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Les cartes, planches, tableaux, etc., peuvent §tre film6s d des taux de r6duction diff6rents. Lorsque le document est trop grand pour Stre reproduit en un seul clich6, il est film6 h partir de (angle supdrieur gauche, de gauche d droite. et de haut en bas, en prenant le nombre d'images ndcessaire. Les diagrammed suivants illustrent la mdthode. 22X 1 2 3 1 2 3 4 5 6 I i MARJOEIE DEANE. MARJORIE DEANE. ^ Uc^vcU BT BERTHA M. CLAY \ AUTHOK or "DOHA THOKNE," "tHE EARL'S ATONKMKOT." "uNnM A BHADOW," "SET IN DIAMONDS," " HIS PBOMISKD BRIDIS," XTC. <^\J.' P./ *^.,'4/^V-\.jg_ HUNTER, ROSE & COMPANY. 1895. '-^3 ^ ^ ^ '^^ CONTENTS. 1 I CHAPTKR I. Thk Homk of tub Parvknu, CHAPTER II. ''Who is Sik Roland Chkhtkrton?" CHAPTER III. An Aristocratic Opinion, CHAPTER IV. The Profkssional Beauty CHAPTER V. Prouder Than a Chesterton, ;! THE,Cot;NTY Bam,, CHAPTER VI. CHAPTER VII. Sib RotANi> IMakes Another Effort, After the Bah,, Sir Roland's Ruse. Thb Lost Lockkt, CHAPTER VIII. CHAPTER IX. CHAPTER X. CHAPTER XI. The Dinner at thk Wold, PAOE 9 16 21 26 3? 38 43 49 64 60 64 ^ CONTENTS. CHAPTER XII. Mr. Dkane Bids fob a Husband for Mahjorie. CHAPTER XIII. Sir Roland Walks Homb with vhe DE.^^•Es, . CHAPTER XIV. The Father Blessed His Child, CHAPTER XV.! Sir Roland Announces His Engagement, The Morning After, A Passageat-Arms, CHAPTER XVI. CHAPTER XVII. CHAPTER XVIII. Thb Beauty Plays Hkh First Card, The Hunted Man, Before Sunset, In the Wood. CHAPTER XIX. CHAPTER XX. CHAPTER XXI. CHAPTER XXir. Something Wrong with Mr. Deane, What was it, CHAPTER XXIII. CHAPTER XXIV. Sir Roland and His Mother, CHAPTER XXV. To Enjoy Hek Rival's Trouble. PAGE 71 74 81 89 92 95 102 107 113 116 122 127 133 137 JBL PAGE 71 74 81 89 92 95 102 107 113 116 122 127 133 137 After the Stoem, CONTENTS. CHAPTER XXVI. CHAPTER XXVII. Marjobib Takes up a New Life, CHAPTER XXVIII. What Sir Roland was Doing, Pkepaeatory, CHAPTER XX r CHAPTER XXX. The Triumph of the Beauty, CHAPTER XXXI. When Spring had Comb, - CHAPTER XXXII. An Unexpected Meeting, . . > CHAPTER XXXin. Aptbb the Old Love— The New, CHAPTER XXXIV. Only a Little Hope, CHAPTER XXXV. Reginald's Adviob to Roland, CHAPTER XXXVI. How Sib Roland Tried to Efface Himself, CHAPTER XXXVIL Thb Result of the Night's Work, vii.njr xjDiXV A ,\ A V xii. Who thb Russlwjt Omiobr Was, PAO> 143 160 154 160 164 171 174 181 184 186 190 194 201 riil CONTENTS. CHAPTER XXXIX. IHE LOVBR AND THK Bl- OTHER, (CHAPTER XL. While Sm Roland was Absent, - CHAPTER XLI. Harvey Gumming 's Happiness CHAPTER XLII. Marjorie's Weddinu Eve, The Unbidden Gu CHAPTER XLHI. est, T„» T. T, CHAPTER XLiV. Tub Beauty Reveals Herself, . Th« r « CHAPTER XLV. The Beauty Relieves Her Mind, In Conclusion, CHAPTER XL VI. PAOI 206 . 210 213 221 224 229 233 237 206 210 MAIIJORIE DEANE. 213 221 224 229 233 237 CHAPTER I. THE HOME OF THE PAHVENU. TT is late in the afternoon of a briijht October day, and a golden -*■ flood of sunset light streams through the trees about Hariey House and glances blindingly bac'c from the west windows of the great structure. Older and more picturesque houses there may be in Berkshire ; but newer or larger— no. Peter Deane knew it, and was proud of it. The thought of it filled his mind always It till- ed his mind as he stood now in front of the fire in the drawing- room, his coat tails drawn aside in rather plebeian style. He had intended it to be a large house and a gorgeous house, and it was exactly what he intended it to be. He was expecting his daughter but he was thinking of his house, and of the etiect it would have upon her ; for she had not yet seen it. " I think she will be impressed," he said aloud. " I wish she would come. The train never is on time," was the response he received, delivered in an impatient tone It was Bessie Deane who spoke. She had been standing in an attitude of listening at the open window, but turned to speak to her father, and disclosed a /ace as sweet and piquant as ever graced a sixteen-year-old maiden. ^ Almost as she spoke she heard the sound of an approaching car- nage, and m an instant she was otf, flying around to the front drive, her fiery golden hair streaming out behind her Kke a comet bne gained the front steps, just as a carriage, resplendent in all the glory of varnish, polished brass, and new liveries, turned the cor- ner and drew up at the front. The long-coated footman swunX T "^ '» l-ed Xil™-?,^^;, And, oh, dra J„!!lL.'t; SS, a^ MaS- J^'Aave .ached the the door-knob. " Well dear" " ^^^^'^J^"^ Pauses with her hand on begin quarrelling directly, will vou l^^'""^' ^^rjorie, you won't ^S:ta?teXrTu^M°;;^^-*^«*^ *-• the full'mobile Hps ; ' we ion't ou^rrt'"' '""^^' '^"'^ « ""^ve of ^an't b'e my £:«"?£ *i ITtjT ^"'J ^- .^t least if Where is he ? In we^d. it ahanVir; Iny ZTi \ ^^1^^; Jl^ea hety tail, an, „cei™s «,lSt''^rac''at,\L'o?i?nr; Ah'ftI,5t^;";,tSrt'ge^ticfm ^°".! 'AJ^»"rdin„„, ■ «. .. zve had .,„„„.hi„g -t* - d? crou'i-th: stri' MARJORIE DEANE. 11 leems such a long 1 accident ? Howr low beautiful you )ok of rapt admir • sister. Marjorie d face. lovinorly. « Qh, have been calling g-tail, waiting to ids Bessie, ding- have ! And oh, hen down at the ng pleased for a face with a half- and, Marjorie ? old trees; but, itulates Bessie, build this. It indows. Not a ick. And, oh, ■ve reached the ;h her hand on -and— all that "e, you won't lie. i.nd a curve of r. At least if ire is he ? In .Mr. Deane I it sticks out though noisy your dinner? snack on the dining-room. ;i Better get it over and then w* can talk comfortable. Find the carriage— er easy, eli ( " he aakbd, with a curious little laugh, and a glance of complacent pride around the gay, not to say gaudy room. " Very," answered Marjorie. "Is it the sherifl's carriage, pa- pa ? " Mr. Deane's face grew suddenly red, and his cheeks began to Bwell portentously. "Sheriff's carriage?" he stammered, eying the innocent face, wrathfully. " What on earth do you mean ? It's my private car- riage, and if you think it's too fine " But by this time Bessie had hust.'ed the offender out of the room and half way up the stairs. " Oh, Marjorie ! How could you ? The first five minutes, too ! " she whispered, reproachfully. Marjorig laughed, and wound her arm more tightly around the girlish waist. " I'm awfully sorry, dear ; but I didn't mean it. I did think it was the sheriff's carriage ; it was so gorgeous and shining, and there was a great coat of arms on the door, I'm sure, or I'm very much mistaken." Bessie blushed and struggled with a smile. " So there is, but— but it's ours—our coat of arms, Marjorie." " Oh. is it ? " said Marjorie, with a slight lifting of the eyebrow^ and looking carelessly around at the elaborately decorated ccrr.'- dor, with its rows of pictures on the wall and its exotics and statu- ary at the sides. " Is it ? I didn't know we had one, dear." "Nor did I. Bessie, until we got rich— I mean until we came down here. Those are your rooms, dear, and I hope you will like them. 1 " but there she stopped, for Marjorie stood in the door-way, staring about her with a look of amazement in her wide open eyes, and a smile, which she vainly strove to check, curving her red lips. " Is anything the matter ? " she asked, hesitatingly No-o, answered Marjorie. " The room is beautiful, I'm sure 1 can say that ; but isn't it a trifle— well, grand ? " "Grand! " said Bessie looking around the room for the first time with qualified admiration " Do you think so ? Well, maybe it IS a little. It hadn't struck me before. It is the grandest in the house.' " Is it? Well, I'm glad of that," and she tried to look serious • but^when she turned toward her sister and saw her watching her with puzzled expression, she fairly broke into a laugh, and it was such a merry, infectious laugh, that in spite of an incipient pout Bessie was obliged to join her ; though she stopped presently and &3R6CJ. ; " But why do you laugh, Marjorie ?" " Because it's all so very funny." 12 MAliJOlUE DEANE. inrSt!"'^""^^ ^d-'t Bee," said Beasie i„ . . " I>on't you like m« f , ' somewhat ir J^wsed her again and again S/!?rC'? '° 1~P Sin",'" ??*'«. With .,„Me„ tr.„.. thtrl would OAteh ptepii ■ense iwifti Anc 'er by breaking out in*, -d,a8«oonas8hecouldBpeak. "I willwalt'V^rr •';/ "" '' '"" " * -^7 little while. . " J won't be three mi "u^ ^^T^-oora- " youaak. rmafraidoftheJ''''T'*^^^^««ie. - 1 jon'. . lake her. F„' " „lt "?" »' S'«nito. y„u jm"'". T""''""J' «Mash -. a, a ,,;4 „tt;f,:t'j; -t'i3^ a'rf -- ^ J' siudund.r their long iaahes^ ing — I the fa (•Ibo 1 blazinj to ush wound Kod g] h«r ey t|ie ro( liam Mazing barst Highb work, As t they h would If you guisbly "Nc " They "Bu "Ye they be me to-r hear if vanish Shakes] and be thing." "Of "Of Clapton effect tl into the I would end fori Marjc Propped I^essie, in a somewhat ir 'el], I won't, then. Tha you must let me get use , may I ? " ® '"^' 86, so that you don't ]e ns around her sister ano ;'oni!?»«»ddentran8i. be /f^-^^^"^ home- be afraid that I woul.l "ving and tender " ach other's arms', then emoveaomeofh^rgar rie. Marjorie with such a by breaking out int.. on as she could speak. "^ a ^'ery little while. > of the palace hang- «eJf,"aaidMarjorif, at," laughed Bessie one of those giants.' ,j,"u ^°"'* wonder Sn she ran from the in little more than staircase. And if •ap, with the dust B than pretty she beautiful Jinthefairyounc as variety enough ^t tnow where to oe as demure an.J their long JashesT MAEJOIUE DEANE. 18 "Pe lipa "et and formal ; the next the vail would lift, the eyes would flash, the mobile lips curve with a smile, and all the face Mich light and beam again. And through ii all one could discern, pteping out like a shy child through a half-open door, the keen ■wse of humor and love of fun, the indomitable pride, and the •Wlft scorn for all that was mean, and pretentious, and unworthy. ^ And as she reached the hall and looked around at the oak panel- ing—not old, but stained and well varnished, to look like old— at the family portraits (bought in Wardour street) and the suit of armor (also from that interesting locality), at the two huge footmen in blazing hveries, who waited at the foot of the stairs and stood ready to usher her into the dining-room, as if they were two machines wound up and set to perform the task, the quaint luok of humor and sly mockery played about her lips and shone dangerously in her eyes. But it threatened to explode altogether as she entered lAe room and all its splendor burst upon her view ; modern oak and ^am medieval furniture, massive i)late, gorgeous pictures, and Wazing candelabra. It was too much for the girl upon whom it tarst for the first time, and who remembered thaL little villa at Highoury, with its best and second best parlor, its one maid of all work, and its all-pervading air of somi-gentility. As the two footmen shut the door, Be.ssie ran forward. " How quick you have been, dear ! " she exclaimed. " See ' they have laid the cloth on the little table, and— I thought you would rather we were alone, and so I am going to wait on you If you would prefer the footmen, though " she went on ro- guishly. ''Not for the world," interrupted Marjorie, in pretended alarm. " They must be so very busy." "Busy?" " Yes, watching that the men in armor don't get away to where they belong. My dear I wouldn't have one of those gilnts about me to-night for the world. Besides, I am dying, simply dying, to hear if all this is real ; for at present I am suspicious that it will all vanish suddenly, like the unsubstantial fabric of a dream That's Shakespeare, isn't it ? Sit down there, where I can see your tace, and begm. Begm and don't stop until you've told me every- " Of course you received my letter." nil?l''''"fV^ ^^^ ""f'^}' ?°" ^""^^^ o"«' it is lying hidden at SS th^ n""®""' ""^ ^''"^S ^ ^'^ S^* «■ ^^^''' f^-«^^ papa, to the effect that in consequence of certain changes he had moved down faito the country, and that he wished me to come home-that is, if iiTfoJaXn'"' ''*^'"~"''**^" ""^j"'^* ^^^"I'i be ignored -*^^y '®'" «y«» flashed and her lips quivered as she spoke. She Ptopped a moment to recover herself, and then continued. 14 MARJOIUE DEAXE. two monsters uuon ".!« a ?" * ^'^'"'e^f now or von'U k • .^ about? Has n«na\ "^"^^ "ow, how has if ^^ u ""^ ^^ose gold mine i'uRact'''"!.''^'^ *^« PhSoSr's s^on ''''" ^'"'^"^ht bine Villa I " ' ^^""^ ^'''^^^ of VVoodbine vSa ? p'' ''\^^'''?^ '^ "Hushl'-aaidn • , Poor old Wood- ^on will ha™ t,, J- " ""> Pa»»age_I be» m 'l ° ■"" '"'' '"» J _„„r. I don'i know how it (< MARJORIE DEANE. 10 im that I wouid come > reason for tJiis gor- iid Bessie, with open ars ap on account of ?at Woodbino Villa business, an(J was a 'HI were a rambling, nd shabby boots. / ' ™"ment as if words \ Know nothing, j "'hen that gorgeous *," was one of the 'a 8 private— Bessie, led. "No wonder pne, if it had been • yon'Il bring those c all been brought stone, or struck a ' Poor old Wood- 5n't speak so loud, le villa, and— and '1 she leaned back of scorn running 'n— wiped out. I 8 he used to wear All to be forgot- where Highbury of arms and two 'on, I mean hall. > Bess and I shall ?e, parlor, wash- 70 u have in place r> of course, we fc know yet how 'fc know how it money all of a sudden in happened, excppt that papa made the Btocks— if you know what they are " {.nlr^anl^"' .f "<%'^.«' '' '"^P^'^ted MaVjorie, with dr.,11 aflectatioo of forgXn •• """'' ^"* '^"'^ ^" ^*^« ^^^'^ "«»^ i have ♦hinlPt' ^^"i?"«'" ^*"ghed Bessie. - Well, after that you can't think how ditlerent papa was. He bought thi's place There was a dear little house on it ; but his architect said it must be taken tiurck^toTitrr-? '-'-' '--' '^^'^ '^ ^^» piar v:t-:tw" " It looks new," said Marjorie, dryly werelaiVout" " vT.n tnf \''"''\r '"^ '^^ ^'■^^*"*«' ''"^ the grounds were Jam out. You must see the garden and the tennis lawn Then tl? Xd pal wrnrd*; ^^e carriages-the one you sarisn'" h Dest. And papa wanted to get a governess for me, but I cried and said n^ould have no one but you. He became angry" Ld We wTb "P';haVrle^"uIgir%"'"''' ""'*""''^' ^^^^J°"«' sarcastically. ''As he used to do when he was put out," went on Bessie with ou heeding the mterruption. "1 was afrd.l to say ^ny Zre^h^^^^^^ on 'bU SilfTh ' 'v, '"''' '"' y^" «° '""'^h, and I didn't care one Dit tor it all the while you were away " Marjone stroked the goMen head, caressingly And then the people began to call," continued Bessie • " and oh that was awful, for they all stared about so and one old S; put up her eye-glass and looked papa up and dow^a^f he Z-^ some curious animal ; and papa grew red, and puffed and bTew and waved his pucket-handke. chief " ^ ' ®"' ^; Lucky she wasn't a bull," interjected Marjorie. ^on t? 0' }^^^ ^^"^" *° '^^^ questions. ' Was I the onlv "And what did he answei- ? " ab" T^'** T"" ^^'^ °^ *^'® continong. But he never said a word and ttt'unihfc; ni?f «']; "interrupted Marjorie, her face flushing " Wen wl pn^r ; }^ ^' ^" ^ ''^'■y P^'^tty comedy." ^ 10 ^AfiJORlJU DEANIS. "Now, Mariorift t n ' T ' .iM'vk yo", de\r !*B ,r:h'arr*t';r"!"' !•■''■'■■ 'y of ker Mari,." " " ""' "'" ''■^7 WJ you ) mustn't lose anV of ^ ''"*-"' «>r Roland Chesterton's!"^^ """ ^^"«'' ^^««« '" the whole county CHAPTER II. " ^HO IS sill KOLAND CHESTERTON ? » '^A^^f^^jia^-S:!-^^^^^^^^^^^ ''You Sth^po'tSoT^^^^ '" theU"'''^' d«t.nguished- -t^oor nana ' Rn*- u . ifictrjone 8 face set in ft „-,-„ i . . ■ — "" oiu man?" ' »' ""• And ttxia MAIiJOIUE DEANE. . The (jroiinds are so And M 18 aJJ «o boauti J, telling papa what he era and—- " nanners. I wonder ii 'feet lady I " nice lady told you? I n the whole county^ 17 RTON ? " 'where is his place?" i Chesterton Wold, and distinguished- said Marjorie, her y does after getting ave them painted, ones great-grand- but suddenly the 'd, and uhe leaned 3d with the delici- ou Beasie?" ,he a dear, funny old had been polished he back parlor of ; a long day pipe. 5" "H. xLQd tiiia He'« ** Old ? No," answered Bessie ; " not what vou'd rail ,MK .bont-about-oh, about thirty. 'That is ratL'r'oldX'Jgh, S'" !! ?t"'*® ancient," assented Marjorie, smilinc. « pri T-riSr, ^'^ » « "he did not .„ ,„„ ; .At. Ai'^tppt™ ;;',r«pl r" '^""°"'"™' ' A"« to- 0«e. W Wy- .llh,..,»h we .It .lm„,l in the nextpe- » ""' A„J, although jo„ have be:",ro°-t two yet7„nrr°ttl'""" jy.., they have not chanced .„ .eo you ^"t rTnd°°wt. d„» JTpi ■; I'tpa doesn't say anything," replied Bessie. minl'a"d'tlSgTp°"nt"dL''n Z'roZ' " '"""""I """i""'- t'lZ^^tSfdlLSS^ rCe'TiL^le/Trtf SSfS- "f "^^ somewhere within bounds-have held him i r"^^^ ^/«P ^t portraits and the gorgeous footmen Oh R« ^^^^^^"^ the famUy enough to be poor • but it is a S«>vn?: •^'''®' ^^*"®' '* "^"^ bad " Snobs 1 » fXro^ 1^ • thousand times worse to be snobs ' " aghatt "^''"''^ ^''''^^' "'^""g ** th« fl"«ted, passionate ?aoe -n^blr' A'ela'ighirstl J^Terv"';' P"?rP'«"<^' ostentatious and even of the toad"! whn h JI ^.^^^''!."* ^^^^'^^ "^ tJ»« county, Forget the olS home ' ^^^lu thS^l^f'^.n^^^^' *^« ^ with us every moment or:urTvel'r'Drv.^.S,-rtAT^ ''"*'°"* ouudenly she broke off. reminded b/ the~wide-ope^e. and (Vil }$ MA^JOJill;: DEAXE. '•';f ter',," tr,-r' ■:'r?f ~ "S". 'a JI.rj„rio br.,ke out into . L,„ ^'V^'fi ''" • Ml. " ' '" feft °^^^^« ' -"PJ o go;«e:r?*'"/'"^ ^-'^^ ''k' ihe Lord ft a hall ? It ^^,^^,,j j^ ^ tasf« ?n ^""tmen staDding fjuard in . In fact, „ ,|,e ipol,. ,hf f"'' 'Pn-^H to her foot. : p,„. , „ ha^*» enjoyed it V. • ' ""^ •^♦^«r ' lie asked - ' . endeavored loT„,l ""'' """ ''""'• •-l «ien ™,h°' "? ?' »' "«> ■■«; v;,"b.!':r.^ ""^«™. °™»LKU"he;^i;rverf J..,,,.o ■ '« '^ ">«' I - ..ry ,M to ,ee ,ou back, „, ,»„ I ■hfl was pouring out i"K like a groan, ssie, rU— we must id~what on earth's iind of a great beil. «wer..d liiiBsie, half la a beJl. " ■or, hersenaeof the uld apeak, "Igive I me at the er^p^"'^"''*^« andsuSoto the back " '^ '"'"''^' and-aud-r »„. glad you are ^JVIar|,rie .milod sweetly at this feeble conclusion, but said ™jlh hfr^*' "•""'*"'' '*"f «''^« y"'» "■ ^"" at^countof the changes which havHcoine over our fortunes I" <-"»nges 8oroneir"''bnt'if'l'' r'r ""i\ ^ '"'^'•°°«ivod it," answered Marjorie. aorcne y, but if 1 did not lo:irn through her letter i have learned overyth.ng since. I am pleased that you have prospered, papa " Voa.yes, said Mr. Heane, complacently, '' it ias a wonderful change ; but er--ahe„i_I tluuk we have ris;n to it '• Hulked uTri "h'fr'^r''"'" "''""* ^''" ^°'"» *"h auch satisfacUon that ' nV; ?r '^J -'^ '" '''^'T '^ "'"*'" ^''^* threatened to h oak out mi^iLu "^ ^'u""*' * ""■'■''* ''°'"^'"'t t" '"« t" feel that I have raised ..d .nd omb.„..™d each ,a..:,„„tLi n..i " ■„: rtStoZk taS yoiT— '• ^'^ '"'""''^ y*'" "* ^^'^ condition upoa which ''Are permitted to return," interjected Marjorie. serenely ." nnf±. i2iL*-«l«'"» *? °^« i* " pot much to ask." _ cSiHo, „...„, as tiiey nave doue before, i will tell you I :i 1 '.' ■ f •-! rJ ;._ii-- I 20 MARJORIE DEANE. frankly that I will not forget him Tf T him CO you, it is all that I'wiH d^' 'f \ P'"™'"® °°* *« 'P^ak of «nch terms, I will return to tie h;r.«i ^''^ *''''?""* '"^''^^^^ »« «i frcun which you called me " '* ''"'^ independent positi.,r, fattX^\tTsrr;i::n^1et^^^^^^^^ was.uivering, and h« purple m the face, but after wavZ hf " 'iV^'5\ ^« ^^^^ almo., ^/f at a bull, he contrived to say ^ ''^ handkerchief in the au to reme" S ^'.iTwrT'i dt^*^!^J^ ^* ^« -^.P'easure toyo,, step forward and her fathwr w..^ Marjorie took a quick ^tammered, " to-to-T \'now you ^0'. *.f ^^ *he momen? and think that you will debar youTselfthatnr' "^l ^"^'' Marjorie, to now he had recovered his VZTal-t^fT^'^ for my sake." i„,i him as much as you like but dnnTi * "'^ T^"* °" = ^' Think ,.f name." ^ "^®' ^"* ^^o" * let me hear the scoundrel's hand with an air Sf' scath 1 con. J^r/P^"^.'^"^ -'"^^ ^^ved he cence-.«'for Bessie's sake ^InTl^^g'^^f „f *^ ^audy magnifi- ^sttn/d^tSe sI^r:"^"^^«l -"^^^^^^ ^^'' ^ ance. Her fathTr'Seno'r'e^^^ur^^"/^^* ''^^^^'^ ^er utter- It was evident that he had some awe of Efs t'''^ ,'f. *° *^'t«' but ous. vu4r;,^d i^irtru?h\\'°r'r^ *° ^^*^^* p-p- and obeying the promptings of her 1^'' ^! ""^^ ^^^ her father ; TT was a ■^ merch" tnrn down Miirjorie, s tempted ou Clinging Before thei Wound a be ■hrubberiea light of the They wei liouse into i kept lawns, Breath of s "This is peach-like s fion lightin irounds art •here are m: J " So ther iinlike the q ihey belong |s the fence I "Ah!" SI Jhow lovely i I had but se i<>!d and sili the sngar- " It was a part of tht lecame rich, Which ? 'ich, or Hush !" limid pressnj lear it, Marj "In our lear " MAJOR niE DEANE. ise not to apeak ol nnot receive me on dependent position quivering, and hot • ^e grew almost kerchief in the air iny pleasure to you jorie took a quick f the moment and dear Marjorie, to or my sake." And ton: 'Think of r the scoundrel's , faced her father love and indigna- > to me than any- spoken of. Let — she waved her 3 gaudy magnifi- your ears with a am." hoked her utter- ed to white, but ul daughter, for aid doggedly : , and this is the her that pomp- Fet her father ; rous heart, she ick, kissed him. sed by the de- 21 CHAPTER III. AN ARISTOCRATIC OPINION. TT was a lucky chance that intervened to prevent the Indiso J- merchant cutting down the trees about his place after he had torn down the old house. Not very long after this interview wi?h jLirjorie, she and Bessie, both carefully wrapped up left the houll ♦erupted out by the bright moonlight. ^ ^' ' . Clinging to Marjorie, and watching her face, Bessie led the wav f^ f^^, '%''^'^I^^ l«"g avenSe of ehn^, while around Mem fhrbberies and 1,1 "f •^'"^'' l^^'^T^ l'^'^'^ ^^''"^ ^"^^ «hadowy Ihfof'thJyoSngmooJ"" """"' ^"' "«"°^«^ '» *^« *-^'°g a^-o^nd. «' I don't m a -,'■1 I 11 i; 22 MARJORIE DEANE. thf throu«rthea1sl,rSf fi":nd oal"' '""^ — ^-^^d toward, " Wh."?" ^n'" ^h^P^'-ed Bessie in alarm. wellpurchased-Ch '\fZl' """^ our feet are on our native- thein ]f they are not Jl £^ poachers, I would like to see their companion 8 a iadt"**'Fl'LT^H^.^^»',r*'^ith8tandi„g that Bessie had dra°Ld h«r m^' • *^'^°'»,b«^nd the ambush to which ized the trio f or a momenrr h"°^'? T'^ ""^ ''""^^^'^ ^^r"**"" men. and then her eye^ wandered to'^Sl'l^"'" ""'^"*'''" ^^ *^« *^° anf aXo";&gSTh:?xoritr^^^^^^^^ conscious of scru.inr was t,rrn«Hnn^i*^^ ^^°f' '"^'''^' *" "°- other women. ^^'^ "" "''^'^ ^^ ™^» '^"d the dislike of fnfe:,:" W";-^^*^^!,'"^™^"* .that she was admiring thebeanti- ..»pui3e-o7"opposSi;rif^t^orp^^^^^^^ MARJOniE DEANE. 23 he sound of foof- es floated towards e on our native— would like to sec indignified flight, orget that we are a slightly height- ' ebbing and flow- we rtally better e round cheek of are a couple of eper I really owe now. I have—" ew her behind a ^e line of Bessie's Lch had suddenly ito a clear patcli d distinguished as to face. Both ithstanding that nbush to whicli iiriously scrutin- ntion to the twu And there they admiration, jorie recognizLHl , which, all un- ng moonbeams, ographer's win- Fair, blue-eyed, tly cut lips, and ionable beauty, just resting like that peculiar 1 power, which i the dislike of ing the beanti- the lirat vague As for Bessie, she leaned forward and drank in the vision, open- mouthed and eyed, forgetting her fright, and forgetting even the impropriety of playing the spy and eavesdropper, in her full admir ation. The trio came down to the fence and stood looking through tlu- tongue of wood now at the moon, and now at a green, velvety strip of lawn, which peeped out in the distance. Then the handsomer of the two men paused, stroked his yellow moustache, with a hand almost as white and beringed as the w Oman's, and leaning over the fence, said, laughingly : "Pretty little bit, this, eh, Helen f" The beauty just raised her pencilled eyebrows in serene acquies- cence. " Quite too pretty. Is it a part of the Wold ? " addressing the tall man. The man by her side, who had been staring moodily at the bit of encroaching lawn, looked down at his cigar, from which he knocked the ashes with alow carefulness before answering with eloquent directness. "No." The delicate eyebrows went up again, and there ensued another silence. " Ah, fence, I see," murmured the other man. " Didn't notice it. Then this is the piece old Roger sold — eh, Roland ? " "The same," anowered the deep voice, laconically as before. " Pity one can't pass an act prohibiting one's grandfather that kind of thing. I remember, now, a widow bought it, didn't she ? What sort of a neighbor is she, Roland i " " She being under ground and I above it, I can't tell you." " Oh, yes. 1 remember seeing the house she built ; rum little place. People used to make your mother wild by asking her if it was her steward's house." " My mother has never forgiven my grandfather for se'ling this land," said Sir Roland, tiuietly. " People are not likely, however, to make her wild by asking such a question. The place has changed hands ; the rum little cottage has been pulled down and a brand- new house, something between the Crystal Palace and the Gen- eral Post-oftice has been built in its stead. So they say, at least. I've not seen it," he added, not contemptuously nor angrily, but with a quiet placidity which made the girl behind the tree wiuce from heel to crown. " Ah, um, I see," said the other. " New people, I suppose." " Quite new, I believe," was the reply. " How dreadful ! I can understand how painfulit must be. The usual sort of thing, 1 suppose. Rich sugar-baker or soap-boiler, with the stereotyped vulgar family, who are always hanging about your land, and reminding yuu of their exiateace." 'i rii i ti "If u ^AnjORIE DEANE. ^T llV^^it'l^^r.rioyminmy^ly' tfe father and the little ^hole, I hLl "* "^^ ^«« °«t yet p,Tt\ «?"'■« '« «"°ther daugh- himself r?' *^««nted the friend " aS^ *? ''®,^®^" ^orse." " X 'u3T- ^^^*'« h«"i^e ? "^'^' *^« «^d ^e^^ow keeps to Pf tty lit«e°^?hin^g°"l Si:* P'-?**^ °^^^^ ^o^^dr"" ff"!^^^ of that sort «;f£'i , • ^ 'lever pay muoh I*^!' f "® chiW s a older, I think.-' ^' ^°^«"* ^-"^ to brve^;^^' %h^ ^^^^ Ah i " said fhn T, X ^ °^^®'' " show itself The lit^rr*^ ' •'^* " ^^^'^ where the vn, ■ can fancy ^i^^^^t^^^ ^^.^l ^^"^ *°"^- ^ "fc^e '"J ?h:i,^- ^^dy chestertorf "Si ^ ^^T"' r^^^' ** ^O, I think nnf » """ ^° "«^^ the subject. -tJ°*' T*."''^^''^^ Sir I^f>Jand evid«nfl "Ah, I, upp„„,7,r«> ''ca'„'Te.Sr'r' "'"'- ■""red," Thank. '.I,.. ^ " ' *« "hout her With 5"t go neai wearied of She'd onlj le beauty, o endure ; nistakable e subject. lawl " ful move- acquired, 'fcly mur- *11 moved wed by a l<:en by a 'sive j^rip ue, star ■ of pas- insolent ;t. Her 'ace one is if the sed her tamped ■V I MARJORIE DEANE. 26 Bessie, who had never seen Marjorie bo moved, regarded her trenihlingly. " Did you hear?" she whispered. " Hear ? " cried Marjorie. " Do you think if I had been stone deaf I should not have heard ? And these are aristocrats ! Aristo- crats, whom we are now to try to be like ! Oh, 1 can understand the French Revolution now 1 " " Oh, Marjorie ! They don't mean— they don't know. That tall one was Sir Roland. And did you see the lady's face ? Wasn't she beautiful? " " Beautiful ? Yes, she is beautiful. But I can forgive her ; she is only a woman. But him, with his cold contempt and insolent sneer, I hate him ! I hate him ! Don't cry, Bessie. And this comes from pape's attempt to push himself and us where we have no right to be. But we have the riujat, and I will maintain it ! They shall see that I can be as proud as they, with their accident of birth ! Come — quickly ! Let me get away from here. I seem to breathe their insolence over again. Oh, how 1 hate him. And, with flushed face and flushing eyes, she turned, with one swift, expressive gesture towards the abhorred patch of moonlight, and then seized Bessie's little hand, and hurried her rapidly away. CHAPTER IV. THE PROFESSIONAL BEAUTY, ^i^IR ROLAND was only a baronet, but he might have been any- ^"-^ thing in the peerage, had he wished, or had any of his an- cestors wished ; for the Ohestertons were one of the most ancient families in England, and held the many broad acres of land, and rejoiced in the enormous income which would have graced a duke- dom. But the Ohestertons were proud — indeed, " proud as a Chesterton " was a saying in Berkshire— and one matter of pride with them was that they were baronets before many a duchy was created. And if they were proud of themselves, that .iit of the country was equally proud of them, and was only too ready to bend its head m lowly submission to the tall prim old lady who, clad in the stiff satin and ooffae-colored robes of a by- gone age, ruled the local society with a hand of iron, not always covered with the glove of velvet. -I v-4 t I \ 26 marjorie deanb. A L^d'^LMhelliSi " ™'??„''°°^^ ?\' R«'and ruled her Not P"f««««'"on ofTwe^Jty'wS^ father died, weaving him in oldest and most hoLred Ss in p^°""^« * yf^^, and one^of the Roland set about diminSh n„ j " ^"^^a^d- Young as he wal Sir enchanting to the m"ne7-tls\u7h;"? ^* -anner pSecfly Snnfn '? rr ^« kept^«p"Se pac^ and ^ "^ '° *^' ""^^°^«- g'nning to look as if he would end h,, 1 1 •"'^5' J"»* "^ '* was be- the ancient estate, he pulled nn^f ^ "!?,''"'^ ^"«^8 and drakes of home of his ancestors.^ He refnrLn l"^*^""' *"^ returned to the '^^;^;,* but seven weeks before, iXdof'^' '' '^'""'^ «« ^^ ^e had Notwithstanding something Hll-L^®^*'" ^^a"- taken to themselves wilJgtmf iad/c& J^""«^"^ Pounds had ' He might have done so much » ^^^« e^i^on was satisfied, intimate friends. ° °'"*'^ ^°"e. she said to one of her In what wav. dnap ?" ooj j i. , . ^"-nl^ ^;^f 'ThSr ^ r -- '"' "^"^ '''''-' prudent marriag^ .' r^^p^n'SL'^e^ttSfm* '^ •"''.^^""-an im- All else IS nothing to that Thftftr^^^u*''®''' with a shudder money ''and she smiled, and imner^LT-M'^i''^''^ ^^"«d me. "The *' that is but a mere bagatelle^bn?^ '"^ shrugged her shoulders been fatal." ^"'^^^^ ' but a marriage-that would have you '^V^af^lslerugrto'^ "He has left it all to for him than he could ?or himself Yon ^'" ^J^^. '"^"^^e i* better ^A-cSe-sttr Lrtd ^'- '- " ^ ^"^ ^°^ '''-' never be -claintd fr"m ^'"^ He'haI'\'^^Vt*^« old WeVet^ them ungarnered, but if he Jtnth.JT^'^ ^la wild oats and left whirlwind which is so sure attest to .U ^"k'^ «"^«'y ^«ap that So she set about making ilff w U *P ^"'^b sowings, that he was master, and sh| a merYH'^ P'T"'*' Reminding him repaired the stables, turned on^ortllT"'^""* "" housekeepe?, sh™ room built an armory, with Lr ^^"^"g-rooms into a bill ard that she liked the smefl'o7 toba'^To-ThirT^ f''^''"^ ^^'e-nt" ^^ seven years ago-and aet TbourtX%'u;!a^rtSf £ LadyctStrar"^'f^ but " '" ' ^" ^^'° task she had set herself:"' I led her. Not > please or to i a fuss or a id his return tving him in one of the he was, Sir er perfectly e wiseacres, it was be- i drakes of ned to the s if he had ounds had sfied. >ne of her ly recalled n— an im- ■ shudder, me. "The houlders, uld have t it all to I it better for him, >«gh she relapsij, he could and left sap that ing him per, she Jilliard- )letnnly lendur- ety for If, but I MARJOIUE DEANE. 27 ** You shall not be dull if I can help it, Roland," she said. " I wish the society were a little more brilliant, but I cannot repopulatu Cranford, can f, dear 1" At which Sir Roland lau<,'hed in his careless way, as if he were quite content that she could not. " No, it is not brilliant," continued the old lady, musingly. " Men and manners seem to have clianged teiTil)ly since I waa young. It is bad form now to know anything about any othor sub- ject than money or politics. I have sat at this table with seven men on each side of me, and not a dull one among them ; but they were the men of the last generation. Now people think they satisfy all requirements if they eat and drink what you give them, and hold their tongues." "We are in the age of silence, ma mere," said Sir Roland. "Indeed!'' retorted the old lady, with that tone of steel-like irony which so often made her friends wince. "Silence is t^olden. I regret that the golden age should be so intensely disagret able."' Once again, as in the past days, the Wold threw open iis tali doors, and guests were bidden to the feast. Entertainments, which reminded the elders of the days of the Regency, and astounded the young ones by their stately sp'endour, foilowed each other in rapid succession. The proud and anxious mother paraded, as it were, all the beauty of the country before her son's eyes. He had but to throw his handkerchief, sultan-like, and make his choice ; but Sir Roland did not throw his handkerchief ; he scarc:^- ly, so to speak, took it from his pocket. The procession of eligible beauties were marched by in vain. The dreadful rumor that he was not a marrying man began to be whispered. Lady Chesterton was in despair. Then she began to think she had made a mistake. The selection had been too large, too impos- ing. She thought that she would make it sni.iller, and, having skimmed the creme dc la creme, exhibit that for his approval. It happened at that time, just a few mon*' i before Marjorio's arrival at Harley House, that society had sci up a new goddes«, who, unlike many of her kind, possessed in addition to her gift of exceed- ing loveliness the advantage of good antecedents. As Lady Chesterton was aware, not a few of the famous beauties had risen from humble, and nut always certain, origin. Helen Montressor was an exception to the too general rule. She was not only beputiful, but was respectable, being the second daugh- ter of a Sir Hugh Montressor, whose respectability was proved by his being a distant, a very distant, relative of the great Chestertons. When Lady Chesterton heard that Helen Montressor's photo- graph, in various picturesque attitudes, was being exhibited in the shop windows, that the society papers were full of paragraphs re- ferring to the young lady's nose and eyes, even her feet, that a m 1 '•i:i m:i\ •I '" I r 1 i ,j t iijB 28 ^ARJORIE DEANE. *5he remembered th-^t- Montres- S"- Koland- h ' '" *" 'P^''"^ •' fortni.^h i t ! iv^f 5^* *° invite ^•ith her ever reLrr^ P""^'^^'' i» Cranford " r?' "^"^^er T e„:-^Whto.HeIen,^e,erepHed.rt '""^'"' " ^''^len .' » he echoed .. "'^ *''^ ^°*^^ '"^•ff«r- niother. Are vm, ^' "^'^^ » smile " v.. P'ot to obtain C TZ'''' ^-^'^ '"d nShtron?'^t"«' ^««d ho„se« a mistake '" '"'' ^"««^ '^"d that^Z deol/'''^'^""^ «"J A faint pi„|( ,i„ . ,. -^ '»™ JJike of lj,d. ■tea ^nd carls migiit bow MARJOlilE DEANE. 29 ^'"Mon- is. and a 8 far too I with a ite 'ove- ■ni8 and fleet on ontrea- as one tion as harac- invite liters. i Hort ich to ler?" lady, *n in ihall ffer- ood md try at lie I w down before the new beauty, but her son— Sir Roland Chesterton, of Chesterton Wold — had evidently not done ao, and the proud mother was satisfied. The invitation was sent, and followed Miss Montressor from one nobleman's seat to another, until it found her at the Earl of Bran- de's, where she reigned paramount queen among the choice of the departed season. At first the fashionable beauty had smiled— she never laughed— had actually smiled the invitation to scorn. " The Wold ? " she said, " I remember it, I think papa took me there once, to see a tall, thin old woman in black satin and lace, who looked at me under her ejelids, as if I were the dirt under her fflet. Does she think I am dead, and want to be buried ] 1 would as soon go and stay in a vault." But Reginald Montrussor, her brother, was at her side, and Re- ginald was no fool. " Let me look at the letter," he said. " By Jove ! She wants you to go. Take my advice and do so, Helen. The Chesterton property is the finest in the shire, and Roland is at home." " Roland ? " echoed the beau'/. "Yes, Roland," said Reginald, with quiet decision. "Come, don t be a fool, Helen. AH this is very well, but how long will it last ? Just until the next beauty turns up. Let us be reasonable. What good has all this done for you ? Nothing at all. The season has gone by, and you are still Helen Montressor, Oh, yes, I know," he said, waving his white hand— the Montressor hand was famous — " but you'll admit it hasn't made a countess of you, nor a baro- ness even. Accept the old woman's invitation and trust to Provi- dence." And Helen Montressor, being too sensible to undervalue her brother's worldly wisdom, had sat down there and then, and writ- ting a most charming letter of acceptance. She came. The Chesterton carry-all, vast as it was, was not large enough to convey her trunks from the station. She came, and old Lady Chesterton never forgot the evening of her arrival. In the stiff satin lace the old patrician awaited her arrival in the drawing-room- in the room which kings had honored and sancti- fied by their presence— had awaited her arrival with all that stately old-world courtesy, which had overawed so many, and which she had expected would overawe Miss Helen Montressor— their, so to speak, poor relation. The old lady never forgot how, when the door opened, the tall, graceful figure, imperial in its beauty and consciousness of power, came sailing, smiling towards her, the exquisite face as calm and royal as her own, the eyes as cold and dominant as a queen's meet- ing hers— her."., Lady Chosterton's !— with serene, superiority ; and the voice, low-pitched and languidly composw 1, murmuring ita stereotyped phrases of polite greeting. ' \\ ll I i r 80 ^^^nJOltlE nEA2^E, hiiul ),.a ' "'"'«" »«"se (,f hi.,,.,./" 'Solomon's niothor With 8 uteh f r' '^ ^^" "'^' ^nd the emoreL f T" *^««« **'« ownerwiahHflVhJ. r "' ''^"'' eyes that Hirn-^^,- ^^ Perfect y ri,i J "^ontressor saw this «i. MAliJOlUE DEANE. Iiersolf gasp. •Jr relations f » niotJior. ' a smile be- 3n these t\>o ' new world. 