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

i Lady Flora read the letter through
i with very white face. Then she
walked to the fireplace, put it in the
i fire, and watched it slowly burn and
i become ashes.
That is the end of my last folly"
she murmured, "and there shall never
be another. God help me, to think of
marrying such thing as that"
i When she kissed her fathers fore
head in the morning she showed no
sign of heart trouble, unless it was
that her manner was more affection
ate than usual.
by the way, Flora" remarked the
Earl, II see that young protege OF
yours has been doing rather well for
himself. Listen to this: "A marriage
has been arranged and will shortly
take place between Mr. John Caven-
dish, only son of Lieutenant Colonel
Cavendish, and Lillian, eldest daugh-
ter of Mr.. Thomas Dalzell, the we'll
known millionaire of South Africa.
The bridegroom will shortly take up
an important post on the Rand mines
of his prospective father-in-law.' What
strange girl you are not to have told
me anything about it,
II did not think it would interest
you, father Lady Flora answered in
low voice.
well, it does. Everything does,
more or less. And that reminds me
that have to lunch with General Bux-
ton today at the United Services, and
so I shan't be able to go with you to
Lady Burcliffe's At Home. You will
make my apologies"
Eyes, father"
But as the afternoon worked on
Flora felt that she could not, at the
moment, endure the mild frivolity of
fashionable At Home. For one thing,
she had to write to Ronald Cover
begging him not to take any further
trouble in the matter of Mr.. Caven-
dish, since he had already accepted
another appointment. The sooner
that was done the better, and then
she would start afresh. She sent
away the carriage, which had waited
for her, and went to the library to
write her letter.
She sat down at her desk and took
a sheet of paper, but for long time
she did not know how to phrase it.
What was she to say and how to
apologize for trouble given unneces-
sarily?
A footman opened the door.
'Mr. Cover, your ladyship," he said,
is in the drawing-room."
The color suddenly left her face,
and she trembled.
SHOW Mr.. Cover in here" she said.
Eyes, your ladyship."
In moment her composure came
back to her. She stood up, leaning on
the desk, then she went forward to
welcome her guest.
ut is so good of you to come after
all these years. she said, giving him
her hand and looking into his face.
He had not changed much, although
the hair about his temples was be-
coming grey; but his face and eyes
were steadfast as of old.
! II was rejoiced to think that I
could be of service to you," he an
swered in voice which betrayed some
emotion, land if had failed I should
not have dared to come. AS it is,
have been more successful than I an
ticipated. The Duke has almost prom
ised me to give the appointment to
your friend Mr.. Cavendish, and real
ly think may say, that the thing is
practically assured"
81 am sorry, Mr.. Cover, for having
given you SO much trouble in the mat
ter but the fact is that Mr.. Cavendish
has shaken the dust off his feet in this
country and has accepted post in
South Africa. was just about to
write to you to that effect
"Oh, indeed" replied Mr.. Cover.
Then my news comes too late"
I'm afraid it does," answered Lady
Flora, "but I am not the less grateful
for your kindness. And after all, Mr..
Cavendish will probably find his IA
ther-in-law more considerate employ
er than any other
His father-in-law!"
Eyes, Mr.. Dalzell of South Africa.
Mr.. Cavendish is to be married to\his
eldest daughter"
The news seemed to affect Ronald
Cover deeply. He rose to his feet and
paced several times up and down the
library, whilst she watched him with
beating heart. What fool she had
been! In every line and feature of
his face were power and distinction,
and she had been satisfied to give
herself to mere brainless boy.
"Shall I ring for tea?" she asked at
| length.
Eyes, thank you-or not yet, if you
please" he answered. II have brought
you something which perhaps I ought
: to have returned long ago."
He took case from his pocket and
opened it. Inside was a withered
rosebud.
Y stThis and NV dreams T have Kent u