New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-08-31
XXI

swapping his glass stem and spiahing RaadsIs shirt
with the burgundy
The dinner party" as Madam called it, took
place on the last Friday Of Dick Thorpe's vaca-
ton. He had been for two weeks at Beverley
Towers. and Monday was to return TO town,
not without expecting to spend his Sundays
with his uncle. This pleased me. We had be-
come great friends. On Sunday afternoon
Madam told me she would not need me for sew
eral hours.
Follow the little wood path ma bien-aimee."
she said. patting my cheek gently; "a pleasant
companion awaits thee there. One is young but
once. my Athena" Then, thinking aloud: AN
ugly face, but good and clever. He hates the
cards-yes. yes. he hates the cards. Athena
again addressing me-"one is young but once
enjoy thy youth. ma file, and gather thy roses
while the shines-no that's not It; but
matter-run away and enjoy myself! 1 sent him
there because Of the devil-may-cares who haunt
the place to-day. Philips friends-not real
friends-gamblng friends! They never win his
money 1 sometimes wonder why, why-yes.
why? Go, would have my sesta. Co. cherie."
AS left her she was murmurtng, Young but
once. but once, but only once. grand Dieur'
over and over.
I went slowly to the woods. I felt trihe sad
and strangely shy. Mr. Thorpes disturbed
looks when I met him put this last to flight.
Are you crosse 1 asked What is the mat
ter?"
I'm sorry'-sniing-"th 1 look as I'M
pleasant feel don't like coming to the
house for you. 1 hope you understood it was
Madam's arrangement? She meant to be kind.
poor soul. but she's too daft TO remember what's
what"
ct understood" 1 said
We walked in silence to the rustic bench. Mr..
Thorpe who usually had much to say, seemed
preoccupied.
viii you rest here, and go to the meadow
Iater?" he asked. We often revisited the
meadow. I sat down. and when another long
silence followed broke it by an inane remark
about the weather
ut is as warm and sultry as though it were
August. yet to-day is the 14th Of September"
Il go back to work tomorrow" said Mr..
Thorpe. signing profoundly.
Il thought you liked work. I said. Your
cousin, Mr.. St. John, told me you preferred it
above anything in the world"
so did-once upon time. Randall loves TO
ferret out other peoples secrets! Not but what
I'd like to shout my present secret from the
housetops." Then, very simply. even bluntly. he
told me that he loved me-he asked me to be his
wife.
We had so much TO talk about, Dick and l. I
Of her tragic death talked freely to him OF
my father. telling how badly Lord Ebbrides had
served him. then spoke of Percy stewart-of my
love for him
Nothing is perfect in this world, which is WELL
I suppose, else we might forget to prepare for
the next! On this day of days Dick hurt me by
saying he was glad Percy Stewart was dead!
Later. when he began 70 regret his mothers sec
ond marriage. becarse of me. saying how much
happier I might be had I the prospect of living
with her, dwelling on the delight he would have
experienced in seeing US together-then I took
great care not to express my deep feeling of
gratitude toward her husband, the German
baronl And I forgave his outspokenness about
Percy.
What about telling Uncle Beverley. Athena?
I was asked very soon. Suppose announce
our engagement tonight
NO. no" I said; there is no hurry"
Yes. there is" Dick persisted AN excellent
reason for hurry. I don't why we shouldn't
be married in two weeks-say the first Of Oc-
tober Now hush. Athena. don't interrupt me; I
know what I'm talking about This house is no
place for you. Madam Erranti Is all right OF
course: but she can't look after you. She's
lady you'd say? Yes but half crazy. poor
thing; and as for ner son-wen. the less said OF
him the better. imagine"
Hush I whispered, II hear some one COM
ing"
"A rabbit hopping through the underbrush
my dear. Now. Errantf seems TO me an ad-
venturer-I make doubt that his father was
one-a man without principles. you know. Why.
the gambling that goes on
"Oh. do hush. Dick, I'm sure I hear some
thing bigger than a rabbit" implored.
'Where?'
Back among the trees. Please listen"
I held my breath in my eagerness Dick
glanced carelessly around.
Nonsense. deart One OF the dogs nosing
about-nothing more"
1T sounded like a man
"Tramps?" asked Dick. smiling Don't worry
I'll fight them valianty as did the cows"
and he returned TO the subject Of our speedy
marriage.
It's going 10 he troublesome" said. after he
had talked for some time
What is?" stopping short in a telling argu-
ment
Our both liking our own way so much
He colored slightly then began to laugh
IF mayn't even name the day. followed
up my advantages thing every girl is allowed
to do I'm little afraid 1 may never have my
own way-after."
Il didn't mean TO bully you, Athena
Perhaps not-but"-