'y welcomed lUg lady ac- herhand, iiought you ressly mep.. air. Like ^ perfectly what their lat empha- He wrung e moment I of Lady len threw accepted ir-partiea 1 stands, stnesa to nous for nherited Above 'atrician stertonn s right, ihe had ays he idiffer- pitted an the noted I ezer- subtle 81 influence of her exquisite loveliness, of her many accomplishments, of her indescribable charms, made themselves felt, and he began to think that if he must choose a mate, he could not do better than choose this beautiful (lueen, who reigned over all who came within her magic circle, and who seemed fitted to adorn even so exalted a position as that of mistress of Chesterton Wold. And to him the fashionable beauty was gracious and yielding ; however cold and precise she was to others, to him she was always warm and aflable. His lightest wish seemed law to her. Once at luncheon he had ventured to criticise a ruflle which she wore round her white, stately neck, and his idle, careless words had been noted by he", his opinion followed. This, the subtlest kind of flattery, told upon him, and Sir Roland, if not actually in love, was on the borderland thereof. When a woman who is cold to all others, and is warm to you, then beware of her ! But, half-smitten as he was, Sir R.oland still remained " lord of himself ; " and, often, when some party had been planned by Lady Chesierton, he would, utterly disregarding it, take his gun or his walking stick, and aet ofi" on a shooting or rambling expedition by himself. He never oflered any explanation or excuse. No expostulation or entreaty would force or persuade him lr'"" -« ""^ " Uptlrwo'd '-"sifd Rci'a'" "?'>«" *he simple retort two ladies ar^e very'oa.rd df ^we iivlSiSn/""^?^ ''^^^' "y- If so, permit me to make my wV T can.. 1 ^''^T ^^ ^ruth 1 ^ tiBi-apo. I cannot pass the ordeal." CHAPTER V. mOUDER THAN A CHESTERTON. W™ 5;^t?« at Sjs heels and his ,„. , ,., „„^ ^.^ and oranjre, and odorous with the faTlnnnJ "" ^" ^^"^^'^ '« ^"«««t standing that the doj>s started ni^n; k ^ "^ '='*"''" ' ^"*' notwith- scudding across the ^n ^^ T^e ^-n ''^ ' '"^ ''"* *^' ^"'■«'' muzzle pointing to the groJnd and Ll? f ^^'"^"ned with its Upon-'-iir ^»i,iit.,-v c ^ """• """ "le game flew h^ Wiflra„„-j„j - rou .^ ..ol.ud . face s.t an axr ox profound, imm^vabie^ vTrt. I I MA I'JOIill-: fth'A Xf) S3 ■rt J For almost on of apoloj^y as others who have ly free from the ed becuuso, in- '"Kh the woods idy Chesterton, iko my yun and t which ia disa- i tho old hidy'a vas the Courtly c to a dull ride thini," replied I will go with softened. 8t girls would if J'ou are not itnple retort. I laugh, "you ice of Truth ? ho ordeal." his arm. Sir aze in russet 'ut, notwith- nt the hares ned with its ip.regarded. ible reverie. With his hands thrust into tho'decj) pockets of his shootinR coat, and liis eyos llxtd on tim ground, ho strode along, pulling his pipe, too full of the ([uiot beauty of the autumn moniiug to break the charm by tho noisoof slaughter. Heedless of the diroction in which he might be strolliug, he wandered along tho wimling paths, and unconsciously passed out of the woods into the liigli-road, aii(l would have wandered on into the village of Cranford, which lay in a hollow before him, when, with a chorus of yelps, tho doi^g, bij and small, dnshod from behind him and tore down the road in p.ii- suit of a kitten, which had unluckily chosen the road for a prom«^ nade. Sir Rolfind, roused by the uproar, shouted « recall, but to no jMirpose. Dogs consider cats fair f:ame at all times, and, having bfon defrauded of their morning's amusement by their master's tor- l)idity, they had evidently determined not to let this legitimate quarry escape. With its tail erect, the unfortunate mite fled along the road, too alarmed and confused to turn aside ; and a black-and-tan terrier, delighting in the name of Nix, was on the point of running her down, when, with a suddenness that brought the dogs— and not only the dogs, but Sir Roland himself, who had set oil' running, to a stand-still— a girl darted from a gate on the side of the road, swooped upon the kitten, and, regardless of its claws and of the yelping dogs, whipped it under her jacket. So sudden and swift had been the race that the dogs were stag- gered for a moment, the next they were all around her, jumping and yelping, with half-playful, half-angry excitement. Sir Roland, lecoveruig from his momentary surprise, strode forward and was in the midst of the clainorin';? crew, and knocking them right and left before half a minute had elapsed. But in that half minute a picture had photogrjiphed itself on his inind, which was not likely to fade. It was a vision of a girlish tigure, instinct with the grace of youth and beauty, standing with erect head and Hashing eyes, and upon a face smitten with beauty. With blood-red lips half-parted, to allow the panting breath room to escape, a rose-like flush on her cheeks, with soft, golden-brown hair, dishevelled by her rush, she made a picture in the autumn sunlight that an artist would have given ten years of his Ife to have seen and painted. So wrapt and absorbed was she in her errand of mercy that she did not know of Sir Roland's nearness, until he was by her side, knocking to right and left, with no sparing hand, the discomfited dogs, who, balked and disappointed, withdrew to a distance and eyed the couple of spoil-sports with an emphatic air of disgust. When the dispersal had been eomplufcod, and not until then, Sir Roland turned to her, and, raising his hat, was about to speak, l\ 1 I 34 MARJORIE DEANE. % iW -.:i'=Vj.'.s.c?.g;»s •c.'.= A^J^^ZT""^ ^""^ ' ^ ""^ ^^''^'^ ™y "1"«"* «f >^i« '■•"rprise and disap- ' ' Z I ^^'' .""•'' '■^'""^ ^'" '^'^*' ^aa about to leave H shi -'"'I ,„v,,„„tMryexcl..n«.i„nufnaiti stopped him ' " -;-y u... vu i-h..| ,,..m the face, and left it 'Jhite and the 'lo'«.--C'I" ''''"'' "•''" "''"-'y' ">*^" «■•« hurt ! Surely one of MARJORTE DEAXE. 35 mk a pair of scorn- rd. For a moment stare in profound irpriaed him by its caused you a great yas no softening of zement, seemed to panting, she stood jacket, her tit;ure goiny on her face. )d a moment that e proud, beautiful I novel experience le moment passed, dogs should have it me to see if the ssaed tightly, then 'ped his own, and iiility. Byond all hope of he meanest crim- ng in the woods, . 1 say uncon- >about8, I should lideiit was caused had it merely re- vorse mischief in ifer her my most either accept or lip that brought •prise and disap- ta about to leave liri stopped him. left it white and ! Surely one of ' No, your dogs " Then that miserable kitten has scratched you ! Let me beg of you to put her down ! She will come to uo harm. Let me take her. And in his anxiety he unconsciously put his hand upon her arm. With a swift gesture of offence and dislike, she shrank back. It 18 not'iing," she said, coldly. If you will be good enouf^h to —to go away with your dogs, I will put her down myself. She is merely frightened." Without obeying the re(jue3t to depart with his dogs. Sir Roland turned around and shouted " Home ! " and the dogs drew together and trotted off, with their tails between their legs and dis a lady'a avowed imnlacabiH?vC.r^f'* a gentleman to rest under it I M-^ ^'^ implacability without making an effort to remove of li7el~2c: W rSle'sffotTrM '^'^'"'^ ''I *^« ^^"'« "'"^^ expect anything.. If ft S S^l ''"^^'^ together, "i do nm saythemLningless nc^th^ii^L'^^!/^ satisfaction to hear n.e pray consider "Em saS.''^ ''^ ""^''^ ^"^^ '"'''^'^ *« -P»I«gy. he'sa^rquSetlf ' ™' ^'"'*" satisfaction to hear you say them/ '^Viy sSfd f "'^ °^t'' '^"'^ «y«« «he confronted him. Koland-'- '"^'^ ^ ^''' '^^' ««"«faction? We are strangers, Sir She stopped and bit her lips with ill-concealed vexation advaXoverre!!y"rk;iL"r^:j;^ Tt /' ^^^^ you have a. vours " ^ °"^ ""y "*""» ^l^i^e I am in ignorance of yo». G,.od.m„mi^,i; ' ' "'""' '^ """"l" »"' "P"'"*? from "Slay! "he said -viueii.ij Dear no guuu wili— la it fair— I appeal to ■4 J0 "% MARJOIilE DEANE. 37 t ailing and offering a Marjorie turned on you will make this look of surprise oii own at the ground, Do you find fresh 3man to rest under m effort to remove d on the little m;.,s^ •gather, "i do not faction to hear nie iccepts an apology, >ar you say them," onted him. are strangers, Sir vexation. ' But you have an im in ignorance of a wavering smile, tly., "T do know I it is because you ; an apology from self-reliant as she ise for offence be- d. Have we met I should have re- that would have your sense of justice— is it fair to treat md mtll BviCii marked dis- .; courtesy f '% " Discourtesy 1 " echoed Marjorie, in a low voice " Discourtesy," he retorted, with emphasis, "on the mere shadow of hearsay. " Hearsay ! " she said, with a scornful glance, not at him, but at vhe^sky. ' 1 never heard your name until last night." "And then heard it from some malicious tongue that so black- . ened it that, at your first meeting with me, you treat me as if I wero the greatest scoundrel unhung." ; In bis conv^sation he took a step nearer to her, and gained a full •view of her face. There was a moment's silence. A pause in which surely one or both should realize the absurditv of the situa- tion which had resulted in two strangers- a handsome man and a I young girl— talking in this intimate way. But in truth they were .; so absorbed, she by her wounded pride and the remembrance of ■ last night, and he by his desire to conquer this strange repucrnauce ; of a pretty girl, that conventionalities were forgotten, and went for nothing. " Scoundrel ! " she said, blushing, " I did not say so." But your eyes did," he retorted. " If ever dislike and repu<^- iiance were expressed, you have looked them since the moment vo°u set eyes on me, and, yet, until to-day we have never met-vou. yourself, say that we have never met." " "^."^ ' ^"P® ^« ^hall never meet again, she answered, lifting her dominTn ^o""dod pride and passionate anger fought for pre- "This is extraordinary," he said. " This is a mystery which— » here his voice grew grave and solemn. ' ' Will you tell me how and where I have offended you ? " he asked. "No," she replied, turning ujion him. " I will not eay anything more I have said too much. We are strangers. Sir Roland, and you have no right to keep me talking on tbe-the public road. Wo are strangers, and I wish we should remain so. Good mort,in<. ' " And with a glance that was as much one of defianca and dislike as ot tare well, she turned and went swiftly down the road. I nd yet you know fair— I appeal to iy ii 3S MAnjOniE DEAKE m CHAPTER VI. tup: county jjall, '^ HE days glided by into weeks. Mrs. Gore-Boothe, a lady wlioso social position was somewhat in excess of \wx means of maintaining it, had been so gracious as to chaperon Marjorie, and the result had been that everybody had called upon her and re- ceived her. Ihat is everybody but the Chestertons, who were still ID the profoundest ignorance of the existence of the young ladv It must be said that Marjorie did not receive tlie attentions of 'the T Pa '1 *?\«P^"^ in Y^''^^ ^"' ^'Ore-Boothe had at the outset in- tended that she should. It was that good lady's intention to patro- nize Marjorie ; but the fact had been tliat Marjorie had rather patronized her, and not only her, but, every body else who had made her acquaintance. It was not done boldly or presumptuously, but in an indifferent, but queenly fashion which made resistance impossible. It now came about that Mr. Deane and his vulgarities were no longer the topic of Cranford gossip ; everybody talked of his beau.iful and queenly daughter, who took her place in society as though she had been accustomed to rule there. When it was announced that the time for the county ball had been set, Mrs. Gore-Booth hurried over to Harley House and plunged at once into the absorbing question of what Marjorie should wear. Marjorie listened and said indillerently that she doubted if she would wear anything there. r^f^lZ *^^!f T^^'^J'"""^ """^ '^i''"'''^' ^^'i ^^ required all the arts of Bessie and Mrs. Gore- Boothe combined to persuade her to change her mind. And when it was changed it was very near driven back to Its original position by the discovery that tha Chestertons al- ways honored the county ball with their presence. And then, again with the abrubtness which occasionally characterized Marjorie's m,« tlTl'^^f .?® *™^- ''^'"f ' '^® '^'^- ^"* ^^^ ^^0 not on time. She kept her father pacing the hall and studying alternately hi; watch and the broad staircase, and she horrified Mrs Gor" to bl ?fh^f '""!.' k"* '^'' ^"^'" "^' '^""y ^^^ did not propose to be Oh, she could be as capricious as a veritable empress when she chose, and that night she chose. ^ I ir MARJORIE DEANE. 39 ;lie, a lady wlioso i her means of 1 Marjorie, and 3on her and re- j, who were still I young lady, ittentions of the at the outset in- ention to patro- jrie had rather 7 else who had I an indifferent, sible. It now e no longer the i bean I if ul and ihough she had mnty ball had ley House and Uarjurie should she doubted if red all the arts Q her to change ar driven back Jhestertons al- id then, again, led Marjorie's ssary warmth, s not on time, ilternately his I Mrs. (Jore- id not propose empress when •* My dear," said Mrs. Gore-boothe, " I left your father fuming, literally fuming in the hall." " Don't let that alarm you," said Marjorie, coolly, " Papa always does fume ; he likes it." However, she was ready at last, and Bessie, who was on her knees before her, a position she had taken the better to arrange the white satin gown, leaned back in speechless admiration. And even Mrs. Gore-Boothe could tind no words for the moment. Pretty and piquant at all times, Marjorite looked her best that night. Dressed merely in white satin, with a simple flower in her hair, she was not only ravishingly beautiful, but was the embodi- ment of elegance and good taste. Bessie was ecstatic, Mrs. Gore- Boothe was positively awed. " Come, my dear," she said. They went down to the fuming Mr. Deane, and the two gorgeous footmen ushered them into the carriage and shut the door with an imposing bang. They were late, and by the time they reached the Town Hall they found that the staircase was crowded by a noble army of^young men, who, not yet being warmed out of their diffidence, preferred to cling about the entrance to entering the mazy dance. It was Marjorie's tirst ball ; but no one would ever have suspected it ; for, delighted and dazzled as she was, she exerted all her self- command to appear indifferent and at ease. In truth, her young soul was in arms agiinst the class into which her father's ambition had thrust her, and she was intent on showing that she was not merely equal to everything that might present itself, but superior to it. Everybody went to the county ball, but in fact the room was di- vided into two parts. At the bottom, and by far the coolest and most comfortable part of the room, congregated the nobodies, the farmers and small people, the herd that did not belong to Cranford society. Through this Mrs. Gore-Boothe fought her way, and after a long and arduous struggle, reached the upper end of the room. There, enthroned on velvet fauteuils, sat the elite of Cranford, and to that privileged part Mrs. Gore-Boothe made her way. Late though it was, the Chestertons, the important people, had not yet arrived. Rumors of the attendance of Miss Montresser had gone forth, and the elite were on the tiptoe of curiosity and expect- ancy. Could it be possible that she would not come after all. It was a dread possibility ; but for a while it was even forgotten in the sensation which the entrance of Marjorie created. Had Marjorie cared enough for it, she must have been gratified by the triumph of her appearance. The young men fairly flocked about her, besieging her for dances ; and she would probably have promis- ed thorn all, had not Mrs. Gore-Boothe suggested that she reaerva some. H \\ 40 MARJORIE DEANE. m I lint ta'tK™ „7ak"S'' 'r "™, i'"'"^' «"'» »"" »»<>» "Wr- Some one had Trrived """'^'"^ '""^'^''"'^ "^ ^^^ '^om. anflLeitTlir^Foll"'*^^ '^^^ "^ "-^ satin mustache SdirYpercin" evir^ 'V ^ *"'! '"''" ''''^ * t*^"y woman, with gS ?S1S Td ^ ^ef l.'i^L^"^' ^ '^^"*^^"' efei^::^r^*:Jdt^ Ar^L Saxoi'Sr^^^^^ jellow-haired m,u,, witlx o„e of those perfect ed through her bra^ " Wi ' h« « ^''°^' *"' " "^ ^^" '^^^ P^^s' anything, wrsT'nificant of J., k ^'^Pression which, if it meant To tell thp frmh f 1, 1 ®"'f boredom aod weariness. aflair was c ve„ vor eThan he hL IfV'" V-l '^'''.\^' «^^ "^^^ the about for some Zxcuse fl; deLrH .rttrf r*' '"'^ ^' ^^^^^ *« *""' graX hldS3':; Lrar'^L^^ attitudVs':iSthe photo- the' black-satined old idv w'l " Montressur stood beside folded on her "an, her fa e wea4L th"; ^""Tf^^y ^'°^'«*i ''^"ds tinged with contempt! wXwhl"h°a sk iffl « 1 •''""^'^T"*' ^''^'^y effortsof a company of amatri^^rfL^M^ "V^'^* ^^^^ the ..ajestically lan'guidVovSthrbustlbJ mLl*^'" ""''^^'""^ ^'^^^'y' MARJORIE DEAXE. 41 was soon whir- Vith every sign midnighk, and !f, entered into ance since her cheeks, and a at^istrate, who tiguroa of the in the room. in black satin 1 with a tawny d a beautiful she recogniz- those perfect iine. Beauti- in-cut mouth ; the picture. tig the group, iroely looked itresBor, hut I Chesterton, ho ightpass- ?" see any one. uis, he con- y ones, and if it meant ness. 8 persuasive aw that the 3gan to turn id sniokinw et. the photo- ;ood beside ved hands ent, largely it view the ing slowly, *' What a barbaric horde ! " she murmured sweetly to Reginald, who, with his eyeglass, was critically scanning the multitude. " Yes, slightly mixed," he answered, " but By George ! " he broke in, interrupting himself. " What a pretty girl ! What a regular beauty ! " And, without another word, he dropped his eye-glaasand mingled with the crowd. A few minutes later ho was being presented to the delighted Mrs. Gore Boothe and the steely cold Marjorie. With a well- turned compliment he sent the good lady into the seventh heaven of delight, and then turned to Marjorie with a request for a dance, which Marjorie would have coldly refused had not her chaperon interposed : " How fortunate ! She was just saying that this one was not engaged." After that there was nothing to do but yield, and before she very well knew what had happened she was whirling with him in a waltz. Dancing was oi.e of the many things which Marjorie could do to perfection. All that there was of her was in harmony with the music, and the supple figure which Reginald Montressor's ai:m en- circled was as litho and full of life as a Nautch girl's. A thrill of pleasure, as distinct as any that the ex(juisit,e had ex- perienced for many a day, went through him as he recognized this fact. And a half inaudible " By Jove ! " of satisfaction and sur- prise escaped his clear-cut lips. " What did you say ? " asked Marjorie. *' r said you danced beautifully," he promptly answered. " I didn't think you had said so much as that," she retorted. "It's the truth," he rejoined, emphatically. "I do hope," he added, with an earnestness that surprised himself, "that I have your step. Am I too fast — too slow i " His step was perfect, but Marjorie was not to be conciliated. "It does not matter," she answered, icily; and Reginald Mon- tres^or was forced to be contented with a perfect dance without conversation. And the dance was perfect ; ao perfect that the majority of the couples on the fl(jor were unnoticed in the general admiration of these two. Even the professional beauty waa forgotten, and ero long there were not more than half a dor-en couples beside Marjorie and Reginald Montressor on the floor. The latter was enjoying himself as he had not done in many a season, and, for that matter, Marjorie soon entered into the full spirit of the delightful motion and was thinking of nothing else, when, of a sudden, she became aware of the fact that she and her partner were the centre of obaeivation, and, with a swift flood of crimson, she abruptly stopped. i-'W'^"^ UK m Mi M .__ Ill V > HI 42 MA L' J 0111 A' DEANE. ho^*J"r^^^""r^ "'^ "'***!>'■ ^ " r«'^"'^ Reginald, dismayed. "Any- body ^stepped on your dress? Don't say you are tired, Mils " Thank you," was the cold answer. " I will sit down now ' and she laid just the tips of her fingers on his ara!. ' h. u^l- r"' f ^^^^l " ^'^ '""""ured, enthusiastically. " Will you be^so kind as to see if you have another open. Miss Deane I " ^ 1..1.- Jl "* \^^^v^pot," was her chilling; answer, without even ind wihSr*!- /'-^"d there is Mrs. Gc.re-BootheUhank you!" and with the faintest of bows, she slipped from his side. .friS"f . 1"*'"^'T' /l^h,*^ handsomest man of his day," stood, But rj;, « ''^-.if^""^*'''^ I .^^^ '""•'^ ^^'^^y t^«li«ve h s senses But It was so, and the worst of it was that he felt it ' bir lioland, in the meantime, had entered into a talk on politica w th an old gentleman, and was trying to forget where he wl« when Lady Chesterton demanded . "^ ^ " '*''^^*'' '^''"® ^« ^^s, I* Are you not going to dance, Roland ? " He looked up with an air of resignation, and, then aoein^ hi« cousin near him, said, with a grim sinile • ' ^ " Will you venture, Helen ? I dance like a bear on hot nlates- vilely ! It 18 only right that I should warn you " P^ates- dangtouTsm^le'"' "° ""''' "^ "^'" ^'" ''^''< ^^'^ ^er moat from thStttr'''' T?' ^", ^^^"^P^h^^ 'dancer was evident irom tne tact that she could make even Sir Roland's performance seem respectable. For it is quite true that great and all powerful as he was. he danced execrably. And the proud berutyL herself KS^;"o?sr^^ ^^'^ ''' ^^'^'^ *° --*«- --t^n« Before the waltz was half over he stopped. He was flushed and of <;av:fr;! ^^"""'' " ^' "^"^'^ ''^-^'y i" *h« midst of acharge "I won't torture you any longer, Helen," he said, in his auiet deep voice. '« You deserve a better performer than I am and i around'"" * "'"'' "^ ""'" '°"^^^"^ vindictively at me. LeTus wali " Why do you apologise ? " she murmured. " Do vou think I care so much for dancing as that ? I dislike dancing men as I do beauty men-they trench on our preserves." ^ •1 f.?^* incur your displeasure in either way," he said with a smile. "Here is Barnwell-lot me introduce him. Hec«idance and 18 good-looking enough to incur your dislike " ' ri^^nn v.*™r" was delighted to make the acquaintance of the London beauty, and bore her off, leaving Sir Roland to cool h^! Wiping his forehead and only half concealLng s palpable yawn, ■^ lyed. "Any- B tired, Miss t down now,' r. "Will you •eane I " without even —thank you." de. day," stood, ve his senses. k on politics here he was, n, Boeing his hot plates — ith her most was evident performance all-powerful 7 felt herself 1 something MA njOniE DEANE. 43 he leaned agalmt the wall with his hands behind his back, and watched the scene with an expression which certainly did not betray cither amusement or interest, and which speedily developed into one of utter weariness and irritability as the skirts of the women swept against his legs, and one or two reckless couples bounded iigainat his waiatcoat. He abandoned his position and went in search of «»». *x ^, , V- "^®rent here, have they any water? Not r.iv n,ii'i"'°'^''''.E'"'Pi'''«'y' M«>-J»"e tloclared that anjthiim cham- Marjorie sipped the water, and the two iren watched ™ .. il Ah, Sir Morton, was that somebody calling -ou ? T «nnr,«a^ you stewards are very much in demand. Don't wa.t I'li !S ! your partner wants for nothing." ■^'on t wait. 1 li see that And Sir Morton, being, as Sir Roland very well knew a onn r-wSraS'it^--"''' ""'»» -^ """ieTiw'art-o- But Marjorie was not so easilv deceived an ho ..nj ; j- ^ , ,', ?'u *^® ^""'^ ®^°^^*^ ^^*^ '^®®" ^^'^ed away " ing iuhTh^prrsS'bre""^*^'^ ^^^^«"^' ^^^ ^-^ «^- «-h- thSerthVirJe^lStS^^^^^^^ ^".^^f ^^''"'^r must have been walted-and I-f want a mtment^n whiSiTaJk If you have forgiven me. Have you ? " he asked in a ton« S ?k deepest reverence and humility. ' * *'"'® ""^ *^« throa^t"^iTo/whi;'?'' '''*''' ^'^'^^■^"«' ^"'"^^^ °«' ^° J^er round bablf '^Sr ftave'uo";"'*'' '°'^'^"^°' '^^ doubt-^that is too pro. MAnJOniK DEAXE. 4S 1 flash- "No," she said, suddenly, and with a subtle intensity, which puz- zled him, " I have not foT},">tten." " Nor forgiven \ " he asked, in a low tone of real anxiety. Marjorie looked down. "Can it matter to you ?" she asked, simply, and with an utter absence of cfxjuetry. " Can it matter whether I have or not / " " Yos," he said, sincerely, "it matters very nn>ch. It matters so much that I have been uneasy ever since you left me so — ao — well, so angrily— and all for no fault of mine " A swift glance of the brown eyes stopped him, but ho went on again — " for no fault of mine. Are you still implacable ? " Ho seemed so sincere— she had been enjoying herself so much — she hesitated before answering ; she was lost. She glanced up into the earnest grey eyes, and answered : " If you lay so much stress upon it, I will say that I have for- given you." Then she made a^; inclination of ^er lovely head that said plainly ennu<-h that the interview was at an end ; but at thvt moment her ball prognimmo. insecurely held, dropped from her hand, and he stooped and picked it up. _" You iiave takmi a load off' my mind," he said, seriously, and with th'it L-rave look which vave imporlunce to his li<,'hte8t word. " V,\\\ son arf sure ? It was but a reluctivnt absolution. May I put it to thi) tost '.{" " Tht> tost ? ninnmired Marjorio. -.^_.~^ . . .^ . lie inclined hi-< head. " Will you give me the next- any dance ? " he asked. The rp(piest brought out all her aggressiveness, and she answered coldly, hariily 'ooking at him : *' 1 .-vm engaged." " For all I " he demanded. '• I have your card here. May I look atitr' ^ She put out her hand swiftly, but it was too late. " I am fortunate," he said. " The next dance is unclaimed, I may have it ? If you refuse me I shall think that your forgiveness goes no deeper than your lips." "If I am not engaged," she faltered, biting her red lips. "No, look," he answered, and she bent forward until her head was so near his that he could smell the sweet fragrance of the flower in her hair. " Yon see, you are not," he said. " Will you give it to me ? It is a shame to ask you, for I am, I suppose, the worst dancer in the room ; but still I ask it as a proof that I have won your forgiveness. I may have it ? " Without a word, she put the merest end of her gloved hand on his outheid arm, and he led her into the crowd. They had just be- gun a mazurka, an old-fashioned dance one seldom sees on a modern %i t .i ;: ^ 'L .* H 46 MAnjoniE DEAx/:. You take a atep like wh?r S^ I* ' 'I'""^ ^^^ '"""^'y *'""'' ^•'■"'^ *"• 't ^a" -^ fiance of lnS> ?"^. l^"'f"'l «"i8 as Ignorant ab a Laplander niiuht be ex- peratoly Of ccM.r.se, they had not gone a quarter way around the room before ho had made a dozen-twenty tal.., Htops You see, he suid, " what your clemencj' i.as cost you I I am as Ignorant aa a bear, and you have lost your dunce. 1 would gfv™ the world to be able to dajice with you " ^ toil's ''*' '" '"""'' ""''"'^ •" ^'^ ^'^''« *^** M*^J'^"« was "Let me ahow you," she said. "See' this— and this—and then like this." And in her eagerness she illustrated her meaning, standin-r a httle way from h.m and forgetting overythuig-that anybody mi.Th? beyond^i^'rdon '''"' ' ^"''"^ anatocrat^hu had Jllended her "1 see," he cried, eagerly jia herself. Eagerly ! when but a ouar- ''NlTot're'try^'' " '" '^' '^^'^^^^ '^' ^^"'" thinfa'C taii^sSii^ii^ou: s'tS:' "'' ^^^^j^^^' •^-"^^^""y- "!>-'' ArrifW '^''ii!'^ said, humbly. «' It aeema to me that one's legs are rather in the way of executing this extremely Sphinx-like dance and I have rather long lega," he added, ruefully. ' improving. '■""'^'" ""''^ ^^""J""' smiling encouragingly. " You are ;| Growing shorter do you mean T" he asked with doep gravity. ^^ .*,^® laughed, " dancing m, ,re like a " K'^a^^y- tion YnnT'^^t'"^''" ^' ^''''^^^ ^"' ^^^^ "thanks to your tui- !ho^;id? '"'''^1" r? P'"*'^"' ^ "h me-more patient than I e5 ouickTv ZT"'^-^''''^ r^ "«'it t. expect, 1 nu-an," he correct- i'nL.hrm1h!^^tTl,«TT? "''^""^' "^ *^.^" ^^''^'^h* ^■'''^ brows warn- ing him that the hot temper was only dozing, and needed but a word to rouse it and-aepardte them. And Sir Roland would not for worlda be separated vet from the KTh"'^'''?^'"^' ^^""^ «"'"« ^'-^y ^^^ unwitt ngly rai ^1 im Indpleasifr'e'; "^ "''"''"''' *" ^'^"^ ^^''^^ heights "of^muaeme;" It was not her beauty, it was not altogether her swept voun? grace though he saw and appreciated both; as he felt tl e li L'ig "? s' ftlv fl Sin"Av ' i/-r" ^\ '^'' ^"''^ ^''*h its blood red lips'ani tC-ia nil I { ^" ''^' '"'' y""'^- ^' '« something more than tJiifl— a nameless charm, springing f.om her «uh iuie i difTeret.ce (if conventionalities, her unat.uucd lunoc.ace of self ■conaoiouaness and her amazing independence. i-oiiaciouancss, -."/u"^l™P?^*''* • " ^^ ^i^ouuht, as he glanced down. '• I nitv the vretch who dances at the «na of ttie chain she holds I" ^ ^ I M.i RJOIUK hi: A XfJ. 47 VM a dance of iijiglit be ex- d started des- ty around tho t you I I am 1 would yive Marjorie was ce a atep like tr, standinsf a iiyl)()dy mij^ht oH'onded her !n but aquar- ihiiiy a boro. lly. " Don't lat one's lej^a x-liko dance ; . " You are I«ep gravity. to your tui- itient than 1 " he correct- brows warn- leeded but a fet from the r raised him amusement weet, young Blithe tigmo red lips and y more than iift'erence of Liaciousuess, «•! pity the But even as the thought entered his mind she raiaod her eyes, and his pity for her future husband was swallowed up in a sudden irrepre8aihleadmirati civil word to whom he had not yet even spoktn. Nothing of that occurred to him, u.i if i'c had it would not have troubled liim. It was enougii for him at that moment that the sweet young face rested almost on hia shoulder ; that the fragrance of the flower, lying like a jnvv,.l incased in her silken hair, stole over hia aenaes ; that the juung maiden heart beat; so near — so periloualy near his own. And tlie truth ahall be told— Marjorie, too, had been nnconaci- oualy enjoying, not th.> dance, but, tha situation, until ahe suddenly realized it, when im^ ,tely her step grew slower with the inteu tion of stopping. " One more turn," pleaded Sir Roland, with an eagerness thai aurp-iaed hiuiaclf. Matj >rie yielded, as the easiest way of ending the dance ; but it was a tatal rt-qufst, tor they had not; made a circuit of the roou' when his uncertaiu ti .i stumbled, and a sharp, tearing sound told the story of a rent gown. Flushed an>l iJinniiii, M^irj >rie looVed down as ahe diaen^aged h. r.^flf ai'in. " I' .ere!" -aid I J 1 sniiiii (iaiia^. ! T What IS to be douo i " A slit a y.iiu in i>.i,^iu r.ui aluug the front of her wnite Sir Holm 1 ■ ui si'fiil vu y^fjun^^i ul ut.tiiciil ' 'V, I know I ahould v>iiu all uuiciugiit savage. "- !^ i if '1 ii U ^-M 18 MARJOniE DEANE. M How did you manage to do it ? " she mirthfully asked " BaTho7?" Yon'h''"'*^'^"- ^^ '««* ^^^ ha^veca'ught in it " dem.r4'aTws Jel'^'^" * ^P"" ^"' ^^^« ^^ ^ " -^ ^^l. .lanced the SeT ''wSrrb iS^ ^.°xP-^*-« 'i-™ «t another dance.'' "^ ^^" °^^''' ^"'^ ^ ^*« *« have had I! w n^.^"" ^fi^^ ^ " '•«P°ated Marjorie. land 'l^rs „o?n?to^^^^^^ "\^ yet somewhat fearful SirRo- mus tn't ^o v«\^ iff ^^ very hard for one. At any rate you ^rr n^g^^don^f '^^;^^^7> ^"* ^^ *^^ -'^- ^'"'" ask ftrTbatfe axe ' " '"^^^'"^'^ ^^^J«"«- " ^ou might as well kneo and held out hi, hand tor the pin " ' ^" ''"f'""' -" ""' n.ore*^sxr«;,''r';s...:;»«'''''- "— "- «"• tuJorFkttrob^lTnVlt^k^at'Vn^-'^'^^ ^^^^*^^*-' ''^^^ * «*- ous. shone he fair face of Helen Mn^^*^ *"'''' ^^^1-^^ contemptu- the picture, Mrs Gore-BooSii L&-''''^^' ''^'^^.' *° ^•^'»Pl«*« stared likev^ise ^""'^^^ '"' *'''^' stopping suddenly, leau ^""^'^ ''^** "^ "'"^^ '"*°«g«'^ ^o"ld call an interesting tab- •' V,«, k» ■"• : '^'^ '"^ ^^*<^®' »8 he said : yorx have just come m time I Mr.. Gore-Boothe, you my w«U 4 I MARJORIE DEANS. 49 I p at his aghast T asked, ve caught in it." and she glanced exclaimed Sir ronder. I. twinkle in her lUst go home." 'sitive alarm at 'as to have had fearful SirRo- t any rate you tie way. Can't might as well land was look- lale attendants for pins. For- ing the renc at ropped on one another. One 'ided a sort of died suddenly ectedly that a , staring up at | e, still on his % ;on, like a sta- id contemptu- ', to complete ing suddenly, teresting tab- 8. Still kneel- j es, and even 3 7oumayir«ll f stand tranfixed with wrath and dismay. I am the sacrilegious wretch whose barbarous foot has wrought this deed ! Show your consideration for a penitent soul by assisting him to repair the wrong he has committed." This purposely verbose explanation had enabled Marjorie to re- gain her self-possession, lost in the first moment of dismay. Mrs. Gore-Boothe, too, grasped the situation, and hurried for- ward to take Sir Roland's place. As for Lady Chesterton, she merely stared at Marjorie's face for a moment, then put her hand, firm as a^.' *mant, for all her furi- ously beating heart, upon Helen Montressor's arm, and was about to turn away. But Sir Roland was not one to let matters go so. With his most courtly air, concealing perhaps a touch of imperiousness, he turned to Lady Chesterton, saying : '•Mother, let me introduce you to this lady, who will perhaps ac- cept your assurance that I am not generally given to this crime- " There he suddenly stopped, as the fact flashed upon him that he did not even know Marjorie's name. But Mrs. Gore-Boothe had retained her wits, and was quick to comprehend the dilemma. She roae from the floor, and softly, even deprecatingly, said : ''I am 8'ire my young friend has forgiven you long ago, Sir JRo- Jand. Lady Chesterton, this is Miss Deane, of Harley House But Marjorie raised her eyes with a quick gesture of repudiation, which made Sir Roland's pulse beat with admiration, and the color Hashed into her face as she lifted it haughtily and confronted the proud old woman's steel-cold eyes. For a moment Lady Chesterton looked at her with haughty dis- ciain; but presently— it seemed an age— the steady, defiant pride in the young brown eyes stagg^ei pd~it is the only word— staggered her, and she bent her head. But Marjorie did not give the faintest acknowledgment of the salute. She stood statuesque and immovable ; and, for the first ^ime in Berk^ire history, Lady Chesterton of the Woli received a CHAPTER VIII. AFTER THE BALL. JX the rigid discharge of her duty. Lady Chesterton remained to the last country dance, fully aware that her departure would be the signal for the flight of the other aristocrats-and, conse- V' 'i ,* i ^'^'lll r '^^^^l I 50 MA li JO I? IE DEAXE. ■ f ■ qiiently, for the wonld-be aristocrats also— and when at last the Wold carnage was announced, she went down to it with a still face and stony gaze. Scarcely a word did she speak during the whole drive, and but for Reginald and his sister, silence, supreme and ice- hke, would have reij^ned in the roomy chariot, for Sir Roland sat in his corner apparently asleep, with his eyes hidden beneath the brim of his opera hat, and his arms folded. A nd so he remained until the carriage drew up at the door. Then he handed the beauty into the hall. ^' Is there any coffee about ? " he asked. !! ]\^^^ drawing-room. Sir Roland," was the answer. Oh, we] 1," he said, "send mine into the smoking-room. Of course, you ladies will sit up for another hour talking over the eve- ning. Hope you enjoyed yourself, Helen ? " '' I don't think 1 ever spent a ploi,santer evening," she answered. It was so novel and so hearty, wasn't it ? " "Very," he assonted, laughing. "Like a romp on the village \\ w n®;!'u^^ responded, laughing her soft, high-bred laugh. VVell, he said, " I warned you what it would be like, so you went forearmed. Good-night, mother," aud he stooped to kiss her. Reginald, are you coming ? " Lady Chesterton sank into an easy-chair, and as the door closed, looked piteously up to the lovely face above her. The beauty smiled down upon her with placid serenity, .'! ^ *™, ^^^^"^^ yo" a^'e very tired, dear Lady Chesterton," she said, softly. ' Lady Chesterton shook her head. „. " J'/®'!- " she echoed, with a sigh. " Sit down, my dear Helen, lired I JNo, I am not so tired. I am— disgusted ! " Helen Montressor drew her chair up to the tire and looked at her charming Dresden coffee-cup. '' Disgusted ! " repeated the baroness, with icy emphasis. I have said once or twice that I would not go to this ball. It has always been a horror to me at the best of times ; but to-night ! " and she emitted a faint groan, Helen Montressor leaned back and toyed with her spoon. Cratherings of this sort are always— inconvenient," she said, in her softly modulated tones. " Inconvenient !" echoed the baroness. "Dangerous! Posit- ive y dangerous ! My dear it would be absurd to attempt to con- ceal tfa annoy-nce wliicb Sir Roland's conduct to-night has caused me. 1 cannot understand how he could have behaved so abomin- ably. " '- Did he do anything very dreadful ? " murmur- d Helen Mon- tressor. "Are you not making— well, the worst of it, dear Lady Chesterton i Men will be— well, men ! " rl 'hen at last the with a still face uring the whole upreme and ice- r yir Roland sat len beneath the ihe door. Then wer. king-room. Of ig over the eve- " she answered. } on the village )red laugh, be like, so you )ped to kiss her. he door closed, Bnity. liesterton," she ny dear Helen. id looked at her ahaais. I have It has always ight ! " and she r spoon. t," she said, in erous ! Posit- ttempt to con- ght has caused rod so aboniin- d Helen Mon- ; it, dear Lady MARJORIE DEANE. 