New-York tribune., 1902-07-20

d
She looked dreamily beyond the bricks and
mortar as she spoke, and he wondered If she
ever regretted Narn. Quite suddenly he struck
the discordant note.
L suppose primroses are not bad in their way,
but the country is not Arcadia after all. The
bailif of that wretched little Narn-you are well
quit of it-has been spreading reports that have
no real right to the place. L have not been able
to bring it home to him. but I've saved him
seven -and-s -sixpence by shooting his dog"
She came back from her primrose memories
with most painful shock; the bad taste OF his
joke set her teeth on edge.
You did it-by accident, of course?"
"By accident! l never aimed more carefully
in my life; | do not say that would have done
it if l had liked the dog, but it was an ugly, Ill
conditioned cur"
1t was impossible to doubt that he spoke the
truth, and for her the light of the May day
went suddenly out.
But the dog not yours-he may have
loved it-may have thought there was no dog in
the world like it. oh. 1 could not have be
lieved that"
SO keenIy did disiIlusion sting her that words
failed He shrugged his shoulders one who
had little patience with sentimental folly.
1t is quite as well you gave up Narn; they
would have heeCed you right and left. Only the
other day had to distrain upon an old widows
pig; it is not pleasant, but rent must be paid"
This time she regarded him with real horror.
and the quick Irish temper of which he had sus-
up into her face.
DO you mean to say that you actually robbed
a poor old woman Of her pig?"
Robbed. nonsense, The old humbug could
not pay her rent-or would not-the one more
pence d score-not a bad price for a good bacon
pig"
There was pause and then she spoke at a
white heat of sorrowfuI Indignation: You shall
give me back Narn | see you are not tit TO
have any sort of power
Give YOU back Narn?" he answered scorn-
fully. What! rob myself of what is legally
mine? Remember the stamp across which you
signed. Remember simpson. a witness of full
age and well acquainted with the nature OF ar
odth?"
Il doubt if the stamp means anything 1 have
1rrlf
another sort Of stamp
He had to laugh outrght-he could not help
himself; and to her the laugh sounded mocking
and insolent.
What about the great waxen seal with its
red tape? How do you propose TO get over
that
4 don't know now-it is all so cruelty sudden;
but that deed shall be annulled if there is law
There is and I am one Of its most able ex-
FOUNDERS. l warn YOU that no judge in the
kingdom would venture to negative the binding
powers Of seal and stamp Then. again. if you
recovered Narn you would still have to assume
the hated name"
Il would do anything" she returned passion
atey, ito prevent your merciess hand from op-
pressing the weak. And TO think that it is
who have delivered them over to you"
He flushed uneasily, and then went on in the
same mOCkng way:
There is one action you could take that
might pave the way to annulling the deed
mind you, / do not promise that il Would-but
To do this you would have TO swear that black
was white before a clergyman"
You trading on my ignorance: IL you
mean anything you mean a magistrate. People
do not swear before clergymen.'
Il happen 10 know what | speaking about
and mean a clergyman. See, 1t is done like
this-having your hand / repeat this oath. I.
Bernard. take thee. Nora and you answer
with burning indignation she wrenched her
hand from his
Il answer, Do YOU think anything on this
earth could make me- promise to love and honor
"A Wolf And to think / believed in you
utterly good man"
And so You Will again when yoI are a better
woman Of business and understand that YOU
must either bite get bitten. / suppose under
the tragic circumstances you viii come and in
Spect Narn2'
Il am going there tomorrow. and then shall
consult the abtst lawyer in England
He bowed sarCastically
You do me too muCh honor then shall ak
pect you. But rememh,r dog-or Wolf il you
prefer It-docS not readily give up a bone that
has been once given him"
He met her at the stajio~ and although sh.
shrank painfully and yislby from the cumpan-
ionship Of this sOrdid man. there seemed no
other means Of travelling the necessary miles
save by his side: for Narn peaceful little Narn.
nestled away amongst its hills. knew uuthiul, of
such restless things trains. At first
they had to follow the silver thread If the
river il wound its way through the cx-
quisite Valley-sUch tiny sparkling river.
more like a brook as il babhl-d and prattled its
Cucloos singing against each other grew hys-
teTicdi in emulation as TO which should have the
last liquid word th" Woodpi%,ous too. had
plenty 10 say. but in "a lower. more WOuiusr key.
SO that the harmony # the woods remained per
feet.
The earth new born so fresh and tender and
exquisite. had an influence hard to resist, but
b.-t q ,It-