The Washington herald., 1907-07-28

member me as a schoolboY, when no
doubt, I was tiresome little beast-as
all boys are, and that ali that you know
of me
Il know at least that you saved my
life" said Isobel, with a simplicity which
held a certain solemnity- saved it for,
this"-again with that revelng glance
toward the wide beauty around. And
that you saved my mothers happiness"
Her voice and eyes sOftened 10 wistful
tenderness. "Oh, Cousin Basil" stretch
ing out impulsive hands toward him,
that makes me long 90 remember-to
break through this wall Of nothingness-
to think that she should have loved me
50, all my life, and that ! could forget
II"
The young man flushed a little. How
much did she know Not their former
relationship apparently II was as we'll,
perhaps that she should have forgotten
his slack wooing-forgotten what u poor
thing he had offered her in loves great
name. He had not meant to speak at
once, but her look. her tone, upset the
frail balance Of his resolve.
'Isobel" he exclaimed. clasping her
hands hard, is there nothing more you
know of me? Am I only your Cousin
Basil? If you have forgotten it is little
wonder. for 1 know now how poor-how
unworthy
a step sounded upon the fags Of the
terrace. heavy, and yet uncertain
1t is my father" exclaimed Isobel.
with a little catch of her breath, and
drawing away her hands.
Father, indeed-what had brought him
here at this moment, But while. with
the hot words checked on his very lips,
Conyers was Illuminating anathemas on
the unconscious Sir David his ear had
caught the strain OF doubt, OF fear, al
most. in the girls voice Next moment
it was forgotten as his eye fell upon her
hands-Isobers fragile. dainty little
hands. II these terrible blank days had
left her. as If by some miracle. scathe-
less, they had left their mark behind
them here.
IsObel flushed. not the sweet maiden
rose but a veXed. smarting scarlet.
1t distresses mother s0-and father.
too instinctively, putting her hands be-
hind her.
DO you think II I take very great care
and never forget my gloves they viii re-
COver?" she whispered.
1t was the old IsObel the little child
cousin again. for the moment. Conyers
e
gay, reaSsuring laugh That moment
seemed 70 bring the girl nearer to him.
little down from the virginia. heights
where love had throned her. His hour
would surely come again. He must wait
for it with as good a grace as he could
Well. Basil. you've got back again.
Glad 10 see you. Plenty Of work in the
moors nOw2' said Sir David. in an alb
sent perfunctory fashion, as he darted a
quick. doubtful glance from the one to
the other.
With Isobels exquisite girlish bloom be
fore his eyes, with the recollection Of
Lady Stormonts face. TO which happiness
seemed TO have given youth again. Basil
had expected TO see Sir David restored at
least 10 something Of his old self Now
he looked at him in genuine surprise and
distress. The pl0wshare Of grief and
anxiety had evidently gone too deep for
the burrows To be readily effaced. Il
might be that only the heavy hand of
death would smooth out their traces.
From vigorous middle-life the man seem
ed to have taken a long step toward age.
His manner had not yet lost its restless
ness, his eyes the anxious. questioning.
furtive look Wei, il was little wonder.
COnyers thought A man could not 20
through such furnace without at least
the smell Of fire passing upon him. The
marvel was rather that mother and
daughter had so soon recovered their
elasticity.
And what have you been doing with
yOurself?' Sir David asked his daughter.
with a slight suggestion Of effort.
Il? DO l ever do anything just now.
but Try 10 take it al in?' laughed the
girl with a little sweep of her hand
round
But the laugh was nervous. the gesture
lacked spontaneity, and perhaps 1t was
the touch of cOnstraint; but now Con-
yers noted the little change Of ber voice
TIL now he had been too absorbed in
herself in what she said To heed very
much how she said it, The old distinction
OF voice and tone were still there, but
they seemed slightly overlaid by a Ger
tain sluTTing cOmmOnness Of accent. At
ter all, II was only a trifie. and was ac-
centrated, no doubt, by her lack of ease
with Sir David, for father and daughter
had evidently not yet drawn together as
the mother and child had done.
/ think / heard your mother asking
for you said Sir David; and Isobel turn
ed, and with shy smile TO the two men,
went away down the terrace.
DUH lhFoiuhtII1A, watched the white
hgure Till 1t disappeared round the angle
of the house. Her slow languid move
ments had always been graceful. but now
there was lissome vigOr. a spring in
the poise and carriage Of the girlish fig
ure which TO BasiTs eyes seemed positive
ly taller. from the absence, perhaps. of
the slight pensive droOp Of the slender
neck and shoulders. To him the sunlight
seemed to vanish with her.
VIII you come 10 the library. BasiI?"
broke in Sir David's voice IT want
word with YOU