61 Ordinary men perhaps," was the haughty rejoinder. But my Bon-bir Roland. Chestertou-is not an ordinary man and cannot commit indiscretion with impunity. Surely you did not fail to ob- serve the attention, the marked attention, he paid to that— that girl." " It was certainly obvious enough to attract notice," asserted the soft voice. "You mean the girl in white satiu. Slie was very pretty— beautiful rather." -^ ''Beautiful !" exclaimed the baroness, with haughty impatience. If she were as beautiful as Venus, it would be no excuse for Sir Roland s conduct. Ail the room noticed it. It will be all over the country to-murrcw ; and that is not the worst of it. If it had been another man it migdt have passed without remark ; but Sir Roland 18 noted for his indiflerence and abstention from this sort of thing, and that makes his conduct to-night 30 noticeable. Aud this girl too ! One quite out of our . :,kely to meet her again. Perhaps she comes from the othe^ ■, ■ of the county. Dear Lady Ohestt;.;on, Ithink-I really think you are making too much of this, and troubling yourse f with too little cause. A mere passing fancy- she was extremely pretty— which he will forget before breakfast to- morrow. "Forget ! -the other end of the county ! " was the almost tragic answer My dear, the girl lives within a scone's throw of us She belongs to those miserable new people— the retired sut/ar boil- er, or whatever he u— the Deane.^, who have bought the property adjoining the Wold. f f / A faint flush of surpriae-of, well hardly alarm-passed over the pale face of the beauty. *' So near ! " she murmured. " Ah, yes, I remember the name. We were talking about them when we were walking through the wood the other niL'ht. You do not know them, I suppose \ " " Know them ? " exclaimed the baroness, starting. " Certainly not They are simply too unendurable. The girl is-is the best ot them all ; but the man, the father, ia-oh, quite inadmiaaible." Is he so very bal, then ! " asked Helen, qmetly. " Vulgar in the extreme," answered Lady (Jhesterton " Surely you must have seen him at church. A short, fat, red-faced little nian-in fact, just such a man as you would expect one of his class ? . 11 could have foreseen that I shculd be brought into con- tact vyith them ! You heard that wuma-i Gore-Boothe introduce the girl ] i™, a.-orrv-i-a ij.e-cii iTiuiurussnr, mu3in:,'ly ; '* it was unfor- tunate, our coming on them just at that time." "Roland on his knees ! " exclaimed the baroness. The beauty's thin, clear-cut lips compressed. 1 ! 1? 1 (. { I; :\ ■A ' * '■ -'' >', 4 ,lf#r If 1. 52 MA liJORIE DEANE. " He J d torn her dress. She is not only pretty, but what is "^"wTw o^^o ,^^^' ^"^^ ^^^ introduction ! I am afraid "—slowly ~'<.r. 11 Poland will ask you to call upon them." 'Call upon them ! " exclaimed the baroness, angrily, but fear- fully. Impossible ! Roland would know that such a request would not be entertained for a single moment." soft? ^"^ "°' ''"'^^ whether I would not call," murmured the beauty, Mok::ll~Ll:'''' " *'' °'' ^''^' --^--g^y- ^ut Helen " Yes," she said. " I think I would not .refuse if Sir Roland should make the re<|utst. In fact, if I might presume to make a suggestion, I would say— do not wait for him to ask." loo astrunded and indignant for speech. Lady Chesterton re- garded hei with a fixed stare. Helen Montreasor leaned back and looked at the fire with half closed eyes. !' J^n'" ®^^' ni"rnuired, " I should call on them." Call on them ! Help to bring them together i Are you aware ot what you are saying, Helen Montressor ? " " Can yon keep them apart ? " Helen asked. " If you are ricrht m supposing that Sir Roland is really-attracted by this mIss Deane, do you think he will not avail himself of their proximity *"p/''u ^'*®'~^ '^^ ^"^®' v ^"* Y'^^ ^"°" T).'' ^^^^ ^^'""^ ^""^ »h»"i««'" ^"etl the baroness, wita emoti jn. And you advise me to call, actually to call. " Yes, the guest replied ; "and more than that, I a-lvise you to niake the cnll a ple.sant ono. If I were in vour place I should ask the man-the father-and the daughter to dinner " .! To dinner ! " was the horrified exclamation of the baroness. lo dinner responded Helen, with an indescribable expression on her face. /'If Sir Roland is so smitten with the dai!gh?er^t order thK'' ^T ^' V opportunity to study the flther'in order that he may know where the refinement of the giil comes from and what it is likely to lead to." ^ The baroness drew a long breath, and her eyes brightened. X 1 think I acta nrhof tt,^ii »v»*^«-- i - - >t i_ ' . - - - -c-i- +l.,-,it fi,„+ D 1 ' jr—."\'^ y-^;'. ^^^aii, my dear, she said. " You tJunk that Roland will be so disgusted with the man that— that-* MARJORIE DEANE. 53 tty, but what is afraid " — slowly igrily, but fear- a request would iired the beauty, igly, but Helen ! if Sir Roland 8ume to make a Chesterton re- 3aned back and Are you aware [f you are right I by this Miss eir proximity, ler that set the If it were any- lyielding. And !e, " do not let it has not gone 36." I the baroness, y to call." [ af'vise you to !e I should ask e baroness, .ble expression ;e daughter, it ' the father in he gill comes (htened. said. *' You that— that— ' " He will think twice before he makes him his father-in-law." interjected the soft voice. Lady Chesterton arose, and, putting a thin white hand on the soft shoulder, kissed her guest. " ■^r^j*^^?*' y"" ^^^ right," she said. " It is a good idea. It is very kind of you, Helen, to take such interest. It is terrible to thuikof. J^ancy a Chesterton being entangled— entangled even— with a sugar-boiler's daughter ! And I would rather see uiy boy in liis coffin than disgraced by such a marriage ! " Swiftly, suddenly, Helen Montressor looked up, her face pale almost to the lips, and a passionate, angry light in her cold eyes. And J, she exclaimed ; and then, as if ashamed of the confes- sion that rose to her lips, she stood up in all the perfection of her beauty, and smiled. " But I think we shall be a match for a soap- boiler s daughter, dear Lady Chesterton." Lady Chesterton looked at her and nodded her beiewelled head more hopefully. "My dear," she said, almost piteously, " I rely upon you." And Helen smiled with serene confidence. Four and five struck by the stable clock, and Sit Roland was still in the smoking room, a braudy-and-soda before him, and a re- galia between his hps ; watching, with half-closed eyes, the vision of a fresh girlish face, with soft, brown eyes that seemed to pierce through the clouds of smoke, and beam on him at one moment with serious attention, the next with lightest mocf;ery, and again with rapt attention. At last he arose, and thrusting his hands into the pockets of the loose shooting- jacket, for which he had exchanged his other coat, ho paced up and down the room, his usually grave face relaxed into a haf-wistful smile, his white hima restlessly stroking his mustache. Ihen he stopped, and, with an expression singularly like a blush he put his hand inside of his vest and took out a flower. He looked JU it as if he had never seen a flower before, and, obeying' a sud- den impulse, put it to his lijJB. Then, with a sudden impatient frown, he turned to the fire and raised the fl >wer as if to flmg it in there. But the hand dropped slowly and placed the flower where it had been before. Just as Alarjorie was laying her sweet little head on her white piUuw, It came suddenly to her that the flower she had missed from her hair had been in Sir Roland's hand when he handed her into her carriage. And she blushed, but slept no less sweetly for the recollection, even though she " detested " the aristocrat. i ■ ^; m i ' if wm \l S4 MARJORIE DBA KB. i CHAPTER IX. siu Roland's liusr, /"ere heis, Marjorie," criedBessifi «'pn,iTi i • mg by the way he walks • for— 1 oh' M ^ ^T^^J^.^ ," ''^*'^''- den, 80 unexpected, that he seemed fo V, ^ ' ^^'^''/ '° «"'^- clouds; and in Bess e's «rL +1 il^""^ dropped from the looked not unlfke r^of Thos7heroL"of*feth' Marjorie's-he came stalwart and powerful, atVeTei;iel SSen? e^f ^"^' "''^ heto?k^L";-orfiirran'd h:iS;:tre;:;oHr"'^^'' -^ her necessary. «' Do von Lnf f^ ^^"Z^"" ^^^'^ ^^emed to take you ? " ind then w7 hrt wa^tinl'^ T"'' ^ ^"^ y«" ^^^ «»« and shouted, " All r^gh? Smr» f- w ,* V"'-^"-^ ^« *»^»«d bAP,,Hfn! T-- w-^ A ' •^"'""*8. Ihen to Mariorie, " What -i b™..tiful inorn..g. Are you tired after last night's dissipation r MARJORIE DEANE. before Marjori'e ley should make lis afternoon in for whom ono Yon shall take 3II mo all about heart, vas as- leyed together, tanding by thi- eflort to rouse ow he is swear- Who'a this ] " he bend which )elled by a tall, to his elbows, id skill, which e bank, on Id speak the act and raised Shall we go ? " nt ran ashore. It was so sud- ped from the larjorie's— he Jej^end, who call. jailing ? » and an seemed to 1 you let me )r, he turned ie. " Wh.at r- Bsipation ? " "No," answered Marjorie, from whose face the reluctant color had slowly withdrawn. " No, not at all. I need not ask you the same question.'' He laughed buoyantly, and looked at Bessie with inquiry and frank admiration. "This is my sister," said Marjorie. " Bessie, this is Sir Roland Chesterton. Bessie gravely made her stifl" little courtesy— half bow, half courtesy— but Sir Roland, with a omile, put out his hand and took her soft little one in it. "I vas just in time," he said. " I've been fishing, and was so tired of catching nothing that I was a^out to return home, when 1 heard your cry for a ferryman. Now I shall earn an honest penny, or two of them." ^ He arranged seats for them in the punt and pushed it out into the stream exactly as if he intended to act the part of ferryman ; but when they were well away from the shore he turned to Marjorie with the question : " What are ycu going to do ? Sketch ? " " Yes," answered Marjorie. ♦•You can't get any view on that side ; nothing worth speaking of, in a tone he tried to make matter-of-course. " Oh, it does not matte.-/' answered Marjorie, quickly. "The sketching is only an excuse for a ramble." "You will find the grass very wet under those trees," he said gravely. " It's October, you know, notwithstanding the sunshine. Now if you want to see a good view for a sketch, there's the weir." ^'' Thanks," said Marjorie ; " we will walk up the towpath towards it* "H'ml" he said, thoughtfully. "I'm afraid you won't see much that way. What do you say to punting up the river to it ? It isn't far. Listen ! You can hear it." He tried to say it as if the idea had but just occurred to him. Marjorie repressed an inclination to smile, and answered : " Thank you very much, but we could not think of troubling you. We will walk as far as we can." " "Oh, no trouble at all," he said quietly, at the same time turning the head of the punt up the river, as if the question had been de- cided by Marjorie's assent. Bessie, who had been wistfully studying Marjorie's face, in hope of a favorable answer, brighteudd when she saw that Sir Roland had taken the matter into his own hands. "Isn't this delightful?" she whispered to Marjorie. "You don't mind, do you ?— not really ? "' "It wouldn't matter much if I did," answered Marjorie, raising her brOws and catehing her red under-lip in a great eDyrt at a frown. " There'j no help for it unless we swim ashore." ; I ; ! I If 1 , ill 'r '* '* ^ «^-« ^ -d lum with no Ihouaht of tho »». .i! V; j ' ^"""' »"'" '"ting to •t MarU?.lS»t'Le' "SuhrA"""'^'. i"'' ^'---^ much betgpe." ° ' ""''' ^ e""' enjoyed a ball b5 " vl?y''mL*Jltj°l''„7^';«™ "> very many, of «„„„».» liiethiJ BjthS°."oS'n„.VpSe-'. " " *»^ '■'^ «>' be.n ing &^hfr/gtat.ttht'„hV''1.''' f"' "■« -'■ 4«/;Lrt. *if.xi-* ': -« F-e. Who ..w I hat for one reason oAPfainl^ » v, ^ , «Wh„ «* ° ^crtBou, certainly he answered. ^^Z^L Tdn-fvoti ^ V i'T ^i ''^"^-*-- " You "Beautifully,'' ie'acisc^d lift '^^ -^r"'- beautifully 1 " Marjorie, as she sat in sCy ^Uen^f.^aS^IL'^^'^'^^^' ^'""''^"S ** what was being said. ^ seeming unconsciou. of onsLXr^ui^;^^^^^^^^ Marjorie does," went " Mou Jeur LonL' ed ol Z •^•^'"^'•^"«« »t the motionless' figure. She suddenly f topped ^^ '""'*''-' '^^^^ ^« ^^^^^^ *^^" !.'« up iCiiy. Marinrio lr»/->b-o MA nJORIE DEANE. 67 » kind of him, indifference. pity that you iter that naa e : getting your ayouB laugh. I wear thick t dilhcuit to ig current. " understand last night, lame ? and I taking to e great Sir ifc glancing d a ball so d all been still look- iresaive of mtrapped who saw . " You iifully I " incing at jcioua of 8," went IS figure. 4t— " i You may spare Sir Roland any further particulars of our child- hood days, she said, and Bessie blushed and shrank within her- self, while Sir Roland turned quickly to his pole and drove the boat through the water. Presently the weir came in sight, and a little later Sir Roland sent the punt right into the midst of the foaming ater at the foot ot the tall. There he threw out a weight attached to a chain, and so anchored the boat. "Oh," cried Bessie, in delight, "are you going to stop right here ? In the middle of it ! Isn't it beautiful i Oh, Marjorie, |ou must sketch this ? " "■ ' Marjorie looked up coldly. " Not now, Bessie ; we must not stay. If Sir Roland will kindly put us ashore. ' Sir Roland looked as if he would have stopped at nothinc^ to makH that set face wear an expression of for"iveiio8s Must you go I " he asked, pleadingly. "To tell the truth, I intended trying my luck with the lish again, while you were sketching. This is a capital place." "Please don't go," begged Bessie, earnestly. " I do want to see a fish caught. " ivl"! »"''«' could catch one here," said Sir Roland, humbly. VVhat was Marjorie to do ? she assented, but not too graciously „ mf^® minutes, then," she said, grudgingly. Thank you " he said, as gratefully as if she had done him a great tavor at the expense of much personal inconvenience to her- seit 1 will do my best to catch a fish in that time. But you will want some water for your colors." Marjorie would have efused, but for the reflection that paintin-^ would give her an excuse for silence and for the fact that Sir Roland gave her no opportunity. He filled her little cup with water and put It beside her, opened the case of. paints, arranged the sketcthbook, all without a word. Then he turned tohia liulas It his thoughts were all on that. He put a fresh bait on and cast it into an eddy, and then gave Bessie the rod to hold. She was in a state of extreme delight at the thought of catching a fish and Sir Roland turned his back to w""^' seemed wrapped in the sport. With grave, almost j^rim intensity, Mirjorie sketched in the out- line, hruily resolved that that five minutes should be the extent of their loitering, and as firmly resolved that those five minutes should attord no excuse to Sir Roland for conversation, so far as she was concerned. ^^ Profound silence. The outline was completed, bessie, said the grave voice, " are you ready I If you will be BO kind as to put us ashore, Sir R >land." But Sir Roland was too absoroed in his fishing, ^ ■ iM li '--m i: ; 68 MA liJO HIE DEA NE. M n One moment— excuse me I That was a bite, Miss Bessie. Be careful I Pray wait a few moments— 1 am sure we shall get a fish, " Marjorie bit her lips and bent over her sketch book. Sir Roland rearranged the line on Bessie's finger, and tlion, on pretence of resting himself, slipped down behind the silent figure. Marjorio drew on with steady lingers, and finally took up her brush and dftshed in some color. The silence was profound. Suddenly though quietly, Sir Roland broke it. * "I did not know you were an artJRt, Miss Deane," he said. 1'^ Nor did I," Marjorie retorted, Witlirmt turning her head. " But you are. Do you think I do not know the touch ! You have seized the salient points of the view in a moment." "The five minutes are up, Bessie," was Marjorie's only answer to this. " Oh, do wait a little longer, Marjorie," pleaded Bessie, in a rapt whisper. " I am sure I feel something." " Why are you in such a hurry ? " asked Sir Roland, gently. Are you angry because " " Angry !" repeated Marjorie, provoked into speech. "No— yes—you had no right to bring me— us— here, Sir Roland." " No right," he said, with gentle surprise. " And why shouldn't I bring you here, if I choose, and you are willing ? " " But I am not— was not willing." *' In that case " he said, rising and catching up the pole as if to send the boat at once to the shore. •• Oh, don't move," cried Bessie. " I am sure I feel something." _ He lowered the pole quietly and resumed his place— at her leet it may be said, for he had thrown himself on the bottom of the punt beside her. "I am very unfortunate," he grieved intonation in his voice. There seems to be a fatality in it. "As if—" she said, relentlessly. " As if I had in some way forfeited your esteem so ! " She did not answer. '' For instance," he said—" the first time we met, the first time I had ever seen you, you spoke anr, looked at me as if I had sinned beyond pardon. And now '•" "And now that you have entrapped me into your boat," inter- rupted Marjorie, " you expect me to be all affability." • "i.^°" ^""^ "S^*»" he admitted, with a meekness that sat oddly on Lis haughty face ; " I have entrapped you. Well, what then ? " " What then ? " she repeated, turning around, and yet scarcely looking at him, •' What then ? You have no right to do so. Would you entrap Miss Montressor ? " Ho stared and then smiled. said, and there was a sudden "I am always offending you. It is almost as if — " he stopped. Have I done MAUJOniE DEANE. 60 I Bessie. Be 1 get a fish, " Sir Roland pretence of . Marjorio ' brush and Suddenly, I said. head. uch ! You If nly answer ie, in a rapt nd, gently. 1. "No— tid." ^ shouldn't 3 pole as if )mething. " it her feet, torn of the a sudden ding you. e stopped. ive I done first time lad sinned it," inter- ; oddly on bhen 1 " t scarcely '. Would "No ; I certainly would not entrap Miss Montressor.' " You would not dare to do so," she retorted. "Miss Montressor is your equal. I am only Miss Deane, a mere parvenu, a nobody— not entitled to the courtesy which is hers by right." A warm flush suflused his face at her stinging words, and he rose and confronted her, grave and quiet, but his eyes eloquently eager. M irjorie flashed a glance at him as haughty as ever shot from the cold eyes of Helen Montressor. " My e(iual ! " he i:epeated, as if a doubt of it had never entered his mind— as, in justice to him, it had not. "Your equal," insisted Murjdrie, "and I am not. Do you think I do not know how high Sir Roland Chesterton stands above us— we who are creatures of yesterday ? You admire, or profess to admire, my drawing. I ought to draw well. 1 taught it at a school ! " And her lip curled with a proud defiance of him and his caste. " Well, 'I he said, quietly. " Well," she retorted, w ith flushed cheek and flashing eye, " do you think the assistant at a middle-class boarding school is a fit companion for you, Sir Roland / And if you do— which you do not— others would not." And she raised her fa^e and looked at him steadily. Sir Roland met her indignant, defiant gaze wirbout flinching. There was a moment's silence, during which he had time to realize that he was being lectured, rebulied, set aside, and by a girl of twenty. A faint color glowed behind his tan, and the shadow of a frown, not of anger, but of perplexity, hovered over his dark brows. " You accused me just now, by implication, of pride," he said significantly. " And you retort that I, too, am proud. You are right," an- swered Marjorie. " Too proud to receive so poor and conventional an attention as I have shown this morning, not to you only— not to you only— but to your sister ? " " Yes," she answered, ignoring his reference to Bessie. " I am too proud to accept Sir Roland's acquaintance when " "Pray, goon," he said, gravely. " Yes, I will go on. While his friends do not consider mo worthy of it." ' ■ ■; 80 ATAIiJOniE DEAyjff. CHAPTOR X. vJ S THE LOST LOCKET. S''',va'ldly^'^?«.l?l^^ ''V "-■"-*. biting his Up and in- '' I cannot aflfect to miauuderstand you " he said • "l.nf t m u ?" what purpose ! " asked iArarjorie. you have spoLn L day Your S 1.''' "'^'" '""1 '1^"'''^" ^° "^« ^ button, of fhiH matter ^" vvTir/o ,Tt 1 aiT^'^f "?^ ^"^ ^" *" ^^'^ ^ron«er reason foryourrefuir;^^^^ wh?c,Tarrot3'i;,:ai^^^^^^^^^^^^ ^c^L^"* '\ ^''' ' T^^*^ " That is not a proper " He raised his eyebrows. peZiS,'^;oTha^tre;'^^^^^^^^^^^^ ".^e Truth m my defence ; I have born'eTwS ^e utmo t hum S '^Z^ bly I crave an answer. Am I personally repugnanHo yo^u ? " Marjorie looked at the weir and her iips quivered ^sL w. ^a have given the world to be able to answe?st?ailht out "tea "and •*No, ahe answered: "but " MAHJOItlH />EA.\B. 61 Stop ! he »aid, holdins; "P his hand with a stesttiro that was almost one of command. " Do you think I am about to take ad- vantage of your onawor / You wron«,' me. If you had aaid yes, I should have respectfully endeavored to ascertain tlu> cause of your dislike, and tried to remove it. As it is -as 1 am not in myself personally repuj/nant to you, I will aay no more, will certainly not endeavor t«) take advantage of your frankness. More ! I bei,' your pardon. You are njjht ; I have entrapped you this morniny to gratify a selfish desire to build into friendship an ac(iiiainta'nco which has brought me " Marjorie rose with a pale face. He -hecke-d himself and then resumed : 1 will not offend you. I will say no more. '! do not wish to iincV. iibsorbed to pay iioioe of the weir por- losfi the slight good-will you bear me. Then he turned to Bessie, who was to any attention to the few words which t. .,>,tuo wi mic woii ^,or mitted her to hear, and, putting his hand lightly on her shoulder, said gently : " No tish yet i " "No. I thought I had one," she answered, shaking her head dolefully ; "but it must have been only a weed." " Never mind," he said, consolingly ; " 1 am sorry to say I can- not persuade your sister to remain any longer ; but some other time, perhaps, you will be more fortunate. Now land, eh i " " Some other time i Do you really mean it ? " cried Bessie, eagerly, looking from his face to the absent one of her sister. "Oh I hope you do, iMarjorie i Sir Roland says we may come in the punt some other day, and " She stopped, as the conscious- ness of something wrong in her sister's face came to her, and as she stooped to lay down her rod she whispered confidentially to Sir Roland : "What have you said to her ? Have you been quarrelling ? " Sir Roland shook his head, and smiled into the eager, innocent eyes. Never mind," he whispered. " It will be all right. Do not fear," and catching the chain, pulled up the weight which served as an anchor. Then he took up the pole, and sent the punt flying down the stream by a vigorous push. " Oh ! " cried Bessie, " you promised to let me try." " So I did. Come along, then. Take care. That's it. Now push. But Bessie uttered an exclamation of dismay. "Why, it's as heavy as lead. 1 don't believe you could mana-^e it, Marjorie. May she try, Sir Roland V Marjorie smiled and shook her head, and then, fearful lest he IK L, -, 'i)«»»i G2 MARJOEIE DEANE. stl^rsKaS: ''' ^^'^'^ ^"^''^ conversation to heart and was "Shall I try ? » and riaing, took the pole. rea^'rormuSTenth^i^ "^^ '7"^^* *^-^* «^« ^^^ -* laugh at herorftill^^^^^^^^^^^^ now she could but "Le"t meVhnr''"'^ >^u'^'^ ■" «^" «^^'^' breathless and laughing houutl'^i^j;- ^' '"'• "^^^'^«' Take it so-wfere'i bufh:tti?edit'i?:Vrm"rs^^^ faster, ' ^""' ^^'^''"°« ^^^ ^is heart, made it throb -oh! "; iooreU »''''^°"'' " ^'^^ *^^«-*^«^« •' N«^ again, and pun?a^ydr^idTd7"'"* '^'^ ^°" ^'^^^^^^'^ *^« P-g-- of the " vi^" '^ 'f L ^■^''? y^'" ^o«* anything ? " cold,^Sue wa'tef '^^mrioTke"" Jhe'xfor'^' ^".f '^"^\«« ^* *^« chain-I heard it fall '• ^^"^ ''^"°*'* ^nd broke the locke"?!'"^*'^'"''""^"^^ ^^««i« "^ a- awed voice. -Roger's thrwaTer.XoT' ^Herirthe'rrf'f.; 'l'-^^"^ ^^ ^^" -*« do ? " and the red lips quivered wSile th«' "ff k ^^^"* «^«" ^ suddenly dim. ^ Quivered, while the soft brown eyes grew andVad tl^To'oTstrdirstit *"°. "it ^^°'^«**- ^^ ^^^^and, den flush and as sudden nalorlv^^ *' *^ '^^^^'^ *« ««« *h« =^"d- moment he ^iooTl^Zr^^Ti^^^^^^ "^'IT ^^ ' and jealousy. Then he bLII .ITl^ ^°®' ,*°™ between love ;; k:r':k ^^ ^^-^^^^^^^^^ hetti"" "" "^^^ ^"'^ ^^^^^-^^^ " Do you value it ? " rait Jf!!Z.°?' ffii; :S: 231^' T.t''y- " ^* °™*^"'« t^« Port- express a't%r ba^k^ ^:S::^^'S:^^'^^ ^'^'' -* «or^y,, You now have some tangiole^SetUtuhis rn'oL^ '^I?Snnofh!?'H*'?^ «ank down upon the seat. nottohaveTornitr^'^t J* ^^^^^^/-l^" «!»« said. "I ought her head awly '' -«°-''^-°arelessIy," andshe suddenly turned *'For II.. von s aake, doa't cry ! " Ue exclaimed, fiercely catching MA R JO R IE DEANE. 63 'AH the portraits up the pole and sending the punt to the shore, and lockets in the world are not worth that. " He jumped out and they followed him, and as he took Marjorie's hand he could feel how it trembled. "Good-murning," she said, "and thank you very much, in- deed " " Stop ! " he said, cutting her short. " Wait there — sit down on that stone for a minute or two," and he abruptly left them an^' sprana: into the punt again. " Where is he going ? " asked Bessie. " How angry he looked. Don't cry, Marjorie." " I'm not crying," said Marjorie. " I— oh, Bessie ! What is he going to do ? " and she sprang to her feet, pale and frightened. With swift strokes. Sir Roland had made his way to the spot where tlie locket had gone down. He had marked the spot by ees on either bank. As Marjorie spoke he had thrown the weight over- board and then stepped upon the seat. A moment later he had dived into the cold water. " Oh, Marjorie ! " sobbed Bessie, too frightened to say more. Marjorie stood with her eyes on the bubbling water, as still as marble and as white and silent. A minute, it seemed like an age, passed before Sir Roland reappeared and grasped the side of the punt with his white sinewy hand. He cliuibed into the boat, and a few moments later was urging it to where the two girls stood. It grattid on the gravel and he stepped Out, holding in his palm the locket. He said nothinjr, and Marjorie looked pleadingly into his hard set face as she tremblingly took the trinket. " How can I thank you ?" she askec^, quaveringly. " No thanks are needed," he answered. " I am glad I found it. Good-morning." He turned shortly away. Marjorie flushed, and the ready tears started into her brown eyes. *' Will you— will you not shake hands 1 " she asked, holding her little hand out humbly. He turned, took her hand, held it in his cold one, which grew suddenly hot, and looked her full in the face with a look that graved itself on her heart. Then he tuched Bessie's cheek with the back of his hand as caressingly as any woman could have done, and was gone. They stood and watched him as if they could not leave the spot, until his tall, noble figure was lost to view. Then they turned and wslked in silence toward home. After a time Bessie spoke. "Oh, Marjorie, did you ever hear of such a thing ? How noble of him i Think of that cold water ! Oh, it makes me shudder. X shall never forget seeing him go down, and the water closing ovei W t'i! .f^m- 61 MARJOIilE DEANE. liS ?v.l ^°'^'"" """J*' ^^ ^^ ^^"^^ d«^d at the bottom." And child- like, she commenced to sob cnua- with'him"l?r'*:r7.T 'J-''*''^ ^'^ "''• Yo"-you were quarrelling rX9a-nrsf„j::;ir,"t„7e/,7^-. ' '''™ " «*'— ^' What visitors? ■' asked Bessie. CHAPTER XI. THE DINNER AT THE WOLD. c •!J ^ hope— I do hope we have not made a mistake HpIah " .\.^ "Mistake?" " Yes," said the old lady, nodding almost pathetically, " i do not MARJORIE DEANE. 63 And child- 3, it was a was a ring luarrelling . he was so rjorie ! " indignant ;. She was lad that to Jting them onderfully ing and — tors — er — the indigo too much > ask us to )r the first yon think pti" md Lady drawing- roach of 9n," she lo stood I do not feel at all convinced that we have done the wine thing. I almost wish 1 had told Roland that we were going to call, and had waited to see how he took it. When I told him that we had called and asked them to dinner, he showed the greatest indifference ; it really seemed as if ho didn't care ; and he has been in the most awful " lemper, interjected Helen Montreasor, with a smile, "ever since. Yes, I know ; but notwithstanding all that, 1 do not think we have made a mistake. Where is he now ? " " Dressing, I suppose," answered Lady Chesterton, but doubt- i^f u ^°""® ^® ^^ °°*^ ^^^^ *^^^ ^" '8 going to dine at home, and 1 have no reason to suppose that he is going out ; but he may not put m an appearance at all." Helen MontresHor shuddered. "Oh, he would not be m unmerciful as to leave us to bear the brunt alone, she said, with the finest scorn. " Ought thev not to be here? ° ' " Yes," said Lady Chesterton ; " but this sort of people think it IS vulgar to be punctual. There is the carriage, I think." It was the Deane carriatre, and it dashed up to the great stone steps as if It were the chariot nf some emperor entering u conquered town. A man-servant in subdued, dark-colored livery, contrasting huely with the gorgeous giant who lounged in the hall of Harley Z' ®V^?/^*/°f'^*^'"^' '^"^ *h® ^'"ests were ushered into the house. Ihe hall of the Wold was ))erhaps the most picturesque and im- posing part ot the mansion. Its oak-paneled sides ran clear up to the bare rafters of the timbered roof. 1 the centre stood a lon^, carved table, at which Charles the First, >1, in^ from Cromwell and his Koundheads, snatched a hasty meal. High up above the gal- lery which ran along the end, hung the torn and tattered banners ot the Lhestertons ; from the panels scowled, smiled and frowned, according to their respective dispositions, the dead and gone men and women of that haughty race. A dim religious light fell softly from a dozen candles in an ancient candelabra, and from sconces projecting from the wall, lighting up the painted faces in the por- traits, and enduing them with a ghostly suggestion of lifo. As they entered, a noble Saint Bernard and two slim patrician greyhounds rose from a Persian rug in front of the wood fire, which burned m a huge, dog-ironed chimney-place, and came sniffing in- quiringly. * Mr. Deane looked around and felt as if he had entered a cathe- dral; liessie edged close under Marjorie's protectino wing, filled with supreme awe ; and Marjorie, even Marjorie the dauntless, realized that she had passed the boundary of the outer world, and was within the sacred precincts of the aristocrats. Like a flash of lightning the remembrance of all the f>r!m.'!.-.n and gold m the brand-new hall at home rose before her eyes and made n I f m I i'i « r 60 MAR JO HIE DEANE. her flush inwardly. A gulf between the Deanes and the Ohester- ton& ! It was not a gulf but au ocean that divided them ! A lady-likr young woman, dressed in black, and wearing a plain mob cap, ca-ue down stairs and dropped ttiem a courtesy ; it was Lady Chesterton's own maid. The two girls followed her up the broad stairs and along the corridors to a large 5,'uest room in which every chair, and table, and picture seemed to whisper, haughtily "I am of the old nouility." And the maid, having relieved them of their cloaks, knelt— actually knelt— and arranged their dresses, ard, then, with another courtesy, conducted them ciowi. f,o the hall again, where Mr. Deane awaited them, feeling as if he ii:^d just un- dergone a cold bath. He had been prepared for magniiiceu -e arid grandeur— a kind of Guildhall splendor— and he could have borne up under it, however splendid it might have been ; but this vast, oak- paneled hall, the dim light falling on the portraits, the tattered flags, overwhelmed him. At that moment he wished himself back in his own gorgeous drawing-room. The servant, too, oppressed him fearfully, he stood so still and solemn in his dark livery, his eyes fixed on the ground, his whole bearing eloquent of his sur- prise at the presence of such a common mortal in the sacred bouse of the Chestertons. On the reappearace of Marjorie ajid Bescie this sombre official led the way to a heavy pair of tapestry curtains, drew them aside, and opening a door, announced, in a subdued tone : "Mr. and the Misses Deane," It was a long room tilled with a subdued light that harm -'^ed with the furniture of dark oak and ebony : here and thei« "ere patches of crimson and gold, but only just suilicieut to reli. ve the warm solemnity of the whole. The tall, stately, black satin-clad figure of Lady Chesterton rose and came toward them with outstretched hand, on which glittered three hoops of diamonds and emeralds. " How do you do ? " she said, hardly repressing the shudder which ran through her as Mr. Deane's large hand— hot through his glove— inclosed her one thin one. " your eldest daughter and I are already acquainted," giving her hand to Marjorie, who took it and did not inclose it, much to the old lady's relief : "and is this your youngest— Miss— Miss " •' Bessie," said Mr. Deane, his voice sounding coarse and hard though It was only half his usual volume. " Christened' Elizabeth, my lady, but girls are never satisfied with the names Jieir god- fathers and godmothers give ^em." '■Bessie is much prettier than Elizabeth," murmured the ' lady, and she fixed het glance on poor Bessie ; but as the half-J.- ,do eyes rested on the sweet, childish face, downcast and frightend. something of the cold steel dropped from them, and the tJ-in b^g i'i- MARJOIUE DEAyfE. 67 closed with a smilo. "You must be cold, ray dear she said • " cxmie to tlie tiro. This is Miss Montresso;. '' ^ ' ' tJnl r ? beauty came forward. She was dressed in some ma- nln«h T 1 """' "7*^"'^ '"^' ""•- «^*^"' "«r velvet, a soft kind^of plush, in color neither mauve, nor blue, nor gray but a neutra to" heTCldtn; *'"^' ^^'f ,«^* offLr faiHgukr lc.v"lit^s1 L S?a 1 ^^'^' '^"^'"bodiment Of perfect grace and breed- Sel6Hn'« ,lf '"'"T ^\* ''T^^ "^ Shubert's. or a landscape of Caneletto 8 she seemed part and parcel of the stately room, and fit oompanion to the patrician old lady who ruled in it At a glance Maijorie took it all i„-the beauty, 'the graoe and the patrician air; and then, for the first time, unconsciously Per- haps buckled on her armor, recovered her self-possess on and g?tw courageous and at her ease, and gave back smile for smile ^ for Helen Montressor was too clever to spoil the play by under- acting her par , and it was no part of the play to freeze these pie- bans into good behaviour, and so make them appear passable No IZ T'\ f' f^^^raged to show themselves in thei? true colors • they must be lured into displaying their vulgarity to the full -Si; If^trZ^ir'^'^ feel clearly and un^mistLably, Z'i^ low chair beside Lady Chesterton, CnedlrtLTlk'cttr tion be ween Marjorie and the beauty with iU-conStd surprise and.^satisfactior. After all, these grand people were not soTory But Marjorie while she talked with apparent ease had ono ear open-sensitively and acutely open to th other two voices-thl Sr" Det'e! "'^^ "' "^"'^ ^^^^^i^^ton, an , .le hardl^oISe^ne o? vil ^^^'I^^hV. ''-■ T^^ '*y^"g' " I like the place. Can't sav I ve any ault to fand with it. There's every thing a man co "id d-^ re7sSRoS'ufitrH"f*"" ''g!\- which was becoming every uKjment more terrible to Marjorit. E, came in ionking like a modern Appollo, his gr.->ceful fagure dad m , voning dress, which bore Poole's un- mistakable cut,, h!f! aHo . g-,lderi hair clustering on his whit( . aven forehead, his nnistacb; -hining Jike burnished gold, his bluo eyes iwinkling with 'be aiuicipation of the fun that was to be had out of Deane ptr^ ; but as he reached the group the twinkle died out, and his eyes as they rested on Marjorie'd face, glowed with apot >ci- ative admiration. " Late, aa usual," he said, as he shook hands. " Ton my sopI, 1 ought to oe tined ! How would it do to deprive me of my souo every time I was five minutes late, and of fish if it got to ten, and so on ? Where's Roland ? " As if in answer, the door opened and a servant said i,n a low voice •, bir Roland has come in late, my lady, and begs you will not With a word of excuse. Lady Chesterton laid the tips of her fin- gers on Mr. Deane's arm, Reginald took Marjorie upon his, and Helen Montressor and Bessie brought up the rear. They crossed the hall, through another curtained door-way, and entered the dining room. A portly butler, who looked like a duke to Mr. Deane, and two footmen in dark livery moved noiselessly about, and the soup is on the point of being carried to Lady Chesterton's end of the table, wnen a white hand thrust the curtain aside, and the stalwart figure of Sir Roland strode into the room. " Just in time," he said. " Mr. Deane, how do you do ? Pray accept my excuses, Miss Deane," and ha went up to her chair and held out his hand. His entrance had been so sudden that Marjorie, whose face w»,3 turned to Reginald's was almost guilty of a start ; but as she tur;-ir;! she saw that Helen MoutrfSaur's eyes were fixed ujpon her, ■ I MARJOIUE DEANE. 