The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1912-05-04
Eyes. Everything"

| 10S, Will 10 CndL, earning, ne 0X-
claimed, and would have kissed her
again, but she rose from her seat.
81 have several engagements to fill,
she said with a smile, "and so we
must return" She hesitated a mo-
ment and then added: But remem-
Der, my promise is only conditional,
and you must not regard me as being
engaged"
They went back to the ballroom to-
gether. A curious little smile passed
over Major Courtenay's face as he
saw them.
Surely she won't be such fool as
to marry that boy" he muttered to
himself. Then he sighed, for the boy,
after all, had what he himself never
tinctions-the priceless possession of
youth. What were military distinc-
lions to young and beautiful woman,
when handicapped by fifty years? He
watched them jealousy. The boy was
radiant and eager; the woman's man
ner was gentle and a little embar-
raised.
1 IL Lolh Will IAC 6OfCA AO1 LOI1lO1-
row about job, and then I'll come
and tell you," Jack whispered, press
ing Lady Flora's fingers.
Lady Flora did not mention to her
father the arrangement she had made
with Jack Cavendish. She knew in
her heart that the Earl would not ap-
prove of such a marriage for his
| 1or1ohtnr D11f oftn,s oil le
himself was responsible, since he had
reminded her of the big gap which
lay between her and her girlhood. If
she waited longer she must inevitab-
| ly fall back upon some such husband
as Major Courtenay, whose best years
had been given to his profession and
to whom a wife would be but the con-
ISOLATION. of his old age. If she had
been as wise at eighteen as she now
was at twenty-seven things would be
different.
One afternoon, few days after
Lady Windle's ball, Jack Cavendish
presented himself at Lord Mountbay's
town house.
He was obviously excited when he
took Lady Flora's hand, and would
have kissed her if she had not drawn
back.
IT say" he said, with an aggrieved
air, II thought we were"
But we are not" she interrupted
quietly. "Have you any news?"
Eyes. I've talked the whole thing
over with the governor. Never men
toned you, of course" he explained.
''He was quite pleased about my anx-
iety to find a job. So we put our
heads together"
with what resu1t?" asked Lady
Flora, for it was Jacks way to think
he had done thing when he talked
of doing it, and she was under no illu-
sions respecting him.
There's an awfully good job vacant
now" he answered, 'the Secretaryship
of the new Fishery Board, worth thir-
teen hundred year, and very little
to do except in the way of administra-
tive work. Just the think to suit me.
The clerks and fellows like that will
do all the real work"
Il see," responded Lady Flora. But
how are you to get it?'
well, that's the question:" said
Jack, his ardour little damped. "You
see, it's in the gift of the Duke of Bill
borough, the President of the Council,
you know. Now, how can we wirepull
him? Do you know anyone to work
the Duke?"
Lady Flora's face flushed, remember
ing how her father, few days before,
had told her of Ronald Covers ap-
pointment as Clerk of the Council. He
was the only one whom she knew who
was likely to influence the Duke, but
how could she ask favor of the lover
whom she had rejected for the lover
whom she was prepared to accept? It
was a painful dilemma.
:. "Do what you can yourself" she an
swered, land meanwhile I will think
what can do
At first she made up her mind that
the thing was impossible, but when
Jack returned with a gloomy face, to
tell her that all his efforts to influence
the Duke had been failures, she wav-
cred, and finally conquered her pride
so far as to write to Ronald Cover
asking, as an old friend, his influence
on Jacks behalf.
By return came reply in the curl.
| ously familiar handwriting. .
Dear Lady Flora" it ran, 81 am
glad you remembered me and our old
friendship. I will do what I can to
interest the Duke on your friends
t behalf, and perhaps if I am successful
) you will allow me to make the an.
; nouncement in person.
always your friend,
Ronald Cover"
After she had read the letter, Lady
Flora wept so much that she was un
) able to appear at breakfast. She sent
word by her maid that she was suf
fering from headache, and Lord Mount