Camas Prairie chronicle. [volume] (Cottonwood, Idaho) 1901-1917, 1910-05-27
CHAPTER xv11.-(coutinusd.)

That evening. ~ Hope was playing
some Scotch airs, with great taste and
delicate touch, while Mrs. saville sat
thinking in her chair and stroking
Prince, q note was brought for Miss
Desmond. Hope finished what she
was playing. then, asking, win you
allow me7" opened the missive.
1T Is from Miss Dacra,' she added,
IN minute or two-"1 most extraor-
binary epistle. She says she writes
with your knowledge and approval.
She asks me to leave you and live with
her, and offers me one hundred pounds
year. VIII you look at itH"
Mrs. Saville stretched out her hand,
and, after reading the letter, deliber'
atsly returned 1t.
How do you mean to reply2"
"Can you ask?" cried Hope-"unless
indeed, your knowledge Of Miss Da-
crs'S intention indicates a wish that
should leave you"
mo, 1t does not. I thought It right
that you should have the option Of re-
fusing an advantageous offer. You
would have more gayety, larger sal
airy, an easier life, with Mary Dacre,
than with q cantankerous old woman
like myself"
IF had the money should bo
willing to pay q hundred a year to
stay away from Miss Dacre," said
Hope. You are severe, and rather
formidable, but l feel sure Of your
Justice and loyalty, and the resttulneSs
Of life with you is infinitely preferable
to the fevered gayety Of Miss Dacre's
existence"
II am glad you think so. Write to
her at once"
Hope obeyed, and. after writing with
elaboration for some minutes, gave
the. result to Mrs. Saville for perusal.
"Good." said that lady. ut is firm
and courteous. Let 1t DO posted at
eneN Now play me the march from
-Tannhauser,'
When that was finished, Mrs. sa-
vile said, Come and sit down"
Hope obeysd. There was a short
pause, and she went on: AS you have
chosen to stay with me, my dear Miss
Desmond. shall increase your salary
to what Miss DacrS offered"
You are very good, Mrs. SavtllO,
but I would rather you did not. I
have quite enough for all I want. A
year hence, VIII you have proved
me, II We are still together and you
like to offer it-But, oh. It il unwisS
to look ahead 80 far"
II am not q very imaginative Der.
SON, said Mrs. SaVillO, slowly, "but It
strikes me you have history, Miss
Desmond"
II suppose every one has," said
Hope, smiling. II too, have my little
story; and some day, II you ever care
to hear It, will tell you-but not tust
yet"
Il SUPPOSE Il centers round some
love-anra4r. which you silly young peo-
pie always think Of the last import
GncA"
1T does" said Hope, with grave
feeling; "and am sure the import
anoO cannot be exaggerated. If men
and women only allowed themselves to
think what a sacred and solemn thing
love and its usual ending marriage II.
fewer unhappy ones would take place"
"Ah. with the vast majority love Is
an unknown quantity and an insignin-
cant ingredient Just think what hu-
man nature is, the conditions in which
1t lives, moves. and has its being: how
II love as you exalted people accent
II, to existf There we shall never
agree. Pray get me the Figaro"
Miss DacrO was reproachtul. and
even fearful, when Hope next saw her.
but the much desired one was i'm
movable.
Els 1t not extraordinary" cried tia
disappointed hsirSss, that Geor~o
Lumley went on in that unaccountabla
wayf There IL some hidden banaful
influence at work. It L. always tia
samei as soon as we are growing con.
idOntiAl he fieS on. It Is q hidsOus
thought, but it has occurred to ma
that he IL secretly married to voaa
dreadful woman. What do you think3"
Of think there Il nothing more un-
likely"
well, good-by. We return to Lon
don on Wednesday. Perhaps Richard
SaVI1lS win be able to tell me soma
thing Of George. Oh, forget; we shall
Just miss him Well, II you can ana
out anything you win be sure to writaP
You have treated me very badly: but
I do mot bear mRlic& You will find
you have made great mistake, So
good-by.s
Mrs. Saville seemed more chesrnuI
and In . better temper after Lord
Castleton and his daughter left Paris.
though the presence of her eldest son
was always more or less a trial.
She endExed an occasional visit from
Lord Ev&E<on. who was quietly peril
nacious In cultivating friendly rela,
tons with her.
He was the only member Of the fam
lily who dared to mention her Offend
ing son, but he only ventured to do 10
when they were alone.
II really believe you are SoftsninR
Ma sGyills's stony heart" he said