The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1905-07-09

The weather improved gradually as the
train went north. until, when he got out
at Baldcston station, and leaving his lug
gage as he had proposed to do, got into
a solitary fly that was waiting and drove
to the Grange. Deverill found himself In
quite n different atmosphere from that nc
had left behind him.
! was n melancholy business altogether
this Journey of his; not long before he
could hive come down to tho Grange,
without word OF warning, hut the GER
ta'nty That he would be heartily well
coined. Now he came syly, almost rs II
stranger might have DONE and with an
uncomfortable sense OF doing an intrusive
thing to add to his fear OF his uncle's
displeasure.
II seemed TO him very strange, when
he thought 1t over, that his unclc's whole
defneanor towards him should have
changed so thoroughly since TINT night
of the visit to tho flint. Could It all be
traceablc to Maggie's rash intrusion upon
him In the railway cnrringe and to tho
bitter truths she had thcnuttcred.
Tho baronet. though an arbitrary sort OF
man. had never before proved himself
so hard to soften. And It was in the
lowest Of spirits on all accounts that
his nephew drew UP to the front door
of the plain old Georgian house, where
he had formerly been so much Mt home.
lie expected little pleasure from tho
society ho would meet there, If his uncle
We're to invite him to stay. Solid men
of mature years, with flnccid and self
satisfied wives. and an occasional brace
Of uninteresting daughters formed tho
staple Of the Grange guests; while the
real shooting men who were always of
the party, were always SO much absorbed
In their one topic that there was not
much else discussed when they were
present
Deverill asked for his uncle md was
told that he was out with the guns. he
was further informed that his aunt Sir
Nrilfred's maiden sister, was In the
drawing-room with the other ladies'. ana
he was shown into the long pilared an
artmcnt with It's painted ceiling and
panelled walls.
The room had been altered since he.
was there some months before. An awk-
ward attempt had been made to bring X
up to date, by the introduction of satin:
wood cabinets, winged arm-chairs and
shtgh-backed settees among the Early
Victorian chairs and SOFAS tho harp on
which Miss Letitia had played when q
girl, the shield-shaped fire-scrcens and
tho papicr mnche tables which We're
tucked away in far-away corners.
1t was dusk. and the long, formal room
looked rather inviting, with the freight
dancing on the figures which were dotted
about; ladies doing over their knitting;
ladies sitting UP stiffly, and discussing
their servants; ladies caressing their lap
dogs.
And among them all. deaf, amiable
Miss I4etita, younger than her brother
the baronet. by some half dozen years,
but looking older by Il score, with her
silver hair and spectacles.
Doverill was making his way to his
aunt when an exclamation, In a girls
voice. smotc upon his ear:
"Oh!"
That was all. But it made his heart
stand still. Stopping short and turn
ing quickly, he peered in tlfe dark corner
and discovered half hidden in the recess
and crolnhng as II in self effacement-
Maggie herself.
He was too much amazed TO speak.
He stared into the corner. took a step
towards her to assure himself that it
was really she. and then went brskly
forward to greet his aunt like changed
man.
Doubts, fears, worries, torments; all
We're gone. What was this splendid
thought his brave girl had had? and what
a fool he was not to have guessed at
once where she was gone.
u'e kissed fdls aunt. bawlcd, a few
courteous Inquiries after health into her
deaf ears, got the usual vague replies,
shook hands with the nearest dowager he
knew, spoke to limp young girl whom
his uncle had at ono time wanted him
to marry, and so no made his way, slow
ly. decorousy, too happy TO be in any
frantic haste, to the corner where Mag
Gle was hidden.
Then he plunged into the nearest chair,
drew it up to hers and whispered in q
growl of deepest content:
Maggie my darling. this is a stroke
of genius! Have you seen him yet r.
Maggie however, was more alarmed
than delighted TO see him, ana this fact
worried him a little.
"Oh. Bob" she said, under her breath,
| with wild look round to see If anyone
was within hearing How did you
| Gomez"
WELL ] had made up my mind to come
with you. And when you failed 10 turn
up. and found you had gone away, !
couldn't 40 better than come down here
gee my uncle, tell him what we had done
and face the results like u man.
Maggie leaned forward, shaking like d
| leas.
You mustn't do that Promise me tina
/, you won't!'
II won't II you will do it instead Of
mo- said he, looking steadily into he,
face
But she drew back. frightened.
II you haven't come to tell him wha
abruptly.
I'VE got a telegram from Sir Wifre
this morning. answered Maggie $500,
after got yours. And Claudia said we
better come at once down here, as h
asked us TO do :
Yes
What made him do that. wonder!..
Il think, said Maggie. "he must hav
got wind of your wanting to marry me.
.IIow2"
Through-Claudia."
"Ah"
Both were silent for few moments.
wen. have you made up your mind [
stand the racket?' said he at last.
She drew long breath
oh. no, no, not yet. Watt" said 81,
In u frightened whisper. And you won
tel TEL yet Will youg Don't. oh, don't. /
Claudia know She'd never forgive me,"
But she must know some day, maggie
don't understand what YOU girls are
, such state OF shlvering alarm nbou