New-York tribune., 1905-06-25

of whom he used to tell me much?
She nodded, her eyes still upon him wistfully,
But Major Van Twiller is fond of you, surely!"
Wooster added He has raised no opposition?"
mot exactly" she said. "He-he be so
stern you know, and he strictly forbade any we'd
ding till Frank should not only engage in some
business enterprise but operate it successfully for
year"
And the business as yet is only six months old?
''Seven and quarter she corrected.
'H'm-and Frank never told what the busi-
ness was or where"
No He hasn't told anyone, not even me-, she
admitted. 'He wishes to surprise us all
Wooster smiled, in momentary forgetfulness of
his predicament. I think success IS assured
him. in that respect at least" he said. But
aside from that | trust you will kindly accept my
heartfelt congratulations. l know old Frank so
we'll and | like him we'll! If it hadn't been for
Frank | never should have known-known any of
his family he ended with a sickly smile, for
his glance had fallen a hard accusing gaze from
across the room where Major Van Twiller was
watching him angrily.
Thank you very much indeed" said the voice
of the new little Mrs. Van Twer at his side. You
will understand, l know, why l hoped you might
be able to tell me something more of Frank than |
should wish to ask of anybody else.
Wooster was recalled to the situation of his
friends affairs. 'I wish could" he said honestly;
"but I'm quite at sea. And l shall have to ask
you to excuse me now, fear. I'm glad we've met,
very glad indeed.
He rose and bowed himself away unable longer
to endure the look that his host continued to bend
upon him. incidentally he beheld Aieen, cornered
bv the ever-persistent Lord Tutow who, as Nelson
well knew, never addressed her but to pay her full
some compliments and attempt wOO1ng, from
which Wooster certain any sensible American
woman would recoil This scene, however effected
him slightly if at all. More personal concerns Oc-
cuped his entire attention
He approached Major Van Twiller, more to
declare his wish to leave, but his hostess emerged
from nearby door and stopped him with her fan
g 1t is my turn now she said to him archly.
''You see, Nelson, what a penalty you must expect
to pay when you make the older women envious
of youth
She took his arm and guided him back to the
ballroom, smiling at her husband as they went.
1t all torture, all travesty OF Joyousness,
to Wooster, who nevertheless put it through, he
knew not how.
He danced again with Aileen, a waltz, holding
her lightly in his arms. The moments, far from
being those of ecstasy and abandonment were
fraught with discontinue to both. They hardly
spoke; there was nothing to say in such a place.
and both of the gaze of those hard gray
eyes relentessly upon them from the door where
Major Van Twiller boiled with increasing indg-
nation.
You know how your father feels of course?
said Nelson at last.
Yes she answered family 1T makes
feel horribly ILL
They danced on, to the strains of rapturous
music.
Dearest" said Aileen at length, Il want you
to know that | loved you before with all my heart
and this has only made me love you more"
He that tears in her eyes. His heart
gave great leap of gladness that nothing could
have queled. 1T must come out all right ~ he
said "But-Id do it all again for this'
And when at length he made his escape the one
sweet memory remaining in his mind despite the
confusion of thousand thoughts, humiliations and
despairs, whispered again in the voice of