The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1905-07-16
copyright 1905 b. Central News and Press 'xcbanse

| 80 II wns, snid Mnssle qulcKiiy. - y
1'l'erhnps not, but your people centninlS
| lad, /" said Sir Wilfrld dryly.
Davcrill and Maggie were. both silent
They quito agreed With THO gbnronct Supof
this point, though they did not wish tt
"At any rate" said 5Dcverll, you can,
make Mnssic, or me either, ansswcrabLss
| for tho actions Of her citations.
~, ii did try to refuse 10 marry you
Sir NVlfrid but you wouldn't listen u
me-. You told inc not to give any, answer
for n fortnight. or course CLAUDIA want
frightened, for fear they'd make me, TIM,
| came up to London, and went to BOD
chambers myself and asked him 10 mar
| ry me"
"Ranlly there was no need for YOU To
gosto an that trouble and Inconvenience,
not to speak or the tndiscretlon or your
action, said Sir Wifrid, with uncnnny
snuvlty. You had only to tell me TINT
hand for Il moro deserving person. and
1 should have drawn back nt ONCE.
Il don't think yeu would said Mag
gle, ngeniously. You seemed very an,x -
ious then you know"
You iYcvcr mentioned my aicpllaws
name to me-. & s. i. ,,EE
No, because | dd't want to get him
into trouble With you. And for ,nnt
secret etsreH bccaus 10 / Thought Tint, WHEN
once Claudia knew that was really
rarrcd. she would leave off tcnsing mo
about you. Sir Wifrid, and hoped that
presently might beaablc to coax you 70
forgive mo-" %4#
The balpnct laughed
lin afraid you fluttcrcd yourself un-
duly" said he as he drew himself up,
md went round to the front OF his
slowly and With difficulty, and Deveril
was shocked to see that the discoveries
of the past half-hour appeared to have
changed him suddenly from well-pre-%
served elderly mansto a +, feeble ola one ,;
fumbled for something. Maggie drew
away, stealing towards the doore
A.Deverll. ytouchcd BY his unclo's APP
parent weakness went bahind him, as
ns ygnson tsnt
he might fall nto#it If his strength
should suddenly fail him.
Sir Wilfrid, however, was not grateful.
You will oblige me by remaining
said he, in a tone as hHrsh as ever,
though his voice was weak, and even
quavcring ''I will not dctain you very
long. Robert, obligc me- please, by open
Ing the desk. I've mislad my glasses.
Deverill wns per,urb e, BY this state &;
nose while he spoke. He took the little
key from his unccs shaking fingers and
opened the desk. itsit down, pray, for a
Jt,, .2ts
Smiling 70 himself srimly, Sir Wilfrid
laid his hand upon@n document, which
lie held aupf for het'inspecton OF the two
young people.
have left all | possess, practically with
out reservation, to you, Robert. And up
will, made, Iconfess,it, in a moment Of
piqlla, but which will now stand. In
It you have been left nothing whatever.
Various charities, however, will benett;s
and you must console yourself with that,
rcliectlon-and with the knowledge that,
If you have TO fight the world, you do
it for the sake Of very charming
wife"
And Sir Wifrid made a sarcastic bow
to Maggie. who was standing. shy and
he rose, tore The will in half, and going
to tho hearth placed the torn pieces OF
paper, one by one, carefully on the fire,
which no stirred with the poker until
they were quite consumed.
II Deverill meanwhile crossed the room
quietly ana took up his stand by Maggie,
who was now as calm and collected as
possible. She felt. indeed, poor child.
considerable relic in the knowledge that
there was now no more lighting TO be
done, no, more arguing with ciaun'a, no
more awkward acceptance of unweconls
attentions from Sir Wilfiid. And white
her young husband was by her side she
forgot for the time the reckoning that
had still To, be made with angry and dis
appointed rela tons. &
When the burning Of the viii Wa IS o fn
"Muy we go now. sir? You nave no
more 10 say to us, l think >,
You may leave the room It you WISH n ,
answered Sir NYllfrid curtly.' But not the
house If yol, please. til tomorrow morn
ing. don't wish the guests in the house
to be annoyed by the thought mat y
family Quarrel is taking place; SO y" om %ll
your vito and sister together ut any
hour you please ~ the morning. Good
night" H. .gt.3.,,5.,..,
They went out, poor, Maggie onthe verge
oh, BOB, linen lis true-what Claua,a
prophcsed has come true I've spoilt your
But indeed Devcrill neither looked nor
felt as il he had just received a crushing
blow.
!, Tn not pauper, anyhoow," SAN sa,a ! ne
i me in gloves i and / ha1soms, Sow it vii
have to so fur,hcr--thats al.
lSit your position. You'll have just
what they say is so dreadful--a position
to keep up, and nothing to- keep it up
upon,' said Maggie, .g9aEi8 .lil
They wero going slowly through the
passages on their way back to the sac on.
stricken baronets, replied Deveril stontly.
IF they don't give me lots % gn,nea-p i
aireetorships III dropy ihc t{l9znnd IA take
ia go ppy nsIsa Win you, Bob 20 y "7,
And tho next minute they were both in