The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1900-08-24

got up from Her seat and came into the
room. Little Marjorie trotted after her
mo, not at ALL" stammered Elaine
Her ears We're straining for any sound
outside the door.
There was a footstep in the corridor
She turned her back to the door and
Gtood facing the window. There was a
tap at the door; then it opened, and some
One entered the room.
Il saw you from the street below, Mrs
Rycroft" cried a strong voice. Il got tc
Paris a day earlier-this morning-and
came right along"
Mrs. Rycroft shook hands with him
warmly. The man did not notice the
slight figure standing with her back to.
ward him by the window. He was bend.
ing over little Marjorie. He lifted her in
his arms.
Marjorie, dear" said Mrs. Rycroft,
'this is your father" She turned to him.
"Isn't she a little darling, Dick?"
The woman ut the window was drink
ing in every word eagerly.
"Are 90 WEAKLY my father?"
"Weally," laughed the big man, kissing
the child on the forehead.
Mrs. Rycroft crossed quickly 10 Elaine
81 am sure l beg your pardon" she
said in Il tone of warm apology. "In the
excitement of meeting my brother-in-law,
who has just returned from India,
quite forgot for the moment that We were
trespassers."
She turned to Hesketh.
"Dick," she said, these are not my
rooms. This young lady kindly invited
us i'll here to see the procession from the
balcony
He took step forward. Elaine knew
the moment had arrived. She turned
round slowly. and her gaze met his. He
dropped n step back in his establishment.
''Elaine. he gasped.
"Why, you know one another" cried
Mrs. Rycroft.
Elaine summoned smile.
"Ycs," she faltercd, "Mr. Hesketh and
l knew one another years ago-hefore
he went to India" She put out her
hand, and he took it awkwartlly. His
eyes were fastened upon her, but he said
nothing.
Mrs. Rycroft broke the silence.
"Well. you must come and lunch with
my husband and our party today" she
said checrily. Then you can talk over
old times"
Elaine hesitatcd. Marjorie came over
to her and touched her hand.
DO tum.'' she said plcadingly, land
play with me-
Elaine felt the little warm fingers nes-
Ting in the palm of her hand. She raised
her eyes t" Mrs. Rycroft
Thank you" she said. Il shall be
pleased"
1t was the afternoon of the same day.
Hesketh was with Elaine in the drawing
room of the hotel 1t CHANGED to be emp
ty. For Il few moments there was silence.
He was standing in front of her. She
looked up. and their eyes met.
Elaine he cried hoarsely. Can you
ever forgive me? You don't know what
| have gone through. In India tried to
steel my heart against you, to think of
you bitterly. | married, but it was not
for love. 1t was for power, money, pro-
motion. | deceived myself that it was
right to do So" He paused. "She was
a good woman, and l was kind to her.
When Marjorie was born, she died. |
sent the child home with Mrs. Rycroft,
and she has taken charge Of her ever
since"
He stopped again. Elaine waited with
beating heart for him to continue.
"And when | saw you again this morn
ing" he cried, Il knew that | loved you
that | have never ceased from loving
you all these years! Is it too much to
ask you-to forgive-to be my wife
now?" he added slowly.
He looked into her eyes, and she re-
turned his gaze. She saw the face of
the one man she had loved.
I'VE were both to blame" she muir
INJURED.
'Ah, we have wasted ten years." he
cried. but we can make it up"
The walls seemed to fade away. In
their place a country lane. Again they
were walking together, her arm resting
on his. A feeling of happiness and con-
tent crept over her.
ayes. we can make it up" she said
gently.
In the hall Mrs. Rycroft had met Mr..
Carbutt. She chatted to him for few
moments.
WASN'T it Grange that my brother-in-
law should have known Miss Maxwell
years ago?' she said casually.
He made his way up stairs. He open
ed the door Of the drawing room quietly
and peeped in. Apparently it was de-
serted. Then his eyes rested on two fig
ures at the far end of the room. He look
ed for q moment to make sure, then re-
tired, shutting the door noiselessly. He
walked slowly up to his room.
"A chance return to the inevitable
one," he said with sigh, land my poor
little union of affection vanishes into
thin air. / suppose that must be glad
for her sake" he added softly.-Mainly
About People.