69 -.vith an eflfort, she kept back the color that threatened to rush to her face, and silently, coldly gave him her hand. " And this ia, / " said Sir Roland, turning to Bessie. " My sister Bestie," said Marjurie, as if the two had never met before. Then he gravely shook hands with Bessie, went to his place, leaned with both hands on the table, said grace, and proceeded to ladle out the soup, and all with grave composure. And it was not until he handed the last plate to the footuian, and Mr. Deane's spoon had begun to chink, that he turned to Marjorie, who was seated at his left, and then all he said was : " Are we going to have any snow before Christmas ] ' and that in the most conventional way. And Marjorie answered in phrase equally set, though she could not help wondering within herself if this wliole alF.iir were not a de- lusive dream, and if the stalwart ligure plunging into the cold, blue water was not a part of it. Not the acutest and most watchful of observers could have de- tected anything in his voice or face which would have led them to suspect that anything beycmd the most ordinary civilities of society had ever passed between them. And yet Marjorie wore the locket which he had recovered from the water, and his eyes had seen and recognized it. After his original remark respecting the weather, he devoied his attention to his dinner, and relapsed into profound silence. Not so Reginald — Reginald who never could resist a chance of flirtation, who would have made love to ihe bearded woman if she had hap- pened to be the only female within his reach. Ho, at least, could appreciate the fresh beauty of the young girl by his side, and, to use his own phrase, culled from the racing track, " makes his run- ning from the start." He took the rivnu and consulted her taste. *' Turbo', filleted soles, oyster patties. Turbot \ Yes, you are right. Oyster patties are yood — but they are too good ; they are a banquet in themselves. They ought to be labelled * Abandon all hope of enjoying anything else, all ye who eat of me.' They are good to look at. I like to see them, but they should be a banquet for the eyes alone. Now, turbot — why do you laugh ? Do you despise the science of gastronomy \ " he asked, with mock solemnity. " No," answered Marjorie, " that would be too presumptuous. J don't understand it. 1 don't even know the A B of it, and I am afraid I sin against the most elementary rules of it. What does ii matter what one eats, so that it is nice and wholesome / " Reginald pretended to look shocked, hurt, astounded. " This ia dreadful ! " he said. " Pray let mo be your teacher I " Marjorie shook her head. " It will bo of no use," she said. "You will tell me I ought |?l~< 1*1 70 MARJORIE DEAXE. ■\t ■If ■I I I : onVuui^'8cTch^''''™^^°^ '^''^" ^*'*' ^"y^hing swoet, and I dote Sir Roland looked a thou- He shuddered and Marjorie laughed, sand miles away. ° " Bessie and I eat pounds of it in the course of a year," went on " Yes, and toftee," said Marjorie, with solemn gravity. "Do IZ \lwt^, *° make totfee ? I don't wish to appear conceited lutl^^'f~\ ^^^^y think, that if the authorities of Sou "h Ken! rwouTd carrv it\T'%^"^ totfee-toffee with almonds -Bessie a "d ^o"'a carry It off. But perhaps you despise toflee ? " chort^Sr.X^n^^^^^^^^^^^ '''''' ^^"^^^^^ -^ - - * -* -^ " I never believed in the present liberal government mv larlv at all, let us be ruled by haristocrata, says I ' " th^htt^T^^^^^'' '*'i- ^? ^."'^ ^'^'h ^ ^'««t»^« «f importance, and ^^l}^]]"i. diamonds on his fat fingers flashed down the table on.i w 1 AT*^ remained silent. Bessie plucked up courage to answer Helen Montressor's soft interrogations, and all talked after their various moods; but the handsome face at the head of the wtch''onTh«Xl'"? ''' ^' * ^'''' i «*«"«' ^ith -» ^^P'-e^^ion sullen.' * commoner mould, would have been called And my Lady Chesterton groaned aloud, as she thought she was wSK^nf^i this torture for nothing, kud that thirwaywaTd wilful son of hers did not entertain even a passing fancy for the Sesso?.*' ' "' ^'"^^^"^ """^ talking with BegSd Mon! Ah, my Lady Chesterton, be not too sure I It is not given to you to read hearts, nor to know the future-not even so much o? the future as IS contained within the few hours of a night. Did you but know It, this night contains within its hours the germ of a han pmess and of a misery which shall affect not only yoSr son and the girlbyhis side but you and the proud beauty whose scheme it is to brin«. ;ijr,59 tTTQ together in order to more effec^.ually^under MARJOlilE DEANE. 71 I CHAPTER XII. MR. DEANE BIDS FOR A HUSBAND FOR MARJORIE. THROUGH the fish, the entrees, the game, the sweets, Sir Ro- land ate his way in something approaching to absolute silence. Once only he smiled, and thM was when he extracted a particularly tempting and indigestible bon-bon from the dainty Sevres dish and gave it across the table to Bessie. " Sweets to the sweet," he said, and his face softened for a mo- ment. Mr. Deane, meanwhile, talked as only a self-made man can talk, and Lady Chesterton sat watching him from under her drooped eye- lids, and mentally bewailed the hard fate which compelled her to listen to him. At last she looked at Helen Montressor, rose, and the ladies filed out. Even then it was Reginald, not Roland, who opened the door for them. " Bring your chair nearer the tire, Mr. Deane," said Sir Roland, musingly. " Will you take port or claret } The claret la at your end." <' Port— port, Sir Roland. I'm too old-fashioned to turn to claret," said Mr. Deane, nodding his head. " I've drank port all my life, and have acquired too confirmed a taste to desert it." Considering that until his great good fortune his acquaintance with port had been limited to an occasional bottle at three shillings apiece, hia friendship for that wine was remarkable. " Try this," said Sir Roland, handing him the bottle. "You can have something drier if you prefer it." Mr. Deane held up his glass, took a sip, and shook his head in the approved fashion. " Couldn't improve on this. Sir Roland. I call it perfect ! " Then the butler, having waited for this decision, glided silently from the room, and the three gentlemen were left to amuse them- selves tintil the coffee came. Sir Roland turned to the fire and stretched out his legs, and Reginald, assured by the expression on his cousin's face that he, Reginald, would have to do the talking, set bravely to work. For ten minutes Sir Roland aat and listened to Mr. Deane's opinion on politics, agriculture, and commerce ; and when the latter subject came uppermost, Mr. Deane had a great deal to say. "I'm a man of commerce myself, Mr. Montressor," he said. "I 7i5 At A RJO lU kJ DBA NB. w If i i7' LKm'^rn r«'.ir™'''r' "'• .?"^.''" ""t ashamed to admit u. lint 1 m no radi,,.l ami i^rol itioniat ; I know what is due to hirth"'*?'.T^,°^T*^"-'';""^''J^' and I'm ready to payTreBpeot birth and hlocd, Mr. M.-ntressor, and 1 believe I'm statin., afact when I state that tl.o name of Deane is r.ot one of yl e S." ^^ F ne old name," s.ud IleginaJd, stifling a yawn. ^ «ai,l lh« """"^ " '^u '"""''"• '^'^ ''«''» ''"^^ in (-he dust for a time " said the owner of the name , " but it's to K.,,,, .. ., ^ ,, Vow jh^p; (Jf course, I can't expect to .lo much for it myself, but I aTwavsTm pres. It upo. n.y daughters that they won't forget haUhey^cV,^^^ of ,;ood old Htuck, th..uuh the.r father was in trade." ^ wh„ £] ""'''i'l • 'f''^ i^^^i""!'! glancing sulewise at Sir Roland who had moved his legs u.stanily. " Q„ite right, Mr Deane and i^iy ?o'cS:':rcr.'"""^' *^ '■'' «"> y°- ^^-"-"=" dai.ghter:r;r! is Tint';'!;') '^\1'^ ^^"""^ eirI.s-good girls, both of 'em. Marjorio IS a bit 1 ,nd of her own way, and what you might call uppish • b«? t^^nSS'CIZ^:'''''^' ^^"*'«-- -^' wem^u^at'givt-a^ Sir ll„land rose and poked the (ire viciously. A smile of satiric pa twen"'T;\'' over Ue,inald's face. Mr. "^Deat was doing hS Ea ricia ■ he L ."l ""^ ^T" ''^'"^ *" ^''^'''' "''« ^^a-'g^ty, high-bred patric a ., he could not have gone mort surely to work ^1 ^ ^;ivj^^5i^uCL?/kLr i^ ^;^- a - S^^. h^i ";;^,rvs -?: ;i- rs tj::::^:^^ and If he man's the right sort I'll do the generous th?ng" "''^ l^ea, said Reginald, leading him on. " You refer to -matri w<.r t,y of Alias Deane, and a lucky one to win her " ^ him^Kro^odr ''^"'^' '' '' ^'^ complinent was as much to ''Thankyou sir— than - .u Mr Montre r. Well rahan'fh« particular, and if she choos. .■ in th,) ri-ht ouirtPr PI / Tk en.ns thing, as I said. l,n not a millfraVi ' Mnk ntt 5? 'but" p^undsVrtrTw;;..^^ "^ ^'''"=' '^''^''' '^ ^ titty thousand' Reginald Montreaaor had turned to renr\^ smile of intense enjoyment at the com' but as Its conclusion dropped slowly t l^eanes hps, he forgot his wine, and tur 01 astonishment to 3ee if the man was i->h- • •■ his wine-glass, with a 'en)< c of the speech, p( ously from Mr. wi \ start and atara MARJOllIE DEANS. 73 ^ But Mr. Deane's face was as grave and nolemn as a judge's. There was not tin- glint of a smile lurking in his eye or on his lip, and Reginald Montreasor's face flushed. He took up his wiuo- glass and drank the contents at a draught, glancing all the time at the silent figure beside him. Sir Roland's face was as hard and im- passive as ever, but there was a dark frown on liis brow, and a deep, dusky red on the tanned cheeks, which showed that he had heard the braggart, foolish declaration. " That's a generous kind of— of undertaking, Mr. Deane," said Reginald Montressor, and for the first time there was a ring of re- spect in his voice. " Isn't it rather — rather rash, eh i " "Why, sir," asked Mr, I), uio, pompously, "why should I make a secret of it i I'm not atiaid of fortune-hunters, if that's what you mean. No fcrtunehunting adventure^^ viH get a penny of my money — my daughter knows that well enough. No, sir, I'm not ashamed of being rich. It's honestly come by, Mr. Montressor, and I'm .i?ily doing my duty as a father in helping my children to — to roiitore tlio fortunes of our 'ouse. Mind ! I say if she chooses to my liking.'' " Miss Deane will have no difllculty in making a selection," said Reginald, with a little bow. " She can chooae where she will." " F'^actly," assented Mr. Deane, "that's my object. What do you sa , Sir Roland ( " and for the first time he looked directly at the ma , ^ of the Wold — directly, for his little eyes had been cov- ertly wa ling him during the whole of the conversation. Sir Rolai"' looked up grimly, and with a curl of scorn on his lip. " Do you ,k my opinion V he asked. Mr. Dv iu I'jdded and sipped his wine. Sir Roland rose l leaned against the mantel, and looked down on him sternly. '* I should say you vere offering a premium to every mercenary scoundrel who might chance to cross Miss Deane's path." Mr. Deane changed color, and Reginald stared at his kinsman. Never had he heard him speak with such eneruetic indignation. " I don't agree with you, Sir Roland," said Mr. Deane. But all further discussion was stopped by the entrance of the coffee. Almost in silence the three men drank the decoction of the fragrant bean, and then Sir Roland said ; " Shall we join the ladies i " and led the way across the hall. IP i i ■; Hi i::te e: Ifi HAUJOJUE DEANE, : II j> If CHAPTER XIII. SIR ROLAND WALKS HOME WITH THE DEANES. ''^IIE lad JOB in the moantlme had been condiictins? theraselveo f«r4«« something after the manner of a funeral party. Lady Ches- terton had made a few icy advances, which Marjorie had met in an e.iually icy way; Miss Montressor, in the absence of the gentlemen fiad not considered it necessary to put herself out to be entertain- ing, and Marjone had maintained an utterly indifferent silence which Bessie would have been happy if she could have imitated ■ but m default ol doing which, she couM only gape and look sleepy' N\ell, are you enjoying yourselves," were Sir Roland's first worcis, "Very much," answered Miss Montressor, walking instantly and turning her beautiful face with a smile of welcome. "If I were not afraid of being considered rude, I should say yon iTtUe music' "^'^ remarked. " Miss Deane, will you give us a iMarjorie looked up, and was about to shake her head negatively ^vhon as she lookod at him, she intercepted a glance from Miss IVlontressor to Lady Chesterton, which she as a woman understood to moan, " She can't even play ! " ''1 don't play much, but I will willingly sing," she said quietly. Miss Montressor heard her with a smile of satisfaction playing about h. r lips, but no sooner had Marjorie touched a few chords on tne piano than the smile hardened into a frown and then passed away to eat into her heart. Marjorie's touch was exquisite, and f^ave the promise of an execution at once skilful, and full of feel- fnffin^J'* au ** *""*:u P'-pmised much, her singing was the promise tulhlled. She sang the simple little ballad of " The Minstrel Bov " and she sang it as not one there had ever heard it sung before And presently Lady Chesterton was looking at the fire with dimmed eyes, while Miss Montressor was paio with mortification and chagrin Jiessie made no secret of her tears, but let them fall frankly. Sir Koland said nothing, but there was something in his eyes as he looked at Marjorie that frightened Miss Montressor. She had never moved him with her music as she saw he now was moved Kegmald was the only one who had voice to speak with when Mar- J one turned on the stool. MAUJOItlE DEAyE. 78 LNES. ' theniRRlveH Lady Ches- d met in an gentlemen, B entertain- ent silence, e imitated ; look sleepy, •land's first atantly and uldsayyou 1 give U8 a [legatively, from Miss inderstood id quietly, on playing chords on len passed lisite, and 111 of feel- le promise trel Boy," ig before, h dimmed i chagrin, ikly. Sir syes as he She had IS moved, heu Mar- "MisB Deano," he said, " you have almost wronged me past for- giveness." " How ? " asked Marjorie, smiling. " You have nearly made me cry. I have heard 'The Minstrel Boy,' oh, a hundred times, but never like that before. Where did you learn to sing like that /" Miirjorie looked at him, and then a smile hovered on her lip as she glanced slowly aro\ind the room, as if ivsking attention to her answer, which she t/ave with deliberation and distinctness, and yet with child-like simplicity. " I hardly know. 1 suppose I sing that so well because I used to sing it, to the girls in the school whore I taught before papa be- came wealthy. A bomb-shell could not have produced more effect in the room. Sir Roland was the only one not actually horrified, and he was obliged to turn his back to smile. He could appreciate the auda- city of the girl in thus snatching from her enemies' hands the only weapon they had to employ aj,'ainst hor. Mr. Deane lurned a tiury red, and performed a perfect overture on his nose by means of his bandanna. He was beside himself with rai;o and mortification, and the worst to him was to feel that he was absolutely powerless against his wilful daughter, who sat on the piano-stool enjoying the diacomfiture of them all. Reginald was the tirst to recover from the shock, and he said : " I wish 1 had l)een educated at that school. Won't you sing us something else '?" " How will ' Jockey to the Fair ' do ? " she aaked, and without waiting for an answer, turned and played the prelude. When she had finished the ballad there was silence for sov»al moments. No one could trust himself to speak. Then there was a low murmur of applause, and Marjorie rose from her seat, saying : " I am ashamed of having displayed my musical ignorance. Miss Montressor must dispel my discords with some real music." Miss Montressor was a finished musician, and she did not fear the result of a comparison, but she knew it was nut in her power to touch the hearts of those present as Marjorie had touched them, and she would have refused to play had she dared. To refuse would have been to give a victory to the girl she had invited to the house to humiliate. She had asked Reginald to find her a sonata of Schubert's, and that being done for her, she played it in her beat style. But, alas for her ! the first strains of the music were hardly sounding through the room, when Sir Roland crossed over tc Bebsie, and after a jocu- lar word to her on her moist eyes, said : "Are yon fond of mnsic?" ** I am fond of Marjories. 1 think her singing is simply divine -rr^ 78 MARJOIUE DEANE. one ete P ''"^ ''' ^°" '"'^ y""'' ^'^^h^^'" ^^^^ Sir Roland. " No "No one else?" repeated Bessie, wonderinolv <' P«..f • i there was no one else. What do yen u.eanT'' ^ ^^ ^^'^^'""^y^ ^^ Nothing. Do you like pictures I " " Wrv^.?lT ^Z"""'- ^ '^'^" '^S"^« fi^'^^^ best." ^^ n oum you hlce to see some now \ " Uh yes. In your gallery ? Afay Marioiie come too'" B^ie':.n:^r£^ Semite '' 'T ';^h'^^ •^■•"s eye. eagerly to see wha the result w'^b^^'Ar"^ *" ''!"• , ^^ ^^^'"^^^^ doubtfully, then .'lanctd a'Lar .Ltert^^i^^^^^^^^ ^^"'^ ^,andw.has.nne. rose and^f^l::^^ Kl^ ^ ^^ ^^1^; HdrLr^TeSrr.^lleTSfncr s^t," ^ 1 ""^ '"°*^^--' find no fault. Then therB I L !^^u , u'^' ''^'^ '='""*^« ^ shall locket of Roger's r^ '' ""^ ^^'^"'^ ' ^"^ ^hat then is that woSti>^S!;^t^;itiJtinrfftr' r^^N-^l!^^' ^« ^^ ^« Roger, he Hft.d the cSn anc?^ held t nn '.1 \T "I *^" obnoxious passed through ; then he let it fall .It Hr*"^" "«*«" ^^^ had seen them ^11 1 felt tlJt itl' I ^^''^", Montressor, who self. ^ ' *''''* ^'"^ perhaps had overreached her- andTh^Ltwt'^fntuTtote^ SLj"'"'^"* ^"^j.^-^-" ™-ters, jectionable perso,"s f the othe^ro^m 'Ind l^""^''^ *"'^°* ^'^^ ^b- merryas Bessie herself SMrPni'* became as natural and the three wandered tlrou-^ tt'n ^''^ F^'^^^'^^^'i his tone, and anything but 1 happy^Sont ^ ""' "' '''''' forgetfulness of of "l^L'pS ^nJmLr^v^S'tur"^ "'"'^l^*" ^^'^ *'- «*-- One piece wa« a 1 irast ,1 e w..^' l^' ^'''' ^"'^ ^'>*^™ "» ^ho walls, tirst Richard, atid which was nierr^^ ^'' ".f ''*"/ '" ^^' *''"« "^ the of the Saracen Sdad ^1 ad ' ./J^oth i r^' rf «• ^V" "« "'« «word lessly to the story (for the wearer 1^^.11 f ?° ^''^''",'"^ breath- king), and then insisted that S?n PI ^T\ ''Hi"' "'"" ''^^ f«'* his He 1 Lghingi diSr^LttS i^ft^ent;; ^it^;;iitr^ -• alarm from her, and turned nnJ,r ,'«+• f startled by aery of ig in the eve- aefore the gas aland. "No " Certainly, too ! " 1 up hia eye. He watclied ked at Besaie iss Montres- here Sir Ro- mother and cines I shall then is that «!•, as if he e obnoxious fcisters had ressor, who eached her- rn masters, ■got the ob- mtural and 8 tone, and 3tfiilness of the stories I the walls, time of the the sword led breath- life for his 3 piece on. ain. Poland was 'y a cry of reaat-plate the movs= upon her MARJORIE DEANE. 77 1 Bide, striking her arm and shoulder. She staggered backward, and was falling when he sprang to her, and caught her in his arms. Bessie wrung her hands and wailed, for Marjorie had fallen as if dead. "Hush," said Sir Roland, his own face white. " There is some water on that table ; bring it to me." She brought it, and he went on, "Don't be frightened. Go ask my mother— only my mother — to come here." Without a word Bisaie flew away, but in her fright and hurry she went out by the wrong door. Sir Roland tried to pour some of the water through the pale lips, but in vain. White and death-like she lay in hi^ arms, as if life had left forever. With a face that was almost as white as her own, he bent over her, his eyes tixed on her with remorse ani sorrow. He felt that his careless hand had brought about this mishap. Wild, passionate pity and tenderness had swept over him ; with a shudder he rciised the arm that hung limp by hia side, and as he saw the blood-red mark which stood out accusingly on its soft whiteness, it was as if a hand had s^^ized his heart and wrung it. With a low, bfiiken cry, he pressed her to him, and passionately kissed the white liiis that a minute ago wore so rich a red ; kissed not only hei; lips, but her closed eyes, and the hair that shone like gold upon his breast. And as if the kisses po.ssi ssed some mystic power to call her back to life, she drew a li'Ui;, labored si.;h, and, with a shudder of pain, shrank closer against his heart. And as he felt her nestling of her own will, so to speak, a;,'ainst him, the blood rushed to his face, his heart leaped within liim. " My darling ! " he murmured, hoarsely, " Oh, my darling ! my darling ! " And it was this word — this passionate cry which assailed Mar- jorie'a ;-8f, as she reluctantly came back to consciousness. Slowly the beau .ful eye.3 opened and looked up vacantly ; then presently she recognized the pale, handsome face above her, and in the place of vacancy came a look of startled questioning, followed by a (puck, hot flush of maiden shame. "What — what has hapjjened ? " she breathed, striving to raise her hand. " Hush ! hush ! " he said, holding her tightly clasped to him. " Do not move." With a sigh she attempted to raise her hand to her brow, but let it fall with a cry of pain ; then, pale again, gently drew away from him. " It fell on me, did it not 1 " she asked, with a little woe-begone smile. " That comes of distiirbin;,' old institu'ions 1 " And, Btill gently, ehe put his arm from her and sank on a chair. • i ■ ,1 'i ' ^ ^^A RJOniE DEANE. ing in.'lth 1 tt:r:^:,fltZ' hr*"1 '^^'^ ^^« «>^- drink ■ face o,e, ^j^j^,^ ^ -« J^^ture o^^^ the beautiful not truafc himself to speS ° '''^ ''"'^ '^^'*«- He couH and^T'couldnol'm;;:' "Vf'S '■' ^^"'-^^-' T saw it fallin. broken?" " ""'^ '""^e- J was tascmated, I think. Is my arm ita'fil'/S ^na^rk ^" ^"^'^^ ""^ ^^^'^"^ ^^^^^ the white arm with l^Jd it fall on her, too ? " ' ^*-'"'«mber. Where is Bessie / "No," he answered, still hoarsolv "i#- f^ii Fou. It was my fault," he addZ Jh'h • °° °°°^ ^^ "^ but live. n,y nrto'^p.';: .T^lS^pS" " '• '"■° '""•"' '"'' toitir^JLTo'S;^ "" '""« "■"■ "•"=''- -I *-> vainly tried be^so distressed -" ^''^'^'•^^'^- ^ am all risfht. Why should you pasli;il^;a,nttS*'''B"^^^^ ?*« ^^-b -ith had them, to guard von fmn! ! ^"""^^ «'''« * '•"^er lives, if I cause I lo've you"' ^ "' ^ '""^^'^ ^'^'^'^^'=1^^ ^s you caU it. ' Bo. senl:TZ:^ bu'^th^ir'T*' '' '' ^^« --'^^ t^dno drew her hand aw^ ami tui a Sti^^'^^f^ ^'' ^'^"'' «h« ;: Sir Roland ! " Ihe whi^re? ' ^^'' ^""'^'^'^ ^^^^ ** ^"»- know JL ? hrve'n^ShttYavinr '"^/.'7 ""^^^^-d- ^ to another " ° ^ ^^^ ^° ' ^ ^now that you are pledged eye^rt^lIpefhS' ""'"^^^^'^-ble surprise and bewilderment in her " Lifts J VoS:j ^ ; ^'^^ ^^^^' ^-"^^^• -_,, -B„|.,„r3g t^, 1123 fuetaua stood MAUJOIUE DEANE. 79 8 eyes drink the beautiful 3. He couLJ aw it falling. la my arm te arm with t , "it isn't >." dly. scratch. J I did faint I 3 is Bessie \ e of us but 3r; "I did \ down her would have ■ainly tried else," she lot matter. >■ Please, should you hers with ' lives, if I II it. Be- ds had no brain, she t him. •stand. I •e pledtjed mt in her t it is not aud stood over her trembling with hope. " Do you say that I am mistaken, that your hourt ia frae \ For Heavoa'a saice, do not keou me in sus- pense ! " Marjorie looked up at him, with pale face and quivering eye. •* What— what do you mean \ she murmured, brokenly. " Do you mean tliat I am— am engaged to— marry any one \ Indeed you are wrong, (^uite wrong. I do not understand how " No further words were possible, for, with a low cry of relief and (.■"elis^ht, he put his arm aruuud her and jiressed her to him. "No?" he cried. " Oh, my d;irling, what a load you have tr.keu from my heart! Forgive me !" he broke oH', 1 r Marjorie had risen, and stood, pale, and breathless, and silout. "Fordvo mo " he pleaded humbly. " 1 -Marjorie, my love carried me btyoiij my?elf. Say that you forgive me ! " Marjorie looked at him with puzzled eyes ; then alie turned p.vle, and looked around. " Bessie- where is Bessie ? " As if in answer to the call, Bessie ran in. rsi' ^h ^^^ l^olandi 1^ can't find tlio drawing-room— T lost the way. Oh, Marjorie ! are you better I What was it I Are you hurt vorv much i" J J "No," said Marjorie, with a tremulous smile, " nothing to speak ot, dear. Will you got— get my fur cloaks Stay, v-o will go up stairs. Sir Roland, will you be kind enough to "toll Lady Chesterton that I won' 1 like to go home I " He took a step towa.;' her, but with a (juick gesture she repelled hnn. and putting her hand on Bessie's arm, mur mured : "Come, Bessie— quickly ! " and tliey passed out. Sir Roland stood for a moment, confused, irresulute, stvangoly unlike himself. Then he paced up and down the room, siru-'gUug to still the wild beating of his heart, and to regain compoTurel more than that, to realize what he hud done. With restless hand he pulled at his mustache, and stared under frowning brows at the accursed breast-plate ; then bin brow cleared, and a sudden li«ht of joy dashed into his eyes. There had l>een some mistake, and he was free to love her. But she He stopped with hi^i hand on the door. He had held her in his arms ; had kissed-a warm •j.low suflused him as he recalled those passionate kisses unfairly snatched as Hhe lay in his arms—he had kissed her ; but she— well, if she had not actually refused him, she had certainly not accepted nim. And now she would go, and he would be left in suspense. With a start, he "pulled lamself together," as Rogiuald would have said, and crossed the hall ; but as ho did so, ho heard UAn steps on the stairs, and turned back as Marjorie and Bessie de- scended. Muijorio looked down, and her Uoo, vary x-ale a moraeut hefor-. , M 80 MAItJOlUE DEANE. I'onTlasf "'' ""^ ""'' «^-l"-^ ^yes were hidden behind their It, and thrown a spell whTcT'/ve to >>f V ''''?'* ' '"u^*" ^"'^'^ °^«'' Utterly reaardleafl nf «:» • ^7 '*^ beauty a siibt e charm bending down, said • ^*'J°"^ « ""'"Jured arm within his own, and Bhra^sTerS^oftiranfc '"' ^* ^ Are you in pain ?" '< ]^o " does not pain me much I hZ'h """"i '^/^''^^^^ altered-- no, t chief." °'"°''- ^ ^^v« bound it up with a wet handker- arm.^1j:p;,^|:S;i?;,^Sj?^«*^y extended her white .^f:^^""^''^ ^"^'^-^y' -d loolfed at him for the first time. Promise n^rat you lilTL? "' '^ '^°"* ^^ ^" *^^ drawing-room. Het^k ?t:;nT:ri?;::;:.n:irfuJr' beseecMngl^on his arm. " Very well," he saii TheTlf leT^ ^''^' ^f * '^ /iP'^ to it. away, he murmured " IVfav T Vo' ^^^ ^er hand hurriedly if you h,,e forgivl' me!'S wrfoTgirmet'^'^'* ' ^°* «^^" ^^ ^ Nr'X °°^ ^^^ ^r^ ^"^ h«r f-ce ™ret pale unde^a'S'anJ" ""■""^^^' ^''"^ ^ «hort brLth,'-' do not. I do not But"om':j,,^;^;" h:7fIc'e'';reS"f')!" ^ '''•^^' '-'^-g ^-- next moment they cnLred the dr^»- ^'' ^^^^^g^'^^re, and the anxiety and curiosV wUh whth Jhrl^^f'^T"' ^" ^''^ ^^ ^^e room had been awaiLg tL reaLLf- ? .t '''."P""*" ^^ ^'^^^ require pages. At sight of tlHwni f the absentees, would Bight of Marj.riespKce and ilvr^'' "^""^^^^ ^"^ hooded-at terton almost started from her chai^^ A^^^'f ^ eyes-Lady Ches- something very different fTom her usual t'./V''"'' "^''/"^^ ^'^^ ward them with icy surprise statehness, and went to- BWttanr;:i'^vS%XtnV^^^^^^^^^^^ her very short indeed. P^^^^^y Proclaimed his intention to cut gojf Mr^Dea'e"'!!!!"^^ '^^ * ^^^ ^^^^ache, and would like to •'BufthrcSigill!!';^^^^^ Btaring at the group, half.pasttea." *^ ' <'^"«'*^"'^g his watch, "ordered it for 1 behind their lave changed. ?ic wand over tie charm, pitchers have his own, and n?" "No," red— "no, it wet handker- 3d her white oil must let he first timp , a wing-room. Lon his arm. his lips to it. d hurriedly Fot even ask t- I do not ;ing tone. »re, and the tell of the nts of that tees, would hooded — at Lady Ches- 5 rose with d went to- ni(i piit her tiou to cut uld like to he group, lered it for MARJORIE DEANE. 81 .< T* ^r^'^*^''- ^7°"ld ""ather walk." said Warjorio, faintly, would do me good I think," she added, with a forced smile^ Are you sure ?' asked Sir Roland, bending -er her with an expression that made Lady Chesterton shudder, .uu .ansed Helen Montressor 8 white hand to clasp passionately around her fan. yuite answered Marjorie, with as commonplace an expresion as she could command. ^ " Good," said Sir Roland. " I will accompany you if you will f said, almost 1st let me re- ry with mo ?'' •itely ; " but )ack to life — e shuddered rildly glad to -so wretched you. Please 'ss ; and she Id I not tell I smiled sig- say it." pace, which iwise if you ou are going i paled, nor swer him. i, trying to Jusht not to not to have ctively that 1 at her. to send mo love you — 83 I love you with all my heart and soul-will you make me happy and be my wife ? ^^^ She looked up at him, an! her hand tightened convulsively. iNo, she said, " 1 should not make yr>u liiipny. I should make you miserable, all your friends ' He stopped her with a fierce, snd len gesture ^1 Ah, ' he said, •' it is a baseless idea. ' "No, not a baseless idea," she answered. " Do von think it pos^ble for me not to feel that it is not to Marjorie Doane (l,at you, Z 1 u, ' ^l''^^ ^*y "^^^^ y°" '^'^^^ ^'^'d ] If I had been blind utterly b md before, to-night would have opened my eyes to the distance that divides, not us alone, but ours ' " '; 1 deserve it " he said " Yes, of course 1 know what you mean. Hut because of the cold looks of two women " 'I One 18 your mother," she breathed. " ?°® iu "7 »^?ther, with all a mother's wenknoss, and with the usual mother s pride. Because of this you will sacriHce me. You see how calm I am-I feel that I am pleadii.g for my life's happi- " Or misery," she said, with a little catch in h. r voice. Sup- Then she stopped. "Goon," he pleaded. "Suppose then," she said, nnd tho hot blood suffused her face- suppose I— I were to say— yes " " Say it ! " he cried, and he seized her hand and held it tic^htlv clasped in his own, 'o'-^j- nol^'''^Tyi""^,'^T^*'^''"^''^'T^ y^" ^^«" y"" ^""t ^ack with the news? I think lean see them!" and for the first time a smile, bitter and scornful, rose to her lips, ' He bit his moustache. "If I were to walk in and tell my mother that a princess had promised to bestow her hand upon me, she would sigh and say it was a pity it was not an empress, or at the least a queen. " Ah, I am not a prmoess ! I am a commoaplaco school-teacher, whose father happens to have uiade his fortune " " Well," he said eagerly, " grant all you sav. A lady cannot be more than a lady ; and you --" He stopped, with a curf, impatient hJ'" T^.,f "^Ti! '^T ^°" r"""*' y"" ^'^^ ""* wreck me on that But— then he hesitated with a sudden, suspicious pause- but you have not answered my .piestion yet. Perhaps you could make all further argmnent unnecessary. Marjorie, you have not said you loved me. That is what I want. 1 care for nothing else What are .all these objections ? Nothing to me. Tell me that you love me and I will show yo,, how much I value these stupid pro- judices of my people. By Heaven ! if all the world said nay, whUe 84 MARJOIUE DEANE. II' In '% he s^ped L7IZ \j±:^^u:r''^^^ "^ ^^^^''^^ ^"^ -'-- tiono7rs";3' wilful'" :i\\'^''^^ 't^'I '""^ f^---"- - ^'- — prudent argC^nW!^' t'L f t^^^^^^^^^ f ^-y>^^f^ words-stood unable to speak or mov« f ' t u'"^ '*"""- '^'"" dusky figures that had hitherfnf II ^' !u"''"^ "''*' «'^^ *•'« two cently pass by '^'''' i^Wo^ed them approach and inno- ^y^^'£^^ZxX:';!::j^r^^^^^ f-by the wenkness heavy and lono- t. Snn^ t J ^""^' ^''*' '^'^^'^ ^1^^ he.d feol betraying hi °tl at W?',^ ^'' ^'■??''*'. «*^^ '^"'''^ ^hat her heart was minul,L w^;|fh Tdi w th'AheThf ^"r-'7' ^f" *^^*' '" ^ go ! Oh, Sir Roland, le me tr?. " J V his hand. • Let me Boft, tremulous tones "ted voice of Marjorie. " There shall be no niore of tS' " w ^'^ ""'.^ ^^,^^^ ^'^^ ^" « ^i««- to-night, with alUhe worW ou tskle ^^ *^° «*^"d together alone will you give me yours in tour an?'? Wh'^'V'y'"/;'".™^ '«^« 5 yoii throw me cufdly a stJ,^ p' S/ St^ior i M '°' ^'■"^^' "'" make my name a curse to me i hL J ? ^^^'""•'''"®' ^^° »ot love you as I never have tmv.l /^°Y«" ' ''^""^t you see that 1 can /ou give me that sLjl ^l 'h a%eTh J"" \^'''\ ^"' "^^* against such love as mine hnLtJZlT''^^^ '" *''« '^^'^°°« now, with no thou.fhHf < ther ' Tov^ "f' y"»„<='^»7f.y here, grew hoarse-' r head feel or heart was i that, in a " Let me enize in the f Marjorie. T in a vice, ether alone I my love ; bread, will rie, do not see that 1 r all, what he balance -say here, 1 his voice f himself? how much ) rage— the his breast, irm closed )oked into n her lips, ke a wild lit only to •ling," he but you ou ! Do have not forgotten, and I feare^^?" '■f P"^* ^^^^^ "^«' ' I^oland, I love you ' " Koland— I— I love— you." "Heaven bless yon, my darling ! " he cried, and as he infolded her in bis aru.s, he stooped to kisa her ; but b'efore he couS reach Por it, but I'll was a nestling bent Bti iden- 8 a prolunyetl rang throucrh like the babea No ! Well, say it. Ton You would ve it. Your lat! Would iJest man in y — to-day — to bo found be demon of haven't told agonies. " •f tone. uise oiouyh e?" know " fo, I do not riedly, as if or jealousy te satisfied, le past his- — from to- teach you le infolded uuld teach MARJOIUE DEANE. W] hor red, ripe lii)S, she throw her arms around him, and, with ;i white, rapt face, pressi'd her lips to his and kisaud lum. 'I'lion as he stood dazed for a moment with the pasaiouato caress, she broke from him and he lost lior. lieaiie was waiting in the dof>r-wuy when Marjone flew up the Bteps luid passed lier into the hall. ^^ " (jood gracious, Marjorie ! And where's Sir lloland ? '• Ah, yes, Sir Roland, come in," said Mr. Deano, trotting out of the drawing-room with a beamiug countenance, which instantly fell as the fact dawnpd upon him thit his titled guest was in f > * not a guest at all. "Where is Sir Roland < You haven't' n go back in— I suppose you didn't uven aak him to come in. Marjorie, with an unwonted meekness, followed her irato father back into the drawing-room, and listened to his tirade on her uu- dutifulness and disregard of the decencies and proprieties of life, and then his still angrier lecture on her unueemly conducl in com- ing away in the manner she had, without a word in her defence. Bessie, indeed, tried to stem the torrent of her father's wrath by explainin'4 indignantly that Marjoiie had beoi injured, and insisted on Marjorie showing how she had been hurt, taking hor hand to throw otl" the cloak. Then in a sudden tone of surprise she ex- claimed : ,, ■ • 1 lii Why, Marjorie ! What ring is that / Why, Marjorie ! It a Sir Roland's ring ! I saw him wear it to-night ! " " Hush ! " whispered Marjorie ; but Mr, Deane's ear had been °'' '^What's that 1 " he said. " Whoso ring i Sir Roland's ? What on earth " . He stared at Marjorie's face, and his own grew white with Hope and anticipatory triumph." . u Why— why— don't you speak ? Did Sir Roland give you his ring?" " Yes," whispered Marjorie. Mr. Deane sank into a chair. " Marjorie ! " gasped Bessie, staring at her with wide open eyes and mouth. .... j i " I am sorry you noticed it dear," said Marjorie, rising and put- ting her arm around her sister ; "but it is true. Sir Roland has asked me to be his wife." . v, « v, Mr. Deane orang from his chair and stood gasping hke a tish ; then slowly his* face flushed and he found speech. . . , , " Asked— you— to— marry him ! Is it true / This isn t ' —with a spasm of fear—" this isn't one of your practical jokes I " Then, seeing that her face was full of earnestness, he took her m his arms and— well not exactly cried— but sobbed and gasped with P^^d -■^rii'^'^ " H'^'>""r Haaii voii niv ohild ! Heaven bless Tou I Ihia ft IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-S) 2r // >" c^ / 7. 1.0 I.I ^- ilM 1^ 112 |M 2.2 1.8 P5 iU Photographic Sciences Coiporation 1.6 23 WEST MAIN STREET WEBSTER, N.Y. 14580 (716) 872-4503 # iV iV >^ ^^ '\ '^^^ -^"V <^^ ■mi^ ^^^ ^V4 '^^ ^^. r>,%^ ^^ %^ set th jir —you an' IS chuckle ish, Mar- up to her ndignanfc le warm, again, as )und her ' Roland a! Oh, ng you ! ; sweet- en, give laming ! t many er face, V CHAPTER XV. SIR ROLAND AKNOU.N'CES HIS ENGAGEMLNT. '^\7HEN Sir Roland reached home hp. first went to his own * ^ room and cha gad his wet coat for a dry one ; then he went to the drawing-room. Lady Chestorton wis si ill sitting upright as a dart in her high-backeu chair ; Helen Moutressor was reclining in an attitude that a sculptor might copy, on ? couch before the tire ; Reginald, with the shadow of a smile on his handsome face was lounging on an ottoman. ' They all looked up as the tall tigure entered, and each made en- quiries in bis or her own way after *he guests Sir Roland had escorted home ; then the conversation turned upon those guests and one after another there followed stinging comments on the parvenu father, the presumptuous daughters, and the vulgarity of them all. ° To everything that was said Sir Roland listened in silence scarcely looking up from the tire, whicli he seemed to find a fasci- nating study ; but presently, as if every word of scorn or contempt had been exhausted. Lady Chesterton looked at her fair guest and said : ' " If you are ready, Helen." They rose to go, but fclir Roland arrested them with a motion of his hand, and a word ; " Stop ! " Lady Chesterton sank back and looked up at him ; Helen Mont- ressor turned her blue eyes up to his face with sweet, serioui atten- tion. "In case," ho said, with a smile that was as sardonic as a frown on the face of another, " you shrjuld feel disposed to renew this sort of criticism in my hearing, I had better teU you that I have asked Miss Deane tc be my wife." For a moment Lady Chesterton did not utter a word, Sir Roland's sardonic smile had travelled over all the faces there before she re- covered herself. " Roland ! " she exclaimed, at last, and it was in a voice as if she were sinking into her tomb. •'Well,'- he said, " are you all surprised ? Did you think I had taken vows of celibacy ? Can you not liud words atruug enough to «oagri tflllaf mo ill, Helen i " I ■ «ii 00 MARJORIE DEANE. I The beauty turned to him with a smile and held out her hand I lease forgive me." she said. " 1 was taken by surorise hope you will be happy, Sir Koland." ^ surprise. congS2^ '^ ^^^'- ''^'^' ««°-^l^' ^«t - W your " Eh ?" said Reginald risinff "V«b nf /<,mi».