Middletown transcript., 1903-08-29
COUSIN PAUL .
CONTINUED FROM LAST WEEK

Paul's heart hardened as he
listened. The girl was utterly
heartless, he told himself. He
did not know that as soon as the
news Of Mrs. Sulliyan's death
reached her she had gone at once
to her father and suggested that
the dinner party be postponed,
saying that itwould be the height
of bad taste to have feasting at
the Hall while his brothers widow
lay unburied at Hazel Farm.
Sir John had angrily refused
to have his arrangements dis
turbed because of the death of a
woman whom he had always
hated and despised, and when
Hilda ventured on a further re-
monstrance, he had turned round
on her and told her to be careful
that he had heard of her fir
tations and her meetings with
that young up-start, Paul Sulli-
van, and that she had better be
heedful lest they came to Sir HUI
bert's ears also.
Hilda had flushed, tossed her
beautiful head, and declared that
she was not ashamed of the rela-
tionship and should never hesi-
tate to acknowledge it either to
Sir Hubert or anyone else. She
had fiounced out Of the library in
a passion and gone to her room to
indulge in a brief storm of tears
and sobs.
Unaware of all this, Paul heard
her voice ringing throughthe cor
ridors, and it sounded gay and
merry, as if its owner had not
care in the world. He had not
taken seattle would not sit in
that house e-and all at once
sense of the contrast between the
silent darkened chamber which
he had just left and the mansion
given over to feasting, mu sic and
merry voices came over him. He
feltasif he could scarcely breathe
and, opening the window, he
leaned against the frame and
gazed out into the quiet garden,
until a footstep sounded in the
corridor, and Sir John came in.
He was a tall handsome old
man and must have been in his
youth very much like what Paul
was at that moment. There was
q great likeness between the two
men as they stood facing each
other-both SO tall, stately, and
with look Of indomitable pride
and resolution in their faces. Sir
John was the first to speak. He
held Paul's card in his hand, and
he lifted his gold eyeglass and
looked curiously at the name.
Mr.-ah-Mr. Paul Sullivan, [ |
believe? lie said coldly. You have
called alta somewhat inopportune
time, sir, but if your business is
urgent
tits most urgent. Pauls voice
was as naughty as the Baronet's.
Be brief then, please, Sir John
returned, with little insolent
smile and an uplifting Of his eye
brows, which said as plainly as
words, Now what the deuce can
your business be with me?
will be as brief as possible.
Paul had intended to break the
news considerably, but his un
cle's manner was SO naughty and
overbearing that his heart hard
ened, and he did not just then
feel inclined to mince matters.
He drew up his tall figure to it's
full height and looked straight at
Sir John.
I believe that at the time Of
your marriage you were under
the impression that the lady who
became your wife was a widow,
Sir John, he began.
The Baronet's face flushed.
Under the impression. What
do you mean, sir? Lady Sulli-
van was widow. Her husband
died in Australia, about year
before we were married.
Are you quite sure of that? II
There was a significant tone in
Paul's voice which caused Sir
John to start and stare at him in
mingled surprise and indigna-
ton.
You were mistaken-Mrs. Gar
thorne's husband did not die in
Australia. He was supposed to
have been murdered by convicts,
and a rumor to that effect reached ,
his wife's ears, know, but it was
false. He returned to England
and lived for more than two years ,
after his wife's second marriage.
He was-Paul paused a moment
and looked again steadily at his
uncle-my mothers BROTHER,
Mark Garthorne.