Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-08-24

very we'll what had happened. and she went
back to the farm with dim eyes and a
heavy heart. Was 1t she who had driven
Nigel away? Poor Nigel. whom she missed
more than she could have believed possible,
the memory of whom seemed somehow to
make honest John MERGERS society seem
ponderous and dull?
These regrets. however. she wise
enough to keep to herself. She knew very
well that she would get no sympathy from
any one; and sympathy and kindness were
as necessary to her gentle nature as the
air she breathed. And her family, on thfer
side, though they soon learned of Nigefs
departure. were careful never to mention
the subject. but congratulated themselves
on the removal of so altogether objectiona-
bic a person.
AS for John Mercer himself 1t is doubtful
whether he knew of Nigers flight not for
weeks after 1T had taken place.
| For three months the courtship of honest
John went on smoothly enough; for he
not unduly sensitive, and he made light of
the fact that Piety only accepted one of his
Invitations out of three Indeed. he felt
fine September days had come round before
he took the trouble to make known in
words his desire that the farmers daughter
should take the proud position of his wife.
Nigel had been gone three months during
which the family at the farm had heard
nothing of him OF his wherea bouts when
Aunt Faith came into the little parlor one
afternoon, with white face and an agi-
tated manner.
Her niece was alone in the room
why. what's the matter. aunt?" cried
the girl. Who's that come? 1 thought L
heard something drive up to the door,
"It's-its Nigel Treveddoe." answered
Miss Rede. in a constrained. troubled voice.
He's-hes asking to see you
Piety had sprung from her chair and was
standing trembling and excited. before her
aunt. That Nigel should have come, in this
unexpected manner. was astonishing
enough. but that Aunt Faith should suggest
her going out to see him was more surpris-
ing still. She jumped to the conclusion that
he must be ILL., perhaps dying; and 1T was
with wildly beating heart that the girl
flew along the corridor outside, turned to
the right. dashed through the kitchen. and
presented herself at the half open door,
AS she threw 1t wide she staggered back
with an exclamation OF surprise. The
man before her was Nigel. indeed. but 1t
was Nigel with a difference so startling
that the look she gave him was hardly one
Of recognition.
He looked thinner. paler; the sunburn
had faded from his skin: there were hoI-
lows in his cheeks. But those were not the
greatest signs of change In him Instead
of his 1sherman's jersey of his Sunday suit
of SERGE he was dressed in a smartly cut
light suit. and wore in his necktie a horse
shoe set in diamonds. Behind him was a
dog cart. not the homely serviceable article
upon which John Mercer prided himself,
but dashing vehicle of London make,
with a handsome bay between the shafts.
Before she could get her breath Nigel
without any further greeting. thrust under
her eyes an open pocket book and turned
over leaf after leaf with shaking fingers
a little pile of banknotes
Look. Piety, look!' said he, in a hoarso
voice. glaring into her face with haggard
eyes. and drawing labored breaths of fierce
excitement. Look! Mine. all mine or all
yours, for the matter of that, if you'll take
emf Before she could answer. except
by an exclamation of pain, he had ierked
his head in the direction of Aunt Faith.
hn had hor nix hAsA
seen 'eml I've showed 'em to her, and &
cart. better'n hisr and he pointed proudly
to the vehicle behind him. Now. will you
come out with me. Pietyf They'll let you
come. now!'
Go /, continue6l