The Marshall republican., 1909-04-23
CHAPTER VII.

oeen Drought owe with q batch OF ex-
changed officers from France.
In that month, during which I had
lived continuously In Berkeley Square,
things were 30 little changed, except
In one respect, which | shall mention
presently, that I could scarcely per-
suade myself Ave years had passed.
Peter and Polly, as Giles dlsrespect-
fully called them, had not grown a
day older, and quarreled as vigorously
as ever. Lady Arabella was hen her
own mistress. although still living I'M
der Sir Peters roof; but, as far as /
could see, this spoiled child OF nature
and fortune had always been her own
mistress. / found that Overton had
been away for some years on foreign
service, and, after distinguishing him.
self greatly, had lately returned SUI.
fering from sever wounds and In.
juries to his constitution. He was
however, In London. and able to ride
and walk out, and visit his friends:
but It was doubted by many whether,
on the expiration Of his leave, he
would ever be fit for duty again.
heard and saw enough to convince
me that Lady Arabella had been wild
with grief and despair when she heard
of his wounds; and. although since
his return to London he avoided COM
pany generally, she managed to see
him occasionally, and spent much Of
her time driving in the parks upon the
mere chance OF seeing him taking his
daily ride or walk. Lady Arabella
Stormont had everything in life that
heart could wish, except one. She had
chosen to give her willful and way
ward heart to Philip Overton. and It
must be acknowledged that he was q
man we'll fitted to enchain a woman's
Imagination. Overton had disdained
the spontaneous gift OF Arabella's
love; but I believe her naughty and
arrogant mind could never be brought
to believe that any man could be real.
ly insensible to her beauty. her rank.
and her fortune. Overton could not
in any way be considered a great
match for her. His fortune was mod.
est, and his chance of succeeding to
the Vernon estates remote; but, with
the desperate perversity Of her ma
ture, him she would have and no other.
1t always seemed TO me as II Oyerton
was the N thing denied her, but
that she had determined to do battle
with fate until she conquered her
souls desire.
For myself. she treated me exactly
as she had done five years before
e called me Dlcky In her good humors.
and a variety Of sneering names in her
bad humors-and, little as It may be
believed, I, Richard Glyn, lieutenant
in his majesty's sea service, with
$4,000 to my name, would have zone
to the gibbet rather than marry Lady
Arabella. with her 100000.
Perhaps Daphne Carmichael had
something to do with It. She was the
same gentle. winning creature at Il 10
as at ~. She was still Sir Peters pet.
and Lady H~awkshaw's comfort: but
had not been In the house a week be-
fore the change l alluded to came
about and the change was in me con.
corning Daphne. l began to find It
very hard to keep away from her. She
treated me with great kindness before
others, but when we were alone to-
gether, she was capricious. l began to
despair of ever finding a woman who
could be kind to a man three times
running. And | was very much sur
prised at the end Of a fortnight to find
myself experiencing the identical
symptoms | had felt Ave years before
with Arabella-only much aggravated.
There was this difference, too. l had
admired Arabella as a star, afar off
and l think l should have been very
much frightened, II, at the time, she
mad chosen formally to accept my de.
votion. Not 80 with Daphne. l felt
should never be really at ease until
had the prospect of having her by
my side the rest OF my life. l reached
week. At the end Of the fourth l wac
In a desperate case. but II was then
time to go to Portsmouth to meet
Giles. according to my promise, and
felt, when l parted from Daphne, as
II / was starting on q three years
cruise, and ! was only to be gone q
day and a half. She. dear girl. showed
some feeling. too, and l left, bearing
with me the pack which every lover
carries-pains and hopes.
left London at night. and next
morning On reaching Portsmouth, as
I jumped from the coach. / ran into
Giles arms; he had reached Ports.
mouth some hours in advance OF the
time.
He showed marks Of his imprison.
ment In his appearance. but his soul
had eyer been free. and he was the
same brave and joyous spirit ! had
ever known. Not being minded to
waste our time In Portsmouth. we took
coach for London town at noon. As
we were ne uniting, q countryman
standing by held up a wooden cage
full OF iarks, and asked us to buy. ex.
patiatlng on their beautiful song
II will take them all. my lad" criec
Giles, throwing him o guinea The
fellow gaped for q moment. and then