Middletown transcript., 1904-09-17
A DOUBLE DISOBEDIENCE

cannot wonder if did not enjoy hearing
the faults and misfortunes of my family
made the subject of conversation between
two strangers but I do not wish to
appear churlish. If you and Miss Rich
mond choose to walk here again l will
give directions that you shall not be pre-
vented"
81 have no wish to do so," Mr.. War
render answered. "There are many
other walks which will be equally inter-
esting to Miss Richmond, and to which
she can have access without special per-
| mission"
1t was popularity Of Kilmeny that
she was always unexpected, and she was
so in the present instance.
''Thank you," she said graciously to
Mr.. Daryl. "Ishall certainly come again.
And shall remember not to bring my
brother or my sisters with me. We are
only here for month, while my father,
Doctor Richmond, is in America. And
nobody can object to my coming alone''
with glance at Christopher's face-"as
every other intruder will be kept out.
When mamma knows that she will be
quite satisfied"
81 conclude from Mr.. Warrender's
being your constant attendant that you
are engaged to him." Mr. Daryl asked
abruptly.
ooh, no." Kilmeny answered promptly
while the warm color flooded the rich
brown of her cheeks-"by no manner
of means, as my Irish cousins say. |
am not engaged at all, and have no in
tention Of being SO for an indefinite time
If ever. The reason why We are going
about together is that l want to know
the whole of this neighborhood during
the month that we are in it, and, as Mr..
Warrender lives here great part OF his
time, he can show it to me-"
Il see," Mr.. Daryl answered, and his
glance was sardonic. "Do not let me
detain you any longer from your inter-
esting researches. Good afternoon"
Kilmeny replied with much cordiality,
and, when she and her companion had
gone sufficiently far away to he secure
from Mr.. Daryrs sharp hearing, she
broke into laughter.
"You surely cannot look like bear
any longer" she cried, "when Mr.. Daryl
condescended to be so gracious? l am
certain to meet him every time ! go into
his grounds. l said that should like to
know more about him, and now can p'
"You don't really intend to 60 again p
''Of course l do. | am intensely in
terested in him. Perhaps he will ask
me into the housewife knows? He
gave you leave to go as well as me, and
the next time you do SO you may per-
haps see me looking out of one of tie
windows"
Mr.. Warrender's face was impenetra.
bic when she glanced at it. He walked
silently along by her side.
"What possible interest could he take
III our affairs, l wonder?' she went on.
However, seeing that lie really wanted
to know, told him as much as l poss-
bly, could. l don't think any one could
have done it better. / am called Kill
meny, and 1 have Irish cousins, which
,, fact accounts for my name, OF course
! papa is doctor, and has gone to America
for month; mamma is here with me,
and is most anxious about the proprieties
witness her sending you with me to
take care of me on my walks and | have
sisters and brother. What more could
have told? r.
"He was obliged to ask you about your
engagement to me ~
Kilmeny blushed again-a frank clear |
blush which made her look still more
charming.
HE has been SO long shut up, poor
man." she observed sedately, 'that it
Is no wonder if he makes some mistakes"
"Why should it be mistake, Kilmeny? |
You know that am ready, and, if you
do not feel exactly as do, that will come
in time"
"But perhaps do not want it to come.
You thought that you concealed your
feelings completely just now when l said
that l intended to follow up my acquaint-
ance with Mr.. Daryl, but 1 know you
too well to be deceived I knew as well
as if you had told me what you were
thinking-that if you had any voice in
the matter, l should never speak to Mr..
Daryl again. Now / am determined to
speak to him, SO it is clear that any
thought of an engagement between us
is an impossibility."
Il see," Mr.. Warrender answered med
itatively.
Their eyes met, and both laughed, but
Kilmeny's fell before his.
You think that you will bring me
round to it some day." she said, "but l
don't think you will. Here is the place
where we climbed in. Shall we 60 out
by it or go on to the gate ?"
"You promised Mr.. Daryl to 90 out
by the gate"
II believe l did. Well, / must keep
my word at any cost"
"Do you always do that?" lie inquired
curiously.
always. Won't you come in when
we get home? l want to tell mamma
about our adventure"
He nodded He had been in love with
Kilmeny Richmond since she was up
to his elbow, and it took little persuasion
to induce him to remain in her society.
Ten years ago Doctor Richmond, a
struggling physician with an increasing
family, had been glad to receive him into I
his house at a moderate fee as pupil, !, j
and finally an assistant; and, when, by ,
a series Ct unexpected events, the young /
man had come into property which he 1
had never dreamed would be his, he
had decided to complete his medical ]
studies exactly as if he still required to t
IL. f. L.