The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1903-04-28

We DdBhH lIlt rue ny dDCbh
Anne Catherick, and about the singular
manner In which Mr. Hartright met with
her. But we soon dropped that subject:
and Sir Perciyal spoke next In the most
, unselfish terms, OF his engagement with
Laura. He said that he had observed
that she was out OF spirits. and he was
wiling II not informed TO the contrary.
to attribute to that cause the alteration
I'm her manner toward him during hts
present visit II. however, there was
any more serious reason for the change,
he would entreat that no constraint
might be placed on her inclinations eth
er by Mr.. Fairlie or by me. All he ask
ed I'm that case was that she would recall
to mind. for the last time, what the CIR
circumstances were under which the en-
gagement them made. and what his con-
duct had been from the beginning of the
courtship To the present time If, after
due reflection on those two subjects she
seriously desired that he should withdraw
his pretentons TO the honor OF becom-
ing her husbani-and If she would tell
him so plainly. with her own lips-he
would sacrifice himself by leaving her
perfectly free to withdraw from the en-
gagement"
mo man could say more than that.
Miss Halcombe. AZ to my experience,
few men In his situation would have
said as much"
5It UduSeu dlIeT L nau spoken those
words and looked at me with q singular
expression of perpleSity and distress.
II accuse nobody and l suspect moth
ing," she broke out abruptly. But 1
can not and will not accept the respon-
sibility OF persuading Laura to this mar
riage."
This is exactly the course which Sir
Percival Clyde has himself requested
YOU to take" / replied, In astonishment
lie has begged YOU not 10 force her in
clinations."
md he indirectly obllges me to force
them, If I give npr nTy message "
How can that possibly be?''
Consult your own knowledge OF Laura.
Mr.. Gilmore. IL tell her to reflect on the
circumstances OF her engagement. / at
once appeal to two OF the strongest feel
inEs IN her naturc-to her love for her
fathers memory, and to her strict re-
gard for truth. You know that she new
er broke a promise In her lie; you know
that she entered on this engagement at
the beginning OF her fathers fatal i'll
ness. and that ne spoke hopefully and
happily OF her marriage TO Sir Percival
Clyde on his death-bed."
own that ! was a little shocked at
this view OF the case.
surely" I said. you don't mean 10
infer that when Sir Percival spoke TO you
yesterday he speculated on such "A re-
Her frank. fearless face answered for
her before she spoke.
"Do You think | would remain an in
stant in the company OF any man whom
! suspected OF such bascness "a that?"
she asked. angriy.
7 liked to feel her hearty indignation
fash out on me I'm that way. We see SO
much malice and so little indignation I'm
my profession.
In that case" 7 said. excuse me n
! tell you. I'm our legal phrase. that you
are travelling out OF the record. What
ever the consequences may be. Sir Per-
clval has a right 20 expect that your
sister should carefully consider her en-
gagemont from every reasonable point of
view before she claims her release from
II. ~ that unlucky letter has preiudlced
her against him. GO at once and tell her
that he has cleared himself In your eyes
and IN mine
What objection can she urge against
him after that2 What excuse can she
possibly have for changing her mind
about a man whom she had virtually ac-
ceptod for her husband more than two
years
'1n the eyes OF law and reason Mr.
Gilmore. no excuse ! dare say. II she
stlll hesitates. and n I stll hesitate. you
must attribute our strange conduct, II
you like % caprice In both cases. and we
must bear the imputation as well as we
can
with these words. she suddenly rose.
md left me When sensible woman
has serious question put 20 her. and
evndes it by a nippant answer. Il Is a
sure sign. in ~ cases ont Of n hundred
that she has something TO conceal r-s-