„ t l mother r '^""' *" '''''*°''' "* " sarca«ic .mile.*^ " Now, •| Are you mad, Roland ? " she said. grave than married to the daughter of such a man " ^ th^i J^"'"'' "'^'^'■^ ^-v.?*"' mother," he answered, quietly but there was an ominous light in his eyes 4"«e"y, out " Deid"- " Yin'.^?r/ h ''' ^""^ ^yi"° '^""*^. '^'f«^« '"^'" «he went on. arZ^f^'.x} t\'^* ^^ mad to dream of perpetratin.' such a dis graceful thing Do you forget the race of whi^h you comeT" ^"^ Marjt^'DlLjmShe""""' ^'^'* '"^^^""^^ '' "y-^^- ^ ^-e " Love"!" V'l^Vnf rtr'^ ^"^ ^'''''^^ ''^ ^''^^^ fi"ed the room. marrWnl hJ V '^'1 ^'''''' ^'^"^"^ h^""' ^^^ ^ ^o forbid you^ marrying her. You may love any dairy-maid on the estate and T have nothing to do with it ; but when you ask me to receive' her as '• Mo&' V" 'T' Sil; R^l-nd, for me to rise and i^otest!" Mother, he said, and his voice was stem and angrv " v not^ alone. You are speaking of my f„f„re wife." ^' Your future wife, perhaps," said the proud old dame drawinir herself up to her ful neight, " but not my daughter. Tdiaowi he? at once. You may forget what is due to a rice whose unsigned hTdaHter^f t'b"V "'""*/ ^"'^J *? y""' I^oland that"thety tne daughter of that man enters this house, I leave it at once and forever. You have to choose between your mother and that low born girl-between the woman who bore you and the daughter of Mr. Deane. I have no more to say, except "-a-.d she turned to *tsts"fo?.ir^'^ ' haughty apology-" except t. apofogS to my fniHl this scene, Which is a disgrace to the name you bear and to the house which witnesses it." . And with a proud gesture of the hand, as if she waved the sub ject aside she took her caudle and marched proudirout folWed a moment later by Helen JVIontressor. ^ ' ^"""^^'^ At Sir Roland's announcement Reginald had turned pale, but he i her hand, surprise. 1 e have your I hope you etty." ile. '« Now. white as the stecn gaze. ique lace on you in your luietly, but he went on. such a dis- Jine i " elf. I love i the room, 'orbid your itate, and I !eive her as protest." e, drawing disown her unstained lat the day t once and I that low- aughter of turned to [izo to my I bear and 1 the sub- , followed le, but he MA i: JO HIE PEAiVE. 91 had had time to recover himself, and now tliut they were alone togetlior, ho said : " This is a bad business, Roland." " What / Oh, yes. Thank you : but it litis to be borne. Don't let me keep you up. (Jood-nii^'ht." With all l.'s nonchalance, Jleginald was not courageous enough to withstand this plain dismissal, and, with a shrug uf the shoulders, he took )ip his candle and loft Sir Uolaiid alone. But ho did not go up to his own room. He stopped on his way at his sister's. She had donned a satin dressing-gown, and evidently expected him. There had been critics who had dared to hint tiiat Holen Mou- tressor's beauty was too perfect — that it lacked feeling and expres- sion. If they could have seen her at that moment, they wimld have admitted that they i)ad been wrong. White to deathliness was the fair skin ; the blue eyes, 'vhich the wliole world had never seen otherwise than languidly Linpid, were glittering liice a basilisk's ; the thin lips were compressed over tlie white, even teeth j and the low brow was full of lines eloquent of suppressed passion. " Well /" she rather hissed than spoke. " Pretty kettle of fish, this," said Ilcginald, sinking into a chair. *' Why did you bring me here ? " she crieii, between her teeth. " Could 1 foresee that Roland would make such » complete fool of himself i He is over head and ears in love with the girl — a "irl nobody ever heard of ! " "And he thinks he will marry her," she said. "Her! and lam here !" — and she stretched out her bare arnn, very bt/autiful arms, too — " he thinks he can pass me by as if I — I wore a ynere nobody! " "Evidently he thinks so," assented Ileginali. " Confound it ! I did not f('v 'see this. But it mustn't be, you know — it must be stopped ! He's out of his mind — h( cannot marry her." "Cannot' Shall not!" she cried. " Look at mo ! It was you who persuaded me to come to this miserable [ilace, and now see the But you do not care !" ' he exclaimed, opening his eves. " But I do, most Why, I meant going in for the girl myself." consequences ! "Do I notr confoundedly. " You ! " " Yes, I. There was no opportunity to tell you, but the old man, confound him ! let out that he meant to piveher, Lnrd knows how many thousands. And 1 meant going in for her. But now "—and he shrugged his shoulders — " the best thing that we can do is to throw up the game, and try fresh wo ids and pastures new." "And leave her to become Lady Chesterton, mistress of the Wold ? " and Helen Montressor smiled scornfully. " How can we prevent her ? " he asked, dolefully. " How i " she cried, angrily, pacing the room. " I do not know —yet ; bat we must— must. Do you hear ? We must ! " m t,.''^ ;(| 1 r'! 92 ^rAUJOlilE DEANE. iou do not und(>pafanfi " l ^^ Who 18 to prevent her / " ^" ' Never ! " whoisLtt;:n;:S ^n VVeshallsee think it is Itoknd I care for ir"'"'"''^^''^ ^''^' ^^" smile You tliis I say-that 4l shaH nL k° ™^"'^^' *^""« what you will • bn^ P-vent ft. I «wi i'lT;; o'lTl : V'^'"" ^' ^^'^ ^^'^''' -'V wilt J: ■ '\ B^ CHAPTER XV7. 'J'UE MORNING AFTER. -liien, too, Reginald wh, i? y*^* '^'^®" diss pated i-iat It tell like a wet blankof ,>« fi i °^ *"*^ trouble in han/J Bhort laugh, asked if itwasleant i "' ^%^'^'^^^< whJ wiS lie^iuald looked appalled ^nTA ^\^° ^direct warninLr to hh„ «eat8 ; but Sir RolanTuS tEe \n!t^'^''' TV '^ unea«il'y n th2 passage at-arms between the motW .^ i ^"'^ ''^^ '^'""^^ waa another former and drove her to t»t f ° f "'^ ^«"' which frightened hi ' Ttl^Y "" ^ '" *° btsVen" "^^ "^^^^ ^^«^- Monttrr:'with It must 'be confesseft.i't 'm';? ^^^^^^^ing was so very different with such happy dream 1 Wsi SerT't^* ^--elfTbufZn ^ -^ -tune, and t^^^ t ^^^^^^^^ an/suM^,,^-;-^t^ Marjorie indulged in and nothing could be too good for hi '^"°"'"« ^ Precious thing obhged to content ^^ ^^^VZu^^^^SS^ ^ MARJOniE DEAKE. O.T with awak *^'^* ^°""^ ^^^^ showed by unmistakable signa that she was Then Bessie rushed in, and overwhelmed her in the same breath wuh repn.achea for her unromantic drowsiness, and with caresses lor looking so beautiful, and with con^'ratulations for having such a lover Then she gave Marj-.rie a flower which she had selected especially for her, and which she bej/ged her to wear in her hair and she further besought her to wear her sea-green gown ; to both ot which requests Marjorie laughingly assented, saying that if her lover came he should find the victim properly decked for the sacri- hce ; whereupon Bessie declared that she was cold-hearted and un- deserving of her happiness when she could joke about it. Dear little Bess," said Marjorie, with a sudden tenderness, " I shall never have a more devoted lover than you ! " II Excepting Horrer," answered Bessie, with a little sigh Poor Roger ! " sighed Marjorie, in her turn, and looking sober distantly. "Don't let ua speak of him now. And run along, Wessie, dear. I will be down in a few minutes." Bessie left her, and she dressed herself slowly and thoughtfully Mow Miss Montressor would have smiled at that toilet ! It was no such elaborate affair as her own, but consisted mainly of a cold bath, out of which she came glowing and fresh as the morning She coul.t not but smile, as she entered the breakfast-room, to notice the elaborate politeness with which her father greeted her • and then his anxiety lest she was in a draft, or lest she was not eating enough, and the way in which he made Bessie wait upon her Slater The two girls exchanged laughing glances, but made no pro- test, knowing that their father would only find some other and possibly more annoying vent for his feelings if he were checked in this. •' You must take care of yourself, my dear, you must, indeed ; or rather, we must take care of her— eh, Bessie ? " and he chuckled significantly. "I have never been accused of self-neglect as yet," said Mar- jorie, calmly, " and as to my appetite " • ^.^^^topped suddenly, for her quick eye— quickened since last night by the touch of love's finger— saw a stalwart form striding around the patK that turned by the elms. " You must take some more exercise," said Mr. Deane, whose eyes were not f|Uick, and who, moreover, was sitting with his back to the window that commanded the path. " And— er— by the way my dear, I was thinking last night, that— er— you might like to have a little money to-to get any little thing you fancied in the shops, and I ve written a little check. Take it, my dear, and if you want any more ** m 94 MAIUOniE DEANE. w \ tliie to tho title „f her Jover ^h . \ '" **" ""'^"* ^^^^t it was but her father waiv^; iTu^, ^^^'^ '^ ">''^-« - re.n.u.strance ward slu.dder she heard him 4 on P""'P^»«^/. and with ,u. in! -Btn'rSLrS!:a£.f!i^^t"?7'^ "!^^« -^'^-^- ^o" the money in the world. Ha Ja ' ^Tj"'"^^' .°f ""''^ ^ave all outsiders, like ourselves Pntit in %, ' "V^ '*'" * ^^^I^ left for ahem!-rn> thinking of buyinVtVa" mir'./"'^'*' '"^ *^^" = "^"d- otherday ; they're for saie.^I hear T,' [JTi^V"'' ^'^"^''^'^ *''« "» "' "■» 8i.n... In the library, sir " >"«k," he whiierd „'ilh°S3rf,"' ""'^ P'"-"?' and up to the i»e'" meet him iU,. hi„j''°'''°''°"- Ah. "ell! He'll find n.>y /Kt MrD.a!r;CS'„r„f;'' *" "«' fe»'intro„Hed di.. What i, it he mean, to S , °"' »' ''"fl"?- , " What will he say) wa. never like this »hen we-™ "°'"""»<'- " <», Beasie ! He know he will in,„,i sfr R„7-/,''.. '""■" P""'- Ne'er. I know"! under.S.'!;"'"'""''""'<'<*eery little Beaa ; " Sir Roland wiM ieafof a?™,rx'''irre'';i"k ""'', t'^ ""> "">- -««■'- .pecnlating'^, it the t'rnS'he ."old ™'th.!'""»" °'" °' ""> -'"''»"- -oiihl greet her_,t„.ted np erVrnV """'"" '" ""Weh Sir Roland W,„3'S3™' ■■■' ^ "~'«"-" ■ ™a'-it can't be-it i, the ^■'l^I "nllf "'"-iorie. ■• Are yon sure ) ■• " W not tlut aattertin'ncfio^t-;- 'ZClS^^,,,.., '^X.'^f^TZ'^TJJ 6 flushed as tliat it was monstrance, with an in- 'hinsf. You irs hive all ittle left for ear; and — idmired the >rd ! What ke a liberal and though the future Its. winked at d up to the He'll find th an em- ibled dis- I he say ? ssie ! He [ know — I Jiand will m regard - > glanced «findow — r Roland it is the V really ihe is—'" er. Unloaa JilA liJO HIE DEA NE. 95 I am grievously mistaken, she has come to declare war. But not a word to papa of it. Hush ! here he comes with Sir Roland. And before they could enter she had slipped out of the room. She paused a momant in the hall to— well, to gain her flighting breath ; for, like the war-horse, she scented the battle fronT afar! Then, with her face properly composed, she opened the drawinc- room door. ° CHAPTER XVII A PASS AG E-AT- ARMS. TNCLOSED in furs, Lady Chesterton rose from her chair and ■^ confronted Marjorie. For a moment the hard, stern expres- sion m the cold, grey eyes melted. It was impossible, even for this haughty mother, who had come "to save her son " to look upon the girl unmoved by her pure, fresh beauty and youthful, natural grace. For a moment, for one little moment, she flinched, and wished that Helen Montressor had not put the idoa of a per- sonal encounter into her head. Then she thought of Roland, tbought of all she had come to fight for, and hardened herself. With u little icy smile that was meant to be conciliatory, she held out two fingers of her thickly gloved hand. "Good morning, my dear," she said, her voice closely resem- bhng that of the wolf when he accosted Red-Riding- Hood. " It is scarcely necessary to ask if you are better this morning. You look the personification of health." •'I am quite well, thank you," said Marjorie. Then they sat themselves opposite to each other, and Mari'orie wisely waited for the other to open fire. " I was so sorry that you were unwell :a8t night," said my lady, and am very glad to find that it was only a passing weakness But, and she lowered her voice, "but it was not to speak solely of that that I came to you so early this morning. Miss Deane. In- deed, I ought to apologize for intruding at such an unusual hour." I am very glad to see you, Lady Chesterton," said Marjorie. with appaling untruthfulness. " I am afraid you will not be so much pleased," said Lady Ches- terton, smiling grimly, " when you have heard the subject of my ! % 'M m r 06 MA li JO HIE DEAKE. "e?",ald her^ladyahi^rtaS """' '" °""™'" "'» ">»«» from opp™.»r" ""' "" ""' ^-"^ ";= patient «,,.„..,.,„. „, ,^, ,.;, Silence still. position in life, a„d not onlj rfntur« h^/^ "" his prospects and Now Marjorie looked upW spoke ' ^"'^'' ^^^^ ^'''''■" «he «aidTld 2re";tlSh!n/in 'i^." ."'"' ^^^^^ Chesterton," :i:i^an^sr^^:'-^*-l^^ aorry for you- that you should Pvinf ^'^""^ht of you, and felt to think chat such Jn even t th"t of % ™"'"'"' ?^"^« ^''^ ^^^ Holand was possible. But f L Lf • ? •^''"'' "iar"age with Sir ookatthenWerinth^ everew-v^'n *" *^^.th>« tone, or to the quiet night has brought reflSn ^Tii^ 'Tl'^^ ^"^^ '^^^ self see how nnwiae— honT.m.;^ u. ^^*" *t, and that you your- A faint smile, alf ad Hf n ' 'r'', * "^^^^^ '""«t be." ^ "' •'I was asleep all niS,""i;S:' '"'^^^' "" ^^^i^-'^ ^iPB- Lady Chesterton's eyes glittered inovit^;;! ;:rSnc^^;.c;fS^r^s^^ ^^^^--^ -^ Marjorie shook her head ^' ''^ ^*'''"® ^ on, Pleat^'^1';^prl^^srt7^enf ^ '^'^"^^•^*°"- ^^'i" yo» go Lady Chesterton inoUned Lr h *"/"" P'^tiently. " ^ - Thank you," she Tid ' I t?,V" '*"'''^ acknr.wledgm t, ^/Vi;- /^ankly,' I should not have seo„ron";fJ ""?^r«tand each If 1 had not had greater hooes of «,^!L i- -^^ ""Pleasant errand am quite sure that I have nnVL^^'''"^.'." ^""^'"''ing you. I Bchemingyounglady " *'^'^'''' '"^"'' ^ f"^'"Io»8 or a A hot flush rose to Marjori^'s face, and her eyes Hashed. 1 i < 1 { r f i s a E S 8 j< c! iho fjvce with er ladyship, thiny which nd him last ence. natter from k of the fair >land, came his struuge ; poorly to ard that he aspects and Deane." lesterton," ;lear voice f course I first con- i, and felt i been led with Sir •ne, or to h(ipe that J'ou your- e. " fie's lips. ural and 1 you go dgm t. nd eacn it errand you. I >us or a MAlUOlilE DEAXE. 07 ..nlViKble\hU q-'ito sure of that I havu only to point .n.t how isuif.ible this match would bo, ho.v sun ly it w..i Id t-nd in the .l.JM.pn,o.H of both of yo„. to gain yo„r consent to th« bre^k n" of t hia-thiH oniraiiciont, if it can bo called s... Mi,, Doano aCr oland ,s my only son ; he is the heir to one of tho ohK^ t t'e. in to ku.gdom; the Chostortons have hdd tho cstato i ,co n'.;? a^K Ihisnl ,f r P<*«>^'-» ; l^xt I^.la.ul ha. other MMalHlctio, s, he Ih nl n ""'"•*" ■? f ,«»'^^^''^'»=^'' i« beyond .ineBrio,,, unless po«M to ako. M.8S D.ane, ho could (i.ul no surer w:.y of accn- least hia e,|,ial ni birth and station, an.l who should be ,nK.litied to Ukl <) ^'\T«^""» i" ^'i« '--""fy which he h born)d in honor to of hi, S '° n?f '•y "« l"^^ f'-i^'n-'s could wish, there ]« no doubt sitory pa^Mon, or pasiuv^r „.b,„., t.. a step beneath hin.; ho i. lo,t ! 1 Dt!,' 1 implore you t(, consider this. If y,,,, refufle then J most S wi, Vt'ir "'"'' r'''"^"f f- , ''"' ^^'-'^' ' havo'serniore o uie. n ' ^■"" l^'^vo and I, here, sole.unly assure you that no line pulnuirnage can end m happiness, either for one or the other. An Roland ! Ah, you do not know 11 >land I It yrieves me h s Z^ir' y\^r ''' T'"" i }''' ^"'^^''' b"t Sir Roland ZL his h^, f n„ r ";'^ ""^' '• ^. '"' P''"* '^f«' y^"' ^'"^^v nothing of h 3 temperament and disposition, you know abeolutely nothing of h prejudices and syinpathies, and yet you think tl,.t you^can ho d him fast r' ller thin voice rose and trembled ^ th iarnest- ness. \ou cannot do it ! she went on, her hand hvlf-upraised andcpnveMn,.; "you cannot do it ! I, his mother, know some- P^s 1 n ut'-h h^n'^r- f"\V'" >'°" ^''' ^''■^'' "- ' '^-^i^ that passicn which holds him for the moment, and which surely pnssoa away If my son marries you he will grow tired of yon in a S; 'VFt', '^'' ^^I'"i''"e had r:-.n, with white face and flashins,' eyes " I bejr you will hear mo , t. He will tire of vou in a month, he will ^'o back to his old puisuits and friends-pur- suits and friends with whom you cannot associate or sympathize- vonS \ f "^ '^^r '""r. "' ^^''^h y«" ^^^^''^^ hi'" t« deceive no b! Tth b , ^^' ^'^"^' ^ ^^'^ «P"^«" P>"i"iy ; tut is :t not best i Ihink I am a mother pleading for the future of my 80 1.^ Do not look resentful. If I have any need of excuse for spe^K g thus, have I not the greatest of all pleas 1 1 love him > " At this, the hist touch of tenderness in thi^ long haranoue, Mar- jorie winced ; her passionate indignation died out from her eyes • with a sudden pallor and a quiver of the red lips, she sank into the chair, and, clasping her hands, turned away her bead. 1 r i ' 1 fM on MAnjoniE />E.ixi:. m i^'A Jt M;:l;;;i.r" '"^"^' '"'^^ «-"« -or tu hor, .m her I a:^:^r;^^:;';t -;i:^f^,^^; -Uoness .. , bo. yonr p...... """ther ti,ith.,r, als.. witlirZ.ri '^'"'''V'v''^ ''"'"• «'"! Jn.L'L'ii,.' •v-'. No • i.ut' 1 w:.:i I" ,rj' 'unf. ' '''■ ""* '"«"" *" •■-'!' {.'rat.tude; J'ut8.m.oinH/r,;i no?l. T""^ ''^ consolation an.l but i...{.e||,d her to add as « n . '","' ''"^''" ^''" '-'"""^'1' alono , *' My dear," hI.o s I ".-I':, l'i''a ;;,'"?''[' ^""V" ^''" ^'i'"- weitiire. I am very Krateful, very <'rit<.fi,l";,w i t "^ "'^ ^"" » the nsnal commonplace truisms Zm in, i '""Vr ,^ ''•''"""•^ ""er w.l let n.osay that J h,. o (J a / r'J^/r^TH'''"''^^' b"t you lit.e i^ci,!t.,t i,Mo,,rlifu wil l.nnT ''"''^ ^""«^«' tbis-thia each other s., sh„A a ti e th f s i S.? "n'^;. ^'"" '''''^-^ "<""wu has spru.,,, „p ,,„ have a ve 1 ^t^S !' /" ''I'V'i^ ^^"'"'^ *hat wil forgive me. I think I oLhf ?^ Ju'^' "^"^ ^ '^^ hope you spoken of my son's fXo ^^ nfe e s^kc l.?!''" '"'''^ ^. ^^^« "^^ across h,8 path. 1 had strr.n// W,i^ ' ,f ■''»• , ^^"til you came flourish-tJiat 1 shall see liinMu .^7; "'^ ^'•'''^ ^-'^ "^^^ tion in life will be of U 'o gri j !« Vs Itann T",^' ''^^^ ^hose posi- you knew more of my JouL relative M i '' '"'"• ^ «'" «'"■« if I'ko and esteem her.'' ^ ^tlatue, JM.sa Montreasor, you would had grown hanlcr and herder and t hi H "^'';^V^ ''""'J not see" were white and .luiverin;,^ ''i''' ^'^^'^^^ «hut together, . But we must not be neliUh " «-„„*. x, voice, " we must not for-^et Sie\prl? "" "?*" '"■°"^' patronizing trust that, though any tie of rol-,H f • ^u" ^'^''« rendered us. I we shall be Kends ^L fr e i r^l^^l^'^,"'!" "« '« impossible fortunate enough to find a .mT8ui"t..h « Y '° ^"""^'' ^« '"^7 be than my son could possibly have prov--'-'^ ''''^^'''' '''^''^ f"'' >'«" ladyship To stp\°s ifl'Vad be^f stSn^'^r""^ "^^* — ^ h- height, and, with crimson f ce and SSi "'""^ '"^'^ *« ber full f ^ MA/: J ()/,'!/,' /)/■:. I xi,\ oc T, put hor xir p/mloii. >mI(I I do / |<1 ilruL'tfiiii' n to insult iiect'Hsary. iiiiposaiblti arjoric sat t Ikt and lilt ion and "!,'li aiono, hoeliifice. to you for ' my eon's nnut utter 3, but you this— this vo knowu oling that hope you liave not you came will now 'lose p(;8i- 1111 sure if ou wcnild writhing I not see, together, tronizing id UH. I possible, may bo . for you ised her her full ler soft, «a, con- I'ith her ou shall r VViH ,t „„t ,.n. .!:-!. t wii y„u had gained your end / That y-.u had robbed nu, of the only great happiness I hud ever kn<.w., / ^ V i ot enough that you should hun.iiiate me in th. d st e ..re Von tnat 1 was in the dust und„r your feet i No ! you cannot bo c<.n tent-you must tranii)le on me." ' '^ " w..u'ki ?,;;? letihrwiiir^'T r""';","'^'' *" '^'"'-^ f*"- ^''^'^' ^ut she w.M.id not let tho white and tren.l.i.ng woman spo.k yet. .„f : * ** "'"'^ ' ^ '"^'■" l'«'<'''"d to you ; I have listened patiently to every cruel and scornful word/ Now y sL u"e on.. You come to pload tor your son's hap,,iu.88^ yo say L shal ruin hnu and „,al- woman I'ltmy;' ana she that false, lieartless creature of the worhl ' I am tn gu-o him to her. I will not do it ! I will not7 y1 love h m° \ on forget when you h.-aped insult upon insult on me that it w.« c u ' \no7' 'r' ''/!"; ' f' •••- '"- ■' --" r will' ir jv" him up. No ! I would have done it lu- his sake, [ mi -ht have done It or yours ; but-" a gleam of .coin flashed like 1 ghtning n the bright haz .1 eyes-" not for Miss .M.ntressor's " "^'""'"^ ^" i^or a II o.ueut her ladyship was too overwhelmed to retort With her mouth wide open, like the most vulgar of mortals X"st.rod m speechless astonishment at the passionate outbur '; Ln she roused h.r nuuibed faculties, and her thin face grew bar I ml set she Zlo ' "'' "'""'^' '^ ''^^J"'-''^'^' ^'"' '•'^^ -1^ "t'uTd " So tharfc is your decision. You will not give him up aa von an would advise you to hasten the conclusion. Persuade Id to nnrrv you, and earn for yourself, by bitter experience, luvncviS mise y fo lows on such a union 1 Marriage ! " she echoed her face Hushing w.tli the insolence of furious passionate pride - It is niess'^-r '''''' ''^'^''^ -'-'^-^ «-h'- elaborSt" ceremony nd rz'^;:4; 'g-n ? 'r'^ "^^^ '^'^ ^^^ ^oTh s ' anu snr.^nk awaj hvm the furious lace witii a faint cry of dismay. f! II iiii^ II' 100 MAR JO HIE DEANE mother to the 8hdnk^^ abashed \S .T^^l'T ""•'^ ^'^^^ ^^^^^ glance, he stepped forward amMrn '^ '.'"'"' *"''"'- ^* ^^^ "' at a arms, looked over the htS'th ,^ f "" V'^ 7"'^^'='^^"^ ''^"'■° "'♦" his looked at her as he";rev:r1oo't/7efr " '" '"^^* ^* ^^^« "-'''— from ^:^^St^:lTr:, t^T'^'' his eyes glowing clieek. '^"^^' '^ '^f^'* 8P«t of ai,ger on each tanned ci2;^\Sr^^I^^:r^:?XtJl^:f "^-^ -Isinga dennn. ni.sery. This is the resnlt " ^ ^'"^ ^^^orace-her from soothlngfy!"' '" ''^"' "^"*" '^« -f^ brown hair and smoothed it ^^^^triiS^::^/^^ tl. heart that bent so close sobs. - Hush ! Moth.^A^, n'ln 1 , • TT }''''''^ ^'th stifled you said ] Surely y n, kru w If "^^ ^" ^^^ '^''«- ^^'' ^t have go back from my word-mnkl!^ «,'''," '^ '^"1^ '^'^* ^ ^^""'^ were unwelcome. Yo„ ive r f,?« ^°''*i-«^^» th.u.gh its results the door. Marjorie, Zl^^^JZ" ZT^^' ^""' V"""'''"" '« -* mother to the carritUe " "" ^ moment, while 1 take my chL'L'b^irrti:!^ •;i'a;rd 'ml '/ '? "i '^'^"^!,"^-^^ "- •• ^--' >-- go alone." ^^ "^® ' ^"" have deserted me ! I will Go, ffo I >> murmured Marjorie, and she drew away ouch, and then advanced to his " Oh, no ! from him. Roland gently forced her to a mother. -^l^^::^^^^:-^^^^ - full of stern co^: was not whollv^lpl' d:i' TitT ""1 ^ *'" ^^«-' ^^^ "^^ v^om looked at the sittim' ^rl ^' * '"'^^^''^" =^^*"^« «1^« turned and it is noTy "tded '''l ^h":?,' iITT''- ''"" ^'^^^ -"" ^^^ ^^^^ ^ but " Silence ! " hundered H« «?/" ''1 ^?" repent-repent ! ''' the old woman shS witl tf fteff^and ^ l" '"'T^ '' '''.I' ^'^ ^^'^^"^ away. nerseit and allowed herself to be led Ji'-rC""""' '■"" "-'""'' »■«» by Marjorie'. side, tr,i„. t„ had Joi<."Thir'„Srevt'ii?ft,,^°';:' tT'; "^r ''-™" ' I jorie, darlina tro into o \? • , tragedy in that wiiy. Mar- ^•}er.a.fii^rt.°/r°:;-fc,;r:"^°"^^"V^u I-I am not crying." she said at !n=t r^n- T - ^et eyes aud quivering lips. ^^ l" would ilorcryt^r'thJ worrd/' "' t iiS*^ He stopped I face of hia t all in at a uro into his is mother — yes glowing ich tanned iga denun- — her from moothed it ^at so close 'ith stilled What have t 1 would its results u'luiin is at 1 iake my You have e 1 I will few away !ed to his torn com- er venom rned and ^ay ; but of wrath to be led trying to veil ! I . Mar- dy— but with its 'Id/' MAR JOB IE DEANE 101 "Do not," he said pressing her to him. " What can I say, ex- cept to heg your forgivenness for subjecting you to the — this out- rage. Will you ever forgive me, I wonder ] " " Yes," she said, with sudden gayety and a little wilful smile, "it's always the injured one who forgives ; the other never does. She will never cease to hate me, and 1 shall make her hate me worse than ever if I let you stay. Go now ! " and she withdrew her arm ficm around his neck. But he took it and replaced it there. "No," he said. "My mother and I are best apart for a few hours. Besides, 1 intend to spend the day with you, if you'll have me. Perhaps you'll soon tire of having a man tied to your apron- strings." " Do you mean it ? " she cried, a swift smile of delight chasing the grief from her face. " Really ! " " Really ! " he replied. " Go, now, darH'-'g, and get rid of these tear traces, while I talk to Bessie, Do jo .uw, I'm half inclined to think that it's Bessie I'm in love with after all." ]\rarjorie looked around as she left the room and said laufhini-lv " "Don't tempt her." ^ " Roland was as good as his word. For tlie -emainder of that day INfiirjorie held her lover in thrall. At liuichecm and dinner he sat by her side, his eyes scarcely leaving her face ; they rambled tiirou!j;h the woods, side by side, wandering neither know nor cared whither. They went on "the water in the punt, and they sat in the conservatory, where Roland upset the ecjuilibrium of the insect world with the fumes of an immense regr.lia, while Marjorie, under the pretence of watering the H(jwer3, watched and listened to him. With a delicacy that did him infinite credit. Papa Deane took himself oft", no (uie knew or cared whither, and Bessie was careftil to eflace herself generally. They had it all to themselves, those two lovers, and the day, which begun so stormily, passed oil' in a giorious flood of sunlight which Marjorie would never forget in all the years of sadness that were to follow. And at last they stood on the steps, Roland's arm around her waist, her head lying peacefully on Ins breast, so rapt and peacefully that she did not move even when Bessie ran out to remind Sir Roland of an engagement he had made for the morrow. " Mind 1 You said the dog cart, Sir Roland," she called, in her sweet treble, " and only wo three." " The dog-cart it shall be, Miss Bessie," he called back with em- phasis. " Good-night, Miss Bessie Deane ! " "Good-night, Roland," laughed Bessie, who had been teased all day for addressing him by his title, and the two were left alone. " Tomorrow," he said, mup.inHy. " 1 wish it were here. Mar- jorie, we will have another happy day." Marjorie looked up, dreamily. ! ': li 102 MAliJOam DEANE. "Shall we?" she said " Dr^ two such days in succession ? \Jt\^rl ** '' ^''''^^'^ *'' ^^^e possibility of t.o happy days comin^JL^fr""'''"^-,"^^"* ^^« ™- faJl m a week ? " "^ coming together until two Fridays ch:iin;:;iih;;sr""z?r!iit;^/'; ^--— ed, stroking her row. (. ,d.4L, n.yi;i!nnv : i/rr^.^' *^ '^ ^°«^ *— Goodnight," she murnuTred. J ney did not part then, of -on.«o T „, not very often at the se on I ZS-rtZ^'TrA^'^K^'^^ ^''^' ^"^ and striding away, was swalloSd upfn t ,e"dark i*1 ?' ^'' ^'' 8°' Marjr)rie stood watclin.rr li..* ". "I-''" tie dark night. rapt loik on her fat fi^i" r"U'n"\"*''r?^"^' ^^°*«*^P^' *he ihen, with a long sigh, half of yieas™ ha?f ^f' l^"^^-- *° P^"^*" to go in. " pleasure, half of pain, she turned the^Vnrh.s il t:zfs '^^^ ^^^*^ --^-^ *« ^^oot out of ground ^^lth a staTt revoked ^fonrd °a, *,'f.'"^°"'' ^^" *° *'- ing frightened into runnin^r awa^ ^ ' ^"^ ^hen, instead of be- me, only, ,vri„„ri„ » m«uX„,i aT t fir,', T """'»»(««'>" to recgn.zo it, and hastily clapped her hi^ J ? "™ •^° '"""'' press the cry that rose to herii,,, '' '" '"" '""""i l" '"p- I.on;tLli:!,;:;„'i':,K:;S"ZiS?/''Yiver.o^.orro»a.,,,„.et. That was all the note said hn+ I ''"' '° danger." and trembling to the wall h^r hLd unoV h '""? *"^^"*^ ^'' f^'"* fitaring out into the darkness ^ ^^"^ ^''^''* '^^d her eyea n CHAPTER XVIII. TffE nEAUTY PLAYS HER FIRST CARD. VYT'-f^ EN Sir Roland r.fched t'lQ Wnl.l nf(. - • , . ^ ^ that night, he woul. LaL i ,cl, H'f ^^' "^."'"S Marjorie h.s own room ; bn inoral ^ . rcl'c3 u.!\F f '""'^/."•'"g '^"'^''^'y ^^ lie stifled tho desire for con '■ ""* ""^ '^^ ^is failings, and tor com.oi., uad went at once to the drawing- ,Mi MARJOUIE DEANE. 103 ble to have out the im- vvo I'ridaj'a broking her )8h to-mor- e first, and let her go, tsteps, the ' to paint, ihe turned oot out of fall to the Jad of be- expected, lay at her liope, she e of a few Q seemed h to aiip- ^t sunset. her faint her eyes farjorie JCtJy to ^•s, and awing- room, determined to face the worst and have it over. He was pre- pared to say Eome very plain and peremptory words to his mother, but he liked L13 task so little that he was glad when he opened the drawing-room door to find it apparently deserted. With a si^^h of relief he turned to go, wiien Helen Montressor rose from alow otto- man, which was hidden behind a screen near the tire " Hello ! " he said. ^' I thought you had all tied the festive scene. • ." ^'u'" s^e answered, softly, " I am still here," and she advanced into the soft light of t!ie candelabra. Roland looked at her absently at first, and then more fixedly, for Bomethiiig in her appearance forced his attention. She was in eve- ning dress, a robe of some softly delicate fabric of a rich, subdued hue, draped her tall and exquisite ligure. On her neck, which rose like a column of white marble, gleamed a necklace of dull gold set with diamonds ; a dead white flower nestled in the gold of her hair ; and, more beautiful and potent than all else, a smile full of subtle sympathy showed in her eyes and rested on her lips Unconsciously the absent look faded from his face and gave place to one of frank admiration. With a sudden sense of reproach he remembered how he had deserted his guest for one whole day, and, with a half repressed apology in his voice, he said : " All alone ! That is too bad ! I am afraid you must think me a perfect bore." She shook her head slowly, and smiled. "Do not say a word," she said. " Why should you ? There is no apology needed between us." A "lAi'',?^ '^".T *^""* ^^'^*'" ^^^^ ^i^ Roland, shaking his head doubttuify. I ve beea guilty of the most abominable selfishness. 1 suppose my mother has gone to bed. Where is Reginald ] " " \n the smoking-room. He stayed as long as he could, and then 1 sent him away, in pity for him." " ^P'l.y'^? ^** "P f"^ ™®'" he said, looking up at her half re- morsefully, half gratefully. " Yes " she answered, smiling pleasantly. " I have a message to deliver from Lady Chesterton." "A message / A declaration of war to the knife, I suppose. Of courss she has told you' of the scene she made at Harley House ? " . and Sir Roland bit his lip. " Ye-es, she told me there had been some unpleasantneiis. I am so sorry— so very sorry it should have happened." She looked at him with an expression of frank sympathy. " And this is my mes- sage : She bade me to tell you that she also was sorry." " What ! " with incredulous surprise. " Yes, she is very sorry. It was done on the impulse of the mo- r I 104 MA RJOIUE DEA NE. rrAr/uSri^i; ""?-«<>■• «>»' -..her of y„„ ,„«, k„e. She nu,at be ill.'' ""'^ ""'' ^^"^^"''- "My mother apologizing ! "She ia very much nnnof " ^^a n a .H.appoi„tn/nt i^.^TS oTlSll ZlV/'^'i " '' ^^« ^^^^ the fact, that she— th'it ivo nil i > , !* """ *^*"«« ^"r annoyance in " Great things ! '.elt tJ , 's"m'1 '"" ^'T' ''""^'« ^^«'" /«" -earth do yoL.ea„ rUd"S.^J::r^i -P;^^^^^^^^ the liood7orthe";5;rjen oV'4aii"?''^''" "'' *" "^'^"'^ "^ i^""'=''^«« !l me. Rolaiirl '• =!,„ -„:j _ -,, . . " n,,.,'J r v-'^-uii 01 Spain (■' " •■ """ " cation:" ' ''' ^"""-^ '^''^ '-'' I^ol-uV she said with a aoftdepre- Angry with vou ? TV t t, "I'gratetul beast if I were for r k.! y°"/ P^'-'^o"- I should be an Uiother's cl.anoo of heart/ p^.r.iVonlfnrT' ^"" *^"'''^»'^ ^«^ "^7 he said, putting his hand on he? Ir.n ^Hf/''^^"^' «« «el'isli, Helen/' how cold you are > C m^ n .." "' ^'^ earnestness. " Whv his knees LdXred the' reatT '^'1 ^'•«''; .'^"J he went down o^rl and he drew her cl air wklk „Z '"''^^ "^^'^ ^ ''^^=^«- Come r' The beauty iau-died sof i Iv n ^i '^''If'^'^^^. *« the glow, red, leaping ^tireli^hCwh-ffen'^n w ^'^ °V ^^'^'' "^^"*^ ^^'"^'"^^ to the quisitely beautiful face "^^"'^ '^^''^^^^ ^^ <^olor on her ex. "I am rather cold." noUo^„?r'" "'"' "« ■"" W» hand on lier arm ag.in ; but it was LJiit never mind m» " oi,„ • i .""o»-rs'- meabuut Mi,rj„ri" •• ' ""''" '° "" '■adulating voice ; <■ tell nnj:. •; M... D J/e .atv'^'^b'lil.J;;':!-* "P '"» ""nl l» «how her A smile of scorn aivpi-it f,^^ „ i" " Indeed, lie J^ ? o be Z'TolZ''' *'^ '^"'^^^^'^ ^-e- iievolent father-in-law in fLf it V S^^neroua-to play the be- of iifty thousand poinds? oTlJetlilf'^f 1° T^' ^« ^ P^^' ent for;:^:sppaii^^^'7^^;jhe^H^^^ that as to hraiJing mo iiftv thZlr u ^'''^ amount also • but -It was not to be thought of ''' °" ^^^'^^'^'^ ^^ ^^. "« a dowry MARJORIE DEANE, lOd quite knew remorse and apologizing ! Jt has been nioyance in m yoii. Y- " What princess of soft d epre- ould be an fink for my ih, Helen," . "Why. It down on Come ! " fids to the on her ex- biit it was \ and the 56 ; " tell 'ds called show her ce. ^ the be- k present nir wed- larjorie, so ; but a dowry One hundred thousand pounds this underbed girl was to have ! Helen set her teeth hard, and a jealous, envif>us fire consumed her. " Aud so my mother has withdrawn her objection. I cannot un- derstand why she should have objected so strongly in the first place." "You see," said Helen, looking down, hesitatingly, "she knew so little of her— knows so little of her now. Of course, she has told you all about her paat life ? " "No-o," said Roland, fidgeting with the poker, " I don't know that she has." " No'! " with a faint smile of surprise. " No 1 Girls are usually so communicative under such circumstances. I should have thought she would have told you everythinsi— concealed nothing." " Everything ! Concealed ! What on earth can she have to conceal ?" The beauty looked at him out of the corners of her half-closed eyes, somewhat as a cat might look ah a mouse with wiiieh it is play- ing. She noted the annoyed way in w'lich he fingered his mustache. "Conceal ! Oh, nothing," she answered, with her soft liugb. " Though I think no girl can reach womanhood without having something +o conceal ; and her life has been so— so— varied. Ro land made an irritable drive at the logs with the poker. " Aud, of course. Lady Chesterton is only too ready to he suspicious, and will have it, though 1 have half-laughed her out of the idea, that Mar- jorie is something of a flirt. 1 tell her that she has only seen her twice, and that one must not draw conclusions from a girl's conduct at a ball. Of course, there will be rumors about new people, but it is ridiculous to listen to them. " " Rumors ? " he repeated, gnawing his mustache and frowning at the fire, as the barbed arrows insinuated themselves into his mind. "Rumors ! her past life !— a flirt! " shot through his mind, ami recollections of the locket, and the embarrassment and the trouble his speaking of it had caused, rose up before him. "Absurd, isn't it?" said the beauty, smoothing her dress and turning the rings on her white fingers. " But Lady Chesterton will forget all her wild suspicions and prejudices now, L am sure. We must do our best to dispel them— for your sake," and her voice dropped. He looked up, half curious, half anxious. He was not thinking of his mother's suspicions, but of the locket — the confounded locked for which he had dived, and about which Maijorie had maintained so mysterious a silence — for it s >emed mysterious now. " 'Pon my word," he baid, with an uneasy laugh, " I'd better get Marjorie to write a short account of her life up to present date, so th.at my mother may he satisfied," . "Do not," she said, with a playful shake of the head. " Believe G » '.y 106 i ij! J J MAUJOniE DEAXE. Maru.ri. „„ „!,„ :_ •> ."^ f J/^^- ^^^ the past rest, Il„)and, and take •re she is pretty enough to make arjorie as she is. And I am 81 retreated before s^"h .mttS ' " ^''' *^'"" ^^^ «!""* ^vouldhave poo:-Vh!w7""'''''" ^'' '""'^^ ^"'•"•'y 5 " «he has been crueJly used, -^^^" -Sl'wni W^:;'^:!^"^ ^"-^ behind the , 7VeS;;jSttn;?;i;r\u;d^'^ir^^^' withse,f.seorn. lau.^h that stung 1h„, ,„,,,„ j''*^ .;7'«' f h«^ answered, with a little have been LfiUlyTLr'' ' '''^" ""^^'^"''Set your kindness. You Hi^ilufLa^hSd'h^'j;" '"'^ ^'"^ '''^'^ ""^ '-^ hand, fingers seemed to cling arouuf his''' TI. "'"'' *?^^ ^^^'^ «°^^- "^^'^ indescribable delight in ]u,ldsrb . iV' '" '''^''"^^^ ^ nameless, m one's palm ; but when S-i Sl? ""^' '^'" ,^"''*^^» ^"^ 'i*^« coldlj^ . quence, which a woman's I ,nd ST ,'f'T' "'^*'' ^^'^ ^^'''"t elo- which it is d,flicult to ,esist ^"''^^' °^' '' ''''''^' a fascination iu;?:tl.^t!i^s:;;'iit^:^^?.;-:f--thi3witha,entie. certainly a kind of spell fell over him ^'' ^^'^^ ""''^ "»«'«* i his i|,;r'-"^»"'^'" ^^" -^' -^ - he-arose he lifted her hand to drew ^^i^^:;:^7Zt^::::'::^s^'7:r'^ ^^'^ "-^^^ -^ «he around his with a sidde p " s re I ''* T"" ^"^^'^'^« «I««e and Roland, with a at- rt ihn,?L «■ .i "''''"^nt after she was crone he.sat over the ,\:, ttet' uS t/^t J .^s i^^rVb-^.Ts But.TT'';?"' ^'^"^ "^^""^'^ted into]! itl '^*^^^"^^^h^'^«°"Jy puS i«r^?t^^t?,t?to by the vision of Marjorie's tiie beauty had ceased to cfss o a ll f '^- ^l]? *^«'"^^P ^^"g before quited love and envious jealousy '"*^' «elf torture Sf unre- i ^ *' i MARJORIE DEANE. 