The Lamar register., 1900-06-13

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 arc
full of happiness.
But in the evening Sebastian joins
her as, sitting at the piano, she plays
dreamy music while Mrs. Saville slum-
bers peacefully.
Sabastian's fingers closed on Bar
bara's wrist with clasp that is pain
full.
DO you think l 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 owni'
Il am Saville. tool 'retorts Bar
bara. shaking off his hand, "and you
have no right to speak to me like that
Sebastian"
Have not?" he whispers. 81 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 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! I 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
And am to have no voice in the
matter? Sebastian. you need not say
any. more: I have made my choice
And 50 have IT, he says. with u
ring OF suppressed passion In his voir
as he rises to his feet Don't thina
for one moment, Barbara, that VIII
give you up"-moving away across tn
room.
The days that follow are unhappy
enough. Barbara finds her engage
ment ignored, and she herself under
goes sort of domestic boycotting
ernoon and holds short interview
with Mrs. Saville. 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.
Bouverie. and her father would never
forgive me II she made an undesirable
marriage. may as well tell you at
once he has other views for his daugh
teri"
George is furious; but what is the
use OF being angry? He and Barbara
are treated as a pair OF children. al
lowed to play at being engaged II they
choose, with the distinct understand
ing that It can never come to any
thing.
"Of course cannot prevent my
niece promising to marry you," Mrs.
Saville says, with great frankness
turning her heavy. expressionless face
on George. She is quite at liberty
TO engage herself to any one she
chooses; but feel sure. Mr.. Bouverie
you will have the good sense and
taste to agree with me that, under the
circumstances. It would be better for
you not to visit at the Court until
Barbara can hear from her father
You have written to him. presume ?'
Yes. George has written, and colors
up as he thinks of his letter. which he
had found so hard to write, for he
had so little to offer Barbara but his
love.
A kind OF smile passes over Mrs.
Saville's face.
Il suppose you have explained to
Mr. SavIlle how you intend to sup
port wife?" she asks, with a degree
OF sarcasm.
81 have two hundred year" says
poor George. and in course of time
the Grange comes to me-"
'.Ah. yes, but fear Mr.. Saville may
not take quite such a hopeful view as
You do"
Which is undeuiable. and Gerge
feels that he can say nothing in re-
ply.
Mrs. Saville writes herself to Tas-
mania by the next mail. Barbara
watches her aunt as she sits at her
writing table her pen racing over the
foreign notepapar. covering page after
page abusing George, thinks Barbara
Indignantly. The letter is posted, and.