The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1905-05-21

bacfelorhood had been n constant won
der. He nodded In grave acuuescenoe.
II DO, 1 do. But you have never, I
think, heard mo speak in those terms ex-
cept OF beauties whom no exception can
be TAKEN E
And, sir, no exception can be taken
to Miss Brown, 2 cried Deverl with fire.
.,she Is Is good as she is beautiful, ana
as proud as good women should be-
What about that letter." said the
baronet gently, pointing to the missivs
on the table,
Deveril paused for a moment, and
then suddenly determined, not unwiscly
perhaps, TO take the bull by the horns,
| tell the whole, or almost the whole truth,
and stand by the consequences. Since
he had doggedly made up his mind 10
60 through with this, to marry Maggie
come what might, there was little sense
| in delay. He had better know what
| he had to expect and have done with 1t.
II should not be surprised to hear,
sir" he began unsteadily but with In
creasing firmness as he went on, that
| this letter had reference to some per-
SON connected with her. But know
THAT 1t has no reference to Maggie,
The baronet looked at him steadily.
"Ah!" said he,. In q sort OF now-we're-
coming-to-it Tone then you have found
out something about her people ut last"
YES, sir, have" said Deverill bold
| ly. "And I confess they arc not people
| care very much about"
Where do they live?" asked Sir VIII
fred shortly.
Deyerill gave the address without hest
tation.
.That Is where Major and Mrs. Carey
Brown live; it's a fiat" said he. But.
the girls-they have three daughters
do not live with them.
why not?'' asked Sir Wilfred short
~.
"one Of them is delicate and another
Ia studious, and I fancy they don't care
for the racketty style Of life at the
flat" II
'Rackotty! what does that exactly
mea n q,
why, the Major and his wife are fond
OF gayety. dinners, theatres, what one
calls not exactly fast life but life with
tendency to be fast" said Deverill.
"And they have the naving grace that
they don't care for their daughters to
live 1t, TOO. -.
Dcverill Gould not tell exactly how his
uncle took HIS frank confession, for his
face WIS kcPt car fully in the sllnl'.
There was a pause. and then the baronet
said in a measured voice: lei
| well, that Is as you say. a saving
grace. as far as It goes. But are you
quite sure these young ladies are always
kept out OF the life at the flat?'
"Quite ysure.,.. said Dcverell readily
II know Of my own knowledge, as we'll
as by what I've been told.
The baronet rose rather abruptly from
his chair, and stood with his back to the
| fire.
..Well," said he. well 80 round there
This evening. I dare say people OF this
sort rather sans facons sort OF people, as
Fl gather, will think nothing OF an even
Ing call, or OF your bringing me With
you .
Deverill rose too. slightly disconnected
His uncle had sharp eyes; would Mrs
Carey Brown, who was decidedly shre 'T
er than her husband, have the sense
10 tone things down, and keep the con
versatIon, not to say the gambling pro-
snensities OF the other guests, who would
probably be there, within due limits {! it
a"You won't care for the Major sir,
A..I dare say not Even you don't ap-
pear to be infatuated with the seniors a1e
i OF the family. Nc Is ss.s I, /.
! Oh, he's got his good points. and his II,
wife's bright hltle EWoInhaan I au
4 decidedly good looking stall SAG Dev-
3erill. s5'.But notEa bit4Nke hersda hters !:
They are as plainy ii their dress and :tlc
4 style as she is brilliant III hers. sss a
4 He could speak with confd ence Any
4 @thlnE palmer than Maggie 8 dress mao i.
i been on the occasion OF Sir Wllfred's
seeing her It was 8impossipie 70 l1rias' gu
s"Ah!,& said Sir Wilfred again. III .
j And he changed the subject. and kept 2!
i wayS from 1T, to his nephew's relief, Il
4 after dinner when the brougham was
4 Ard cred round, and took them in a very
q short time to steele Court Gardens.
Deyerill rs was nervous, OF course CO..
i Though now that tho ordeal was close
4 upon him he felt rather more com posetl
than had done before. But, after all,
i Mrs. Carey Brown might be- trusted TO
4 get through the evening all right, and
Il nerf1aps the presence OF a parsonage as
4 imnortant as Sir Wilfred, whose name
he knew Il he did not know his person,
4 would suftlce to tone down the exuner-
4 ance of the Major As, N
Deyerill and his uncle were shown
i straight into the drawing room by
i smart and smiling maid, at whom the
4 Ia ronet looked with the same scrutlnlz-
ling curiosity that he bestowed upon all
the other surroundings Of the lplar ce. i.
1 In the little square. carpeted hall ne
stopped short, and turning to Deverlli'
i said in ibis driest tones:
"And what If the young LADY should
e '.B sut' she She isn't, retorted Deverill
1 shortly, !. !,
4 The baronet inclined his head as II IN
the act of listening.
a,5"Ah!'' said he, rs he moved forward.
The drawing room door was open;
5|their names had been announced, But
i Deverill hung back. startled, with a
4 chill at his heart.
I.Come. Bob" said his uncle with
sort OF sinister dryness..
Deverills face was white and glisten,
ing as he entered the room and looked
His uncle's glance had gone straight
to a sofa on which sat lady in pale
pink silk with flowers @,I In her Han ere meo
4 wera gathered laughing and talking,
4 While tho Major and Mrs Brown filled
Il up the background.
Deverilrs lips moved, but no sou y,
4 Game from them. as he followed MS
4 uncle like an automaton q.
For the smartly dressed lady on the
sofa was Maggie. looking as radiant as
n /,rc ~ Continued Next Sunday.)