The Irish standard., 1903-11-21
Copyright. ,9o., by J. B. Lippincott Company
CHAPTER XlII.-CoNrINuEp.

q pleasure il is to ME to receive SO
kind welcome at your hands. Ills
doubly precious; first, because it
comes from your sweet self and,
second, because it leads me to believe
that you will extend the welcome to
embrace me not only as your guest
but as your nephew. Doubtless your
niece, who l see by her horse without
the gate is now with you, has already
acquainted YOU with the happiness
she has bestowed upon me in consent
ing to become my wife. am here to
claim the contamination of that
promise. Advices from my general,
CORVALLIS, tell me that our army is
to move and that my detachment may
be sent into North Carolina. fear,
therefore. it may be many days, nay,
months, before the fortunes of war
permit me to return hither, and
cannot leave without knowing that
your niece is under the protection of
my name My good chaplain is with
out, prepared to make us one, and
have but 10 crave the hospitality OF
your roof and the boon of your bless
Ing for the completion of our happi-
ness"
"You cannot mean," Mrs. Ellery
cried, chat you expect to marry Jane
here-now? My good man, you are
out of your senses"
NAY, my dear madam, never more
In them, assure you. Love is Il great
sharpencr OF wits.
Maybe so, when it has any to work
" his hostess rptOytrI with
asperity, hnging aside her role of
atTability, but you will find yourself
upon a fools GRAND. Jane is in no
mood for marrying, l trow."
1--WE will allow Mistress Jane to
decide that for herself May L trouble
you to call hcr?'
ayes, right gladly will l call her
and let her rebulse your insolcnce
as 1t deserves" She stepped to the
hall door. Jane, child, come here.
Col Bessemcr wishes to speak with
you"
Jane was astonished that her aunt
should summon her, but she pre-
sumed there must be some urgent
cause-a message from her father
and mother or her brother, for she
udu oCSll IhS "ihuoN .AiA Y
Edward was not wl.h the officers;
therefore she stepped from the room
into the hall. Catching sight Of her,
Bessemer went swiftly forward and
took her hand.
81 have comc.' he said, bending his
head and speaking in low tone, "to
claim the promise you made me. My
chaplain is without, prepared to
marry us. Dispatches from my gen
cral, CORVALLIS, as / have explained
to your aunt, nccesstate my immcdi-
ate Departure. | cannot leave with
out knowing that you are surely
mine, bound to me by the sacred
ties of matrimony."
Jane recoilcd. you cannot mean
she exclaimed that you have come
to marry me now.
"And why not? Was il not to be
when | chosc''
'lruc; but surely you will give me
more time. My father. my mother
even my brother. are not here. You
would not have me marry without
thcir presence? No; am coniiden,
YOU have but said this to test my 10y
atty to my promise
And if | mad he sncrrcd. ''i'
would seem the test has proven ;
severe strain; that the tension ha:
brought your promise to the break
ingepont.'
You wrong me" she answered. Z"
am ready to keep my promise. but
had expected more charity in time.
"Ict, as rpcolcci it. there was III
question of time i'm our compact saw
such time as should be If my choos
ing
"'llnat is so; and yet ! aim sure yo
will not Lake ii i'll if beserch you t
make your choice of later date
You cannot consider il unreasonable
that | should ask a little time 70
prcparation--a week, if you will; b'1
if not, then a day. am certain yo
will grantfme this" ....
Her every protest but served t
increase Bessemer's determination
at may be that my memory plays III
false" he remarked, yet ii occur
promised to marry me at any mt
ment which might seem to me mos
expedient. This is the moment; b,
If such were not your promise, thel
of course"
"Such was my promise, but"
"But now that the object for whic
that promise was given is attaine
may whistle for tho payment of n
claim? Is that your stand? We
while l should have looked for fairt
treatment at the hands of
daughter of the Ellerys and the sist
of your brother, still"
"Say no MORE" Jane interrupts
proudly. 81 shall beseech no furth
favors. 1 am prepared to do yo7
bidding"
"Ah, madam" he observed, at
your better self which speaks"
turned toward the porch upon viii
Mrs. Ellery had remained impat iel
"My dear aunt to be-" he said, 81 a
candidate for your congratulatiol
Your beloved niece has promised
marry me at once" ...
"Jane, what folly is this?" her au
cried. sit cannot be that you In
submitted to this mans import
mites? Fie, l am ashamed of yo
You are no niece Of mine."
s'Dear aunt" Jane answer
YEARLY, sit is the keeping of
nronise You would not have