The circle banner. [volume] (Circle, Mont.) 1914-1939, 1917-12-14

"And will be so long as I live" John
confessed gloomily. For all that, I'll
not drink your toast"
'Why not?"
"There was a little girl-you saw
her when you were in London. She is
married now, but think of her some
times; and when l do, you and old
Jennings seem to me like a couple of
blithering idiots cursing things too
wonderful for you to understand"
Stephen made no protest. For a
time he smoked in silence Curiously
enough, as they sat together, some of
the grim fierceness seemed to have
passed ION his expression and settled
upon John. More than once, as he
looked across at his younger brother,
| it almost seemed as If there was some
thing of self-reproach in his question
ing look.
"You dined at the ordinary in Mar
ket Ketton?" Stephen asked at last.
81 did,"
"Then you heard the news?"
"Who could help it," John muttered
''There wasn't much else talked
about"
"Bailiff Henderson has been over
here" Stephen went on. "There's a
small army of painters and decorators
coming down to the castle next week.
You saw the announcement of the
wedding in the morning Post, maybe?"
John assented without words. Ste
phen smoked vigorously for a few mo-
ments. Every now and then he
glanced across to where John was sit
ting. Once again the uneasiness was
in his eyes, an uneasiness which was
almost self-reproach.
Johr moved little restlessly in his
chair.
Lets drop it, Stephen" he begged.
"We both know the facts. She is 60
ing to marry him, and that's the end
of it. Fill your glass up again. Here's
mine untouched. I'll drink your toast
with you, if you'll leave out the little
girl who was kind to me. I'll give it |
to you myself-confusion to all wom- |
ent"
"Confusion to" Stephen began. |
"What on earth is that?"
They both heard it at the same time |
the faint beating of a motor engine |
in the distance. John set down his
glass. There was a strange look in
his eyes.
''There are more cars passing along
the road now than in the old days."
he muttered; "but that's a queer
sound. 1t reminds one-good heavens,
how it reminds one!'
There was a look of agony in his
face for a moment. Then once more
he raised his glass to his lips.
TITS passed out of hearing" Stephen
said. "It's someone on the way to the
castle, maybe"
Still their glasses remained suspend
ed in midair. The little garden gate
mad opened and closed with a click !;
here were footsteps upon the f1inty
walk.
Its someone coming herel" John
,ried hoarsely. "Why can't they keep
away? It's two years ago this week
'ince I brought her up the drive and :
rou met US at the front door. Two
ears ago, Stephen! Who can it be?"
They heard the front door open. i,
hey heard Jennings voice raised in
unusual and indignant protest. Then !
heir own door was suddenly flung
vide, and a miracle happened. Johns
lass slipped from his fingers, and the
vine streamed out across the carpet. :
lie shrank back gripping at the table
10th. Stephen turned his head, and +
at as if turned to stone.
John" she faltered, sit isn't the car -
his time-it is 1 who have broken
own! I cannot go on. l have no
ride left. 1 have come to you. Will !,
on help me?" =,
He found himself upon his feet Ste =
hen, too, had arisen. She stood be- y
veen the two men, and glanced from
he to the other. Then she looked 81
ore closely into Johns face, peering
rward with little start of pain, and :
sr eyes were filed with tears. d
"John." she cried, forgive mel You
ere so cruel that morning, and you :,
emed to understand so little. Don't =
III really understand, even now? =
ave you ever known the truth, won '
rp
"The truth" he echoed hoarsely. :,
Don't we all know that? Don't we all is
low that he is to give you your rights, W
at you are coming"
"Stopl" she ordered him. al
He obeyed, and for moment there Sc
rs silence-a tense, strained silence. to
''John," she continued at last, 81 &c
We no rights to receive from the so
ince of Seyre. He owes me nothing. In
stenl Always we have seen life diff en-
rently, you and /. To me there is nc
ly one great thing, and that is love
d beyond that nothing counts. l he
ed to love the prince before you tn
me, and thought did, and I prom I'M
d him at last, because l believed col
1t he loved me and that loved him,