Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-06-09
CHAPTER v.
Guardian and Ward.


Yer declared. Your wishes have been
strictly carried out, most strictly. She i'm
aglnes that II is some unknown connection
Of her father. But. as I explained to you
in my letter. she has recently exhibited
good deal Of curiosity in the matter. She
!s-yr-a young lady Of considerable force
Of character for her years. and her pres
ent attltuEe-as I explained In my letter
is a trhe difficult"
Wtugrnve was sitting in the lawyers own
chair, Mr. Pengarth. who was trifie
nervous. preferred TO stand
''Shc shows. ! think certain amount of
ingratitude in forcing this journey and ex-
PLANTATION upon me-" Wingrave declared
Coldly 1T should have been sufficient for
her that her benefactor preferred to remain
anonymous"
81 regret. Sir Wlngrave. that must dis
agree with YOU" Mr.. Pengarth answered
boldly Miss Juliet. Miss Lundy I should
say. is a Young lady OF character-and-er
some originality Of disposition. She Is
great favorite with every one around here.
WipErave remained silent He had the
air ~ ono not troubling to reply to what he
considered folly. Through the wide open
window 1uated in the various sounds OF the
little country town. the rumbing of heavy
carts passing along the Cohbled streets. the
anCcs meeting upon the sidewalk. And then
the tuklIng bell Of a rubber-tlred cart pull
Ing up outside, and a clear glrlsh voice
spea king to some one OF the passers-by.
Wingrave betrayed much surprise as
II was possible for him to show, when at
last she stood with outstretChed hand be-
fore him. He had only an imperfect recol-
lection Of an ill-clad. untidy-looking child.
with pale tear-stained cheeks. and dark
unhappy eyes. The march of the years
had been a thing whose effects he had AL
together underestimate. The girl who
stood now facing him was slight, and there
was something of the child left in her
bright eager face. but she carried herself
with all the graceful assurance of an Older
woman. Her soft dark eyes were lit with
pleasure and excitement, her delicately
traced eyebrows and delightful smile were
somehow suggestive of her foreign descent.
Her clothes were country made. but per-
feet az regarded fl and trimness her be-
Powered hat was worn with a touch of
coquettish grace a trthe un-Engiish but
very delightful She had not an atom of
shyncss or embarrassment. Only there was
a great surprise In her face as she held
out her hands to Wingrave.
II know who you are" she exclaimed.
f'You are Sir Wingrave Seton. To think
that never guessed.
You remember seeing me- them" he re-
marked. and his tone sounded all the colder
after the fun richness of her young voice.
II lust remember it-oaly just she an
swered You see. you did not take much
notice of me that time did you? But !
have lived among your ancestors too long
to make any mistake. Why have you stayed
away from Tredowen so long?"
81 have been abroa d, Ningrave an
swered. az am not ford OF England"
"You had trouble here. I know" she said
frankly. But that Is all past and over. l
think that you must forget how beautiful
your home Is. or you would never bear to
live away from it. Now, please, may /
ask you a question:
ANY that you think necessary" Win
grave answered. Spare me as much as
possible: I am not fond Of them"
"Shall leave you two together for lit
tie time?" Mr.. Pengarth suggested, gather
ing up some papers
Certainly not" wingrave said shortly
'4There Is not the slightest necessity for 1t
Mr. Pengarth resumed his seat.
Just as you please" he answered. But
you must sit down. Juliet There. you shall
have my clients chair.
The girl accepted 1t with a little laugh.
There was no shadow Of embarrassment
about her manner. Notwithstanding the cold
stiffness OF Wingrave's department He
sat where the sunlight fell across his CHAIR.
and the lines In his pale face seemed deeper
than usual the gray hairs more plentiful.
the WEAKNESS in his eyes moro apparent
Yet she was not In the least AFRAID OF him:
First Of all, then. Sir Wingrave. may l
ask you why you have been so extraorul-
narily kind to me?''
There Is nothing extraordinary about 1t
at all" he answered Your father died and
left you friendless. In g. parish of which
am lord OF the manor He received a star
walton pittance for his labors, which 1t was
my duty 10 augment, a duty which. with
many others I neglected. l simply gave or
ders that you should be looked after"
She laughed softly.
Looked after! why. have lived at
Tredowen. I have had g. governess. pony
TO drive. Heaven knows how many lux
uries,'
That" he interrupted hastily. as moth
ing The house Is better occupied. What
have done for you Is less, In proportion.
than the sixpence you may sometimes have
given to beggar. for am rich. ride
ulousIy rich man. with no possible chance
OF spending one-Quarter of my income. You
had distinct and obvious claim upon me.
and. at no cost or Inconvenience to myself,
I have endeavored, through others. to rec
ognYze IT..
~ will accept your view of the situation :"
the girl said still smiling but with faint
note Of disappointment In her tone. II do
not wish TO force upon you expressions of
gratitude whc you would only find weari-
some. But | must thank You! 1t is in my
heart and l must speak of It. There 1t is
over YOU see, | shall say no more
You are a sensible young lady" Win
grave said. making motion as though to
rise Il have only one request to make to
you and that Is that YOU keep to yourself
tire knowledge which Mr. Pengarth Informs
me that you insisted upon acquiring You
are nearly enough Of age now. and I Will
make YOU your own mistress That is all, I
think"
The smile died away from her lips. Her
tone became very earnest.
sir Wiugrave" she said. 'for all that
you have done for me ! am as you know.
grateful I would try 20 tell Won how CRATE
fui only I know that II would weary YOU
So We VIII speak onr, Of the future. I can
not continue to acCept-even such magnifi-
cent aims as yours"
What do you mean. Childr ne asked.
frowning across at her.
II mean" she said that now 7 am old
enough 70 work. I cannot accept everything
from one upon whom | have no claim. If
you W Il help me a little stu, I shall be
more than grateful. But It must be In my
own way"
You talk about work. he said. What
car you dop'
u car paint" she answered fairly well
I should lie 10 go To London and have "A
few lessons. II | cannot make a living at
that. 7 shall try something else
You diSarpO!nt me-" Wingrave said
There Is no place for you in London There
are thousands starving there already be-
cause they can paint little. or sing a 1T
tie or fancy they can. DO YOU find It dull
down here"
"Dull,' she exclaimed worderingly al
think that there can be no place on earth
so beautiful as Tredowen"
You are happy here"
"perFcCtly'"