The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1905-05-07

1t and put It back into his pocket. when
Deverlll snatchcd 1t away from him.
Anything moro utterly absurd" said
he, as he thrust tho letter angrily into
his pocketbook, than to connect that
old idiots maunderings with those three
poor little girls i never heard. But
as 1t is contrary to all sense OF Justice
that tho rascal should be allowed to
libel the girls with impunity, shall
take care to let them see this letter
'All right" said Cars quietly. "Arc
you going to call upon them now?'
Tho blood rushed to Deverill's head.
In spite OF the passion with which Mag
foolish as TO ignore the perils into which
he was running, now that this second
warning had been thrust under his no.
tice. lilo would not believe anything
against the girl; he tried not to credit
the accusation brought on the previous
night against her father. But the COM
blnaton OF both these warning against
having anything further to do with the
family could not fall to mako him pause;
after n brief struggle with himself, he
decided to give up all idea OF Visiting
tho flat again that day; he would try
to mako some Inquiries first.
Unfortunately for his hopes, these In
quires were being made, at that very
time, very effcctually, byICharlle Ashe,
who communicated TO him. In the course
Of the next few days. what he had dis
covered
Major Brown. before lacking the pre-
fix Carey" to his name. had been In
the Army Pay Department, and had been
the subject OF an inquiry, which, fl-
though he was acquitted OF the main
charges against him, had not been alto
gether favorable to his reputation. He
was now on the retired list. but ap-
pcared to have no friends OF his own
age and standing. and was chiefly found
In the society OF men who were We'll
off and who were also young.
& Reluctantly enough, Dcvcrill had to
confess to himself that in the clrcunl-
stances. passion must gve way 10 pru-
dence, and TO resolve to conquer the
feeling which still drew him strongly
In the direction OF Steele Court Gardens.
He had remained steadfast In this wise
course for a week when he was driving
over the bridge which divides the Ser
nert,nc from the Long Waller in Ken.
slngtonF Gardens. he saw on the path
over the grass on his right the graceful
little figure Of Maggie Brown.
81 He was sure that she saw him, and
that she promptly looked away. and
auickened her pace, going IN the direction
OF the Humane society:s building.
He. only hesitated a moment; then,
stopping the driver. he Jumped out OF
his hanson. paid his fare. and fastened
after Maggie l9
Even before he caught another glimpse
OF her face he was touched, stung. with
the Instructive knowledge that she was
unhappy. out OF spirits.
Miss Maggie. are you going to cut
me?" he asked as he came up to her.
or course she pretended to be I'm Is
mensely surprised. but it was not tho
surprise OF girls pretty coauetry, but
the uneasy sensa ton OF having been
caught in a genuine attempt at escape
Her lovely face was paler than he had
seen It, and her eyes looked as II she
had been crying. And, remembering
Mrs. Carey Browns elegant tea Z gown, the
excellent dinner, the flowers the dla-
monds, he was struck by the rustlness
OF Maggle's black Jacket which ne now nt7r,
noticed to be OF an old fashion, ana
by the shabbineas OF the large plack
hat she still wore.
Pretty she could not help being, out
she was no longer radiant
"Of course not, Mr.. Deyerili. m
very glad to see yon. What has pc
come OF Mr.. Carrs?'
IS Tho question was not altogether with
out guile, as Bob Deverll knew.
''.I haven't seen him for the last day
or two" said he. But I've no dount
he's quite well. The question Is what
has become OF you. When called at
Mrs. Browns fiat. / saw nothing OF
you.'
Maggie flushed a little.
,Did you call?" said she, In a curious furious,
almost wistful tone. 3,
why. yes. Didn't Mrs. Brown zen
YOU? You were all out. II was tns
- ~, ~ thu
you're never at home.
mo" mumbled Maggie, looking down.
YOU like travelling about better tran
staying In town 2"
Maggie frowned impatiently.
"Oh, yes, L suppose So" said she IN
consequently. "Of course you like town.,
but then It's different for you:
Wild thrills OF extravagant delight were
succeeding each other In the young mans
veins. as he told himself ms De ,.s = =
girl In the shabby black clothes was as
innocent as tho dawn. and utterly IN.
capable OF any share In anything that
might he wrong, In the doings of herer re-
latIons and friends. Her eVident shy.
ness, though. was dsconcerting. Ana
why should llfe be SO different for him!
"How do you mean--different for me!"
"Oh, we'll. l mean It's gayer for you,
we live so very quietly. my sisters ana
l." said she. with sort OF velieo ION '''s
in her tone.
"Do you? Now, thought the Major
and Mrs. Brown were such lively people!"
3 ION, mama!" said Maggie; and as
she spoke an affectionate smile seemed
to hover about her lips and eyes. yes,
OF course, you like mama; everybody
likes her. She's a sort Of little queen !, 70
u.s. 81 I,
indeed! She said you looked down
upon her, and thought her old-fashloned'
Maggie laughed
Eyes, that's just like mama to say
that! But It's all nonsense, you know.
We worship her, papa and all OF us.
She's a spoilt little empress, and what
ever she wishes has to be done at once
without question. You know how those
very feminine women always get their
own way In half the time the strong
minded ones take to get theirs.
1t was Deverill's turn to laugh at the
confident manner in which this Girl IN
her teens was laying down the law,
why, what experience have you had
to know that?' asked he, 48
.Well, Clandia says SO, and she's very
clever" said Maggie.