Middletown transcript., 1904-01-23
a GREAT pHILANTHROpIST

tance told him. / still have some OF that
fifty pounds; | did not return it for the
reason that did not wish to be quite
penniless. But I am careful Of it, be.
cause | am not at present earning any
| more.
And how are you going to manage
about clothes? Excuse my impertinent
curiosity, but
They are not shabby at present, Mr..
Standard.
You know | am not meaning that. lie
broke in impetuously. But I cannot
bear to think that you cannot afford tc
have what you want while don't know
what to do with the money. I shall
write you cheque, and tell Richards
that for the future he will send you an
allowance every quarter.
You will do nothing Of the kind! Gus.
tance replied, her purple eyes darkening
in her Indignation. You would not
calmly accept money without making an
effort to pay it back, Mr.. Standard; nor
will I. / am in your debt, and, till !
have discharged it, will not take one
penny!
They stood opposite to each other, and
the gentle. eyed horses, munching at their
corn, regarded them wonderingly. The
mans face was white and set; the girls
was flushed with the intensity of her
feelings-an exquisite rosy face raised to
his fearlessly. AS Godfrey looked at il
his own softened.
Well, he said, with a deep breath,
have it your own way-at present. But,
he added, with quiet significance, shall
find another way Of cancelling the debt.
May ask how long it will be before you
receive any salary?
Two years.
So I am paying you fve-and-twenty
pounds year, am /? What handsome
stipend! Considering my own income,
it seems undue liberality! Miss Madison,
if own that you are quite in the right,
and do not worry you with any more
offers Of cheques, will you do me favor
and accept peace offering?
1t depends on what it is.
should like to give you riding habit,
Godfrey answered meekly. You see it is
all selfshness. I want you to ride with
me, SO am trying to contrive it. 1t is
all in my own interest--not at all for you,
really!
Well, said Custance, laughing rather
unwillingly-yes-if you like.
And you will come to meet me at the
station?
Yes, she repeated, extremely angry to
find that she was flushing.
Perhaps the flush was more satisfactory
than the monosyllable; at any rate, God
frey looked in radiant spirits when he
drove off half an hour later. He was
going to catch the morning train and had
run up to say goodbye to his mother in
her own room, for she was not yet down.
Left to her own devices, Custance found
that she was restless. She went for a
short walk, but was afraid of repeating
her former adventure that she would not
20 in the direction Of Nugent Hall and
kept close to the house. Thorn Nugent's
face, with its iron determination and
self-assurance, haunted her, and she
could not drive it from her mind until
the express dashed into the station that
evening, and she saw tall figure advan-
cling towards her, with most unmistak-
able delight i'll his sunny eyes.
In wonderfully short time Custance's
habit arrived. 1t fitted her to perfection
and she felt fresh qualm Of conscience
when she saw the name Of the famous
tailor who had made it; but her hesita-
ton gave way to inevitable satisfaction
at the sight Of her reflection in the glass.
1t was really pleasure to see the way in
which the cloth clung to her beautiful
figure, and the face under the smart little
hat flushed with half-ashamed recogni-
ton Of the extremely becoming effect Of
the whole costume. Godfrey seemed to
think the same, for, although lie said
nothing, his eyes were eloquent as he
assisted her to mount, and the girl blushed
little as she stopped TO pat the neck Of
the pretty bay mare.
What a beauty she is! Custance re-
marked.
Yes, Mr.. Standard answered absei.tly,
looking at the rider rather than the horse
in way which made Custance add
hastily
Are you sure Mrs. Standard will not
want me?
She said she would not; indeed, she was
earnest in her request that you should be
my companion to-day rather than hers.
Ever since had tumble when was q
little chap, my mother always imagines
that something is going to happen to me
if l ride alone, he explained, laughing
good-humoredly. She is infinitely re-
lieved in her mind to think that you will
be with me to pick up the pieces.
Miss Madison, feeling that her last cause
for hesitation was removed, gave herself
up to the enjoyment Of the ride. She
was SO engrossed in the exercise that she
was almost unconscious OF Godfrey's
presence until they drew rein agair, and
she turned her face, glowing and spark
ling with pure enjoyment, to him.
Oh, she exclaimed, that was delightful
and she goes like the wind
Godfrey looked almost as pleased as
she, and his grey eyes wore the sunny
expression that always came into them
when he was happy.
What view! Custance cried, turning
in her saddle to gaze back. Why. the
mansion looks like toy house from here!
But how beautiful those green woods are
all around it! You must be very proud
Of your home!
She spoke impetuously, and the next
instant half regretted her words in the