The Washington herald., 1906-12-11

every right TO the name Of MaIieson.
| though why Sir Simon thought you had
not I can't say. Give me your hand. my
love. and I'll tell you who you are as con-
cisely as possible"
Alice did as she was told. and Miss
Plantagenet began IN a hurry as though
anxious to get over a disagTeeable task
Durham and Bernard listened with all
their ears. Miss Berengaria noticed this.
you needn't lock so eager she said
tartly; the story is dull Alice. do you
remember that ] told you I was engaged
once TO a wicked fooi?'
''Yes-you said
There's no need to repeat what I said
l am quite sure it isn't edifying. l have
far too long a tongue but old age VIII
be garrulOus-drat it, Well. then, Alice.
that man who said he loved me and bed
was your grandfather. He married "a girl
with money, for then I had only my looks,
and l was handsome" said Miss Beren-
garia, emphadcally: but GeoTge-his
name was George. and I've hated it ever
since-didn't want beauty or brains. He
wanted money, and got It. along with
weeping idiot whose heart he broke. l
swore never to look on man again, and
when my father died I came 20 live at
4
wife had died, leaving him one daugh-
ter"
THAT was me-" said Alice. hastily.
Nothing OF the sort. said that
George-his other name doesn't matter at
present, although it can be mentioned If
necessary said that George was your
grandfather The daughter grew up and
married your father, who was Il colonel
in the Indian army. But both your par
ents died when you were young. / re-
ceived you from your dying mothers
arms and 1 sent you 10 a convent. 1
couldn't bear the sight Of you for
months" said the old lady, energetical-
Iy. you have a look Of handsome
George; and handsome he was. Well.
then, when you grew up and behaved
yourself I took you from the convent,
and you have been with me ever since.
You are my second mother" said
Alice. embracing her.
The irst-the only mother said Miss
Berengaria, sharply. You never knew
any mother but me; and as your grand
father defrauded me OF my rights 10 mar
ry ] looked upon you as my child"
But why did you not tell this perfect
ly plain story 70 Sir Simon?"
why didn't I, Durham2'' asked Miss
Berengaria tearfully- You mdy well ask
that Pride. my deaT-pride! Sir Simon
and / were in society together. He want
ed 10 marry me, and / refused. So !
never became your grandmother BeT-
nard, and 7 certainly should never have
had son Ike your father, who is
Don't He is my father after all"
Was, you mean, seeing he is dead
Well, my dear boy. I'll say nothing
about him. But Sir Simon loved me and
I preferred George, who was a villain.
] couldn't bear 10 think that Sir Simon
should know ] had forgotten my anger
against George TO the extent Of helping
his granddaughter. An unworthy feeling
you all think it-Of course-Of course. But
am a woman, when all is said and done.
my dears And another thing-Simon
Gore was too dictatOriaI for me. and !
wasn't going 20 give any explanation Be
sides which, had he known Alice that
you were Georges granddaughter-and he
hated George-he would have been more
set against the marriage than ever. And
now you know what a wicked woman 1
have been"
Not wicked, aunt" said Alice, kissing
the withered cheek.
Yes. wicked" said Miss Berengaria.
s0bbiHg; 4 should have told the truth
and shamed the--I mean shamed Sir
Simon. Perhaps I could have arranged
the marriage had I subdued my pride
into obeying Sir Simon. But I couldn't
and he was angry. and all these trOu-
bles have arisen out OF my silly silence. "
"Oh. no. said Bernard. sorry for her
distress.
"Oh. yes" cried the old lady. rising
and drying her tears. Don't you con
tradict me, Bernard. II / had told the
truth and let Sir Simon know that Alice
was well born, he might have consent
ed.
Not If he knew that Alice was Georges
granddaughter"
Miss Berengaria tossed her head CT
don't know, she said. moving toward
the door. Il might have managed him.
obstinate as he was. But if Sir Simon
had not been angry. be would not have
sent you away. Bernard. and then all
this rubbish about the Red Window
would not have drawn you to that dread
ful house. to be accused Of a wicked
crime But, oh dear me, what's the use
of talking? Here are the horses stand
ing all this time at the door. and it's
getting on 10 O. Alice come home"
And Miss Berengaria sailed out wrath
fully.
The others looked at one another and
smiled Then Durham left the lovers
alone and went 10 assist Miss Berengaria
into the carriage
She was already in. and caught his
hand.
Spare no expense 10 help that dear
boy" she whispered He must be set
free. And, for goodness sake. tell Alice
TO come at once. Why is she driveling
there?"
Love, Miss BeTengaria, love-"
stuff" said the old lady; and a man
Of your age talking so. Good-by. Alice
are you comfortable? James drive on.
and don't upset us
To BE CONTINUED TOMORROW.