107 nd so on, would ''and, and take notigh to make so wonderfully itit Would have a cruelly used, er behind the aelf-scnrn. J. with a little that Marjoiie If. hope you will —this matter. iduesa. Yon md. '0 soft, warm a nameless, I it lies coldly •t silent elo- a fascination 'ith a gentle, ^ere moist; ler hand to ck, and she iugers close e was gone, elapsed, as h her softly Marjorie's long before re of unre- CH AFTER XIX. THE HUNTED MAN. TIDUNCTUALTTY was not as a rule one of Sir Roland's virtuf a. ■*- but on Iho following morning ho was as piuichial as time itself, as (m the stroke of eleven ho drew up in front of tiarloy Houte and wavfd a saucy kiss to Bessie, who stood waiting for him. A moment later Marjorie apjieired, looking somewhat pale and anxious, as it seemed to IJoland; but the iiist'int she looke I up into his eager face the color Hew into her own, and nothing but happiness shone upon it. "Good gracious ! " she exclaimed, with a laugh and a stare, as she looked at the dog-cart ; "how are we to get up I Have you brought a ladder / " " No," he answered ; "you bargained for the dog-cart, and here it is. It is just as well you should get used to it, my lady. There's a step down there ; you can -lee it with the naked eye if you look closely. Put your foot on it and give me your hand." The next moment she was by his side, and Bessie, scorning advice or assistance, hiad clambered up beliind. But even she lookecl down from the terrific height with something like awe. " Ready ] " asked Roland. " Then otl' wo go. Don't be fright- ened ; the Dutchman always goes oti' at first as if he had been fired out of a gun, but he's as kind as a kitten, and twice as playful. Not frijihtened, are you, dear i " •' Not at all," answered iMarjorie, with a look that seemed to say that she never could be at his side. " I thought you looked pale. Not w^orrying about my mother, are you ? 1 told you sh? would be sorry. She is very sorry ; and she sent her best wishes to you this morning. " " Did she ? " said Mai jorie, gratefully. " That was very kind of her — very ! What made her do it, I wonder ? " It was on the tip of his tongue to say " Helen Montressor, but he stopped in time. " Oh, my mother is not an ill-tempered woman. Hasty, perhaps. We are all hasty. That's one of the troubles you will have to bear. I ought to have told you that we Chestertons are a jealous, hot-tempered lot — always were." " Thanks. Forewarned, forearmed, 1 must be careful to conceal all my peccadilloes. " t ; raw* 108 MA i: JO HIE DEANE. of the excuse, wander, 'lu^, ] i"? '^'^'' ""^"^"•■"'y, his eyoa. Rl„d graceful ii«„re. "' '^'"^"^'^. over wJiat wna visible of the Bessie insisted on my wearin.r if^ir ^ ^ '"" '''^■" « "I'lmmv. tl'ec ear child luissncldenlyas^jLi;;L'''TK"''''''^''"*'^^ watches n.e as if I wore iif he h f H '''f"'}'y'^ ^ mother, and course not ; and I an, „ot .,"f,?,, t°T,,ll ' '" ,',"''° ' "" ' No, „f Marjono, .hile hi, hoaj h„l b"« .n,,l ^l 'i*'" I"' «••'"?. f.T ,.n«/a:. ?!., :t rstrS' •;:;;",' r ? "-»■• «»'■. ti,o„, give nie notice n time for if o k "'^7^''^- Jf y^" do see anytliin.r shot ont like a ba-r f c' « n. ''i' ^'"'^ ^"•'^"^'' J'-t's^ie will be " I hear," said fj™ rl;i-i , ^"." ^'^^^ *''''^^- ^^^'ssie ? " ., and shall Su iS^'StlTS^ " '"^^ ' '""'' --• ^'^ --PPed Presently they came to a ste^n J^'.-n „„j r, , . up Pi tl — 1 leatner bed." "*«i'pcu Dutc^iTaSofc^^ratrwllP '"^' ^"^ ^^^^^ P-suaded the lite a !^tu "SX^C 't^^t i:^^\ ^-- ' I^ i« are we now? Haven't we coil: ™Sai;e '^' ^•^"'''- '''^''^^^ i es, we are on Whitelv Heath " n,?f ^^"^'^ ' . , part of the est.-) te. " ^ ^- ^ ^" ^« considered the prettiest ^^^^Zr't S:ShJ^^^^ -""^^ -^th a start, wavedhiswlnpindifferentlyto Seeas and' ^°l' '"" «ee," and he Maijorie was silent for a moment I I ''f*- ence on the broad range of tiilSn d i' *""'" ^'"^n from the tmln- hon.estead after honiestead, ,tado l ^oil!?'""" ^^"" ^'''' ^'^rm, wood stretching into wood-sh "realized fl'^ T"^ .meadow, and and power of the man wl Je wiffs, e Ja *^^ s^^« >^as to be-the power and :^ 'd on him un- Ms eye3, Rlacl visible of tho nr two of her <•> a mil m my. iitfihio reason I mother, aud I'action. Aro If the horse fionest, open -'11 have such 311 / No, of tho matter, »■ softly, fur Ookiuir loiKt liish. Then, before her, ck eye had 'eaiiytliiiif,', ssie will be 'ra wrapped auaded the sie ! It 18 8. Where le prettiest a start. >j" and lie the fmin- fter farm, dew, and ;he wealth ower and MARJOniE DEA27E. 100 wealth that she would share with him. For a full minute she wan daunted, ovcrwlieliiied by the extent of it. " Surely," alio said, hesitating, " this does not all belong,' to you r' "Yes, and there's more of it on tho other side of tho hill," ho aTiswerod, laughin;:,' at her wonder. "Our land joins the Hull land, you know. It's a wide i)rr)Hpeot. I think it is tho most im- ])o8ing of the Chesterton i)roperty, but my iiioHier considers the W'arwicksliire estate to be the larger ; and so it ia by the map, but you can't see it all at once as you cxn this." Bessie, leaning forward to listen, gasped for breath ; IVIarjorie remained silent. ^ For tho tirst time, slie realized and undtrttix.d Lady Chesterton's disipijointment and mortilication at her sun's marri.ige with such an insigiiiliciint body as herself. "Von will see tho Rood— that's tho pbico in Warwickshire- some day, very soon, I hope," and he smiled so signiHcantlv that Marjorie's face flushed, " and vou will jnd-e for yourself. F..r nn part, 1 am attached to tho Wold, and this, lllit," and his voie" sank, "ycju shall choose for yoursi'lf." "Oh, no, no ! tiot I ! '' atid .Marjorio shrank tinii.lly, He lauu'hed merrily, and suggested that she might like the vil'.. which his fuller h:id hidlc at La,'o Mag,'iore. " Have you any more iilaces, .Sir Uulaud I " asked Bessie, amilin- but awe-struck. " One or two, IMIps Bessie Deane. But hold tight now, for her. is a hill the Dutclinian considers it his bonnden duty to spin dowi at the top of his sp;ed." At the foot of tiio hill tho chestnut did not slacken his speed, bu' flew on at a pace that seemed to set the hedges tiding past them Then suddenly a noise broke upon their ears— a confused blare o voices, and the clatter of rouuh mu.sic. Then a bend in tho roa' brought them, much to the astonishment of the two girls and to tlx disgust of tho Dutchman, upon a country fair. It was in full swing— roundabouts, menageries, wax-works, penir. shows, shooting g dleries, and Aunt tiallys. Mingling in Strang' concordance with the human voices, was the lowing oi cattle ana the bleating of sheep. It was a sight entirely novel to the two girls, aa Sir Roland h id expected it wculd be ; and Bessie, at tho imminent risk of her neck. stood up, clinuing fast to tho rail, and was speechless with delight. But presently she recovered speech, and broke out : "Oh, look, Marjorie ! Isn't it glorious? It is like a scene at a theatre. They will all come forward and sing a chorus directly." " It is to he hoped they won't, for that would be the last straw for the Dutchman. Ste.ady, old man !— steady ! Sit firm, Bcssio. You are not frightened, darling ? " i \\ I no MAUJOIUE DEAXE. ' I i will n.ako wuy." '^ '' ' ^^" «''" ^'^ rijilit through it if ihoy ^fZ z ir ,rt ;;r;sj^5h;^ ii"^^- ^^ «--- - the «oIu as a block ,.f wood, cliviUe fan u "''^'^' **>"' '""J^«d U8 rmhoa to l/arj„ri,-, fLeL »."!,- ..."""' "'"' "'" "'"'•»" pi-w the .,e„v, o, „ c„;:;;r;: :iT'l'"5,,si,n"\C ;• »: »:.i,jri't ac.-' i.':r;;„.'™i ^ '^-'""o. -h iii.p,e..e.,, for a sweetheart." tUngcrous to have a pretty woman thS'hf £ S^S^lh?';\^-/' '-* -'^e his way on hand now. " ' ''''" ' ^^ ^'^ °°'"'^ bade I've something elsa ^J^S^l te :f\^t^^,Sr'^ ^-te. for it was a was altogetlK-r delightful and ^ 7^ J w/,"1'''°'* ''^ '""3. It have orgo.ten the fair fMrrte who h'^K '^ ^^'^ ^°"'d no uneasiness, had not asked af last if ?^! been showing signs of adding, timidly : ^''^^ " ** ^^as not time to go home '' By Ssel"" ' ~t ^T't^ ^' ^"'"^ by subset. " f,r , ..^ "''^«^* • «°hoed Bessie, staring at her. « What on earth an& H^^^^g^ir^gSS^^^d^ ^r^ ^* «^r I^o^and gave her a cheery nod, and wen 'afi 'l^'^'v.^''"'"" wondering, brought around. And preset t X *° ^';^« *'^« Dutchm^ again, and the chestnut, En. [J hT«r'\'"" ^° *^^« d%' ^art niood, and went through he rnJ 3 „^h,/,^"'''t""' ^^^ ^'^ ^ better wanted to eat them all up, o? a? he Wn ^"'"^s leas as if he ^^ " I do think," said Bessie " thl^ ^''^'*.^alk over them. the world. I think ?t mu?t b'e i 1 ffnn ^r^'M^' ^''^^''^ t^^at in fair every day of his life" "' ^"" *" ^« *^^* <=Iown ; he has a ho ha^i ;;si,«ir "is^/sts;,:/^? ^^^ ^ ^^ --^ ^^ ^^ 'ften Ion .'Oil to uiiJ aiie IdokoU fiigh it if Ihey loonor was the thiit looked (18 o, while hands «ir Uoland," niled as eveiy Hdiiiiration of 1 the cfimaon r the dogcart d in a stage Heaven bless it ill-pleased, )rotty woman ifide hia way ey drove on, mething elsa for it was a of inns. It e would not ■'DS signs of o go home, lat on earth Sir Roland wondering, Dutchman 16 d(ig cart in a better as as if he Q. !St treat in ; he has a i'ery day if MAUJORIE PEAXE. m For just in front of thorn, in the very thiekost ..art of the crowd it^' u;;r,;,;'i;;t'herKr'"'^"""' ^^^^^'^ ^^"^^^^ "- chestnurtoTh'; ^^^'^£Jr£::^, Ks itT'"'^ '''^'''- " '' '-'^« ''^^ * !! M '^;^*'°'''* ^ " '^^ked Marjono, gently, i -0 ■ }. f J!' ""'?/" ?"■"'"'* unaccountable mannef the fngi- ind^r^rtiitrfhS.^^^'^' '^""^'^^'' ■'-' «"- -- ^^--'i Ah ho did 80 he looked up, looked up with the white set face of a rn r T"';?'^ Marjorie,who had bent as far cAva d a3 he could w.th safety, sprang to her feet and uttered a strange, wUd Se o»t8trechod hands, stoppe.l short^ith startled sur It was a fatal pause, for the soldiers, thrown back hv fbi« unexpected double, regained their lost grouud, a?,d were aim I? uponlmn. Another moment and they woulcM,rvo had hluTn SS^on;-: wU^^U^"-^ -"-'^ agoni^/eitlJ^^- Oh, savi him ! save him ! " m^lV h T ''"'"^""g y^Jl they closed in one compact, immovable pri;t:e' ■«=" j.s^.l';:;.";:;';! .^"'' ' ''™'' ''"°''- oontou„d ,1.. ,„„„„ , a '"^^o.!-^;ss::rS SSr-'^s- man %i„„ tr,„„ the fair '^' °° ' "'"' " ""'^ ''» «el Ao Dutch- •■D,f;:,f;::,r:;;7t„t!.7,',;j; -;;;.»» .hey*»rcd *, crowd. louk ii; he, dark eye ' *"" '*"■ •>"' »'"> • '«' '"ay "TI' :"■:■!,•,"« ""■«■> h» e;r u^pt fSr^ ""'■ ^™ y»" very on df.e„vU,';LT:^y"'r;i„";'j;.: ntr;' 'r'^r^- > " -^^ t... see a nmn chased fop hT»° iif« ^ifk.'""./''"''" '» allow her behalf 1" "" '"'• ""Iwut utteriDg a cry in his ceZSveij by'.il'.t: '"•™*'"'' """ "«'» •>«»■. "•"tcl.n:, !.:„. reach home." °' "^ twenty miles atray before we tim^^^S in!;;t:° ' " ^^^ ^*'^' '" * ^-^^ ^^^^^^ -^^ ehe stole a ' Rolftii.l, half Klr.iw Ilia liiiiid ill ovor. Tlie Loan ai;fain8t a — a Hiiiellitii^ horao's IkmuI, lose elForta at liis rt'inaiiiing nything alxmt I ara- -ain for his safety had not aoen a follow ? A J making t'le " A deserter, r the youug ) have him." )od fellow, if Hohind, his 5t the Dutch- J the crowd, around her. ;h a far away ft— it fright- ^re you very 83 ; " angry to allow her * cry in liia itcLji;^' Lm 1 so. Make 7 before we she stole a MA/,'JORff'J DE.tXE. lis CUAPTER XX. BKFOUE SUNSET. ...... .':Lr„,S':;;;;;l;'.',t ■;;;;. s, 'v;, -riir-i^,; s>^^ m,c„,„ci,M,.ly sl,„ Imd „Ltw" r.„r t° Is .Mo N,"!'?' "'"' "''°°," "I" "„^, ^ EX'' '>--'^'-"« c„.!;;:^e orir-S; a ]onr;rJ!'','Vfr^' ''"'" '"''^'^'"^ '"^'^ "'«<^ contented silence which :,p nip etLT,. .n;-= ;::ii.,;u;Sc,f=, ^° '- ""•' He looked thoughtfully at tlie beautiful face. .; Are you happy ? " she asked. than iSerVe'rhV'"?/^""^'^* ^^ P,°^^^^'« ^°' '"^ *« be-happier to laugh at love • Thin? TZT'l' fervently. - Marjorie, I used ouch Wn. a love tL f wL .1 f r'^ '^^^ *^=^^ there'was no that no i^n ^rno;* * . 'f-' "^'.* fictionof loving and being loved: love. Th.t i^a.auio;oa^^;fo;::n:urSM:;;^?r^?'«;r 114 ! 1 MARJORIE DEANE. cou»,i„,„„r Ll",;' r"uri,r''' '""'°'' """°»' '""""^ bun,. ,,i.,„ve „,,o,,.hCA^^';„3';*ir'""''° ''"''''""• »o much „t ,„y li e°^B»hi K I?llf,"'°' A '''?"''' k"™ ™'e' th.nking of," and i„. rose aoe„af„g,y S.^'SS' "aSaCr™",'.'" '5° ""'' P?" "yes, there must be snm« ,>^r,„r^ i 1 ' "® ^'^''i' musmy y, wish that the vail couirbe Zwn "'" ""'' V P""'^' ^ '^""'^ no the follies of an il?spent life Liff. tV'"^ "^"'. T-'i" «^>°">d see hve until I met yon. my darHn.^' ^' ' ^* ""'' ""* ^^^^-^ ^id not " IU;"ru "-' Le're^S.^'i^Vhal' ^""T'^'' ^"->^^- life sweet. Now I-^-'^nd hi A "« "^^J^^^t-nothing to make earra'r-f - - p-"-.t:. f.'i^^^^^^ ,, „„,, tion that requires some abstruse calcuhtion T 1 ^ \* "l"®^" you are— yourself • I love vn. L? ' "^ ^''^^ y^u because that one siul for which Sia.r"'' y°"u^'' "^^ second self- the poet says ? iVsed t^laulh .t fh ''^'f'^^S-J^ not that what iu them after all. Marlor^e vou^^ , *l' ^"1*'- ^^«^« »« something He said it almost aSupUy ^'^'' ^''^^ '"^ *« ^ ^^^^ V^n ! " smnr'tfecJuriirLrow/^"^^^'^^"^ ^^'^-^ - ^-wistfui not onir;iu^:fff &;; tt ;tity wisr^"^^- " ''•/«^^"«" y-- 1-« sophy. I love you because all vrmrHf^r P^T'^'^Y- that's philo- book, plainly writ, pLT o read M 'if ' ^t'' ^ ^'^' ^'^ «?«" me so little of your pas I feel tha f] ^ ' ""°^ ^^^ ^^""^ t^^d " Concealments - " she ediol «1 ? •'"'" ",*? concealments." sank. ^^^ ^''^''""^> '^I'noat maudibly, and her eyes schLitu.r'f ptThosX ' bi* t"'-"'' ':?" *'^« «-« «f y-- much to hide and burv vnn\^ ' A ? '"^''" *'^at though I have Darling, I could noT^a'r hat y'orste-, h' ^'^' ^" «?- ^^k? me. It would be the delth-blow " f. f''^ any secret from a heaven above us. I ^'^\l::^:Sr L^f^^ 't 1 repay hia worship rhat is the creed 'o\v creed it ia ! ithout reserve or jssible and he he beauty of his trician breediri" ed all these years )uld have wasted ting of," and in- of the wild past I said, musingly, ft. I could not ; you should see t life— I did not humbly, lothing to make th. her; her color so?" "That's a ques- 've you because y second self — s not that what >re is something is I love you ! " in her wistful oving you, love '. That's philo- iie like an open you have told ncealments." , and her eyes he sins of your though I have an open book, ly secret from for, as there is i I— but to my MARJORIE DEANE. h the ,M happy day of J,„ ,ife , "S^n™ ) "^ ''""'" »!'» »1»«1 tl.i,, lian.l carcssin, her, toll him t hat K' """ ""> »!'». wiHi liii " f;' '■'"<'• •"•" «"■ Sho wSi "• '"' • *'""» °"'« ti,„, 1 u oomethiiinr to tell ma ; » i • ■, ..jv ,„_., m,( ho saul, with a .earchh,™ .,„ile. -t',?,T;7thi'h,s';;i 'T,"ir-i ''v- --';^-:o hi. ;y ^^i^i^^;:^::^ «f„^„?»"' -i* a rapt he v- ^^'3 a. norror of horBea e\ ana Harnessed to a heavy kndai, Ti,; """•' "'° ="'Ui-aKe ones If ahe was going to be atrapS n /, ?T'™".- ^'« ^^^^^^ MarjoS was not, he turned pale. At th 1 nr l'''"" '^^"^ ^^^^ ^^^"1 that si e winch of us has broken hef neck Snd ^?* '""'"""' ^^« ^« wonder n' Sir .,1 d laughed and gave ft^ fJ''!::''^ I.^^'^'* ^r-rjorie." ° lif ed her down, which he did asif sh ' u " u^f ** ''^'^'^'^^ ^^^en n, . I pity your husband, whoever h '"I'' '=^'''^- sie," he said, "ho will 1 aTe a Jeal f"'^ ^"^^P/" *« ^e, Miss Be.- ahow papa that your neck is n' t br oL n' "^^' ■ '^T' ^^^ -d Oh, he doesn't care so much fnr • ^""^i-'^ght." Bu you are not going ye You wm"r^ "7': ''^t^rted Bessie. lJutchman in our stable LoV Th "^7 ,«'ay I You can nut tho Roland 'Aavced -if \r ■ • ^^o'^as take him=-do ^ Wewasnot£-tife«;---.^;^^^^ ill Pi ]1G MAIlJOniE DEANE. "No-o, thanks," he said, might kick your atables down. 1 J'll take the Dutchman home ; he J . , - ■" Perha|>s I may come in later " he said 111 a low tone, to Marjorie. ' " Will you I " she said softly, s/ivin;? him her hand bo?'.? nin"''"'' ' ^^ P'"''"'-^ ^'' ^^^"^ ^""".^''y- ^"d mounted the ,ielVinvl?/?J"n ?? present "ho said, raising his hat, and the next ins' ant the Dutchman hud dashed away At the bend Sir Roland turned around. IMarjorie was still stand- ^lovtd 1 a nd-the hand he had been holdini;~to her Hps. And .. unt, hHw.sqnitoontofs.ghtdidshe enter the hall As she Old so, l>.,ss,e camo bounding out of the dining mom. vv« iff^'^M"" ' '" '"'T', •'^^^'■J'^'-'e- H*^ ^v.nn to L mdon soon after UteloVhln.:".;';^ ^^^^ '^« ^^^^^^'^ «-- ^-•^ 3-.. I^a "Ves," answered Marjorie, absently. " He will be here by dinrer- ;:: t^^W o?^ho^;;;!rr^' '- -'' '-- "-- ^ " ^'- askedf p lus^ kept silent. A word from yon would have done it ; I wonder you can bear him out of your sight." »" iu«-i jou " ,^''['"P^I ■■^.'» ""*^ S'> "i"^'!! in Jove with him as you are Bessie " ' nS:nSz;;Jr^ ''-'- - ^ '-' ^" '-^ ^^^' *^-^ ^^^^^^ ao^:;o^;;xj:|rti:-r:? 1;:^ ::;ii;ri?t;;^^s ..1 a long, fur cloak, exchanging the rather jaunty ha 'fo <^e o sober propor ions. Hi. then pulled dnwn her vail and sto d not disgu.sed, still nnl.ke in .Tu.line the neat young kdy who a few minutes before had stepped down from S,r ilolaml's do" cart and few persons would have recognized her at a glance " ' CHAPTER XXT. '■Jpttmi JX TIIK WOOD. W",u^ Sir Roland reached home he took the Dntelunan ints fortable LTl\ "' ?" ' !'' 'T ^'T l"^^^^ ^"^^ '^"^ made com- tortable, and then turned into the house. In the hail he met 1 i MARJORIE DEAXE. hman home ; he me in later," he id. id mounted the lis hat, and the > was still stand- she put the iin- her lips. And e hall. As she n. iflon soon after back yet. It's hereby diiiiior- asked, pausing ssed first. Oh, why didn't you • you, and you ; I Wonder you m are, Bessie," that belied her heard Bessie's trapped herself hat for one of 11 and sto'ul, if iig lady who a aud's dog cart, ce. I Dutchman inta nd made com- > hall he met 117 a^.ff Se";;^'"""'^'^' ^'^^ ^' ^^"^^ i" '"« P«^ket3, looking tired have^?'""'" ^" "^'"^ ' " ^^'^ ''^=^'" ^ ^^''^'-^t sc.rt of a day did you thr^i?;Sf^;C'^.^"^^"'^- "I'- half ash.:med to look you in w,th little Maud wiai^^l^ L^st'^s^f-at R deJ^S.^ ^'^TS i)]ipai)^nf« i>„ +1, ^"* iiti\ ng It n,)w, tiir 1 ni knockni'r over hir^HeV^i^h'tt^'TiHyr''' '"''"• «'"-'"'• ""•' '"' "'" J-' 'it« sj^^^:,f xsi 5E^S ^;■'-^-^- io;h'etd"'a;t™''°"""' """ ' """"- " "« "'°"SW of the new Btarl by the next vessel ! " f^' ""'''"' )""" ''''« «> NVHhn'lyLtrrpe.r;.''^''""''' ""'^ *»' ''^ i-' -- ta. Roland raised his eyebrows nioii^^^yJi; ni^t '' '"' ""^ '"''"'^ ^^^^- "^'- P-r beggtr"f Bui U's pitv waited' *^?'"'"' " ''''' ^^««'-'d. '< Poor iulome scrap o? other "and witr"'^"' ^"f^^ ""^^«« ^e was library. ' ^ "^'^^ * ^^^^ he went into the Kuland took up the post-bag and turned over the letters. There i f i- i I ' 118 MAIiJOniE DEAKE. was one for him from the heroic Charlie, .and he opened it, inst glanced at it, and put it into his pocket. Then he looked at^ o clock, and it was too soon to dress his' lfeTi";^hriXvfrr'' ''""''' ^^^«"^''^l^>"^«-k'^'^. Pitting th:;^f!;i';;.?^*?hl:^;;;::j;;l*°'^^^^^^ *« ^^-'^ ^^ ^^^^er, and w.n?If^^"'\l'^'°"', ^^"'^ '■' ^^'^^ Deane?" asked Reginald, for want of something,' else to say. ° ' " Very well," said II ,]and. " We have been over to the fair Reginald I want you and Helen to di„o Ih. re-tomorrow, i^^r- haps. I 11 speak to Marjone. And iJeginnld, J want you t , tell Helen how finUeful I am to her fr.r her thou-ditfulness in tak n ii.y mother over. I can't thank her enon^^h "" ^ Then hnnt^ed if 1 can," said Reginald", innocently. " A wr.rd rom you will go urther than a primed book from nfe, old feUow By the way, we think of taking fii<-ht " ^^'low. haZ^'Vn*/* ■^'^■'" ^"^"i ^'"'""'^- } ^^™'^ ^*^«^^^« ^"V mercy at your hands, but yon niusn't go yet. I want to have a good time \ e must get up a frolic. I've behaved shamefullyl but hen 1 i hard hit, you know. Hello ! Who's that ? " " niceSdi'ty. ^^^^ ^ '"'"' '" ^ " '"'^ ^'^^'^"' ^P'^"^"^ tlie door with ''Come in," said Roland. " Have you been out ? " fo- she had again with a kind of admiring curiosity; her usually calm serene eyes were brilliant with a sort of suppressed excitement. ' les, 1 have been out," she said, " and wish I hadn't been I " ies," she said, with a little lanyh of annoyance "1 havp been in t ,e wood I know where it dropped, biSise I h a^d it raU. i thought It was an acorn." caxu ii, " Acoin, n'^nsense ! " said Re 'inald ' " Or son>ething," she went on'quickly. " Rut when I came on I nnssed my iocket, and feel sure, now it was that dnZd i^ m a iutlo wood where we stood that night-the first night we wlil* look-^fn; f}\ ''?t*'" ^''^- ^'';r*"''^''^' composedly. " We will go and look tor It m the niornin". ^ J^Tn the morning ! "%aid Roland, promptly. "No, I'll go if opened it, jnst e looked at tho e asked, putting his letter, and d Reginald, for i'er to the fair, tomorrow, per- ant you to tell Inesa in taking tly. '\A word me, old fellow. V mercy at your ood time. \\ q but then 1 u ; the door with ?" for she had ;ion was tinted looked at her iy calm, serene lent. adn't been. I ve been stupid •rise, for it was ce. "1 have ise I heard it len I c.ime on I 'Iriipped it night we were "e will go and 'No, I'll go MARJORIE DEANE. ny '1^.^' "** ' Pray^don't trouble," she said, but with an eacrer grateful look in her eyes, ^-^o^r, " It's no trouble," said Roland. " Don't disturb yourself, Regin- ald Come along, Helen, we'll find it," and he caught up h-s hat and followed her. ^ " I'm quite ashara >d of troubling you," she murmur, d, " but I should be sorry to lose it. It was given to me by the Duchess of rerth on my birthday." " Of course we must Hnd it," ho said. " Don't speak of trouble I owe you a great deal for your kindness in the matter of my mother and Alarjone. Shall we want a light \ " '' Oh, no no ! " she said, eagerly ; " there will be light enough. Ihe diamonds will glitter, you know." •' All right," he said, laughing. '' Your eyes must be our light " bo eager and anxious was she that she almost ran down the pat!'i and across the lawn ; and Roland strode along, n'tkctinr/ on the wonderful power which diamonds possess, to move even so serene and impassive a soul as Helen Jlontressor's. So anxious was she that when they reached the wood she became quite silent ; and Roland strode along silently, too. Presently she stopped at almost the identical place at which they had stood and discussed the Deanes, on the night when Marjorie had declared that she hated Sir Roland Chesterton. Avu \^-^'fx *!T't ^^^ i'""'"^' "' "^ whisper, "just here I dropped it. What 13 that , I can hear some one talking. It must be poachers Hush ! don t speak. ^ And she pressed his arm.. "Poachers!" whispered Sir Roland, ''early as this? Not likely. Some tramp— ah I ' For there struck on his ear the well-known voico of tho woman he loved. * * * -X- * * * -x- * ^ ^ ^ "Oh, Roger, if you knew how grieved 1 feel ! How grieved t Roger, I have deserted you " "No, no." " Yes, I have, I have ! I had almost forgotten you in this new love at mine ! And you so worthy of all my thoucrhta i Oh Roger, forgive me ! And what shall I do ? Oh, those dreadful men we saw this morning ! " " By George ! " was the laughing answer, "it was a narrow squeak. If it hadn t been for you they would have had me. Con- found them ! But theia, they were only doin" their duty " " And you are in danger still. Oh, Roger, what shall w , do I • and she looked apprehensively around. " Hush 1'' he said, coolly, " Tins is my plan : I moan to r^et 'o the sea coast as soon as possible, of course. Once there, 1 can get III l-i 120 MAUJOIUE DEANE. on board a merchant vesael-they don't ask awkward Muestions- But Jw T "llXr^^ ""* scnewhere. Wl.ere, does ' n a te7 isut-but I n ust have some money, Maijorie ! » Money ?" she aaid, ea<,rerly. " Of course Oh T{nc,«r », A f^f'"'' h""d^ed pounds ! " he laughed. "Bless the child ' No niore"^! "''''' ^°' *^° ^""^^^^ P«"""^«' ^«i='«^- Oh, I wish it was for He put it back into her hand with a laugh. would T'Seir ^Ikl Tu ''"V^^^" .'■^'^T'^y^ -"''^ ■' b"t this to nrison T'm ' ^«t'"» n^« ""til rhe men came up to take ine pursf Vair"''''H,S'^ ^°" 7"'^^ ^^^'^P ' " ^""^ ^^e opened her there ?'^ ^"""^ ^'""^ ^'^"'i down. There, how'much is ; I Plenty,". he said. " Two or three sovereigns " Oh .'"wiSaaTclf ;;..?' T^' 1-P'"^->S^y- °" What shall I do? ^o, never mind that," she said, immtientlv " An 1 n promise me-promise me that you wi S VV,,, J^'^'.^'^SG'^^ arT "and"/' ^T/ "'^f' ^'^^ '"-' tlul'tini: td t^ Twh ^e 3^! s^nf )f ;s;; s n;:i/rs=-;;r^^ - - --• ^^ hearted? which'f am'not''?he 't,' '"^. ^^P'''"'' ^^ ^ ^'^^^ '^«^"- cheer m'e up \4u de erve t\l ''u I'?"' ^''^PP^^'^^^ ^^'^^'d you ; for I have deserted ^ot'^h J^^S^A'-^l^S i rd (jiiestions — doesn't matter. I, Roger, hotv id slip plunged le child ! No. 6, th^>y think I id i ■ ^y'll keep can get on the and thtust the vish it was for 'ere ; but this two hundred talked into a Liureaaonably, ip to take nie tie wound his 3 opened her ow much is t shall I do ? s of her rings ', them — and ere are some And, look ! not have it, by Heaven ! ^nd, Roger, ver do, you J where you want. Re- were down- ness would dear ! " r deserting almost for- It is dangerous to MARJOniE DEANE. ,.,, ai7LL^^'^"'^^ ^"^^ *" '^y ^ho word, and-and , will as good as dead an.l buried_n„ | !> '""'.'' '^ '^'' '"'^ '' ^ ^'^^ I'll con.e back and m ke yo muu7?f "'^ '^vvu 'P"^^^' ^'"-''■•' ' swear I heard something !"^ ^ ^^ '"''^- ^^^'^^^ ^hat i I'll "Where i" she gasped stay. Guod-b3-, good-hy niy darling !" "• leavi^^^;:.^;" f '^JS^-J:r^ ^^^J -y '-rt breaks at (Jood-by, then, L^ir r-' 1 " ' t h ' ""I 'HP''"^* ' ^1"^* y^" g" ? derness ' " ^"'^ ^^" ^^''^ t-mbraclTd with convulsive ten- th^;^t;q^^i,^;li;:S^ ^^-^--' ^-ningagainst Hs^ned! £ i^l^;i;|::^Vin .^fh*?: '-' r^ -^^^ he heinstmc;iveiyi;,;\^:r!i*^;:^t;;ira:;s^^ became visible to 8ir jVoland t"''"^^ h.s head so that his face Proof still more damning ' It wiq tha fn„ ''^'^ The voices went on, gi-owfJU ',,•/""" ' '"'^''''''^ P^'^'^rait. despairing each momem 1 ml eve y itte ^1 Tl «'"-rowful,.more his soul. y ""ered word was a poniard in face. The woods seemed to svvimtf^^ "'"^ " «>«« dxed on his strong man in th„ ngoi^ ,f Use ir ' ^ZT *" "''^- ^^ ^^"^ ^ ever h.ve.l, the -ne wo.nan on w .n«. " f *''%°"^ ^^■""''•^» ^'^ ^-^s hav. staked Ins soul, ^S^be^IlllSirSn:^ -'^"^"^ ^^« ^^'^^ But the hand of /l^^oT.nV? ''''"' ^»^.h« started forward! " R<.lpr,ri " il -'- ••"■•■^» vy ■'''■^ «^''" restrained him Kolanfl, she whispered in his ear H 122 MARJORIE DEANE. Ho started and turned to her ; and surely, if she could nitv, she would pity him at sight of his hag^rard face and blood-shot eyes. liut tliero was no pity, no relenting. It was the hour of her re- venge. I he one word she could have .poken she hugged to her heart With a savage joy. For this wretched girl, she, she— the ueauty~had been neglected, put aside ! Relent ! Pity ! Who had pitied her ? '' "Roland " she whispered, "why should you interfere? Let •n"j^'"- ./"*'y """^ ""*^ worthy to triumph over yon. And they will do it if you go to them." He stopped and shuddered, and put up his hand to his brow. Ihen ho turned to her. '' \ on are right," he said, and liis voice was so changed, so un- naturally calm, that it struck her with a sudden, sharp dread, " we nave no bnamess here, let us go home." And with the old courtesy, that did' not desert him even in the hour of his agony, he stooped to pick up her glove, which had lalien, and took her hand upon his arm. Onco, once only he paused. It was when a low sob from the weeping girl smote upon his ear. A shudder ran through him and he half turned. Then, with a muttered oath, that made the woman upon his arm tremble, ho moved away. I CHAPTER XXII. SOJIETHING WRONG WITH MR. DEANE. JpOR a while after Roger's departure Marjorie sobbed quietly • but youth IS ever hopeful, and presently she dried her tears ana turned homeward, each step seemingly to leave behind it some ot the grief she had but just felt. Her father, she was told, was in the library, and as it lacked but ten minutes to the dinner hour, and as Mr. Deane was very particu- lar in the matter of punctuality at meals, she hastened up to her room to dress. ^ The gown she chose was the same she had worn the night of the dinner at the Wold, the night Roland had first held her in his arms and whispered his love vows in her ear. And she put a flower in her hair, and the thought of how soon he would be by her side iidued a blush to her cheek. 1 MAhVORIE DEANE. iild pity, she shot eyes, iir of her ra- gged to her le, she — the Pity ! Who 123 jrfere ? And Let they ;o his brow. ged, BO un- dread, " we Bven in the which had b from the gh him and the woman id quietly ; \ her tears nd it some lacked but ry particH- up to her ight of the her in his ut a flower y her side i..Moom h?.??.^ ""'It^ "•'■'"'S'^ *'"^ ''■^■' "« «ho entered thedin- '; o vd o ;Al^ the master of the house was not aittiu.^ t u w • ^h 8°"^vl"'y ''t tf'o hito arrival. Whore IS papa ] she a.'-kod of Bes-sie, who was knPPlin"•""■" ^^^ -- walk, t,,,,/' and she pouted ''P' ^"^'" ''"' °""° ""^ ^^^-^ he:J^;:r'.Tt7;.^r;;:r?^r^S;r^ ^-^^^-^ '-— --<^ " You weren't running when I saw vn,. Yo^ were creeping 'hed lou weren t runnin" when f «i«^ -.-r,,. v rc>m.d the house hke-likea" InJurorthe w^AX'' ^^ she w n^ :^^Hl^:r ^il-r.^ -d^." -idMarjorie, , and it was She went to the library door and knocked. a quirt'"!voii r-' wi:;",' Yrr^ '•'^^i^""^" '='^'"«. -"^^ then a q ma w i II ; which did not sound very invitin" ;■ inner is ready, papa," she said. Dinner ? I-.lon't wait f,.r me. I have a headache " ifh \ i ,! ^^"^ Aioland were here with us." »o do I, murmured Mariorie with n. ai.rJi " \( u . i ^ carve this durk- Wlv.f ^ ^"J'^'.^' "i^^" /i sign, it it were only to the c„;»'.„ rh„ji;tf,re?;tet„?^^^^^ '» - »"■'"'» -*" W« h'aS' W.„ ""% "'S' '"'' »'"' ''""» ■">' liko to be di»t.m-bea tluther ^' '" '"'° '"' '"■»»-tas-won>," and .heWlhr^.y I ■I IM !l'i 12i MAHJOniE DEA^E. J5osHi(! tlirow herself d ayaiiisf MiirjorioV knee own on tlio heartli-nii; and leaned her head I on " You mayciill ana «i.er diTn,:t-u w^U liljij^^^ '^ ■"'""*« ^ ^^^ ^^ ^-- back";ru;.katVhrd..cr' '" ^^'^ '- *'^'^''^" «^- -^''^' >--'^' hnn what y..u like, dear," t, "u^ su.uy. J'Ojsie laughed and shook her head ^^J Marjune, it is my opnaon that he is a great deal too good for I' Thank you, dear." ;; And that you don't care half enough for him." iNo I HoftJy. " No. Why, he loves the very ground you walk on. ' No. 'kin I saw him l".'king atyou as you went out of t e oo m o daV and oh\f '' jorio, what a wonderful thing u.ve is ^ " ^' ^'■^^~''^' ^^^'^r- ^^ Ma,,orie was silent, but her face colored and her eyes grew " Ah, Marjorie, what a proud lady you will be 1 Whv T ♦>,.,» v,* ffi IT V^\ ^^ ^'^-y ^'^'-^^terton, of the Wo d And I sku be" ■Lady Chesterton's sister." -tiuu a snau be pHo occuni^f '^P^'"' ^.''^^^*hey are hatched is a very npnro*U. RI310 occupation, Bessie," laughed Marjorie. «-i-r(,„„ ed her head )!• a iiiiimto , for Bussio ed, leaning al." here every 'here never calling Sir irio / Vuii »u may call '>f his tak- left iiu) to Miirj.jrie, men— real ertd vvith real, true yon hear landlady / A make- t '-.om. I ho could good for satv him uh, Mar- ines grew thought ve : and ! what a ;old and i. Mar. shall be nnmdit " she htM wJfi, „.> ^^ cheerfulness. = ' ^^''^ ^'^i''' ^^'^'^ *» assumption of but £"2rrr;u?:Lfei£7.:lri;r.''''' "•" -- '-'«"'• retoS Bir;''.!;ra'^,™r'' '"''' " '» "'■'«''""» ^™ '"^o «■•»." " I lln,.lt wo havo hart iii„™ tlian our share ot hi, nttoniim, " „;,l B3gsi»." ' uuj.i.g. ,_..,e /ir,, „„p_^ vc.v' KtiuJ, till ■I 120 MARJOIUE DEANE. I» f to l'.r:.!i:""-"«' '«'-'•■« ■-; *i.-;.'u'i,.,„ „„., „.„•„ .„„„„ a ir,.y.""' ""■■J"""' " ' "»'•-'.'' ">«». IM brt ,•„„ t„„ .„ „„„ n„e ij,. i>lr. Cartel." which erne sees by the clc"n M „ " f'n"'""" '•"''' "^ c''"ntuna..ce voice. ' P'^o^w'ne ! he said, in a small nervous ^^^it^^^S:^^^-:^^ ''-' ^'^"'^-^^ ^« «--. to i;]^^;;;?L!:r^r^:;^s^^«-'' coun^e;:::^':;.^;:;::;,^;-;;^-,^^^ yislbly. as if he had en- pretty girls. " I ao\ U k u 1 t'"?n w":^' r ''""' ^'' '"^' ^^i^J' ha ! Jf vou will kindiv ♦ ,■ • c ^o have met you— luv, that I am he/e. AppoYn£nt! you lee ^'"" "^" '''^^^ ^"» "^^^'^^ th^!;;;i:^-;^i^^':,!:^i^-er, then •' said Marjurie, gently At tin. mon.ent the f-'oSn r > rfed w th' ^^ --^''"^^'^ '"-" Deane w,aikl receive him • and tl,, lift? ^; ""■■^«^^'« tlw.t Jlr. ">g with a sort of hyst "i^.l em .!,• " '"f"' ^''"^i'"".' «ml laugh- very l.fe would have-Yeo L" ge 'rr .; .'.'r^^^''^ "^"^^ '" ^^ »''« comp^uiy. ';"u"iij,erea ay another moment in such " '"■"' ' """" «"'« ">■■■ ■' " »i>' ^'"io. with a .tare of „„„.,„ Did jou ever Heaaie siirany ' one that it'a ut your dress mt the door i I'^rcoptihly coiiuttMiaiice iirry tlirou.^! 8taini)t)(J not as Marjorie mil nervous o Bessie, to he had en- ho waa with oublf d you t you— Jui, n informed father with •will!,' there would not 1 alw ays k. This is >n nie." a tlii.t Jlr. md lauyh- y ii3 if his lit in such af wonder MARJORIE DEANE. joy l^n ?ime ;Vn"l!iI; r """''""^°*" " '''''' -" he bo doin« here at the\tartund"£; tt' rSth""^ 'T\ '"'^ ^^ "" "«- ^-" ing-rooin, and with the IS. ^ f !' "'""' '''^' ''"'^ '" *''" 'l^-'^^- to night ! " That self of 1 nn ,S ^'^'''f t-Il„lan,l lian not come over one when sti rru?f„i S T .""'^ ""'■°''*' "^^''^^ will come shrouded her ; a Id it wi^wi h J ', h" "T- '"" '"^' '" '^"">«. «"' dread that she heard tiro libmrt ,^"""^^^""« ^^l^,", » "«rvou8 start of and she could irrunteldvf ^ '^' "• '"^■' ^ ' """'^ """""y- anybody she knew Thon.f""^'*"^'' '? ^'f '^■''"' ""like those o thf^ dooi; ope.p:nd fe^r "ap;Z:!r ^--"^— . -^ then Th^n^f>; "?'' ""'?' " ^ '"'"^ '»'^'l sxpper'laid " Stand n.' ?n Zl' '""'"'° ^''^^ <" «"'^'^'^» «i'«"^e. her flS^Te L'ylyTife'tS £^'"'{ ^o'' /^^her. but., unlike it was actually he ^ '^''' "^"'^ ""^ seem to realize that CHAPTER XXIII. WHAT WAS IT. J^^ Ve^tllTiT' "Tf y,— ^. was white and strained his chan,edTndinpfa;tof tTeft;r"""^ '" T^^' manner'wa: whole bearin, ^L^^^^^ t!S'lZS:^;:j''''^^^^^ -^' ^'- him. ''l4r--thinkl'nl!b« ' '\*^' -""'"V ^^^'^ ^^'^^ ''■l"^'' h«-^ide -have something o ei ^ Co.t k'^'"''''' '^"* ^"^'' ^''''" ^ "'-«r Marjorie, don't, aft up Mr ('arr^f IT u'^ ''^'"" ^""'^^ ^"^'^''"l- Good-ni Jht. Er-er_would von L- ^ ^ xr' ^.^'"^.^-er-business. Ho asked it in a sort of In 1 '?™^' ^r^'-J"'''« ? " Btarrled her; hnt LZL, ^^^tlZ^T^t^''^^ way which tenderness than she could remtnlbe^everkoi^gSor'e.*' "'^ ""^ m I -if 128 111 II MA nJOmiC DEANE. " Vina ..'''' '-^ Sj"'«t of itself-.. t],e ft ,.7^ ^^^^^P""' '"'^""^r ^iirte], the future La,?v pf ™':^' Warjorie. Mr. Cartel saw Mr. D une to t '"'-^ ''" '*^' '""^ ""^''^''""^ Papa^is seriously iU l •' '''^' ^^'-^''J^'^^. absently. -Do you think me. G™.'>"■' go in lourfatliar is-i,".^' j, „ „ -th., ^dre,Jf„l , i,„ X ';„i,!°" ''"■"™'" ••*». be.rJ,„ ! Thi, -1 am qmte cam " a-iM ivr • • «tqne from her white lips ' .^^"'J'-'-'o- each word dro.ppi,,. like « anghter, Marjorie. ' pompous manner ly Chesterton." J wi^h a little pat • Cartel, who had and afiection. 1 then returned to ipt to eat as if he after an anxious man, nervously, e, thank you. I list have cost an 1 of his thoughts round the hand- " 1^0 you think ', Miss Doane ? " (uite— yes, I re- young ladies ? " ot seriously ill, ^ ; lie may need S3 of wine if I te evasion and heless, was so tain confidence i hall together, ro she reached With a bound inat it and put n. him. >ecfilm ! This oppiiig like a s' I do not o to him. I MARJORIE DBA ^■'E. 129 "Well ■" He hecifafuri <(v .Marjorie made a ges urel/f assent T.' ^T'T' '" "^ ""'•" with her, closing the d-nr behind ?hpm f ""f.^^'^Je "•"! went in ment Marjorie saw n,.tI.iL thl ) """^ ^"'^'""" '*• ^or a mo- hearth-rui face dow" 'a 'cf hat " ILluo' '^ 'T' '^•'"^' "" *^^« her knees beside it, with a low sLh d c"^'- '^^'« ^'"^^ ^^^^^^^ ^n terious way, fo^Mll^HetridTotl^^^^ "' ' «? ''^'-^ -5^- doctor came, the door wa=. Tl / u . ^ ^''^''^ awakened. The fell-a silence broken by the sow st Tf," 7"" ^^^''' ''^"'^ ''' «"««ce the^room and took the ^.^: X whTte^'hi^d'"'^'^^' ^^ ^« ^'""^ -*° ^i3,ow!;^^ij;^r£;;':r;:n;i^;-^ -^^^ *- ^-^^^ters of Sh^uH T"" "'^ '^'^^^ ; y^'U'- father is dead " - Dead 7-' ** "" "^' ^"* «^^ J"°>^i»g at him He'dl^^AottS: SeTe waf s'om'e'^""^"^' "• ^* ^^ ^^-r* ^'--se. :; What shall I do ^-'^moI^eVSrrjS^ '^'"'^"^"*' ^'^'^— " -Bh^is a tS7of'yoS 'Ts^heretr'^"* ^ f^"" «--««-'^e Marjorie shook her head. In thfs th^^ f' ^ ^"^ '•^''^^*°" ^ " she did not even think of Roland moment of her grief, shailt do ?'•" '' "° ""^ ^'«^~"° °«e in the wide world. What crying. caimer, and he saw that she had been thin j5tL' dlv'' '"^ ^''' y'^""^ '-dy," he said. " la there any. said.'^^.TeSor!!nd'^e^;tSi; S% ' T'' "^^ *« ^^ ^^™'" ^^^ 3-..- ^" -^ "P- -tlAo^Vak uSMS SleSrSim-; hand\\t°^Tgrd!l7yTCste^^^^ "V'^^^^°- -* -t'^ folded Mr. Cartel cime in ^ '*"""« ^* *^^" ^^-e' the door opened and ^.;; Do you wish to see me 1 " he asked, with his nervous, agitated ^wIlTvouTir^ ''l'^ ^''^^''S at him. >^iU you teU m« who you are, Mr, Cartel ? " fi I II ! !■ ISO h- <,0 i : ■ I' ^ARJOniE DEA^E. It was a gesture I thought pcfuurto W '"' ^-^'"bJingly to his mouth Fou t;eyrt.''*'"'^ confidential clerk, Bliss Deaue. "No," said Mariorie sadiv "ht r xi about business. I ^m not Sthat iLow^'^ "'^T- ^^^'^'^ *« ™« city 'a." '^^ ^°^* ^ '^now where his office in the he'S7^j;t::;;^,^*^fed FHars and Mincing Lane, but adrnnable man of bui'inSs AlissDea ^ -' ^'n. Your father was an crept u,to the pale eyes '^' ^"'^ something like a tear ;'f t^nrSlHoS" ^S;^;? ^y ^^^h-,- said Marjorie, do.