Middletown transcript., 1903-08-29

eyes that Hilda's heart throbbet
with vague feeling of fear ant
indignation that he should pre-
I-sume to pity her.
Tell me-she spoke imperious
what do the words mean?
Paul gently pushed away hel
hand.
The words were not meant fol
your ears, he replied quietly
They have no meaning for you
Go back to your guests-they vii
wonder at both you and your
father being absent.
| Not till I know. The vague
terror in Hilda S heart increased
her eyes grew sad and imploringi
and she looked eagerly from Pau
to her father. Father, you tel
me. she cried.
Sir John impatiently thrust hel
away.
He-is quite right. The words
have no meaning for you. Go al
once. he commanded.
Hilda dared not disobey, but
she gave Paul a reproachful look
as she went slowly from the room,
with her head bent and her white
fingers playing impatiently with
her locket. Paul's heart sWelled
with pity and love as he watched
her 60, and he turned toward the
Baronet.
It was for her sake that I came
to warn you, Sir John, he said.
My cousin is very dear to me, and
if it were possible, I would viii
lingly consent, for her sake, to
keep this matter a secret and re-
linquish my claim. But the mat
ter is known to others-to Ralph
Sullivan for one. After me, he
is your heir. You know him and
can realize whether he is likely
whatever I might do-to relin-
quish his claim.
Sir John started, and his lips
tWitched nervously. Slowly the
conviction that this unwelcome
news bore the stamp of truth
formed in his mind, and although
he struggled against it, it deep
ened every moment. There was
truth written on Paul's grave face
-unmistakable truth in his calm
steady voice-and the Baronet's
heart grew sick with fear as he
looked and listened. He thought
of the son at Cam bridge, whose
extravaganza had already caused
him some uneasiness, and his
beautiful daughter, Hilda. But
his manner was as naughty and
self-possessed as ever.
I don't think it necessary to
prolong this interview, Mr.. Sulli-
van, he said after a short silence.
If you will forward the proofs of
which you speak to my lawyer,
Mr.. Grey, he will communicate
with you on this matter. ] have
no hesitation in saying that | con-
slider the story fabrication in
vented to serve some purpose of
your own. Stillitmust, of course,
De sltted thoroughly.
Very well, agreed Paul, draw
ing a deep breath of relief, and,
bowling gravely, he left the room. |
Some days passed, and Paul
neither saw nor heard anything |
Of Hilda or her father. The fun
eral was over, and although Mrs. |
Sullivan was sorely missed, the
little household had already set
tied down again to the usual rou-
tine Of daily life. Phyllis was a
clever housekeeper and quite
able to assume the reins of gov
ernment; it never occurred to
either of the cousins that there
could be any improperly in her
remaining at the farm alone with
Paul. She was not much of a
companion for him, butshelooked
we'll after his comforts, saw that
ais meals were properly cooked
Ind served, and wasalways bright
ind cheerful.
She was pleasant, too, to look
Upon. Her eyes were SO bright;
ner hair curled SO prettily over
Ter forehead ;and her complexion
vas SO pink and white, that it
vas no wonder she numbered
her admirers so many of
he young farmers of the neigh
oorhood. But she turned up her
lose at them all. In Phyllis's
'yes there was no one like Paul
no one half so handsome and
;lever-and she lavished upon
lim an innocent open alteration
which be could not help perceie-
ng.
One August evening the two
were sitting together in
ne garden. The day had been
hot. hut n, hrneza wac