The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1903-04-24
BY WILLIAM w. COLLINS.

nurnose as usual-all about himself and !
his ailments, his wonderful cofns, ana his 7
matchleSs Rembrandt etchinss. The
moment I tried to speak OF the business
that had brought me to his mouse, ne
shut his eyes and said upset him.
persisted in upsetting him by returning
again and again to the subject. All 4
could ascertain was that he looked on ms
nieces marriage as setued tnipg, that
her father had sanctioned II, that he
sanctioned ID himself, that II was de-
slrabie marriage, and that he should per-
sonally rejoice when the worry of II was
over As to the settlements, IL | would
consult his niece, and afterward dive as
deeply as I pleased into my own knowI-
edge OF the family affairs. and get every
thing ready, and limit his share IN the
business. as guardian, to saying, YES, at
would meet my Views. and everybody
the right moment-why, OF course, ne
el.e's views with infinite pleasure. In
the meantime there ] saw him, a helpless
sufferer. confined 20 his room. Did l
think he looked as if he wanted teasing
No. Then why tease him?
I might, perhaps, have been little
a-tonished at this extraordinary absence
OF all selt-assertion on Mr.. Fairlie's part,
In the character OF guardian, IL my
knowledge OF the family affairs had not
been sufficient 20 remind me that he was
a single man. and that he had nothing
I more iIan Il uIe inAtltEN III Aho 'Niii
merldge property As matters stood.
therefore l was neither surprised nor dis
appointed st the result OF the interview.
Nr FairEe had simply justified my ex-
p~ctations- and there was an end or II.
Sunday was = dull day. out or doors
and in. A letter arrived for me from Sir
Percivsl Glyde's solicitor. acknowledging
the receipt Of my copy from the anony-
| nou. letter. and my accompanying etete-
ment Of the case. Miss F'airlie Joined us
! in the afternoon, looking pale and de-
! pressed, and altogether unlike herself.
/ had some talk with her and ventured
/ or a delicate aliusion 10 Sir PercivaL
She listened. and said nothing. All otner
subjects she pursued willingly; but this
/ subject she allowed to drop / began TO
doubt whether she might not be repent
ing OF her enIscement-just as young
/ lsd.e. often do when repentance comes
too late,
on Monday SIR Perclval Clyde arrived.
I found him TO be most prepos~--s-
ing man so far a. manner. and appear
arce were concerned. He looked rather
/ older than / had expected; his head being
bald over the forhesd. and MI. face some
what marked and worn. But his move
n-nts were = active anad hts spirits
a. high as a young mans. His meeting
| with Miss Halcombe was deHEhtfully
| hearty and unaffected and his reception
of me. upon my being presented 10 him,
was 20 easy ara pleasant that We got on
together like old friends Miss Fairlie
vs. not with We when he arrived. but she
entered the room about ten minute. tf-
tervard Sir Percval rose ana paid his
compliments with perfect grace His
evident concern on seeing The change for
tho worse ia the young lady's looks was
EXPRESSED with a mixture or tenderness
and -sepcct. with an unassurning deli
cacy of tone. voice and manner. which
ala equal credit 10 his good breeding and
hts good sense ! was rather surprised
under these circumstances, 10 see that
Miss Fairlie continued 10 be constrained
ond uneasy IN his presence. and that she
took the first opportunity OF leaving the
room again Sir Pcrcival neither noticed
/ tho restraint IN her reception OF him. noi
her sudden withdrawal from our society
re had not obtruded his attentions on her
. while she wa present, and nc did no.
erbarrass Miss Holcombe by any allusior
10 her departure when she was gone Hii
tact and taste were never at fault on this
~ any other occasion while ! WAS n
; his company at Limmeridgc House.
As soon as Miss Fairle had left tn
room. ne spared US all embarrassment oI
the subject OF he anonymous letter, bl
ndvertlng 70 Il OF his own accord. III
J had stopped In London on hts way fron
! Uampshlre. had seen his solicitor; ha,
! read the documents forwarded b. me
b and raf Travelled on 20 Cumberland arrv
, Ious 10 satisfy our minds by the speeches
! and fullest explanation that words coul
/ convey. ON hearing him express himsel
10 thus effect I offered him the origina
letter. which I had kept for his inspec
tIon TIE thanked me. ana declined q
, look at 90. saying that he had secn th
/ copv and that hc was quite willing o
, leave the original IN our hands.
: Cro be Continued)