Chicago eagle. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1889-19??, 1902-02-08
IRENE'S vow
BY CHARLOTTE N. BRAEME.

than ever. Sir Hubert, hating the hour
which would part them. walked with her
some little distance home
They had not gone very far before
dark shadow fell across their path ,ai,d
looking up. Irene saw the kindly. shrewd
old face of DR.. Kcan. the doctor who had
introduced her to the world, and who had
closed her mothers eyes.
II did not think to meet you here,
child he said. How are you?'
The lovely. fowcr-like face dropped
white hands trcmbcd. She had no words
in which to answer him. lie looked from
the delicate, lovely face to the dark, hand
some one, and something like a frown
came over his.
II have not seen you once for the last
fortnight, 1rcnc," he said: whenever l
have called. you have been out. began
| to wonder when | should see you again.
Will YOU Introduce me to your friend,
1rene!'
She blushcd crimson. Sir Hubert came
to the rescue; he could moth endure to see
her in distress.
| IL shall be much pleased. DR.. Kcan.'
|
have heard wonders of your skill. l am
visiting Lord Arundalc. and you stand
very high In his lordship's good graces."
1t did so happen that there was no
person on earth for whom the good doc
tor had SO much respect as for Lord
Arundale; the very name was passport
to his esteem; his face relaxed, the last
frOwn disappeared, as he said:
/ IN N eli - A m In' a
am most happy to make your acquaint-
ance."
| 1t did not occur to the good doctor how
clcvcrly the handsome young aristocrat
had cvadcd the introduction, and how
completely he had forgotten to ask his
| name.
Sir Hubert smiled his frankcst smile.
1T Is through Lord Arundale that
first had the pleasure Of seeing Miss
Darcy" he continued, "and very great
pleasure 1t was. I met Miss Darcy just
now In the woods here, and begged to
have the pleasure Of seeing her home."
added Sir Hubert.
| DR.. Kean was the last man In the
world to tell tales or to make mischief;
but In some way he considered himself
responsible for this mothcrlcss child. He
knew how unprotected she was; the
dreamy artist father and the old grand
mere were no protectors for her: he was
haunted by the memory OF those beau
tiful faces, the girls so fair and tender,
the mans so dark, so full Of fire. Ger
tainly the young stranger had spoken but
In the most frank and candid manner;
yet 1t would Ike just as well to know IL
the artist knew Of the friends his daush-
ter made.
When the doctor met Santon Darcy he
said to him: Did Irene tell you that
met her In the woods latcly!"
mo. I do not remember it," was the
reply.
II met her with one Of the very hand.
soonest young men ever saw, walking In
the woods. say nothing, l insinunte
nothing; but IL 1t were my daughter
should like to know something Of it," said
DR.. Kean.
whatever l ask Irene will tell me-"
said the artist, proudly.
And the doctor, with an expressive
shrug Of his shoulders, walked away.
Although he was habitunlly II dreamer,
Santon Darcy reused himself to think
over the old Doctors words. He met
Irene as she came In from a long, pleas
ant hour spent watching the sunset.
Irene" he asked, In that gentle voice
Of his, which had In 1t always II sugges-
ton Of tears, Irene, where have you
bccn!'
"Watching the sunset In the woods"
she replied.
Have YOU been alonc!' he asked.
"NO, ! was not alone, papa she re-
piled.
with whom were you. Ircnc:" he ask.
cd, gravely, and she answered, frankly
II told You that had met Lord Arun-
dale. papa, ana this gentleman Is visit.
ing him: friend Of his. ! have seen him
often since. and he brings me part Of the
way home.'
To this supplemented man. who livel
In his visions, this seemed natural and
frank enough. No warning Of Il terrible
tragedy came to him. no revelation that
tue beginning OF the crisis of Ircne's life
was at hand. lie thought 1t was merely
a question Of the pOlitencss Of a stranger.
who believed 1t an act Of kindness to see
his daughter home.
1T IL very kind of him, but you must
not accept such acts OF attention, Irene;
you are not child now; indeed, II fills
me with wonder to find you are almost a
woman, my dear. You must not speak to
strangers or walk with them, no matter
who they may be, and l advise you
strongly not to go where you are likely to
meet this person again."
II will do as you wish. papa" she said,
gently.
As she uttered the words all the bright
ness of life died away from her. For
the first time. she realized the intensity