Omaha daily bee., 1903-04-27

love went forth almost without her knowl-
edge. And as for Captain Ralph, he was
satisfied to let things drift. It was pass
Ing pleasant to stroll slowly through green
country lanes or to rest in some green
wood glade with the lovely little governess
near him and to watch the ever-ehanging
expression OF her mobile features, that he
shut his eyes TO the future. And when it
did obtrude upon his mental vision he
consoled himself with the thought that she
would forget his existence as quickly as
he would hers.
ut Is only for pastlme," unused he as
he struck into a bypath that would lead
him past The Grange one evening about a
fortnight after his meeting with Bernice
Cameron. 'She will be free as air, and so
shall l. when we part in q few days.
But he did not know what the next few
hours would bring forth. He had by this
time reached the strawberries belonging to
The Grange. Suddenly his attention was
attracted by a low sob, and, turning in tho
direction Of the sound, he discovered the
object Of his thought. II was a secludaI
part OF the grounds and Bernice, evidently
thinking herself free from interruption, had
given way to her over-wrought nerves and
the tears came freely. But a stop at her
side made her start up in some alarm and
endeavor to conceal the fact that she had
been weeping. when she saw who the new
conner was she was moro annoyed.
What is the matter?' cried Captain
Ralph in earnest solicitude. what has
happened to cause you such sadness. Miss
Cameron"
Seeing the uselessness Of subterfuge, Ber-
nice thought to pass the matter off lightly.
"It is nothing" she said with a pathetic
little smile. at was so warm 70 day and
the children we're so troublesome that my
patience became exhausted, too"
And your strength as we'll, / imagine.
Those little rascals are terrors. You ought
to have a vacation this hot weather. far
away from the sight and sound of those
little wretches,' - said Lorrimer Indignantly.
You forget l have no place to 90, and
vacations are expensive" said Bernice
simply.
"Ah, II I only had the right" Captain
Ralph broke forth impetuously, II would
take you away for good" He had taken
her little hand In his and was leaning
eagerly toward her, his handsome face
lighted up with the intensity Of his emo
tion. What might have followed upon these
hasty words cannot be told, for at thai in
slant a shrill voice calling for Miss Cam
eron was heard just beyond the hedge
which divided this portion of the grounds
from the garden proper.
Bernice quickly withdrew her hand. while
the delicate rose-lush deepened over her
lovely face.
81 must CO." she said hurriedly. Good
bye" and she took a few steps away from
him.
He was by her side in an instant, his
arm quickly thrown about her and his lips
pressed close to hers. N another moment
she was gone in the gathering gloom, and
he was turning to retrace his footsteps.
Conflicting emotions surged through the
breast of Captain Lorrimer as he strobe
homeward. He had not meant to GO so far,
but his feelings obtained the mastery Of
his calm judgment and swept all before
them. His rapidity soon brought him to
the gate Of the farmhouse. where he found
Farmer Hartley apparently waiting for him.
Captain Ralph was about to pass, with a
nod and pleasant word OF greeting when
the farmer stopped him.
Here's a telegram for you, sir. The boy
said as how twas very Important, but we
didn't know which way to look for you"
said he.
"a telegram said Lorrimer, as he took
the missive from Hartley's hand. "Many
thanks for your trouble. Mr.. Hartley" A
rapid perusal Of the few lines 1t contained
and he started abruptly to the house.
Nothing serious l hope, Captain Lori
mer," called the farmer after him.
Cant say. l must go at once" was the
hurried answer.
Two weeks later Captain Ralph LoTrimer
stood by the open window Of a cozy draw
ing room In the fashionable part OF Lon
don. Apparently he was gazing at the
throng of we'll dressed passersby. but his
Mind ma banIr aunap0 thu ananaa ~ a fort
night ago, wherein figured prominently a
slender, dark-eyed girl with a sad, wistful
expression on her lovely face. He had
earnestly tried to forget her existence, ms
he hoped she had with him But the more
he reasoned against 1t, the Armer became
his conviction that his heart had been left
behind in sleepy old Bancroft. An impera-
tive demand for his attention brought him
suddenly out OF his ~reverie.
We'll, Ralph. you are certainly a most
entertaining companion this Afternoon
said his mother, as she leisurely crossed
the room to his side and tapped him lightly
with her fan. Lorrimer reused himself
with an effort.
Forgive me, mother mine" he said.
tenderly. 81 am afraid l am a bit dull. but
in truth my thoughts were miles away,
What we're you saying, mother" drawing
her arectionately to him.
20, nothing Of Importance" said she,
But tell me OF what you were thinking
that made you look so solemn. Have / beer
too exacting IN my demands on your time
and patience in my illness?"
Never, mother dear. That would bs
impossible. But you must not fatigue your.
self by remaining standing" and he led heT
tenderIy to an easy chair.
Blu are you not going to answer my
question, Ralph" she persisted.
There was a close bond Of sympathy be-
tween mother and son, strengthened by tbs
late severe though short illness Of tht
former, and a sudden resolve came to Cap
tain Ralph 20 make q clean breast Of thu
matter and rely on his mothers decision
To his surprise she listened almost In ST
Ience to his recital and at the close sh'
said In a depressed voice, did you say he
mother was the daughter Of Lord More
leigh OF Devonshire, Ralph?"
Eyes. mother, ! think II must have beel
he. But what is the matter7 You are &C
tually trembling and your eyes are so brigh
, and excited. l ought not to have told 20
4 this" answered her son in alarm.
Nonsense, Ralph. You have done n
harm. but on the contrary / hope mucI