Custer County Republican. (Broken Bow, Neb.) 1882-1921, 1903-11-19

and entered the drawing room of the
castle. There a surprise, indeed, await
ed her in the presence Of Robert Glen
denning
Certainly she had never anticipated
visit from her former tormcntor, and
the sight Of him now brought back many
unpleasant recollections. The young man
started forward and placed himself be-
tween the door and her slight figure, thus
completely preventing her fight.
Pardon me, Mrs Nevergail," he re-
marked in a perfectly respectful manner,
very different from his former unpleas-
antly familiar one. 81 am very anxious
to have little conversation with you,
before leaving this place, forever, and
therefore | beseech you to remain few
minutes. l promise not to detain you
long"
Very we'll" returned the young girl,
gTayely. taking the seat he offered her.
why do you leave?"
"The death Of my uncle has, of course,
deprived my sister and myself of his
care and guardianship AS the title and
estate now fall to his younger brother,
Fitzroy, the present incumbent must re-
move and leave the hall, to be occupied
or not, by the new baronet, as he sees
fit. Lady Constance will seek resi-.
dence with some relatives in London, and
we shall make home somewhere togeth
er, unless-unless---"
Here the young man paused greatly
embarrassed for n proper conclusion to
the sentence he had commenced. Break
ing the silence again, for it was becom-
ing oppressive, he resumed:
Miss Ethel, l come this morning to
lay before you a proposition that l hope
will meet with your sanction. | must
first, however, express to you my deep
regrets for the offensive manner in which
| used to treat you l know not why
was led to make myself so disaGreeable.
| was probably prompted by spirit Of
mischief, but as soon as you left the hall
so suddenly | became aware of my great
mistake. | loved you, but | felt it was
without hope. In my egotistical haste |
knew that | had won, perhaps, what |
merltsd, your contempt. To-day / felt
that l could endure this misery no long
er. l resolved to see you, to ask for
givsness for my course in the past, and
to crave the privilege of retrieving my
former mistake by being allowed to visit
you as n friend until | can win your
love, and ask you to become my wife"
Mr.. Gendenning," interposed Ethel,
what you propose Is an utter impossi-
bility. | can and do forgive the annoy
anes | confess your conduct occasioned
me in other days, but the proposed visits
l must positively decline. 1t could never
result as you seem to imagine, for l as
m affections could he
won"
"You are hasty in thus answering"
interrupted the lover. you surely can.
not thus foretell what your feelings
would be under such different auspices"
Indeed, indeed, Mr.. Glsudenning, I
must interrupt you by distinctly saying
that, as | am situated, cannot receive
visits: therefore. | must beg you to re-
ceive this, my final answer. 1t would be
the same after years of friendly inter
course. l do not love you, and l never
can love you. ! forgive you, and will
ever think Of you kindly; beyond that we
can never CO."
Then there rs no necessity for my re-
naming" he said, sadly, as he arose to
leave.
"None whatever" was the firm reply.
hlAhS NtNeISali, HclSFG ne, as lOU2
Rs l live ] rhall regret having made your
residence at the hall SO disagreeable.
You certainly had enough to endure In
being under obligations to amuse an irri-
table invalid. The rude manner in which
You were dismissed excited my deepest
sympathy"
For which I am very grateful" kind.
ly returned the young girl.
eff ever, as a friend, can serve you
in any manner, will you allow me to do
sO2'
II WILL if / know yonr address"
THAT is not quite decided but will
leave it with the postmaster Of this place.
And now, thanking you for your kind for
giveness, although feeling deeply my un.
requited love, l will bid you farewell"
Robert Glendenning held out his hand
as he spoke, and seeing that genuine
tears were floating in his eyes, Ethel
laid hers in 1t without hesitation. Stoop-
ing over the little white hand, he pressed
his lips upon it. then hurriedly left the
room, and she saw his face no more.
That night the whole family left the
hall, and the grand old mansion was
closed, waiting for the arrival, or orders,
of Sir Fitzroy Glendenning.
The residence of this gentleman was
unknown, but 1t was believed that he
went to America, therefore every effort
was to be made by the proper ones to
discover his retreat, in order to make
known to him the honorS that awaited his
acceptance.
Yet, while this resolve and duty was
to be Immediately put in force, many
hearts rebelled against his return.
All united in feeling that although ac-
quilted by law of any knowledge of his
unhappy brothers fate, circumstances
still looked very dark where he was con-
cerned.
(To be continued.l