Middletown transcript., 1904-10-03
!. A DOUBLE DISOBEDIENCE
CoNTINUED FROM LAST WEEK
1T haze ,,Iont, "a 40 y, criad Kilmpn


"Yes-I see you cantering about on
your pony most days." he said. "fou
must let me join You sometimes, Miss
Richmond. l should like to fill up my
time that way. What else do you do !!
Your energy is refreshing" !"
II dance when my partner can rouse
himself to come with me. Does your
languor cause you not to notice that the
band is beginning to play again, and that
we shall lose the dance if you continue so
obivious Of what is going on r
sCome, then r' he said, standing up.
II don't want to miss the dance any
more than you do. l was watching you
during the last waltz, and it struck me
that even dancing might have charms
under some circumstances. Those cir
cumstances ha1e arrived. u
"You should not have been watching
You should have been attending to some
one else"
81 was attending, and that most dill
gently. | observed that you were ab-
sorbed in what you were doing, and that
your partner looked nncommonly happy.
| had curiosity to find out if my senti-
ments would be anything like his if |
were in his place.
"And are they?" Kilmeny asked,
laughing.
81 can fancy what his we're like, only |
am certain mine are very much more
so.'"
"Well, it is a mercy to bring some
pleasure into your barren life Even if
it only lasts while we are dancing, it will
be consoIing thought. am glad that
| dance well. No, no-not at all for your
sake, but entirely for my own. And you
are the best partner that have had this
evening-there is no doubt about that. /"
Lord de Bruyne glanced down in the
girls face with look which she could
not quite understand. Her frankness
took him continually by surprise, and he
did not yet know what to make of her.
Kilmeny flushed little under his gaze.
"It is no harm to say that p she in
quired. "You said something like it to
me-"
"It is no harm," lie answered ''It is
years since anybody told me that | did
anything well-that was ALL"
Lady Penryth, watching the pair,
thought that the man was doing his part
well, and contemptuous smile curled
her lip. She turned to Mr.. Daryl, who
stood near, always watching Kilmeny.
"Would a match like that suit your
notions p she asked. ITO be sure, he
has run through most OF his money, and
has not the very best Of regulations, but
of course your pro,egee could reform him.
Such work would suit her innocent |
ideas. However, from all l hear, the |
young lady seems to be already provided |
for. She was always running about the |
country with man named Warrender
until you picked her up"
As she mentioned tile name warren
der," she gave her brother keen pene-
trating glance.
''She runs about with him no more"
Mr.. Daryl said. II have put a stop to it.
and you must do the rest. Stick at moth
ing to end that folly. l am Of course
aware that de Bruyne has heard some
thing from you, or he would not take the
trouble to notice the girl"
''You don't fancy that man Of his
family would marry a nameless girl ex-
cept to gain some exceedingly tangible
advantage? Igave YOU credit for having
abandoned the fiction of love, at least"
"He shall find tangible advantage if
he marries her. Leave that to me-" {
Lord de Bruyne was bringing lis part
ner back to Lady Penr!th and the two
stood beside the brother and sister, Kill
meny like some exquisite wild flower.
Mr.. Daryl's face lit up with something
like exultant pride as he looked at her.
"Well, Miss Richmond" lie said, "you y
thought this room only wanted people,
and, now that that want has been sup a
piled, does it suit you better?"
sit wants one thing yet. You prom Il
ised that you would let me walk all
round it with you and see it from every q
side. I have been waiting for that the n
whole evening" G.
She moved - Mr. Daryls side and II
glanced up into his face with those dark u
eyes, into which any unwonted emotion 81
;ast shade of melancholy. Mr.. DARYL a
ooked at her for a moment and then Is
'ffered her his arm. They went away al
ogether The other two were silent C
Until they had gone some distance.
"What is she?'' Lord de Bruyne asked IN
bruptly. 'Is she girl whose frankness 70
lands her in better stead than the most
onsummate art, or is she the most de-
gning woman whom it has ever been sb
~ lot to meet?' I'll
"She is deep enough to make fools of hs
5 all, my brother included, if we do not be
Ike care. know nothing but that. To St
le world she has hitherto been merely ha
le daughter of Doctor Richmond, an sit
'scure country practitioner. Her mother lol
close by, living in a cottage belonging sh
a person called Warrender. l may sic
arm you that in him you will find your Eli
eatest danger" ph
"Warrender? Christopher Warrender frc
Merridale? Does he know her?' Ht
eyes. If you have heard any dam wi
ing stories about him, 1 advise you to
Miss Richmond hear one or two in alb
asual manner" at
8 | am afraid that | know none" to
''Then invent them. After that 90 on sht
tn your courtship. 1t will be safe. diff
I'd confide your hopes to my brother, Oh
thout seeming to be too eager for tia
,ney." hac
Your instructions are rather diff Mr.
It." he said with laugh. However, the
III seems plain sailing. and | will risk fac
There is always some way out of the ing
c,1nh noca if flipnvc t,..,, | -,