The evening Republican., 1902-06-25

you thought. Mr.. Jermain does not
really care for me He loves Susan
Weir, though he has never let him
self acknowledge it,
Jermain laughed heartily, "In
that case you must needs console
me-" he said.
Haven't you heard the news2
Susan eloped last night with Allen
Lee, and have been ready to muir
der him this last six weeks; | was so
sure he had bewitched our fairy
here"
He touched Fenella's arm rever-
emily as he spoke. Sheshrank from
him and made as if to speak. Miss
DeVaux put a hand over her lips,
saying: LET me tell him. Fenella
He ought to know the truth. Our
girl was bewitched, John. That is
the true word for it. But she had
the strength, the sense. to save her.
self-would not hear of a secret mar
riage. She had found him out. She
is going away because have been
cruel. Tell her she must stay"
II have no right to tell her any
thing" Jermain said, paling
through all his healthy tan. Then
to Fenella he said: But you need
not go, dear, to--escape me. |
shall never force myself on you. l
love you too well!'
1T is not that Fenella inter-
rnpted. II will stay, and gladly, on
one condition.
Name it," Jermain said, looking
away. Fenella drew back q step.
"rhat may be my aunC's COM
panlon, net her heiress," she said.
/! you will let her adopt you'-
She stopped, faltering the lea st
bit. Jermain frowned black!y, but
suddenly his face cleared as If by
magic. II believe that is the best
way out. - he said, with Slight sig
niticant gesture to Miss de Vaux
The new order of things made
little outward difference. Inwardly
Fenella chafed over slight and sub.
tile changes. Materially she had no
cause for complaint. Her salary was
little more than her quartely allow.
ance had been. Her duties were less
than she had voluntarily taken on
herself IN the old days. She haa
greater absolute freedom, but she
missed something.
Miss deVaux no longer talked to
her of the future. Now and again
she said of such or such aplan. "John
will keep 1t up Aud once she went
SO far as to add that in the event Of
Fenellas marriage after five years
satisfactory service she would give
her a wedding outfit and u modest If
comfortable dowry. Further she made
not the east objection to potential
lovers IL they asked her leave to
court her niece she said invariably
Fenclia was free to choose for her
self.
Thus a year passed. Fenella was
finding out things bitter to
be borne. She had thrown away hap.
piness because forsooth, she fancied
it was to be thrust upon her. Jermain
was US kind as ever, as chivalrously
courteous, but nothing more. OF
course he no longer cared for her; of
course, too, he would marry as soon
as he found lucky woman exactly to
his mind.
Until thathappened Fenella meant
to stay. Aftsrward- She stopped
there, blind and trembling.
Stillit was like aknife thrust when
Miss do Vaux said: "Fenella, John
is to marry shortly, so on many ac-
counts think it wise to get another
companion. lie has chosen WE'LL AS
he is to live with ms afterhe marries
1T Is almost certain he would not like
to have you keep the place
II understand. | will 60" Fenella
said through stiff lips; then, waiting
for no answer, stumbled bllndly away
In the briefest time she was walking
down the avenue, looking neither to
right nor left, her eyes tillunseeing.
Half way to the gate she ran plump
into Jermain's arms. They closed
about her in most possessive fashion
as he said, with his lips on her hair,
ans werIpg hel lncoEerent murmurs:
"Of course, Aunt Pam needs
another companion. You are gong
to be my precious wife,"