The Washington herald., 1910-11-08
CHAPTER XII.
Rosemary Means 40 Atone.

NAOHEniaE4 10 ALoACs
Douglas went dawn to breakfast the
next morning feeling dull and tired. He
had been sitting up late with his cousin.
and then seemed TO remember no more
till he had walked up. about 5. and found
himself cold and shivering in the library.
AS he entered the breakfast room. he
saw Rosemary's slim figure standing by
the window, an unusual expression OF
great WEAKNESS on her lovely face. So
wrapped up was she in her own thoughts
that she did not notice his presence Till
he came up behind her and put his hand
on her shoulder. Then she gave start
led exclamation, and glanced up at him
with such terror in her eyes that he said
contritely:
How frightened you look, darling. Tn
so sorry-what a nervous little girl you
areri
She gave a sobbing little laugh. I'm
stupid. 1 know. but my nerves are lit
tie unstrung, 1 think" Then she said
quickly, But you look tired and seedy;
were you sitting up late last night?"
Not very" ne replied. When my
cousin left me last night. ] fell asleep
and woke up cold and stiff about dawn.
It's the first time in my life l have ever
done such a thing. But don't let us waste
time talking about my appearance" he
laughed Il want 20 listen 20 your voice
telling me you still love me. and that
you don't wish 10 take back your prom
ise"
you know I love you" she murmured
shyly. Yesterday was the happiest day
of my life, spoiled by only one thing"
"And that tsp he asked.
''The presence Of these people in the
house." Rosemary said quickly. 'Oh, If
you only knew how I distrust them. Sir
Douglas, will yo do me favor?''
II can do no favor while you call me
Sir Douglas no smiled tenderly.
''Thsn Douglas" she said with blush.
''I shall not be happy till your cousin
and his friends have left the house. I
feel that their presence here is not a
friendly one, and that beneath their as
sumed friendship Is & deadly venom"
II am sorry you feel this, darling" he
said gravely, because l was hoping you
might get on with them. especially with
Miss Craven, who seems a nice sort OF
girl"
Il detest her most Of allp' Rosemary
cried bitterly 'She all eady hates me.
and would take you away from me-"
He laughed amusedly and drew her into
his arms. why, darling. / do believe
you are actually jealous-lt makes me
the proudest man IN the world 10 think
IT, Nothing on earth could make me look
at another woman" he went on, every
second 1 am away from you is an eter-
nifty to me; and / am as anxious for my
cousin and his friends TO move on as
81
circumstances Of his rise 10 wealth at
my expense would make any GOODNESS on
my part appear to be jealousy. And per-
sonally l don't care a rap about the
money-except that I might have more
for you"
Rosemary looked az him with shining
eyes THE one great happiness I can
have now is 10 be alone again without
any one but Lady Mailaby and you
Promise me you will not encourage them
to stay" she pleaded IT can't tell you
why l distrust them, but I do-there is
something that tells me they mean Ill
toward you-that man. the brother OF
Miss Craven, and your cousin.
Good morning" said a voice behind
them, and as the lovers stepped apart
hurriedly they saw Philip Craven behind
them, smiling cheerfully. Have you
heard about our adventure last night?"
he said when they had exchanged greet
ings
mo" Sir Douglas replied quickly.
What was ito"
"Only that Usher and I. tempted by
the frosty. moonlight night. went out
for smoke. and when we came back we
couI1n't for the life Of as find the win
dow through which we went out. so we
walked about till an early servant open
ed the door and let us in to our much
needed beds"
why on earth didn't you ring?" Sir
Douglas exclaimed.