Chicago eagle. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1889-19??, 1902-04-26


we'll again. and talked with lightness of
wit and an abandonment Of the sadness
that habitually clothed him as with 4
garment which was nothing less than a
revelation to me.
MY nephew says that you aud he met
to-day in the Abbey grounds" lie said
to Miss Hope. WAS i, merely The curl
osiiy Of sightsccr. may ! ask. which
attracted you to the old place. or was
this not your first visity'
ut was not my first visit" she return
al lightly. although the first for years.
My childhood holds some recollection If
Lorn Abbey and walks about the neigh
horhood; and. do you know. Sir Wilfrid.
the house has always had the most won
dcrru charm for me. ! would give
oh. hardly know what | wouldn't give.
to live at Lorn Abbey! If were rich.
should buy the place and have 1t made
fresh and beautiful. without in the least
destroying the charm of its antiquity. |
was making all kinds Of delightful cas-
tlc.in-thc-air sort of plans when | was
wandering about the grounds to-day
what | should do IL ! had plenty of
money"
at sounds very brutal to listen to your
desires. and then to announce that am
thinking of buying Iorn Abbey myself.
said Sir Wilfrid. but you have only to
tell me your plans for the place to see
them carried out. My mind is a blank
as regards proper improvements. and i
shall he glad of little practical advice.
Will not you and--Afiss Trail 90 with Ms
tomorrow morning TO look over the house
and grounlsI'
I've shall he charmed. I'm sure" re-
spondcd Miss Trail without hesitation.
"If we are still here intcrpolatcd Miss
Hope with "a certain emphasis; ana !
looked up Just in time to catch glance
exchanged between the two.
III you approve the idea" continued
my uncle. you will reward mc-.,ls-witli
a long visit at I.orn Abbey. when. ac-
cording to your suggestions, it has been
made habitablc."
Miss Hope seemed inclined to respond
| favorably, though not quite seriously as
yet.
Miss Trail. I'm afraid it is time we
said good night" she exclaimed. glanc-
ing at the little watch which adorned
her right wrist.
Until tomorrow. then" Uncle viii.
frid said. as she gave him her hand at
parting when the evening was over. "And
after? Can my niece and persuade YOU
| to give MS your town address. or are YOU
TO rcmnin--a mystery?'
| "Niy address shall he the only mys
terry" she laughed. "And that but foi
the present. We shall meet again--aftcl
tomorrow"
when and whcre?" Sir Wilfrid asked
trying to speak lightly, but succeeding
| III.
| "Only promise to accept all your invi
tations for next week. and that question
will answer itself" She threw n glance
In my direction as she spoke, which
interpreted as including me In her com
mand.
| When the door, which had held open
had been closed behind the two oddly
contrasting figures, my uncle passed his
hand over his forehead and seemed Il
awake.
"!Ah. WE'LL" he said, smiling. For AZ
hour or two l have gone back to five
and. twenty. ! must now take up the
burden Of 30 again. Who Is she, Terry"
Miss Hope" answered laconically
| "Ah. you won't answer my questions
I shan't urge yOu--and so good night
You'll not be sorry for u few nnchap
croned moments together. I dare say"
When he had left us. Paula sprang Il
me with flashing eyes. but not for thu
indulgence Of sentiment ut which he hat
limited. She and ! were much too sensi
bic and engaged couple for that.
"Tcrry, what Ii that woman sh
painted. what IL she doing here? VIVA
does she want with Uncle Wilfridy Mari