Saville. tool 'retorts Bar
! bara, shaking off his hand, "and you
have no right to speak to ne like that,
| Sebastian"
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 I think you are cruel
and cowardly."
| Cruel and cowardly? You shall
unsay those words." he breathes out
fiercely, his face close to her scarlet
cheek. Barbara, your beauty mad
dens me! / 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,
matter? Sebastian, you need not say
any more; have made my choice"
And so have II" 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"-moving away across the
room.
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 short interview
with Mrs. Sayille. That lady gives
him to understand pretty plainly that,
without the consent of Barbara's faith
er, the name even of engagement is
not to be mentioned.
Barbara Is under my charge. Mr.