Washington State journal and Adams County news. [volume] (Ritzville, Wash.) 1906-1907, 1907-04-24
CHAPTER XIV.

A~AA i LIN AAANs
In one of the pleasant rooms at Avon
House there stood a group Of fair people.
We know most of them. Cyras and
Charles had Travelled down that morning
to Great Wilton; Charles had whis-
pered to his mother all about Cyras' pros
poets of the partnership and of Anna jan
sen, and of how he meant to help him.
1t did not please Lady Grace. Cyras had
stepped outside.
Don't tell me, Charles. know Cyras.
If you help him to-day, he'll need help
again tomorrow"
THAT Is rather unjust, mother mine.
Cyras has needed no help from US up to
this very day. He did not ask for it
now. l think you have always misjudged
him little. You never loved him as you
loved me and Gertrude"
SLOW could II" somewhat sharply re-
joined Lady Grace. Another loved him
more than all If 1 did moths father"
well, feel that we ought to help him
to this chance, mother" said Charles. II
will do my part to it, and perhaps Uncle
Henry will do the rest"
Gertrude Baumgarten came forward, a
tenderness in her blue eyes. She spoke
In low, sweet tone.
Il have been listening, a. Charles says,
mamma. I am sure he considers it right
that this help should be given to Cyras."
"And what Is your opinion, Gertrude?"
demanded Lady Grace.
my opinion Is that 1t would be a sin
not to help Cyras. II Charles is willing
to do so, why oppose 1t, mammal I only
wish," she earnestly added, "that 1t was
in my power to do it."
"Are you doing penance, Gertrude"
suddenly exclaimed a rich, mellow voice
from the door Of the room and Gertrude
rose laughingly to face Sir Everard Will
mot.
II am not convinced" exclaimed Lady
Grace. "You are both Of you misled by
your affection for Cyras. wonder what
you would say, Sir Edward?" And she
put the case before him in a few words.
Sir Everard listened, and laughed lit
tie. "That must have been Cyras saw
flying over the grass just now" he re-
marked. Undoubtedly Cyras must be
helped. Four thousand pounds! Why,
it's nothing; a mere bagatelle."
ITO you it may be, Sir Everard," re-
torted Lady Grace, COMPRISING her lips !;
"but not to others"
"Then suppose l take 1t upon myself"
he laughed, in a tone which might be
meant for jest or earnest. "Charley can
keep his two thousand pounds in his own
pocket"
Charley is in debt himself, I'm afraid"
severely remarked Lady Grace.
mo, am not, mother" he answered
quickly. ut was all a mistake, and has
been set right"
II said 1t must be 3d." cried Gertrude.
Lord Avon and Cyras entered together !;
Cyras full of merriment. He had been
enlightening the earl upon the whole past
mystery, winding up his account with a
humorous description Of his interview
with Miss Dynevor in Eaton place. Lady
Grace spoke a few words freely, which
served to check the young mans laugh
ter.
"what7" he exclaimed. "Charles rs to
hand over his savings to me and defer
his marriage with Mary7 No, that he
shall not. Why, you can't think l would
let him do 1t! l used to put upon Char
ley as a boy, but will never do SO as
man. l loved him then and l love him
still"
mot even to help you to the partner
ship, and to Miss Anna Jansen" laughed
Sir Everard.
"Not even for that Not II 1t would
help me to every good in the world. How
on earth could it have entered any ones
headT
do you remember me, Cyras?
Cyras did not answer In words; only
smiled as he looked at Sir Everard. Their
hands met in warm clasp.
Twill you accept the money from me,
CyrasT"
From your
you helped me once, though not with
money. Suffer me to help you now"
Don't fret yourselves into fiddlestrings,
young people," spoke up Lord Avon. II
will see to Cyras."
mot in this instance, Avon" said Sir
Everard, decision in his tone. Don't you
understand that owe him a debit"
II will take it as a loan from you,'
said Cyras, in a low tone Of feeling"
"All right" laughed the baronet. "Then
it's all settled"
"And hope you will make 1t the turn
ing point in your life, Cyras," said Lady
Grace, "and become as steady as Charles
Is"
Cyras laid down a spray of lilac he
had brought in, and spoke with emotion
II promise you that it shall be so-by
the memory of my dead father"
Very shortly after this double wed
ding took place in London; for Gertrude
Baumgarten and Mary Dynevor were mar
ried together. Everything went of with
great success, and Lord Avon gave Ger
trude away. Cyras remained in England
for it. He was in high form, and insist
ed upon kissing not only the brides in
| church. but the bridesmaids afterYard Al