^ Jt is so suclden-and s^'tetnble ''*~ ' "" "^^ ^"°^ ^^^^ t'^ there il^otmndfto'berne^^^^^^^^^ ^%?"1^-- ^ ^ afraid Mr. Blake, and I asked Mr ^Janel , l" *;'''^ ^H'^^ *° «^"d for down by the^early train " "'^^^^^ solicitor in London to run Mr:tw hlSE*,'' ^'^^J'""^' --derin.. ^ " There':i^rnf troubt"S De^" '^^^? P'^^-^'^ ^* ^er. have some trouble." ' '"' ^^^"''- ^en in business always yourtrne"" mJ c^T IT' ^^T trouble ; I can see it by not think that I cannot bea' '^V^ir"' 'T,f^ *^" •"«• ^°» '""'^ whole, plain, truth ? It wil be bettl r >' "" *'^' ™' *^« truth.-the ihere was something piteous Tnri; . ■ calm and composure of^hesveetvi.l?, ™r''"" '" ^^^ ^^««J"t« of the large, fearless eyes 'Ae 1 Hl\ ^^''^''fhtforward appeal =ist-^dS^-s^ afraid there isn't much le attt? 7'^^ l'"",^'"' 8^^^* trouble. I'm didn't tellyou,-some£ -dy else wo ; i"l. *" ^'^^P V' f^°'" y°»- If I your father, I mea,,-have had ^ "l\ '^^ Z"" ^^^*«« I^'^'^"^, we- "Losses - "^said Mar orie f " bJt T/ «--— ^^ l^eav^." man. j " , out my father was a very rich "Yes, he was a very rich man " ™„-*u i , was ': but things latterly i.rL-nrhn'"*''!^'l-''"P^^^^^ t'^« yesterday," glancing at J^hlwind? "%i ^u"'*^^''" ' »»d to-day, crfiPn n,r_^-t'cularly a,ixious°to bave done if thini.8 had -^le on .« */^"'^''t'"»^'. which he would why It was, but Mr. Deane was mnr« ' ^•^P^'^ted. I don't know sums of money lately, than ever >.« ""•"' ,"^°"* making greaT been with him since.he bel^^n £^3^!^ '" 'l"" '"'^^ ^^y' ^'ve ago," he said, 'Hhot^gh a 1 avl enon ?^ ^onsequerfce six months your father has been%ery Sless ff "'' '* f,"^' •^™'' ^ ^'"t-but 00 eager. .1 never unders'iood 1 TLtSi;^'^"' ""t '''^^'''' bu m all conscience, but he wasn't «S I ^- ,^^« was rich enou<.h day. Miss Dean^, • 1 wanT tc? L . ""^ ', ^"^ ^'« «aid to me one Carte].' And he would have been ,."'''''*. "'^" '" the cSunty' nght -the richest man in the conn y^'' '^ *^^' ^'"^ ^°™« °^t ^ And now I aai.l Marj ,rie wefrilv lay upstairs, in thc^ .rm i„ Y • ^"^"".V, m a few week<» • Qr,,i 1 ruin ZteVi'-t''j;!,t''r;re r f "■™r. <" ^--^Ptcy an. "ho .at brooding opi»nite her "'* «"'' S™ on the littll 2, r„;„f;,X™ -»"." *e »M at ,a,t, .-that ., ,„ther wa»-™ r <> -■- Lt r;,t,!i,T{,/;£ Xo^ S'::Si„/ s,'xt " w» a .»«,o p.. or ^^^o/?^:;s:i^:^;^^ .fi f I 132 MAh'JOniE DEANE. I 'I ,h l;i' sound bns.ness man as he was I But there is nothing settled. You r/X r^wHlf^" "'.' n "'' ^"* ^ ^'^ '^ «"* "^ ^^^« deepest respect. vear^ f -' „ V^'r' ^''"'*'''' ■"■'^" ''^"^^ '^^'J'' f""- ^^^^y years- ortv years ! and the honest eyes tllh d with tears now ; ' ' but is it true" what he .sai.l just before he left this room-th.t you are enc.a.ed t. El r^-.S"'""'' Chesterton? I ought not to'^^loubt it, I tnow but hsmuid seemed quite unhing..d. Was it true ? I do hope '' " Thf T'u '■"''', ^fV"^ M.rjorie, turnin;.^ her face sadly L-av. „„;f ! 1 , .f^x*?" '^^'^ exclaimed, rising and sitting down a-rjiin, agitatedly. ' M.ss Doai,e, I-I never was so thairkrul for°a y^ tling m my life ! Then all this doesn't matter-doosn't really matter Jlo 13 one of the richest men in the county—the richest Anrl pt cuse me, Miss Deane " and he fairly broke Iw,?'*' ^"'^ '^" Uarjane.face softered, and tear.s sprang into her own eyes Tl eart'? rl'TT T'^'l^u- P'^'f;'^''^ '^"^^ "^'"^ '''^^' '^' «" tender a jieart i Certainly not himself inci'S" '^*' "';*7'^" "?' '" ''^^«^^*l' S«^"g "P t^> him, and touch- ing his arm. "I know h-w good a friend my father had in vou Wi 1 you be my friend, Mr. Cartel ? 1 am quit'e helpless a.d alone" ed herself— I-I mean that there is only my sister." Ma^;r&w:nfr' '" '"' "''^■' "^^^ '"^« about to speak, when "No no ; aVtainly not miss. If "-and ho looked at her eager- I\7 i ^r wouldn't think it presuming, and if there is no one w,^Zonl¥K''P'"Pr "^''^^-th<>"gh I think no one else has-my wife would be proud grcafly proud, to have Miss B.ssie and your- self under her humble roof as honored guests " ^ -ffirrnVTlf'- ^^'f^'-^.^'^'^ '='^"1<^ answer the door opened. Mrs. Gore-Boothe la away in Scotland, miss. She was called '"''X^'l ^tl H^^r y^^t'^rday," said the footman. "^ That 8 the lady you sent for ? " said Mr. Cartel. Yes, answered Marjorie, sadly fully^'' *¥ n"ot;^I-!!i" " '""* ^°' '^''' ^"^^"^ ^ " ^" ^''^'^<^' '■^«P«««^- "No," said Marjorie, looking down. "No; he will be here Boon, no doubt. No; I will not send for him." N *aMk AIARJOIUE DEAXE. 133 can I send her ? CHAPTER XXIV. SIR IKJLAxXD AND ins MOTHEK. ■mngled »Uh the i^-^nlXt^i^ZlT? °'"' ''"■ "»'■ "'»» alarm ; thai i„Oefi„it„ sonao ofTw.f . °°',''''', " ™»"» f™"'* of jW,e„oa the d. r ,„, ,.i „,„ m.3r„;,;t"L';'i;'™:i sia liShlod a cmdlo, and a, he dSso sh« 1 r' '? "','''» '"W" »"'i h«r eyes and looked it Um and i;„?ti„' "» "''"S beside him, raised Hi, face „a, white and h'a,„J ^ -' ''"'^''"'"■i invohinlarily who had received a morti "w^^ 171'''"""' '"» »' » ""M agony in his efforts to conceal it i;„.i''i' "■'" ""ero.sing his ='»k.d hi, all on the cast of . die a^T, ' f '^^ "' » '""" ^ho had •• atnd°' '°""'"* '-■»""" ''-''■" "S'Sjit "-'*»^ "« _^ He started, and looked at her as if suddenly aware of her pres. whoK:;j,t5li''«''. ■""' ""'■ a= 1"-' apathy of a man ' Roliuid ! " she said, falterin-rltr «' T r tt. ' ''' • -'"• "-■"-'-I^™"e Tjarr Ka; to he bitti rn ,fS';"^:"iS^»"'"V^^'^««^«'-ed. Thnn >m dour for herf *'lf letter to write you win excise me;"i;s~dr''n: opened tho draw-iriL'. VO ft I 134 MAR JO RIB DEANS. \i " I !w^' f ^''^^ ^"' ^>'^' ^'""^'^ 0" b^'- f«ce v^ith hard Bcrutinv T.\r i*'^ ask yuu one question." scrutiny, mJ;^^!frai:;SJ?'^^°ff^*-"^ht. or was it an excuse to take she tSaS'^:S^!:^12^- ^"^ ^^- ^'^^t was behind her, and ''Can you ask, Roknd ? " she said, with sorrowful reproach " I would have given all 1 possessed to have spared youi!£'' turned ^IS";. '^ ^"'' '=""'"- ""'' ^^^^^ " ^ooini.ht ! " and he A lire was burning in his dresain^-room • ht- drpw « „>,..,•- u make it desolate ; and, in the cracklin,. of the wood he heard Lr vo.ces-the soft, sweet, dear voice revealing her own ieXrv and proclaiming her own guilt, '^^ "»» irtacnery and hiS^ tlV^T'' K^^'^'^'^^-* ^^''^' "^'satisfactory life-behind him—behind him, cast it awav and bnripr^ if i.f+«ri,r !i u , .""^ himself „p „„„,orvedly tothi^ Sta' ^v ^^o h.'i'e:''Mt^S now , ,e had proved false, and hi, fai.h was utter yslXod JK,r tS: tiiTid-t re^d":;,"?!"!;-::;^;';;^ ff ^?i agamst her ; but he must believe hi. own lenses "^ """ ™«rtK'.^iL*ire \ivr "/,a^:s t*rj"r^ Something told him that she would bo awake, and she was WUh a gentler summons than usual he knocked, and entered T .dS o?ert:rtea"d" '''''''^' "' ' ''''''■'''' dressing. Jo w^^^wUh a holj .'' \\^^ ^"n ' ,^^?.^t"'^ * ^ expected you sooner. " ^ Ah, well, 1 did not feel like coming sooner " pas^sed „™r be. own, and , softe.- e.^iot K trratTZ Is MARJORIE DEANE. ISj " NV.trr.K",.'" ;!;'»-• ""> -=. R»>and, dear , ■• yoi, wi.h, .acritice all myV^dti", I „f |7" ^'''''' ''"y'l*"? to Marj„r e. I— I_am .orrv r f'j',! ■ ""W""' any obj,ctiona don't bi ansry-thatrte'S w'o L'TJ-'.,"" '""". "il"""- " ? w"" ""i'"'^ in'Patie..tly, b« .aiiS|,i„, you Roland. I have onfv you ."'i '"J ''"!•, '"■" ""? ' "PP"""! a°"dl!;-K:-.." '"»" '« - '«"» r. andT^Si/ftJ^-To'triirL' and wHhou. k,,„„,„g „ht ,,t Sr™' 'h^ °""°-" "'' "^ '> ^^__ I an, „a,t,ng that you n>i,ht enjoi- the goodTeJ, I have to ,»„ "Roland !" «pj„ dfbL!rha'^--yJSf'' ^-V' ^-Pped f.on. his Un, Roland ! " hoLX*rttn:tot:Litinriif ^n''^ ' ■■ - -'"■p-''. and a man's'LaT' 'Wt bnZtV"''"' "''"°- I*"'' ' """"M think ot love! " business has a man to play the tool and '•n£J Wkat ha, happened!" broken „rfhat,''a"i?. TrartSvoTt'- I^^«Wn>e„t is share in the pleasure of J,f2!!.. ^°"'' "M'suse I knew you would tha.l?h, CrJ "klrwVe°re''.°'""""- ^™^'>° «"'■ "■y""- wiu °&i;:;^s',^r*rL?» °^ '- »'™- ^ lam going to London." i»ut— but when ? " " ''°"- ,v^fe"';,'A'i"'fS-*is moment" . After "You i tnx, K^„ *i 1. — . "'"» women r." my boy, the house in London is shut up. 136 MARJORIE DEANEt. Mva going. f' "I will go to Mivart'a. It is idle to waste words 1 will write to yon before I leave London. '' Fur where, Roland i " she despairin-dy asked. He lau'^'hed bitterly, " 1 do not know yet. I should prefer some plac. where there are no women ; but, m default of auclr a paradise, 1 will seek the place where tho women are ui tlic minority." '' Uh, llolaiui, women are not all bad and false." ahehrat touchof human feeling showed in his voice, there id you, motlior." "And here is Ifelen." He turned with a weary shrug of the shoulders. ^r, ' uJ ^^"J''" '" '^ ^'""'^ ^'^'■^' "'' '^«"^*' and one a man might rely on ; but just now, n.otlier, 1 think 1 liad better get away from every reminder ot_of_ Well, no matter. Good-night and% oT by. auu he bent and kissed her. ^ The proud old woman uttered a sacred sob '• Uh, my boy." He called up a smile to give her, and then vanished from the room to go to his own and call up his valet to give him the neces- sary dinou'.ns for the early departure if ,Wv! y ^''\^"'^'^ ^ ^^'f '*" ^''''" ^*^"'' ^'^ ^"'•P"^^ ; and so, as t It wue .:.. most commonplace matter in the world, he placed the brandy and soltzer where Sir Roland would get it, and hen we t away to spend the remainder of the night inl>ackiug anj prepar- a* Sir Roland was in no muod for brandy and selizer. His brain had no need for stzinulant. Before him arose a>. too plainly alreadv the vision of the beautiful face, the music of tii sweet yorw voice. Unly last night, and her arms, the round, soft arms we e around his neck-uiily last night, ai.d her lips were clinging lo ^ Tiie hours glided steadily onward, the replenished fire burned ->w; and just as Marjo.ie, if he could but know it, was sS^ watching her hre, wit., the dead father upstairs and the story of her ruin ringing m her ears, so he sat, trying to harden his heart against he ever-rocumng thought of the seeming purity and loveliness of the woman whom he still loved as madly-^more inadiy than ever ho madly that there were moments when the thought Lme o him e^e^Hnd ear" ''' "''' '"' '''' "" '''''' "' '''^' testimony of liu Presently he arose and made a few preparations for his depar- lie. We packed his dispaich-box and s^^rted his letters. To do ture. 1 1 , ' — t ""■»■ "'"^t oL/iLcu ma leiteis. To do so ne had to open a drawer in his escritoire, and the tirst thine that Le'hihf t'"^' T '^"^ ""^'i:^" ''^'''^' ^'"' f^l^^'^ f^^"" h«r bosom, as he held her m his arms the night the breasti;!ato foil on her, the MARJOBIE DEAisia. ds. J ^ra going. 137 night he told heo he loved her, and heard the aweet sobbin-mnr rushed into hia min,?° hnil, ^i , ^ ^"""^ of passionate words Ami at last he wrote just the -line • " I was m the wood at seven o'clock to night. Farewell ! " Roland Ciii;.vrt;iiTON." CHAPTER XXV. TO ENJOY HER RIVAL'S TROUBLE. Bessie would have Marjorfe send for htm V^,t T *^''' ^"' P'^P" "I woi.'l .toy, Marjorie, d»r," said Bessie ; " but-but >,UIjo,. ■'Mil ins MA lUOltlE DEA NE. let mo come in almost directly ? that he ia with us." I do want to see him, and know Marjorie would have detained her then, but the thoughtful child would not stay, and Mii jorio wss left alone, standing with folded handfl, her head caat down and h'!r hiiart bo itin;'. Tliuro was a sound of talking in the hall, anl although she could not distinguish the deep tones of her lover's voice, she had no doubt yut that it was* he. Then the door opened, and she saw, not the tall fii^ure in the morning-coat and squire-like g iters, but the graceful form of Helen Montrossor, clad in serge and seal-skin. A dead weight seemed to drop on Marjorie's heatt, and she had much to do to keep her lips from quivering as she went forward. The beauty sailed in, her perfect, faultless lovelinehs heightened by the delicate (lush of triumph in her face and the cold sparkle of victory in her eye. She came forward with outstx'etchod hand, a faint curiosity vis- ible in her raised brows at the unusual stillness which seeiued to reign in the house ; a curiosity which grew deeper as she saw how pale and wan was the face of her late rival. What had happened ] Was it possible that she had been forestalled, that M-rjorie had al- ready learntd that her short reign was ever I A pang of disappointment assailed her. Was she too late to deal the blow and gloat over the misery it would inflict ? " How do you do, dear Miss Deane," she said, holding out her hand and smiling sweetly into the dark, sorrow-deepened eyes. '• I am an early visitor, am I not ? " " Yes," answered Marjorie, after more thai >ne inefl'ectual effort to speak. ".Perhaps," said Helen Montressor, with an arch smile, "you expected some one else ? I hope not, for then I have a little dis- appointrient in store for you. Did you— now tell me truly— did you not expect Sir Roland ( " A faint flush rose slowly to Marjorie's cheek, but to leave i^ colder and whiter than before. *' Yes," she said, scorning a conventional falsehood, " I did ex- pert Sir Roland." "There, now, I thought so," murmured Helen, " I quite felt that, and almost turned back, for a substitute is always unwelcome. But it was such a fresh morning, and I knew you rose early. But how pale you look ! Are you not veil ? " "1 am — tired," said Marjorie, in a low, sweet voice. "Tired?" echoed the purring voice. "Now, that is the eflect of your drive yesterday. I told Roland that it would be too much for you. May I sit down ?" Marjorie moved her hand to a chair, but she stood and looked at ineffectual effort jae early. But i and looked at MAliJOniE DEANE. 139 inuht look at a picture which repel, and yet fascinates. I naiyina chair 'Ihey measure our strength by their own. l.nt, indeod, you do look worn-out " = / "''" ">vu. -^T^r^lf ^"'m^'^ ''" ^VV:'^'. '"*^* "f^«"«'^ '•«'• JM"» '^t last. 8 teir Ronald coinir..,' i «ho aske.l, utterly unal.Io to keen from iK'r^hpa the question which her heart had been framing ill Z ''ijoland!'- echoed Helen, with an assumption of surprise boei St hlr '^ "^' "''' '^ "''^'"^ ^'^""^'"^ - '^ * b'"- '^-'l "Oone!" 8he murmured, her lips quivering. "Gone this ni()rnin<' ! *^ i »• '-""»!« 140 MAliJOIilE DEANE. .■ t 4 koy to tno omVmn, and we are dyinj? to know what it i« f?iaf I,., Bent huu v.m,y J,Ko «u ar.ovv Iroial bow " *^*' ''" Murjono opened the envolopo mechiinicilly, and aa mochanicallv read, hot u m.nnto she atuud and louked at the iwThS w h 8 arn,, g... a, if they bore no nu.vnin^. for her ; h. as oirVc Bixnilicanci, dawned slowly npon her benu.nbod flenses her briiu seemed ., swun, the brilliant room to reel, the lovely .n'.ckin.'co ann!:':;; ifeVt""' "'"'' '''''''' ""'' *^*^ * '-'^^-^'' ™ali-ou« news'^r ^''" '"• '^^"' °'^"' ' " "^' ^'^*^^- *' ^» *l^"o any bad Jli'fore Marjorie, spepchless Marjorie, conld have time to rnnl« he door opened, and Mr. Cartel e/uered. Ho looked r.mone^fo the other m anxious interrogation, and then went np to M^rjorie bo^ f ^1 fir "'^"'' r /'^'' ' ^ '^^^ y^'"^ pardon,"^ith a 1 ,r fed "Sir lioian.l Chesterton," repeated the beauty, with grave ironv 18 mile., away by this tim... lie has gone by the lirst tra^n Sfe Mr. Cartel looked from one to the other, then he gently forced " Do you not know ? " he asked in a whisper. ' Know — what? •^ That— I am afraid they have not told you— Wr. Deane is dead " J^^n£^&:t^ -^ looked ^startled ;?r:;:^i?:tr know." ^ '^''^ ""* ^'"''''" '^® ''■'^' f^l-'""S- " I declare I did not tl^ei^XtflTl^.;! "" ^"" ^^'^'^« ^-«^ -- *^« ^re. drew '' Yes," whispered he, " he is dead. I thoucr}, ; thev wonld hivn told you, and-and if you can tell me where Si/iroland 1"^!^'' - 1 c?i^ 1?'"' ^h^^her head, her face white and agitated, he dead r^""" "^ '^^"^ ^"^«^- Is it-ia it really true ? la Mr. Cartel nodded his head. " You are a friend of Miss Deane ? " fisuLt'iltfeiSr'^ mechanically, her ej-e. fixed on tho .UU " Yes, that is— no ! I must go ! I cannot stay ! " One moment/' said Mr. C:irt«l m-if^ iannrar^ ->f ih • •• ^J lut it u that has I afl mechanically 8 two iiiit'3 with lien aa tlioir full Dnsea, hur bniiu oly uiockinfj fuco tajj'gorod ayuinst ikinc, malicious thero any bail i time to reply, iod from ono to ip to Marjorio. with a hurried was Sir llolitud ith grave irony, first train ; tho i aeeniod to havo 3 gently forced isa IMontresaur, Deanoiedead." let 113 yive her iciare I did not f the fire, drew ley would havo md is " md agitated, -ally true i la )d on the still f tho relation ATAnJOnTB DEAXE. j^ CM bo no I'cr. cy :1f l.fwil t. Il'^ ^ w.U-weil, there •M electa;;;' ''X'?'r'^ '"^^^ V'''^ ""'^ y^roamo... ratheVl'^atT,ied1Un"'conrr"r '\r;.: D '"' V,"^ ^'">••^ •' ^ wouVl to where Marjorio flVwhitnnT.li flT' ""'^ «l>e went over Deano, 1 beg j^n to believe h"tli.''"\''''" \''''''''- " ^^^ '" ahe went on. ao atrickcn w th « V'.^ """/"^ ^^'"- ^"'J- ""f'-" shook, -anc ifthis , tn.e I "" that her lipa quivered an'l bn.keoir. and in I re voly he d 3%?^', "''' '""" '"'—" «'- notes and gold, "if vou will flcnpnf P'"-''"'-'^ P'-rae tilled wiOi moment—" ^ '^^ "'''^^ ^^"^ ''«-'»8 J"s' for the proaer.t the dark eyea, such nn h, v n ! ^ '/"'' ''""••' ^^"^ aonu-thinif,., derod Hnd aveVt^'d llSX """'''^ '"'■'^"' '^''' ^''' -^" «h'ud- Slowiy Ma,.j„rio rai.e.l her hand and pointed to the denr ^J^o, she .aid, the woid druppi.,/fro.; L? ir^'aT^ith . n ^-M':t";S:^' *''^ "^^' ^-"^ ^ «t^P «nd then turned. ' ^or with an inexorable 1 ou have taken your re- vo:;^"';tho;::;;:3!^^t^';:^ snv;^.^^d d:J;;;i:i t •;i;:;',;i;L^""-' « ^^-^^^ t°^ ^^ ^-i-akin an ^ fan^S:S;ri^:::r'^' -^^ ^^^-^ »P the purse, let it turned and left the ' hait-remorseful, at the white face, heS:-t?;^rh!;ndr';hSr.^^ •"'? a chair and covered Mr. Cartel who h?J V i , "1 °"^ *^« ^^'"'^^ ^'^^Jd- two .irla'wfth an am zef ^bewHdS ^ V ^"/'^^ "^^^ ^^ *1- " My dear Mm, TW^' ''^"^"'.'^'^'^a s^are, hurried forward. ^ Torn him— do yon mean Sir Rr.u>.A o t- x. eye». '' ^ * ^''** '^"'•^' ""^ i<^''iied into the pale, anxioua -who has torn him from 142 UAliJOniE DEANS. I' ! You cannot deal me another RnSi^"^w1'" ^''^.f^'d' ^ith .a sudden twitch of the lips-'- Sir WeiratXueVirvai^""^^"^^""^^ He will Lt come. "(Jood heavens!" ejaculated Mr. Cartel. "Do vou mean to tell me that-that Fir Koland has br.-ken the engagemonU" *' tears cu;ved^hprHn"''"'rV^"'^ ^ ''""' '"f^ •^^"^^ ^"^^ P^^h^^i'' than bvhafi^J« ^ll \ "^e«; you see, fortune does not do things «L^ f • \^ "'i''*'' "' "'='' °"® ^^y. and robs us of everything- even our friends— the next." c*cij.i,uiiig Sir Roland ! The engagement broken off ! " he muttered strid- ing, running rather, up and down the room. - This-ihis is onl?Ro'ird ''^".5!^'^"'^ ""'r'r^'^ '"^ ' ^^^ whole l"pe rested on bir Roland. Miss Deane, I-I am glad to see that you are so " Oh, yes, I am calm, Mr. Cartel, blow. i«l??'*'i'^T't!i' ^^ PJ^^ded, with a scared look. " I don't like to see you look like this, Miss Deane. B,it-but if this is true this t;r.&^''^^' '^' ' --^ -1^ -- yo- iftSs%':?tin^ Marjorio inclined her head. he;';jri:."het Si I L've'.^."°' ""^ ^ ""' "---anded him tT,?V°?^ '*' f ?^ P""*"®^ ^*^ c.mtents into his hand. As he did so the check met his eye, and he unfolded it. ^is ne did so " T«r7^ hundred pounds ! " he exclaimed, looking at the clock Two hundred pounds ! By Georoe ' I'll <>hann« ,> tk cash it before the crash cornel M^ Deane. do yoii mind m/lST ing you for a few hours ? I can just catch he Ct "rain ancTl out ofThJrrm.*"^ '""'^^'^ P"""^^' ^* -y -^« ' " -TheTarlU Sh^'^f^i"^ ^A ^u^'? ""^"^.^ '" *^th Roland's name on her lips alone ^^ "'* *' '^'" '^^ ^^'^^J'^"^ ^^«"°hing over Sae fire '' Marjorie, where is Sir Roland i " Marjorie looked up, " Sir Roland T' she repeated, hoarsely rest ; he has— gone !— »one ' " ''ItT Whtef FfrtvK^^ '""" '' ^^^^'""^'^ ^"«- eon7°fTr'''/?"''^,^''''J°"^''' ^^th a wild smile. "All has sTorm~arone !''"'' """' ' ^''''' ^'*'' '^^ *^« ^«^* *« ^^^^ ^h' tr Sir Roland is like the 3h of the lips—" Sir He will not come. " Do you mean to igagement?" ir and pathetic than does not do things 3 lis of everything — he muttered, strid- 1. "This— this is ' whole hope rested see that you are so 3t deal me another >ok. " I don't like t if tiiia is true, this »— I am a business with me— wiii you eg your pardon for interests by acting "—she handed him md. As he did so king at the clock, nee it. They may you mind my leav- tirst train, and if I i ! " and he darted 10 on her lips, hing over the fire Roland is like the Marjorie'a knees. smile. " All has are left to face the ^AEJOHIE DEANW, 143 CHAPTER XXVI.' AFTER THK STORJf. npHE short winter day was drawi> , +^ i -* and the lamplightrr wpr« ' •'' ''^"'^ ' ^^^ "^'"^''n man suburban streets and' sKs- re 8t33/ '''^ ^i"^«t are quiet from early moiu„g'to dewy eTe St T^''' *^"* "«^«^ ness was wendins his w»% v,-Z ^ \ \ "® ^"^^^y man of busi- omnibus train ancl street c^^r^XSS tf .f' ^''^' ^'y^- moist and damp ; the usual mistv ha.. wL *''*' P^ve.uent was metropolis in winter, was W n f ifke ' ^ali'n "T'''. ^^^ ^'^''^d's the busy, moiling, toiling dayTas over S T^'^''^ ' .*^« ^'"^y- sleeps, paused, so to spe^k, tJ take Sh h«f '"^."' '^^''^' ""'^^^ roaring, restless night '^^^ *^^^''''^ '^ hashed into the front parlor were^he toll." of the^^fii^tr^'^^u ^ ^^'^- ^^''^^' lamplighter. ^ ™"™" ''ell and the tramp of the A month, just four wenVn h^A i • fallen dead 'in\he Hblarrof Sis gfanCuntrv"*? P'^^*" I^«-"« had only, and yet they seemed nnnr,?K ''""^^^y house. Four weeks enJJyhlT.?:; Sel t°„.T£^ in four weet. »„„ ehange, change in theai. *''"®' *""^ y^* there seemed little thiTtarfo^lStrr/S^^^^^^^ romance, at least one of symptom of dying shortly of a h^oL- I*'' ''"'^ <^xhibiting every not for lovc-ln^^^ar S tteTaTIf 'i;;/^^?, t^T *° *-«' ^ut npon her. Both girls were dressed 1 hi *? ^^^ ^ «*^<^"g hold which much to Mrs. Cartel's secret 1-.? ' ■* '""^^ cashmere, And just as there was no crane so X^' ""^ '"'''^'=«"* «^ <='^Pe wailmg. Both girls had borne tlF«%Ki^®''® ^''^ "« keeping and the treble b^w.^womanJufly 'jJot 1 wo J '^'^^ ^" Marjorle's^case, was lost escaped either of them They si? «n '??'"'"« ^'''" ^" ^hat domg now, looking at the firkin «ifZ!"l!rf*A'"««' ^ they were $1 '"pair in .iieno,. but it .rr^urs" 3 "i''-E if H- 144 MA R JO R IE DEANE. \[ It w "; 'r t^^^^^^^^ *hey did now and then wonder, had played ^Sa~Ltt ^^Zf""""' ^^'^''t ^^''^' «'^'^^« f«^'""« mercy of the cold wJrld ' ' ^ ^"'^ *'''''^" "P°" *^« during ?hoso o ,r we"k8 M Jt'' *,!" i''^'' T^ * ^'•^^™- ^^''y ^^^en, heraeU either i the poo^ HtuThl«''^f r""^/""^ expectin/to find seminary ^^here she had ta, ahr TK u ' ^'T/ y^^^"' ""' '"^ ^^e so short, so unrea that ^f^' ^"^ "^/^^^ ^ouse episode was was a blink save A Ll .f^'^'r^'^^" '^'■^'^™^^ "^ ^^ All that passion •' '^'^~''^> «^^« those few too short days of her first J:S::ZiZ^ tlt^^Z^^t^'^^.V^' ba.k-how often infinite despair ^ ' * ''^'^^ """^ «" "'^"'^c longing, days':nV:tl^reartedT:"i? "^ ^^^^^"^ -""^^ ^^-^ better when^t";wot^Talkinll^■^r^^ world," she said one night good people cat not be th« nnf' '"^ '*'^"f ^^""*«- " ^heae de°ar, There arrmorrrlrtiu A ^ generous-hearted ones in the world it cannrbe very cold ''"" '"''' ' "'^^" '^" ^""'^^ ^'^^' '^'"^ who came ud manfnll,7 ar,^ k i i j ', ■ "**'® PaJe-faced man, , Fromth:Cmlff„;\i';"S5etldUrRT ^^^'^'^'^^^^• he went to their aid and stonH W .1 *^a;^ Sir Roland had gone, the old days of ch valrv wonl^ ^l "" T^ « devotion which, in knighthood. No eveTin thos« r ''^" ^T ^'' ^^^^" «?"" «f chivalrous and devS than ie ^'^'''" ^"^^ ^'"^ ^'"8^* '""^^ to\VeXgit:« of'tSan" wh'o' *?' ."^:;^^ *° P^-« ^^'^ ^-«tion middle a T '" "^'"" ^^" ^^"^ ««"«d ^'^^ boyhood to thatdStrdtVelin.t'ife r^t"^^^«^« ^-- »>— ^ the Unk w.th ^eri?a t/ei^tUrth^^^^^^^^^^ triuScir ':;:p^t'inrti?''"V'Ar^^«'-' ^"•^ «*•" p-'-. ^^^ the la'st of he many many the Js"a^ J n^%"?*^V"'^ T^^' ^1»^««* passed through the ^cks^S hands '''' ^'""^ " "^^'^'^ ^''^'^ wafc sherthtirasT "c Z' T' l'?."^- •.^'^•' ^""^ ^^*«^ '^-' ^^eck Peter Deane's rnTn and Sh "'^ ''' "*^ ^^"^ "^*^ *^« '^^^^ °^ Merely stopping long enough to send a telegrarr- to Mrs. Cartel, \ )w and then wonder, which fickle fortune lap of luxury, bask- ad thrown upon the faa hard sometimes dream. Very often, Jd expecting to find ner years, or in the House episode was led of it. All that rt days of her first nt back— how often an infinite i'ings about better she said one night its. " These delir, ones in the world. > world holds them nselves to be pure le pale-faced man, ur in their behalf. ' Roland had gone, devotion which, in is golden spurs of was knight more )rove his devotion I from boyhood to >ye for an hour of >ndon, and was at ned financier ever md still paler, but and gold, almost Jeane's which had ir after that check vith the news of tn to Mrs. Cartel, h For some hours Marinri« Lf , . Poiind=. in his hand. ^ he had explained i^^ZVaZ't^Xtt u' ^"' '' ^^^ -* -*» and jnstly hers, and that to rel n S if t ^\'^ ,""^^^7 was legally hands of the lawyers, that he suSed ; '^ ''" -^"'^ '* ^"^''the retain it. ""^ succeeded in persuading Harjorie to Ihen there came another biittl.^ remain at the house until after ihef,?J"^> '*'","" ^^^"elf up to VI a. All the journey up S f h V h ^" "^ .^''' "^"^'^^t '^^ tie "lly, what Mrs. Cartel would Te JiU l.H '" r'"^"""»' ^alf fear- their pale-eyed little friend ' ^"^ Picturing a thin copy <,f Instead of this, a bux. n iiffja „ nuserating eyes th',/ ' kc I as if ZT^ 'TV"' ""'^^ '^^""e, com- She received ther • , uiv with "^''"^ they had, been crying said, with ming^ -t^.^l} V'' ^^^ ^ f"^' when M- cSl ^^o- >' u ii e. ''6 and sadnesn '«raiiade hnuaelf that ho »a» not aith-one being that Peter Seane wt If ^"''f *^ *^" ^^ti«J«« of the world, and the other tha ler h,7sbam] J"';*, wonderful man in , 'My dear," she said smiMn™ +i ^ , ^^^ *^^« "^xt. had murmured her rettrcel ^ p?' ort/^""^' ^^^" ^^^"i^- It wasn't for rememberina that v.mrf? . i ?"*''«'•' '~^"^>'<>"'»• Why do you „aS t°' ijecauso f wonlfl Ut^ * v. can do so many things to ear„ hfs fiv"nf '' ''"'""^ ' ^«^-'«« ^ man .P?''- .J' '^ *^^'<^« ^« hard for a wo f7r'r'' ^ ''"^^'"^^ "^^ '^'"'^''^k ecauae the world can better LarriH,' IV"" ,^' * '"^»- It is Of co.,rse we cannot stop here, Kie -' '^''^^ "^" ^"-''^^ ^^ ^^^-"un. " So " s^i aS-"' ''^""' ^"^'^""^^ ^t the fire clasped ^:S;lftbacr"ar,;!7'''"^^^-^^^ f-, her hands dreamily meditative. 'Avehave ^H. ^^ S ""'^ ^er 'dark ejes How much have wor'ft,i,„j t- ■ , aSBraveasajndiio',. '"^ '''^"«' h" prctty youug (j.^ on.ffS.!';;r:;i:j'-SS^^;ok, a„d o„,ptvi,„.he c„,..e„,. ''"S,r"do„.!',^-?redT«''""™'"-="'S^ you talk hke thaf^'ltt jt' ^L^lS' " ' -n'' ^ tThoar iie.er, never uiKlerstooiI hi„, " ^ P""' W "'"J to lalt, and t '•wi°rwtf5;lrf„-™\f.*-*oMenh,adoa™.in,,y. S3|;'L\s;; """* '" - -"^-=.-:' n^L-hs; but whafal ! "■iT^S n^Zl.', '""""^^ """"'i i>el|.leasly. .. v„. Well, that isnctsiioha btl i^ .. ■, . P""""'"!!" solemnity. " There wa, a man once ^ho"'" '?"J"™' "'"> "-ock i-^trr'„S5;rre„t£r'--"-""^^^^ for Bessio lauifhed ve hundred poii nd 8.' vvhicli was just what Mai sold it to a cats' jurie had told her story Ml tv.^ MS ilAIiJOniE DEANE. P„. ^''"' ,8^e went on, "I don't think a crossina would suit ns Be sie. For one thin^, we have botli an absurd ob]m'rto Ja" ' nnd for am, her, v,-^ look too well fed. See.ninsIy,''Be 31" he?e ia only one thing open for ns. I can't sweep a crossTnrbn 1 can sweep the cobwebs on t of children's brains. I can teach school." V,. 1. \, '"^'."'^' ^"'^""''^ ^c5H[e, "you don't mean to-to go back to xMrs. Urown's ! You won't leave mo ' " ^ remain. It ill' t ^^-^^'ll cling together as long as a spar roman^ as the sorg says. No, I was thinking that perhai's [ nnL;]it ;,ot a eit.ution as a school-teachrr, in some school in tho country. \\ ould you like that, Besi^ie i " I he color returned to B-ssie's face, and she nodded in approval difhcult to obtain ? It seems to me that everybody who hasn't any money would like to get that sort of thinrr " ^ nasn i; any careltsntIs'"';J/^Vi"^ ^^ i"«^ance. ' slid Marjorie. with afT.cted carelessness, and she took a acrap of paper tioin her purse and ,Il[f ^'^^'''^"-'^ M^ *"* *''^'^e charge of a village Prhool. ISInst ho ighly co„,petent French and diawi„g • iis,„.n.al, e Salu^ t'H UHun, wnh S.U.11 school-house. Adores., with a 1 i^aiSu iV^X ou an Wariey, ^Vilt8. thor- with ail particulars, Vicak, J?7^«je "/^''''ed an exclamation of delight. Hftl«i.;„ •''.',"'' •' '^'^''''' '' ^'"^ ^*''''^ • ^ hundred a rear, and a theie will be a hundred, a thousand answers ! And yet, you rn^^ht answer it yourself, just to see " ^ ° "1 have answered if," said Marjorie, quietly, goincr behind her ?vifiV;^'"^', ^r ^''^^^■- . " l'^^^^« «"«^«r«'i it andlie'e-iisteu' ^^?. %, Ar "^ '^^':rer' f '^^^"* "f noto-paper, and read : ihe Vicar oMVnrley has received JIips Deane's letter and in- SorvSjy "' °''''^ ^" ""^" *"" appuinunent for a personal Bessie jumped up with p cry oF d li dit, «< ^'"y- Maijorii, you nevei- told me ! " ^o, dear, 1 di.ln'c n-ant t,.ii to bear all the anxiety of su-^npn^c and when I wrote 1 had so Ht.le hope of ans rluu, coming Cit! And even now-weJ^ tho vicar may 1 hi,:k J am too young! 1 tancy he pictures a Miss D.ane ,.f ab uc forty or liity." ° ^ B.'BMie laughed h> pe ully. " \Vait till ho sees j on, Marjorie. I'U defv him to refuse von looked at hun m ir,^t htt.e, eager way of yuurs. This vicar is a lost ^AltJOiiiE DEANB. isains would suit us, •d objeccion to ra^s ; ngly, Bessie, there ia k crossiDgr, but 1 ran can teach school. " n't mean to — to go cheek a soft pat. her as loug as a spar kin^r that, perhaps [ some school in tho nodded in approval. In't it be very — very Jody who hasn't any ■rjorie, with aff;>ctpd roua her purse ami ehool. IVfust bo tiior- I'ie. Sabuy, i'lno [ler il particulars, Vic^iK, dred a ye.ir, and a ]\I')rjorie, of cmirsa And yet, you might , going behind her , and here — listen, and read : tne's letter and in- lent for a personal mxi^ty of suspense, uj' c^ lining tioui It. oo young. 1 tancy him to refuse you. iii'd \our eyes and Tiiia vicar is a lost 149 What will .7e°',i?r^."™' '"'-bul-oh, M„iorie, Ih, Car.,1. , M«rj.m9 „ho<,k her head gravelr To-morrow ! " ephno,? r> 'vom.n j,„„ „,^ jj,« B«,e asha.t <■ w„al a b,«i„»„ " The question ia, iijl he !,> "'„, , ?^"" """t ,»o 'hall lite him I " The- there came upon her fao»\ t, , ,™"™"<1 Marjorie, la,K.U„„ were to h„e been tor y"° f Mariorit '"?'*'" »"»»• diHerepflj Ihirga and she lowered her voice and IctK. ^" ^°V "''"'' *« l""'"" ' " jone a shoulder. .• Surely he cMu°l ° H '""'' =?'««»'ngly on Mar- .o.p?aroL^f^i*tei;.r^.i.erf;>ce ., We „^ „„. Io..ngeiacl,e1'and':,iX:"eSed"^'? "'KT' '-O »»»" ^r a mule of affection and resDicfS *"'? "'"■ 1>« Mual amila « favorite chair to thelire a. f ' .iVu''''^'""'''"'. ""^ Jrew E.^.; Never in all hi, hfe had the wor° hv ?M "'* l'»'J°"» The":re°fl"r?K''''' ■>"' f"" "-k "" '"°'' '" ""PPJ- " andtrrli^;rot5t"'n°Vara:°''"=''''l'"'s-'" b™-* hi, roof ca:Sot.-^ftriS'S«-^^^^^^^ tef r.Sr '-^°-' '- -S"?,'?^, .fa^r|!a'tt^£? dea-rc^rajSKS^atf '■' Tf " '"'^ « ^-^al B^».e, ^oiden-haired Beaaie, hetTiaSTJ^^^^^^^^ If they wanted to repay him f^„ „,, X,... , . _ they had only to .m,. an^d loo. Wpy^T^d^ir^raSe^^^^^ ilii f m 'if IJjO MARJOniE DEANE. Thia night, as ho drew Bessie's cliair forward, and put another tor Marj(,no at the table, where she would insist upon cutting the bread and assisting generally, he beamed more cheerfully than ever Marjone, as she met his beaminor smile, felt the Vicar of Warley'a letter burnmg hke a coal in her pocket. ^ f I No, "I'm CHAPTER XXVII. MARJOIIIE TAKES UP A NEW LIFE. " WELL Miss Bessie " said Mr. Cartel, rubbing his hands, „ , r , • y*^", think 1 was never coming? I ou.'ht to apologize for being so late, i've been detained in the city ° J ve not-l ve been to the West End." and he smiled, afraid you find it very dull. Miss Mi jorie ? " !i ?i.' 'i'''" ^*^^ ^larjorie, cutting away at the bread. Uh, but you do, you know," he said, confidently. "I know you do. You miss things-it's only natural. You miss your horse- riding, for instance, and your music, eh ? " Marjorie shook her head. " Oh, but you do ! Come now, be candid," he said. " But you sha n t miss it long-not after to-morrow. Miss Marjorie. " To-morrow? asked Marjorie, smiling across the table at him. les he nodded, with a heaming smile. " I didn't mean to say anything about it, but I'm a bad one to keep a secret I've bought a piano for you young ladies. None of your German instruments, but a rea Bruadwood. Oh, I hope 1 know what is due to you, my dears ! " Marjorie put down the knife, and looked across at him with sor- rowful regret. ► " Oh, Mr. Cartel ! " Mr. Cartel rubbed his hands with keen enjoyment at her dis- iiiciy, " i"^ ""I'J: t'^' ^^''- .^^'■*^^ • ' " ^»« «*i^' -"^ith a chuckle. " Did nf n lifli • \^''« g^"'g t" let you mope and pine for the want of ahttle music? Besides, you needn't look so sorrowful, Miss SToT^/1' -.P'^v "** ^''? selfishness, for it's I and the n.issis will benefit by it You can't play without us hearing it. I hope Invtl in^ oJ J. ^V^ r^, "^ " *"" '"^r- ^"^^ y^^ »«-den't tHk .iu> thing of It. I've had a very good week in the city, as your poor I i, and put .'mother 3t upon cutting tho !heerf>il)y than ever. 3 Vicar of Warley's LIFE. rubbing his hands, ning ? I ought to i in the city. No, he smiled. "I'm bread. dently. "I know ou miss your horse- e said. " But you klarjorie. " i the table at him. ' I didn't mean to eep a secret. I've of your German e 1 know what is ss at him with sor- yment afc her dis- a chuckle. " Did pine for the want o sorrowful, Miss I and the u.issis taring it. I hope ju needen't think ' city, as your poor fi I ^AnjOniE DEANE. jgj ns will you?" and she mt th« l^ .•" "^''^^ ""* "'i«"n'Jerstand hand. ® P"* ^^^ advertisement and letters in his ed'i^hl'tn'rna'irani'i^r; t' 'K'' '^^ ^^'^ '' ^^^ l-^^- " What ! " he excSri » f u°^ ^*"''"« ^"'' ^ho masfery. a joke. Miss MarjS : '^^n'tt ?' 'and Tri ^'^^'V"?" *^'^ ^ '^'^ sorrowful look of ippedaUmed him " '^"^''^«^ ' ^ut Marjorie's going as'sVhoJl!miSl;p""*^'^- You-you-my master's daughter, ''I k^;,-' hetS" «rl,JJ7r'.P'eadingly. was before 'all the money was tV ""^' ^''' *^''^*- ^hat-that Miss Marjorie, you cWtLTf.T^- ^ ^t i« ^iU'ereut. Oh, Then Wrs. CaS c^me f?rwaS '"'' "" '"'^''^^ ' " fully^"^' M.SS Marjorie, you will do this/" she exclaimed, tear- ca^Tt^^^^^^^^ -d'y. "I cannot- me to be so dependent i" generosity ! \ou would not wish your father. Wasn-'t I ^neX; ^'' ^'^ T^ ^ '''^'' ^ ^^e To little errand boyT D/peS , \vh" " ^"^'l' I ^'^"' *° ^'^-^ * I have is yours-we-Je no ol n, ." T''^^ °^ dependence / All want to break our hearts ?"' '' *° ^"'^ ^"'^ ^"^ y""- ^o you ing! de'ar M^ Si' 'J'' " ' ^"'^ "^"* *« «--« ^7 own from break- BiloX-n c'o^mX'tirh Zt tr^^''- ^^T- ^-^^' --^ tion battling with pride ^""^ ^ '''°"® "^ ^"^^ ^nd devo- is iwetr ftt V:ee'yra\rto?^^^^^^^^ ^^"^^ " ''^^^^ ---n your father's servant,"'hesaTd, 4heCiitIv° ''''^' '"^*''"^= ^^^"^ that w:'sCiidTe\sts"up;;^ir 't^T\ ,^y^ --^ ^-* not misunderstand us i " ^^ ' ^"- Cartel, do not— do U "» ' «o™y and a pai„f„i „„, ^„ ,^, ^^^^ ^^^ ^^^_ ,t i 162 MAliJOlUE DEANE, .»e, »„„ r«U and .» lie" ^^^, "c„i, r^")""" " P''''' "'""""■" brenlh, biilat Iwt Jl,„ i„ri„', .^1 '.„ , "■?i' ,"" -d b„f„™ «udni.h.':rfj,,':d'', :':;""' "•'''''■'"'''' "'"' "- '"^. j :^rr4!,™rw.'.s''\-T 'S -"^"' '™°»'"' We've en.Hi^.h, the missis and'rYf ^ ^*''*' ^® *° l'v« for? won't be loft behind Warley will . .Tt'n.'""l!" ^^ '^"/^'^' ^^^■■■' ^'^ morrow. Well I'll „„ i ft ^"' '"* "»' '^h, Mary ? You ,,„ to- least /" ' ^" ^'^ "'^^^ y«»J you will let me do that at -Mr. Cart/l sorrowfully resigned ' * "'"'*^'' school-mistress VVarley is one of the outlaying villages in ^hi y. not run. They travelled bv rail fi !t ^""^ * ""^'^^^y does took the coach to their destiLfon "'"'''* *"^°' and' there Ihe coach, ere it set Mariorie ami at« n i i , age, passed a pretty little school fJ ui ^^^^ "^ "^« vicar- weretroopin.a'fterfheirmorS; w^S "^/f.,*,'?^ ^oys and girla was a small cottage ovorsrown witlT v- ■ • "^^ ^^^^^ ^^^om it there was no doubt in E.Ws m nd ff "'^ ''V^''- " ^««- With a grieved and serirs'^fLrt'c^rTeri^^ princess out of the coach, and nni f'l,. • ^^^^'^ ^'« ^^ung -tly capped servant ans^eil^ 5^^ '^iZS Si itt^t; ^li ^?uo!?ff.:i'Sr^-i^r -van* ^^^ ^'- d-. with the air of a manlekdin' a fX^^ ''-4 pleadingly, and we will go bn, !: in the next Sotch to Lonl'^a"" ""''' *^^ ^'^'^^ ^"^ iwlj'l:^an orilS' i^Jelh^n ^Idfe'' ^^ /'-J-r entered. mystic period, and as he entered hi Ll^^l'/^ ^deed past that Marj^jrie with s,.uething likfs7prise ^"^"'"^ ^'^^^ ^^'- ""^'"'^ *« "Miss Doaue/" he said. me but /expected to see a.i' older Zy >>'''''' '^^^^^^^ " i^^^^^" brSn^f:;i^^?f,S^S;;,,^^0^^^^ caught at the hope, and Yea, just so, sir. Miss Doane is such a young i^dj. " >red to the winds, ie's palo, beautiful nd entreated in t, iness won tiio day, read the tetters :ed across ao Mrs, Well, if you are ippose you won't » we to live for ? > do this, whv, we J.ry ? You go to- t me do that at 1 thoughtful, her 3 school-mistress I a railway does town, and there wn at the vicar- e boys and girls B apart from it eper. It was— cottage. Iped his young > bell. A trim, them into th,. id the door, pleadingly, and y the word and J vicar entered. ideed past that Mr. Cartel to irprise. 'ly. "Pardon the hope, and *uy. MAHJOlilB DEANB. ,gg ea^of hU 'vil'itori'^ '^" "°"' "'*^ «* «"""«' «»» ^^ P»t a chair for will Snk llZ&fyZt ZZ y^'^^'°'• " '^"^ P-haP» you J»'T„,7."o„t'°'' *' '''""=' "'«' P™"'""". 'he dart, e.„,„.nt ses " "" "®'^- ^"® *ells me that sudden rever- thrdaughTeVo?Mr''pet^e'r-Dr^^ breaking in. "Miss Deane i, ^ The vicar shook kif head po"tV/M^^ ^'^^^h...