Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1901-04-13
Synopsis of Preceding Chapters.


Adelaide, wife of Sir Randolph Edge of Blent Hall.
eloped with Capt. Fitzhubert. Sir Randolph
died In Russia, presumably in time for Lady
Edge and Fitzhubert to marry and make
their son Harry legitimate. They learn later,
however. that the date of Sir Randolph's death
has been given Incorrectly and Harry is not
the rghtful heir. They keep the matter secret,
and eventually Mrs. Fitzgerald succeeds to the
barony of Tristram of Blent and resides with
Harry at Blent Hall. Unknown to Lady Trist-
ram, Madam Zabriska and Mr.. Jenkinson Neeld
also in possession OF the secret. and Madam
Zabriska, with her uncle, Maj. Duplay, come
to reside at Merrlon Lodge Blent Hall.
Harry learns from his mother that he is not
the rightful heir to Blent. but they determine
to hold the title for him at any cost To
further his he decides to marry Jenny
liver. heiress of Farholme but finds two rivals
in Bob Broadley and Maj. Duplay. The latter
learns Of his unfortunate birth from Mnna
Zabriska. He informs him that he intends to
tell liver and they quarrel, Harry winning in
a brisk tusse. Neeld becomes the guest of
liver at Fairholme. Minna Zabriska meets
Neeld and they form a compact to protect
Harrys interests and maintain secrecy. Lady
Tristram dies after extracting from her son q
promise that Cecily Gansborough, rightful
heiress of Blent, shall be invited to the funeral
Little inclined to sleep, he went down
into the garden presently, lit his cigar and
strolled on to the bridge. He had stood
where he was only few moments when,
to his surprise he heard the sound of
horses hoofs on the road from Blentmouth
Thinking the doctor. who often did his
rounds in the saddle. might have returned,
he crossed the bridge, opened the gate and
stood on the high road The rider came up
in few minutes, and drew rein at the
sight of his figure, but, as Harry did not
move. made though he would ride
again, with no more than the customary
country salute of Good night"
Who is it?'' asked Harry, peering
through the darkness.
"Me-Bob Broadley," was the answer.
you're late"
I've been at the club at Blentmouth.
The cricket clubs annual dinner. you
know"
"Ah. forgot"
Bob, coming to standstill, was taking
the opportunity of lighting his pipe; This
done, he looked up at the house and back
to Harry rather timidly.
Lady TriStram-" he began.
My mother has been dead something
above an hour" said Harry.
After moment Bob dismounted and
threw his reins over the gatepost.
I'm sorry, Tristram," he said holding
out his hand. Lady Tristram was always
everybody" He paused a moment and
then went on slowly. 'It must seem
strange to you. Why, 1 remember when
my father died 1 felt-besides the sorrow,
bit of land and Mingham. But you
Harry could see his head turn as he
looked over the demesne of Blent and
struggled to give some expression to the
thoughts which his companions position
suggested The circumstances of this
meeting made for sincerity and openness;
they were always Bobs characteristics.
Harry, too, was in such mood that he
liked Bob to stay and talk a little
They fell into talk with more ease and
naturalness than they had recently achiev-
ed together. getting back to the friendli-
ness of boyhood, although Bob still spoke
as to one greater than himself and infused
a little Difference into his manner. But
they came to nothing intimate till Bob had
declared that he must be on his way and
was about to mount his horse.
LAS soon as 1 begin to have people here
l hope you'll come often" said Harry, cor
daily. Naturally. we shall be a little
more lively than we've been able to be of
late, and l shall hope to see all my
friends
He did not instantly understand the hes
itation in Bob's manner as he answered
You're very kind. IL shall like to come
"Blent must do it's duty" Harry pursued.
Bob turned back to HIM, leaving his horse
again, Yes. I'll come. I hope 1 know
how to take a licking, Tristram" He
held out his hand.
"A licking?" Both the word and the
gesture seemed TO surprise Harry iris
tram.
'Oh. you know what I mean. You're
engaged to her, aren't you? Or as good
as. anyhow? 1 don't v ant to ask questions
-
Not even as good as yet" answered
Harry, slowly.
"Of course, you know what I feel Every
body knows that. though I've never talked
about it-even to her
why not to her? Isn't that rather
usual in such cases?" Harry was smiling
now.
1T would only worry her. What chance
should l have?"
7
BILE
''Oh. don't know that I'm humble. Per-
haps / think myself AS good a man as
YOU But he laughed a little-"Im
Broadley of Mingham, not Tristram of
Blent."
I see. That's it? And your friend the
major?"
Il shouldn't so much mind having a
turn-up with the major"
But Tristram of Blent isis too much?"
It's not your fault, you can't help it,"
smiled Bob. You're born to 1t, and"
He ended with shrug.
You're very fond of her?" Harry asked.
frowning little.
I've been in love with her all my life
ever since they came to Seaview. Fair
holme wasn't dreamed of then
Ee spoke of FairhoTme with a touch of
bitterness which he FASTENED to correct by
adding: "Of course, I'm glad Of their good
luck"
You mean If it Were Seaview still and
not Fairholme?"
mo. don't I've TO business to think
anything of the sort, and I don't think
it," Bob interposed quickly. You asked
me question and / answered it, I'm not
In position to know anything about you,
end I'm not going to say anything"
"A good many reasons enter into a mar
rage sometimes remarked Harry
Yes with people like you, I know
that"
His renewed reference to Harry's posi-
ton brought another rrown to IIarry's face,
but 1t was the frown of thoughtfulness
not of anger.
Il can't quarrel with the way of the
world. and I'm sure If it does come Off
you'll be good to her"
You think 1 don't care about her
about herself?''
Il don't know, I tell you. / don't want
to know. l suppose you like her."
Yes. l like her" He took the word
from Bob, and made no attempt to alter
or to amplify 1t.
Bob was mounting now; the hour was
late for him to be abroad and work wait
ed him In the morning
Good night. Tristram," he said, as he
settled in his saddle
Good night. And, Bob. If by any chance
It doesn't come off with me you will have
that turn-up with the maior?''