Evening star., 1901-04-27

stayed 1t was too strange that every as
sociation and every tradition and every
emotion which had through all the years
seemed to justify and even to sanctify his
own position and the means he was taking
to preserve 1t should in two or three days
begin to desert him. and should now in this
hour all openly range themselves against
him and on her side.
Which of them could best face the world
without Blent? Which of them could best
look the world in the face, having Bient?
These were the questions that rose in his
MIND with tempestuouS insistence.
II could sit here forever" she murmur-
ed. lazy enjoyment succeeding to the
agile movements of her body and the de-
lighted agitation of her nerves. "It lust
suits me to sit here, Cousin Harry. Looking
like great lady!' Her eyes CHALLENGED
him to deny that she looked the part to
perfection. She glanced through the win
briska, who lives up at Merrion Lodge TO-
DAY. She seems very anxious to know all
about u.s.
Mime Nine. zabriska has a healthy-or un-
neal'hy-curloslty The mention of Nina
was new prick. Nina knew; suddenly
he hated that she should know.
is she In love with you?" asked Cecily
mocklngly. yet languidly-indeed. as a great
laoy might inquire about the less exalted
condescending to be amused.
Nopodys In love with me-not even the
slr1 .ir Whos going to marry me-"
10 marry you?" She sat I'd LOOKING at
him Are you engaged?
mean?" o" VINO
ried to her?" ~ 'e iiial-
urdta d asked SIX her week ago. Today she
wrote to say she'd have me-" He was on
ms ms Ieet t even as he spoke. ITO marry me.
ana 10 marry all this, you know. ~
one was too sympathetic to wa ste hrao+h
on civil pretenses ''e ~ iea'n
=, 10 be mistress here? To own this2 To
be Lady Tristram of BIent p, 'i'' ~
N ha,
to have" said he " SUPPOSED
oecliy regarded him intently for another
Tr,atr 1%Jsnr.. men she sank back into Addie
she stla do n great "a, armchair. asking, "WiIl
No" said Harry. "she's a good sort
out she won't do it we'll" e0o 0'1t'
+ha necriy criy sighed and turned her head toward
herr" t' Do you care for
IKE her And I want money sbe.s
very r1ch. Money might be useful to yns :. .
lou o.: seem very rich. Why do you want
II might want It,"
mere was silence for a moment "1veu
I nope you'll be happy" she said nrea, mea'
She herself was the reason-+b.
reason twas reason ever more fairlv ar,a.
pooIeo .l-why he was going to marrv 1endo
txer, I've ,, me m0nstrousness OF 1t rose before
ment me e there hsd mdeh me ne told Of his engage
q 1Nol%
In her eyes. Wonder 1t was at least Wos tUos
! 1t disappointment? Was it at ali naor w ao rs
conservation? eassa1 AS he watched her ~ vet ct
thina that aew sss sn,ng came upon him. as a
last quarter chimed by the old French
CLOCK ON the mantelpiece. and vet mirht
Ga.s las pack as long as three days ago.
certainly did not attain explicitness. r
was still rather that jamie was no ro,.'
tress Tor Blent, and that this girl was the
aesi seIs e,smt was blent st!l rather than him
BUT II was enough to set a new edge on
his questioning. Was he to be the man
ne who looked on her row and saw how
| her her own. to rob her Of her rieht To ~
parade before the world in the trannin ..
| which were hers? It was all SO stranea
so 80, oSerwheiming: S,, He dropped into a chair
brow; A low murmur. almost a groan. ca.
capped him In the tumult Of his soul. INV
God| he whispered. in a WHISPER that
seemed sem& & to echo through the room.
stant she was BY him What is is an ii, M 7
don't understand. You tell me you.ra an.
gagged and you look 50 unhappy. why do
you you marry marry her @ II You don't love her? Are
yourself-without loving her. Dear Harry
Harry, why?'
Go back" he said Go back to vor-
chair. Go and sit there
With wonder in her eyes and smile
fresh born on her lips, she obeyed him.
"Well?' she said. You're very odd
But-what?'
Tn marrying her for Blent's sake
sake"
IT call that horrible"
mo" He sprang to his feet '.If Blent
was yours what would you do to keep it p
Everything" she answered 'Eyery-
thing-except sell myself, Harry"
She was superb. BY q natural instinct.
all ahectation forgotten. she had thrown