^ of him ? '' downcast face. POiUeiy, his eyes faxed on Marjorie's •^We^rS "^h^ ^•' ! ^w''^ "^ ^"'^'^ ""blime ignorance " I understand " «,VI f? 1^' * • * *^® '» ^^'e to-day." from on^etfhe other -MrDe'a'^et'^ ^"iet smile, an J a glance Mr. Cartel groaned °^ P'^^^" ^'^ ^« independent. " deSni"" ^"^ '' *'** "''^' «-• Yes, sir, she prefers to be in- Marjorie raised her eyes with a grateful glance As 1 said before," went on the vicar " T L-»^ T^t t, was curate in the parish ; and she wrUes mfilfc ^'^- ^''''^" ' ^ bt^t^rrV-' *'^ ^^»"^-^^— • M^I ai^ireSr^^^^^^^^^^ ^"•'^ee.5lrS;;:^^ to accept this situation Miss D-.So 1 -J^^^^^^^'^d' ^^ ^ your wish " It IS," said Marjorie, in a low voice. .1 IM MAIiJOniE DEANS. The vJcar rone and took a turn or two up and down the library. Then ho caniu back and ji)ined them—a smile on hia face. " Then I think we may conclude the buBinesB. I shall bo happy to engage Miss Deauo as mistress of Warley school, if she thinks proper to accept the engagement. eyes. I "Thank you," said IVIarjorie. Then she raised her have a sister -a young sister— she may live with me I " The vicar bowed^ "That is a matter for your own decision," he said, with a smile. '' Now lot us go and got some luncheon. You must excuse a bachelor's menage, Miss Deane. My ectablishment consists of a honse-keepor, a cook and a boy. Warley i% an ontot-the-world place. I trust you will bo happy— yon and your aistor, 1 should say. Mr. " "Cartel," said Mr. Cartel, with a grunt. "Mr. Cartel need not fear that wo shall not try to make vou Lappy." ' And he took her hand upon his arm and led her into the dining- room. " CHAPTER XXVIII. WHAT SIR ROLAND WAS DOING. ^^F all the so-called fast clubs that h.avo sprung into existence /-^ ^during the past half century, there is none faster than "The Daws." Their club-house liea in a cjuiot street olT St. James street —a street so quiet that t^ie unsophisticated and uninitiated would scarcely believe that a club of any sort existed there. And yet, f )r all its quiet surroundings and an nnpretendini' exterior, the Daws is and was one of the most exclusive clubs in London. A prince of the blood-royal is and ever has been its president, dukes are on its committee, and it always has for its chej the highestsalaiied cook in England. To be a member of the Daws ia to be a member of that myster- ious upper ten thousand which rules that part of London known as "society." It was long past midnight— the night on which Marjorie had decided to accept the situation of school-mistress at Warley— and the Daws was at its height. Footmen, in the gold and blue of the club hvery, \>ere hard at work conveying the far-famed claret and I MARJOniE hEANE. 105 il Knllofl bones to iho card-ioom. Ilanl-workod inombors of Parlia- mont were Riiiokin;,< thoir laat ci^jar in the waitina.r.,.,m, hard- vvorked do-not|,inys wero lonngiiii; in the drawn -r..oin, and, hardeat-workod of all, tho card-players were playing in the card- That famous game, baccarat, was in full swBig. At ono tablo flat a y.miig duko, cr tnero boy, with a rent-roll of fifty thousand, wluch, lar..e mco.no as it was, was all too small for his spendthrift abits N\ ith 1 iin w.ts a legislator, one of tho uvn to whom J.tigiand looked with coulident hope, ond next him sat Reainald Hloiitressor. " ll.ndsome, beautifui as ever, I? ginald vvclined in the satin chair, without a wrinkle on hi^ 8mo< th brow o/ a shadow of ciro in his eye. He had .been l.isir,^ for t 70 . ,t.o ho rs, losiu- stoadilv, bu his mien was unchanged, his li^»,(,, buoy/., t air undisturbed. J>etween the deals he talked with the \~, ..ith careless nonchal- ance, talked of politics, the drama, any',.ing and everythin-', with the same airy grace. Presently some ono near the duke (aentiontd a familiar name. " Where is Chesterton to-night ? " It was far be) ond night by this time, but no matter. iieginald smiled and shniLfged liis shoulders ;' I don't know. He ought to be here by this time. His mollicr 13 in town ; perhaps he is there." "I hope he'll come," sr.id tho young duko ; " I want to cive hiui his revenge. He lost heavily last ni-dit. " Knri^?'"-fT"*,'"i ti''^'i"-^lJ, with a%mile, "he has lost heavily, but 1 don t think he cares." •' ' "No," said the duko, " that's the extraordinary part of h ' Vou can never take a rise out of Cheatorton. Win <,r lose, it seems the same to him. What's the matter with him, Re.,, +v, mail from Melton, had snatched a couple of hourTslee? 1/ It K w"a7nnwT^''.'^'^'\^^' ''^-^ "^f^*"^ «^"" ^^^ ^ hard da/s Slit It was only by sheer exhaustion that he could get to sleep at all • li, :^A'\ZZT — -*-- ohangeof^scene-th^attt^ld^ Sometimes he found himself in the rare intervals when he allowed himself to think unwillingly of the chan.e that had come over him, wondering, with onazement, at the effect which a S treachery and falseness had brought upon him ^ There were times when he was inclined to believe that he was actually and veritably bewitched, or why should this thinudin. to him so stubbornly ? Why, when he slept, did he dream tll^the soft, warm am. were around his neok, the sweet voice murmurin! lovingly in his ear ? Why, in his waking moments,Td tl e browf eyes follow him about, accusingly, pleadiu-rly ? No man coi->^ make a harder fight for it than he ha^^ d-ne Hp had piuiiifea mto eve-y form of excitement without" avail" He than the first, and lis wild diversions i^earily. Reginald puts it, hilarity, with the itensity that was, plunged into all )dern fashionable ivoided, and that drank little. It if he had drank it certainly does (vhat it may. lything else, and onifortable card- ment had passed t the same could stalwart iu his )n his face and his dark eyes, a tierce, though lips, under the ', and there was peleaa weariness ome up by the rs sleep in the rd day's riding, sleep at all ; ic > — that he could rvals when he that had come ; which a girl's ve that he was 1 thing cling to iream that the ice murmuring did the brown isd donft ut avail. He He MA RJORIE DEA 27]!}. 157 came b^ack^Iotnnl^'d'^LdenT -Ir^ '^ ''' down quietly, she reprrct"" HetlS''hr:"^'r''"i 'T1 ^^'-^ P'^^« t° * fi-*'^ «elf- S^ofi^» Sd pou s ou^t'nX ^"'' ""^''t .^ '"^"' "h« has known th dis'^lctS i.^He'^hld loft itvli "A'' '' "^« ^" °- ^" *he Btrances which trembled on her^lfps ' '^"''''""' ""' '^'"""- that reminded him so'vivTdrJ'o'f mZL P^""'^' """""^"^ ^^^ goodtun'?" ''^'"^ •'" '^'^ ^'''^'''^' "'^■•^^'* got back? Had a ^uLltte nfall7 ''' ""^ ''^' "^^ ^^ " ^-. fairly i-iv. Ulln-cr rruiSLltJU. •' The mail 1 By George, Chesterton, !0, 111 ill' '.n you don't do things by 158 MARJOIUE DEANB halves. Yon starteu never knows which w„ And hero you are back yesterday, yesterday or was it the day before ? One It's inorninj^ iow, of course. [ m nere you are back again ! Don't you ever sleon ? " Roland smiled grimly ^ ^^ ' - Baccarl' ' '" ^' ^'''r\f'. " What's the game ? " A^t^zt:.r:^£:r:'^' ^^^^^^^^^^^^ duke. body there and aniteHff,hff "T'.^'^u"^ ^^ Montressor ? Every- Set'^ne from M^i If .S^^^ bv thr\'""r- ' """=*^^ '^ of conversation ' ^ ^' *^^ '""''''^'''^ ""^^ ^ standing topic rt 2'"t"'^''"?,^r^^ " ^« ^^'^■'''d, with faint interest ou?i?£^t^^t?::Scr"^ ^^ ^^^^'-^^^' wh^u^oved ^^l^^niii:^^]::':^ ^hey were him dance four times with PrP ^ ^^''', ^^i«'" lessor. I saw A slight frown crossed I'olnnrl' V" '"y^^!;^' I ^hi"k it's acase." to th^Se! '"" ""' °"""«"' ^°" ""<■- ' " "« S;„d, co;„i„g „p " On?.l '"'?'"' ""■ '''I'"'"'' '""o »»'■" 'na impassive. _ ymtB hn a.i, moliniiig his hoad. U, Chr.irto''"? '•" '"'' "■" ""k- " Wonderfully bad luck your. Holand smiled indifferently £«- ^^zj:»;' 1- - -^--;-- - 4i-wT„"k''hi;tL'''' '"''' ■"■* "^'^^ "- "■' "i't ■•« ooat, and i MA mo HIE DEAXE. 169 day before ? One s' now, of course, sleep ? " le ? " ome and take my ^ up the cards, and ampagne, I," said the duke, atressor ? Every- !s. I managed tc my teeth, and J ■neland for it." d waa one of the lever you pleaaej his entrance into laiiy, many years 1 a standing tapic iterest, who had moved '^(e ! They were •ntressor. I saw- think it's a case." as not himself in neland, and way between the kened to life and sked, coming up sive. y bad luck yours while,"— and he the spot at the ith hia coat, and am not. Got foriy winka in "I ought to be," he said, " but 1 the carriage. " Reginald looked at him and shook his head Aren t you-look here, Roland, I don't want to be intrusiv« you know-but arenj you going it 'a little too strong, eh ?"' Roland looked at him absently. ° '• Weil td^on".T'" V; ^« f ke*^- • " ^^'^^* ^««« it "tatter ? " mattS'r lot: o^uT'l'iralS?11rffo?ins;' '' '"''''^ vT:Z::1 ^ T' fr' 'i^' ™«-^ 'l^-nTmudft: i stS w£ I ve lost t why there I am where I was before. But you-iTs a JUyloss? said Roland, stopping to light a ciaar "I don't fhe Li„X?" '° '" '° """■ ^"^ ''■"» " "-'■ «"^ '"«' " "Some hundreds," said Reginald eravelv " r ^n,^™• „ u plenty at the back of you ; bul is i?'w?rtr ^kile ? '' ^""^ ^°" ^'^' - Tf rrt« "1'^''''*'' ^^'^^ ' " '^"*"'*"'^ I^'^''^"''' ^ith a hard lauc^h If you have discovered a game that is worth the candle I wish Re?in Jd"" 'uJ"f^ ''^t ™' '^P'^^y ''■ ^""'^^ turned moraS Keginald. Isn t it something rather out of your lino ? " Regmald blushed— actually blushed ...',1?^ ^T^^ 'a' h^ '""'^^ " ^ t^""'^ ■ '«' b"t it's only on your ac- count. and-and-I say, what about aroavenor square? Aren' you going to put up there ? " square f Aren t WhyXlHT""' ''°^"^'- "'^'^^"^^^'^ '' comfortable enough. Reginald shrugged his shoulders on m« liL^^"*"; ^''^''''^- ^^^y Chesterton has been dropping down on me like a stone-quarry. Whe thinks, as aha says that it's mS fault thac you're going the pace. Now-^" ^ ' "^ Roland broke in, with a hard, sarcastic lau^h • And you promised to put in a word iu season. Well vo,i>va bSrvou'lTn/'"' '"'^ '' ^r-- ^^°'"^'^' y- -"« a good fZl .. r.l ^ ."®^^'' ^^'■" y^""^ ^^^»ns as a preacher. " ' you gobg nJw'V' ""''*'" '"^ ''^^^'^^^'' ^^"'^^'^'y- " ^'^«'« are n^:S!£'Ci^^'' " ^'^^ ^^'^ ^«"- -- -th me." G^s^oi^^:;:;:^^/^ m^^> ^ p^°^-^ *« ^-^ - ^t Roland nodded. "Very well," and he unlinked hia arm. Ihe two men stood silent for a moment. t.h«n Roknd look-in. full into tiie handsome face, said, suddenly'- ^^«i»««. ^<>Ohm is tbaa true about Helen and Graueland ? " m as 11 m 160 IfA RJORIE DBA IW shoulders, and kicked the pavement Reginald ahrugged his gravely, Roland frowned ''You mean it's partly mine ? " he said. fac^^'f'The o'hen'' '"' ^'^'^ ^'^^'^'^ ^^^'^^^^ "P -* ^^^ ^-^ning ^n Kr ^ J .1™ !° ^R.^^ ^^^ *''"*^' I '""s* say that-it is. It's absurd o bhnk the truth between us, you know.^ You could s^it^fZ, liked A word from you would do it. Mind. I don't ask vm, n Zwt7en '°S7 CO.?-'"* ^-^^ V^' *^^ ^i"-"- to me, anVlTa : Xr man could""""' ^°" ''""^'^ ^^'^P ^*- ^ '^°»"' ^^'^-e -ny f.^^'-^'r'^ ^*u°*^ ■"^"* and grim, and as he stood, the London street faded from his view, and in its place rose the sweet face with 1?« with Infmr;-- Y '^ ''""'^^'^ ^'' "^ of u!trg ilf^ '*" With an impatient movement 1*, turned to Reginald -and!i\e7Het!lL^^"°^'"«^^-*-^^y-o'>ked beyond him - * i/v » ^^ ^''^*°'* ^'^^ y°"^ " '"'as her first cry. ^ left him Tr'^^^«gTl" a.! Reginald looked down ^ ^readf^, 1'' ^^s wi h'rsiir^irij: *'^' *'^'^'«- "^* - I thought that all-all this sort of fl^h,. k T u "" 'l'""tanr] steady! all that miserable girl - - *'""= ^^'^ ^"^^^ ti^'^n up. It is Sf'^,J,''^^f''."^'g.«d.hi8 shoulders. couldnrha^eTelieved it wasTolan7"' "'" '° ^"'^^^'^'^ «^'«^- ^ l^ady Chesterton groaned. ,^ am sure you do the best you can Rnf f. for he IS mad-he must be ' l\T. T' ,*? ^"^ ^^ "'^d about ? h. h,;a .». ,„„ tho„..„SV,„!;S;r LVe'„V«r„!if„"'l' .'£ ginllVe"2iveT "° ■"" '"' '""■" '="">■." »"»"«red Re- "I don't care so much abnii+ +i,„ _ --man. '' Roland "r./rdtioL^'T^^^^^ P^^"'^ "^^i about ; it is R„laud. He never aamhi«^ ""* •^'''' ™""«y ^ ^are how, Reoiuald." '^ gambled-never in this way, any- "Yes." ^ .^ : S:/l'«'e t trnrt'^Vre^n^^T^f '^ ''^^ P-P'e ' " li he does it is in a careless sort of wav nl"';:''' "* *''" ^^P*^"' «>- course he thinks they are still down the're '' °'"'' ""'^""o' ^^" i^fidy Chesterton mused. o«.ht net;." ha.'l'gl.ie'S'' ,'!."■"' «"" " '»-«■, land that R»!ginald nodded. -ru'^^l^,^'',* ^'^^ become of— of the mVls 1" h. i i ^otlirSrL 0°I 'l^'^.^r- .They have gone-di.anpoar.. .r.. came B cried-actually cried about thrm ""'i ' ^"'"'^' «'*'«« become of thai. T^Xa tVarel'"^ *' '"°" ne and what had 1'^ I 102 ' t'^ V!l >lil MAL'fORIE DEANE. irnil^^;;,^"'"'*" ^=^'^-'«^^^"^=^ gi'-I. Lady Cheetertou/'said la .inald, Tho i>\\ lady compressed hor lips haii-htilv A roiiiui face and a pair c.f dark ey<^.'. '' lou have a 8tran,<,'o idua ()■■ ' - •' ' her tu catch the siinplcjjt of lijcii IJoicn 13 beautiful! " iii'uinahl ijoi^ilfid his head . , she said acornfiilly. I co;,M '..ever see anythiii;- in But lioland! Now, Holen— Helen- "i,i;nt f oannot yon bring him ? " 113 said ho would come, but I do not know I'll t..,T " i,« answered, bnt not very hopefullv " I'll tr,. nf ,1' ^? With all the rest of the world, the valet was fully Poot that [ complain, sir ; vou will understand that • hnf Jii^ ir^']''\'^ «'" he a bad end to this, Mr IleJ naU 'it "sn"^ one*;.:t'then'^''Now^l''' were pretty-^ell, wild," but'he'd rake be H Mr if • ,^ Jt'^^"^ S*"* ^™ *° t^l^e any rest at all. He'll T ' i 1*^ t^''"f ^u- ^" "^^ ^°"l;er if 163 *e, and yhtin tat • stiff. beat- wa^a S ^H^!>, '>''P'"t*^^,"^ ^"^«° Montres.or entered. There boTfl^randlht d^ed aw:vrBhl'f"l^"''^ '^'^ ^^^^ '^^ aaw only the hil^V old S" '"" '""" '"^ benlt'ktSSStrelS^ SA te" T" f *'H^ ^Ti' ^"^ a smile into the tall mirror '^^ '*°°*^ ^"^ ^^"'^^'^ ^'^^ tasf Bfe' Not^'otH'-L^''""^ *"-"'S'^*' *h^* '■« artistically perfect in yie Lg^extte tha ^shnl'?".'P''"°"'-^^- '^^'^ "material Vas of soft curves Vnd Hi ktioLthr ^^'"''''^^ ^°"^^ "^ *'^ ''« g^«««f"I "He will not come without him. Let ns iro in " thf fcpXr -t^™ -^ -P^ "» put on. THon bir Roland, my lady " recovered self-control Z summfnTd'a smil?" "" ' '"* ^""'^^'^^^ heffacT, tdfheTi'.ht I^SJ *«: ""^'\ T^ ^^'^ ^'^^ * «* *<> hope and the delrmbaSonTornVe" '" '"^' *^«^« ^^^^^ "P and'oranXS! s^ W ^htfra'me^ V^'^i ?^^'-^^ ^^^^ ^^r was prepared. ^ ^"^^^^ °* '"'"'^ ^« ^*8 i", i^nd she Would she win ? It was this night or never ! iiM 1U4 JtIA nJOniE DEA XE. f .i I ' CHAPTER XXX. THE TRIUMPH OF THE BEAUTF. \^Y ^'^.^ h'8 "S"al self-possession, anr] without any show of em- hismnthl'r'If "'!,"£■ ^'^^i^ia"d crossed the dining room to where A^hi Hi > ^"d,t'«««^ ^^'' *^"" ^^« ^'^'d ""* hi^hand to Helen. AS he did so, both women remarked-the old <,ne with sorrow tj^ejoung one with a tierce jealouay-the haggard and the wea7y the'tSlf "7ii'"A' "'''"^l .r ^f'"" '""'^ *« ?'^'« h'"^ the end of well! Helen ? '' ' ' "'^^ ' ^'"' * ^"''^ ^^^ ^"°^- Q"i*« ''Quite," she answered with a smile. " And you ? " lie nodded carelessly, and took up the menu. In the expectation of his coming Lady Chesterton had ordered his favorUe d shea and as he looked down the elaborate list, he knew this ' " wTdltt !" *"' ''^'^'".^o^'^l'i' " I'"^ gl-d you didn't wait. " VVedj.iveny.,uup," said Helen, lightly— as ]i '** ''"u^ ^"'*'"°'^' ^^th ah absent, wearied fX r " '' ^"^«'^^»:^>'y. a« th« dinner pru.re8sod-H dinner care, ully chosen with a vie^y to his taste, accompanied by rare vin- tuges-his apathy yielded, his coldness melted beneath the sunny warm ho her beauty and the irresistil.le charm of her munnc" ^ fh. IfK V'r • '"' '^■^'<^'""y ''«•• ^•'<>«ely, was too clever lo spoil word W^a^liithrr? " '""^ -— tion. and merely threw i^i a fur^ii^h^rf^'f^L'^'^'r^' *^^ '^",'" ^''"''" *'^ ^""'^ •' t'^« exquisitely furnished, yet home-like room, the beautiful woman exertin- her self to please, and yet concealing evidence of effort, began to tell And, not once or twice, but often, the stern lips relaxed into a smile, the cloud of weariness lifted from his brow, his lips grew softer, and his voice less harsh. ^ ^ For the moment he almost forgot those d-.nk, lovin- eyes with the wistful tenderness and half hidden passion ° ^ ' Not until she had won the oft-repeated smile from him c'id Il-len rise, and as he opened the door for her and his mother, she looked over her shoulder and glanced up into his face. fT« r 1- ^^IV'-^\ '''' 1 ^T • ^ ^"^ ^•""5,' to Lady Longley's." He inclined his head, then said, suddenly • '•Dun'tgo to-night." thinSit)^^'^ """''" '''" '^'^''^' ''''^ ^ ''"""• "^^«"' I ^ill t),f^H,rr? ^'f^. ^'' '"' '^''■'"; ^"'^ *^'° ^"^''^'" ^"-""^^it in a bottle of the old Chesterton port, and uncorked it carefully " What 13 this ? " asked 8ir Roland ba:k^n':n t 'chS'"^'' " '''''"' '''' ^"'^^'" ^"^ ^^ ^^^^ ^"--f Meanwhile the two women sat over the fire, Lady Cliesterton "'"' Tt!w "uT' "''."r!f" ^^I-'tressor confident 'uul smUiiJ. °" How old he looks I " murmured the grim old woman. " He Hele^K" ■' ^'""' "' *''^^' ^''' ^^^'^^- ^' "^^"^ me to see him! the bent The beauty smiled, and laid her hand caressingly on shoulder. ° ^ voicf ""''* '*"* ^""' """ "'""^ ^''" ^""^ Hnxious," sh) said, in a low " How can I help it ? How could any mother look on her eon so changed, ;uid appear unc.ncerntd ? " " And yet that is wh .t :- ,u mu.t do. We must not friohton him Ui,les3 we wish to lose ii ." "'n'^-wn mm, l-a,dy Oh aterton louVun ud ai.xioiisly i No , wo must not lose him ! Helen, 1 have every confidence in 160 M^.a.TOR7E DEANS. about the Rirl ? " " If heknewany- you. Oil, I havo imticed how you influence him ! Save him if von can for my sakiv ' ' The beauty smiled significantly. II I will do ho i.r my own," sho said. "Do you think ho knows anythin"— ^rlv^^• asked Lady Chostertun. " " No, I am sure he docs not," replied Flelen thing about her ho would have sought hor-followed her, and "he has not done that. No, at all costs we must keep that from him " liady Chesterton looked up. «.!.' ^"'' "' ^"" ^"^^'^ ^^^"^ ^^""^ Sood to me. You will save him if you cdtij , '• I «ii: make a strong eflfort," was the smiling reply ^U| awhile Roland sipped his 18 port. It is difiicuit for a man tofteldissatubed and unhappy, with such wine following after such adimur lor the first tin.e for a month M.rjorieV swoet, be- witching ace paled before his mental vision. For the first time for a month the reptless weariness gavo place to a reposeful calm He finished the half bottle of priceles wine, and wont into the ctrawing-room. .^t" Tl^^ f "^u-^ '■^''T "^'""^'^ *° V^ty^^e the room. On one nfhL Vt 1^ Ir ^l^ "'"*¥'' '^* ^" ^«'' high-backed chair, on the other Helen IMortressor luunged on a spacious ottoman ; the tea- urn steamed on a table between them. romn foVwm *"''' """^'^ g'^^hered her long train together and made 1 "flTf^'"'!!''^ ^""o '"'" ^^^^ ^'^'^ ■ "let me give yon some," and Bhe fi led a dainty Sevres cup for hin,, and put it ii his hand wi"h • Koland stretched out his Ion? legs bof< o the fire and sipped his tea. Lady Chesterton opeared to be d. og. i< ivu"'!.*''^ "^^^^^ ^ ^^^' ''^^''" «*'^ Helen, smiling upward at him U iiy do you not come to see us oftener ? " He looked at the fire silently for a moment. "I have been about a jr I .leal lately." "It you have been amusing yourselif, that is quite sufficient excuse. He smiled grimly. ." ^ -k change of tone, a, CO.UO and ait down vJu are fl'. ' '''"' ""L ^^'"^ J'^" "'"«* down." ' ^''" '''^'' '^^^"^ Uaiiquo's ghost, you will not Ho smiled a^ain, and dropped into his old chair ^o:::z::r^:;^r "'"• ^"-"^^^ ^^^« ^---- ^ady cheater. r^^nlZi^'"' *'"'"^ '"''"* ^ " ^^« ««^^«d- " Have you any '" A*nh?"/'".'7'"'^'^' " ^'« ^^'^""^ talkin- about chosts " huunrinj, soffly ' ^"*^ ^''*' "^^'^ "^"^ ^ent to the piano, retired to his chair As he d . Tlf^ u '^""'' ^"^^ h'-''" ^"'l then toned sonata, tim "fl.ateS t c ^h tt"r '^"" '" ^^'"^ "" ^«^' ""f^' mnsic. Tiioi wiilu. 1^ «T., ^ t^?. 5«""' »" waves of droauiv tl.ere was ^:^ J^ ^" ^r"!;;.:' ti^tl'^^r,^^"^' '^"'^ "=-" etran-e. It acted -T, a Infii I ' ^^''"''"'^ ^^'^ **» »ew and ceased he sud.^nt'ly : ^^'' '^^ * '"^'^' «^^^"»' ^"^ when she '' Do not stop ; sing sornethinj? more " in. on hm chair '" *^'' ^''' '^"'^ '^^'^"^ behind him, half-fea": tiuwnnponhini. withas^ WIS f if,, , "" ^^ if* '"'^ ^^^^'^ •^«»t to his face and back a-ai iL! ^"^^"'I'sa that se.,t the blood her, pale and excited ' ° "'"' "' '^" '^^" ^'"^ ^^'"^ over y/;;'''^"-"j'e8uid, inakmvoice. ^.uidei:^ iSita^i;:: z 'z:i^^''^' ?'-' ^r "'«- -^'^ - her Jiand falcorin'>red, brokenly. by tlte d Jtress n'l ?'. ' ^?f^7 ""'^"^ "" *^'^"' *"« «•>•"' troubled oy tne distress in her beautiful face. " Anury. I am not— v..s r land"' J[c!,-/ r "^' "'' 'ii-PP-nted. Wh^t Is thiTZut Sie! She looked aside and attempted to draw her hand slowly from his, but he held It rirmly in his hot fingers. ^ f rn« P '^ -'A' " ^^ *:? f ^»e'i- " Is this that they are rumorin^ true / Can it be possible that— that " rumonn, bhe turned her head still further away ; her long lashes swent StSi^S^Kli^l^s^ ' '-' '-^- '^-^' ^^^'^'^^ S you 1: beS'l': S^' '^""*"°^^ °^"' " "''^* ^« »»'-^^« t« -k a ctr'Sr^y'^ tiVheld^^^^' *°'^"^^ ^-' '^"'^ «^« «»^-^ ^^o arriS'''D?r'^i; ^'''"'ling over her. "do you know what you faThe;aL^;\^5\'r.J^_!l^?^ ^--1^ enough to beyLr 1 know. \\hy should I care i Roland, do not reproach me I-I canno bear a hard word, an unkind look from you^" Vnd a^ RU^A t p''' *"™n'^ "P *" '"'" ^^i*h passionate pleauinc. ° ^ Blame him if you will-call him fickle and unstabl l)ut while vou blame remember that the face upturned to his was tr at of^he nS beautiful woman of her day ; that the voice possessed as ii'b e a power to charm as Cleopatra's of old ; and hir soft hand caresaed an'd weY/;' '''''' ' '''''' ^"^"y- ^^at the man was stoLi-tossed Under the eloquence of that soft white hand, which cluncr to hi« ""^ffeir-'h"^'^' ""'' "rV'""" "-^^ faiv.^er and fain ef. ^" n..f kit'. *" m»™ured, "this must not be ! Heaven it shall a ma'n as ^IS^^' '''' '''' ''^^'' ^"^ ^^^ ^ "^- -" A vivid crimson flooded her face, and her eves drnnn.^ I OS, he said, " much, much better." And he beLtover her , f >ii ■'I I ...[.i m I 170 MARJOEIE DEANE. '1' for a moment in silence, his eyes fixed on her downcast fa^e. Then he said, in a low voice, "Helen, will you, knowing all that has passed, be my wife ? " For a moment she remained motionless, then she turned her head, and, with still downcast eyes, touched his hand with her lips. A man must be colder than ice to withstand such a caress from such a woman. With a sudden thrill he bent over her, and, taking her into his arms, looked into her eyes. " Helen ! " he exclaimed, almost hoarsely, " Helen, is this true ? Do you love me ? For Heaven's sake, tell me the truth ! Do not you be false also ! " For answer she met his fierce, questioning gaze with one of passionate tenderness. " Do you doubt me ?" she murmured. " Roland, you know I love you ! I have always loved you ! " And slowly, very slowly, she wound her arms around his neck and put her lips to his in one, long, lingering kiss. Half an hour afterward the door opened and Reginald entered. Hello ! " he said, nodding to Roland, who stood leaning over Helen s chair, his hand, from which hers had suddenly slipped toying with the fringe of her shawl. " Hello, you here ? I had a pretty dance ! Your valet said he thought you had gone to the theatre. Are you ready Helen ?" She looked up with a soft smile and a faint blush. " I— I don't think I am going, Reginald." " No ! " he said. " Then what on earth did you mean by insist- ing upon my taking you ? Not going, eh ? " "No," said Roland, with a smile that was still rather grim "I can't spare her to-night, Reginald." Reginald looked from one to the other ; Helen rose slowly and crossed toward the door, but Roland took her hand in his and detained her. " Helen has promised to be my wife, Reginald," he said. Reginald started, and, with an unfeigned expression of satisfac- tion, held out his hand ; and as Sir Roland released her to take it Helen Montressor, with one swift glance of triumph at Reginald' glided from the room and up the stairs into Lady Chesterton's room. The old lady was sitting before the fire, her hands resting idly in her lap. The beauty went softly forward and stood before her with a smile on her face. Lady Chesterton looked up with a questioning, half -muttered word, half-excited glance. ♦' What is it, Helen ! What do you want ? " A'. m ncast i&^.e. Then nng all that has she turned her 3 hand with her ich a caress from dng her into his len, is this true ? 3 truth ! Do not aze with one of nd, you know I around his neck ;inald entered. 3od leaning over iddenly slipped, here ? I had a liad gone to the mean by insist- ither grim. "I rose slowly and land in his and he said. ision of satisfac- i her to take it, ph at Reginald, ly Chesterton's 1 resting idly in before her with half-muttered MARJORIE DEANE. 171 " I have come to ask if you will have me for a daughter, Lady Chesterton," she said, with mock humility. The old woman put her hands on the sides of her chair and at- tempted to rise, but she fell back and stared at the beautiful, mock- ing face. " Helen," she gasped, " are you playing with me ? " The beauty laughed softly, "No," she said, "it is true. We have won the game. I, and not Miss Marjorie Deane, shall be Roland's wife ! " CHAPTER XXXI. WHEN SPRING HAD COME. '^VT' INTER had gone at last. Like the sullen old man that he ^ '' is, he had retreated grudgingly, with slow, lagging step be- fore the advancing, all-conquering Spring-maiden. But he had gone at last, and the meadows long imprisoned by his strong hand, gleamed greenly in the warm sun ; trees put forth their buds, with a ■ tinge that grew into strength with each succeeding day, and the birds sang out their advent song of summer. So warm was the air, bearing upon its bosom the familiar sounds uf country life, the lowing of the catJe passing down the hill to be milke>-?, the murmur of innumerable bees, the shouts and laughter of tho jchool-children on the green, that Marjorie leaned out of the old-fashioned casement window, and drank in with peaceful welcome the caressing breeze. Very lovely her face looked, clothed in its rapt expression of serene enjoyment, and framed by the wisteria that clustered in thick bunches all around the window. With her small white hands clasped loosely on the sill, she leaned forward and looked down the valley. Spring, that had worked so many miracles to the land, had been generous to her, and had touched the face, that had been pale as the lHy all through the long winter, with its rosy fingers, and left a delicate, peach-like bloom upon it. If it had also imparted a gleam of its joyous brightness to the large, dark eyes, there would have been nothing wanting to win iw the beautl .1 face the coveted title of " happy." But even spring's subtle powers are limited, and there was a look oi wistful weariness which defied even its magic. 'r( ' \' 172 MARJOlllE DEANE. f Never for lay—her laii^li th,in„h v ! -^"^ ^aa iii the eyes where the secret wa» a„ object of i„ter»st-a„d „f i^ortUt' ^ °' ""''"" -a\!;:;v^i:rrb:V;:;::jtL;j:aJ'ran,l,t°rb'^"''"«''^^ i'L'h anfr;iSBS"=" °' '°"»""' "■"'" "-'.'■-•» w^tott: =o,„p.u„<, (0 ad,„it that i,r o"„,id ^' ^ w " .r,,'";,!' S"^ -r,r g.rh, And ,„e/^^to";.ttrto"i dt .r""" "" """""^ "' '■- When It ,fas f(nuid that there was no sm .l-^n,, , f «■ i ing of the can-can on the «reen b, t th .t n ni ° """^^ °l'^^"'=- girls lived the Uvea of nuns wl I '. ♦''^'^""^r^ry, the two otherwise, warieyswl"r;„:drl:^r:ar;ti:a;;;:,^^;^^ tastefully artistic than w°as th' Vri /t , , '^'"^ ^'"^^ made inuro Tl.en ,1. hrewer. w.e ^^l^^^ ^^l^^^S::':;^ l^-^.J^^'}''''^\r'^^ ^^'^^'^ and the vicar sn.i Wnch a ..weci tace ! " 1 the squire's "led. " And 111 ) elder one is really beautitui. Still tlie vii.ir remained silent MAUJOIUE DEAXE. If 173 ' eyea thcmsolvea 36 who couaideretl ippressed wiatful- 3ttime— iittructed < where tlie secret her vuico as clear re given to watch- 9 dark eyea when- Ing her. Warley young, Marjori'e sen a young lady it became appar- ? her sister only, 13 nu little shaic- ro's lady to Mrs. issed or implied, iig, Warley was uisplaced. The irived, the most 1 conduct of the ie," said Bessie, ssaud's. What in on the village cigars or danc- >ntrary, the two > reserved than y to make idols o the daughtera ler chariot, and ad made im)\\\ drawing-rooiii . steJlatious that ■11. lid the squire's miled. " And ! " n the world ! " •«.' I thi k li ey called hor-lef out casually that they had lived in the house adioin- ing the Chestertons, and that they knew them. J. wanted to ask her more particularly b.jt caught her aiater glancing at her, and th. ittle one b ushed and held her tongue. Really, I think we ought to do something for them." "Something for them?" said the vicar, with the smile that always puzzled his parishioners. " In what way ? " " Well, you know," said the squire's wife, hesitatind Mr. Gumming, he had put on his hat and walked down to the silent cottage. " I hear you have declined Mrs. Greening's invitation," he had Pallia And Marjorie had looked up from her chair by the 6re, where she was sitting, mending one of Bessie's dresses, and had smiled an (133611 1( "la that— well, wise ] " he had asked, smiling down at her as ho eaned against the table, his tall form almost touching the ceilin- his handsome face full of respectful earnestness. ' I think so," Marjorie had answered. "Yes, I think so, under the circumstances. Besides, I do not wish to go." iIq inclined his head. " Of course that settles it ; but your sister ? " "Bessie," Marjorie had said, with a sudden hesitation. "No Bessie is too young, and-and-it would only make her-well, not dissatisbed, but— she is quite happy now, I think " I understand," he had said. " I quite understand." II And you think I am right?" A ^f\\^ ^'"""^ y"" *''® "Jfways right, Miss Deane." And Marjorie had laughed, and he had colored and laughed, too. Xhat sounds very much like flattery. Mr Gummin'' "--< —in-]!? me ot one of our copy-book headlines,' * Praise to the face is open disarace/ whatever that may mean." ^ !i i if m '^ J -I 174 MARJORIE DEANE. •'"no'"°'m "?)".'"?t' ' »n do for you )■■ T„"'''""'y <'o"o so much '■ """""S:. "itleed, nothing. You to preach you a »e™o/o„'J§,,o,'£''S^Vu";'"°'' '° "■"" ' ""S" " V^rv " h^K' ^°^°," '"-'' '" "1>« had Lied ^^^ Jery, he had .„d. a, he held out hi. ha'i and then he had anJs|\t,^:e°JL*t:i3ri/S^ n„ ,pri„, had eo^e around, m his heart. ^^^^ °" ^" ^^Ps, and, more than that! CHAPTER XXXII. AN UNEXPECTED MEETING. ^C*?/,t%TiJt±7Sme?a"„dt°'^r''"==«°"-*»«P' gnewd by the pride which reoellerf ,")™VI>''n.onoe he had felt But he did what he could Nit. V' i'"^!'" "■ ''er behalf, without a bunch of hothout a>4"»,™\t« 1°"S wint^^ *°K \z':^uT^i :finr '4™'' '-™°"' °"°'°"^- johool, and it wa,, . 4Xr W IV^^ w°'t 'f ■*«>» '» «' 'ho himself outside the cotta°o-Mlo t»lU„ .'..''"'' ""'*■ I"* 'onnd m^he little gsrden or'.afl|'the So"S *" *""'"*■ " '"^ *<"• Be,.ie, blS";ed\?,Vbrya;rf';;?l''', ? ■"■*? "«der.tandi„g. trouble could ,„.„ch_at ZT^f^^^ZSL'Sl ^ood-n.^S in ^£ an" wC"i,'':nf 'wa^rarBr •™' T ' "" '-- a brother. ' ^ '^^^J ^^ Bessie said, one day like .h4'nrw'r!?;rt:!,^rnot''X'"VZ?°'%''5P^-- - >■« "'o fandeur Though'^MrnVte ?Kd ,,!^'''?^P"'-'J' H»"" "■■'i both Of them, . J,i, J, m';^krL"y 'ob" o.CU'""'^'''''"" '"' - -^ W ^6oSi» gOliig out it his second quea- and then he had MARJOIUE DEANE. 175 to teas and small festivities; and Bessie lnn«>i n,« -i ESS— =^-s^^^;hs bui' 'a? ! ^r/l v""^ 't»' r '"- ""^""''•"^" --^^^ Sw'heVa«TX.«f f'^^ "■ ^'^^^^ °* ^««* significance-" if ?ou me to understand that vour sister i« nnf f ""''^V ^^ yo" mean 43a^:rivriThf,i:.LT.tr' '" "^ -^ °' «■» "-• good^''"™ " '■'"'*' '"™' °f "<'"»•. k""™' »ha i. always And she looked up archly at him '^or^^t'^^^Z^f:;;,^^'' -^*^ * -"« ^" -turn; ^^.'JThen how happy I ought to be ! " exclaimed the irrepressible Marjorie leaned out of the window, lookin- down the vallpv on In' Sfh^r^"^' 'V ""''''' "^ the'children on the i^eln ml",'^ S over her'^Thl woZV '"'f' ^""*' IT'^^^^^' ^^^'^'"= -^"-- Suddenly from below rose the clear treble of Bessie's voice, A damsel from her « in,k, ,> looked down, ,-r 1 , Looked down, tipon her lov-yer btiow. " up'ritu,;' ^°"'"' "'""' •' ■* - °- "'Jo «"« her eyes cast Marjorie laui^hod. an. 1 nullin-^o u .„„!, .,r ._:, . Tiiat.not the way to giv^ your lover a dower, miss r e^ ! 176 MARJOliiE DEANE. f " \ Marjone laiic/hed. ^''C. me up," she said. "f 8k away," said Marjorie. leanin-. out 'M' ^'^^ f "mething. " '"" 'sh!;;S\/ "'^^'^ r"'^' play w"lh"l ten ," t " *'^ ™^"'* *" go over and try the new 8onf/;,7/ov^^^^^^^ ^-reening wants me to " fhnll yon Jo ? " repeat dlljL^ "S •^"""- ^'''''" ^ »- ? " you know that." -^uarjono. Uf course you may go ; •' Sonslt"? ' Y^u 'v^m Ln:^'^"''" r''^ ^^^«-' ^^^"^tantly. ' you promise to be a good I rl I wiflT. ^°"°' ^ '^PP"^'^ ' ^nd if you." ^ ""^ ^"^^' -^ ^1'^ <50'"e across the Melds to meet Goocfb;"^.^^'^ "^"' *^«"- I -i" Btop an hour or longer. -^^y^^r::t.l's^:^z^^^^ :/t.u thisshawi you put it on , don't carrv it Z \ ^ °'^"' ^°'' ^^ «'"-e that niglu." ' " '*"^ '* °" y^ur arm, as you did the other honryt\^L:"'i.fn're1.T:i] thC^r^r?' ^^«, ^^"^* --- "In an - ^,y, Mrs. -e-u;^S^S'::^--^e.^ -,^y n^^::^:t ZS:llftl^^ ''''• " T'-^ h- for .e. untilX'St^f^.tli^dS^^Stt^'r-t ''^^^'^"^ ----d ^tilV^c" ScS'lTooYhl^^ :f tir'1itT"h* ^''^^'^ -*• There aside from the manor tidd and strolled ntn ^^^J' ^"^ she turned Bo.sie had name d the Maiden's Wa I f. T ^J *^« ^'*"««' '^hich wn. .riven to wan.lerim' in it ' ^'°™ ^^^ ^^"* ^^'^t Marjorie f«ll.'n into a habit V Sn „. Lt r" "*ll^^^^ ^^^^^^^ declared, Hut to enjoy a ,^1 '4o" n >' ' '^' '''''' ^ ^^'^^^ uaulC^:.ri:i:cr^S^j^f r^:^?' -^ ^^a^one stopped as .13 niiU erupt oyes, gazin^ op it with a smile. weet picture, from f you something." 'm in the mood to ght." infa!it," retorted ling wants me t(j fn. Shall I go ? " irse you may go ; lie, reluctantly, upposo/ And if tho iields to meet hour or longer. ' Take this shawl ind be sure that 3U did the other voice. "In an n gone. Oh, by would not come ink her for me. rjorie remained ■yard ; theii she imed to and fro, ', materials, and litter the room ^Jy out. There and she turned the lanes, which t that Mai jorie n^o a field, and e Mai jorie had ■lew, as Bessie >rie stopped as ' «y«s, gazing MARJOniE DEAyfE. 177 n%ri:r.t?i'if "'''""'■^' *»" «-'• -'"^ -'- <>( lo rub its nose aAinit h!, ^ff *!"» "'"'"'' ""''• ""'^ 'i"]>V'i re-pectea uZ^iTl Z a ""t J'-'el" ^"""-''^ ""' ""'"'-'' whic'h 2 ad tapered ;:^e'ai"rhL'' "'" r''' "' " """'■""'' "So soon, so soon I" she murmuFPd <'.'"'^- "J«ityou? Here?" Ba r ^''*'^'"S *» ^e said between world. ^^ hin.to 1,6 said- wl '^^' '*""^ '^^ ""^ before the herlipscameba'^^k to his i^ »^' now-even now-the touch of voice kng"nlna ears. ' '"^"' P^««i""*t« tones of her His eyes drooped from her face to her dress ShVlSd wKe^ld.^''"^^^^^^' in a questioning tone. " My father is dead. " an':ncrta^:^f;p:ttrt;«tie^"'.^ "t^^f,^ ^^ ^^- "-t'^ in Why did 1 not know ? '' ^ """^ **^^^'' • ^ ^^^^ »«* ^^^ow. She raised her eyes slowly He groaned a„d looted a,ide ^Lr. hi.gr«me back loher. )unded harsh and J faintly from her as if he still dis- :e — why are you neath his, which bled questioning. > to himself than face. "Like a aeet the dead, as ovability that al- took off his hat perspiration had i one word ? " it straight to his in a low voice. lan bewildered, lell. le spot, his eyes I paiiid trouble, )e said between one before the F— the touch of te tones of her ng tone. to his month in did not know. to you ? " and back to her. MARJOniE hEAXE. 179 yoi^t?sl?--'- ^''' ' ^^^ "''" y"" ^''"^ ' ^^« y°" ^^^^^ ^ Bessie, " My sister is with me." "You are on a visit / " he asked. bhe did not answer but looked away into the darkenin\"d f blind fool that 1 a) s t'wm.M r;- '"'^" y"" '^'l alike ! Hto.„ beside you on that cursorn /h J r''"'" ^""/^ '' ''^'' "'^t trea.liery Vo,, cannot donv U . v. ., ' . ] T'' ?"'^ ^^'''•'^ y">'r » on are silent," ho said " P\.l.! s"ch treachery. You kr'eTl love^ von^^'r ?" ^"''. "" «^«"«« f^r love like the falsest of your sex Lf? ' ^"" J'^'^^'^^ ^^^h my eyes like these ! ITave you for'^tS s 7 ^'7 *p""" "''"" "^« ^^^h memories. " ^^"^ ror^otten s.. soon ? Traitors have short j;i.o., she t„,.„, ,«„ „„ „i,^ ^ ^^.,^ ^^ ^.^^^^ ^^^^^_^^^ _^_^^^ engagenient, " " ''^' ''"'^ ^"«^ that she had heard of his re^i^^^r^^l^- revealed %^- ^y that s.ile, he could tween his tc-th, he turned aluUa d hi, 1 , . " '"'^th ground out be- , ''^'o, there is nothin.. to be s5d k , "'"'^ "1^'^" the horse. had not crossed your pati ! lt^{lT,T iV , ^I'-'d to Heaven forget you. Now "and 1,« J } .' , ^ had almost earned to V Hiring her downcast face as rfteTould •''"' ''' ""''' '"« ^y«« d- for all time. ' ^^ " ^'^ ^""'^ impress it on his niemory " M,u j„rie ! " '"• ""' ''"' '"™ ■»un>IsJ Wrse and broken never expected t„ nj.et von th « ,1 ,'"," .l"" K^O'-gone. I J"". P..te ha, throw, , » „ 'rthir r,i, ' ''"' »'" "i>'"° ■"«" «■ fiice aflame, her DM. ''is I You wonKl on me with litora have short Br rejiroach and id heard of his smile, he could ground out be- 10 horse, 'uld to Heaven nost learned to Jr, hia eyes de- on his memory tintr for him to iears, his voice nt. 16 and broken. ent on : jne-gone. I ; wish to meet ) distress you ! let U3 part as I would not sitter word nf MARJOIUE DEANE. 131 ay Oood-l.y, MarjoriV" - " *" ^'""'^ '^^ ^^'^ «« ^ could wish. faWdKltlrS iS:J ^M!''"-. ^- -^ — "t hia eyes out his hand "^^^dlast ones, then he wti.t forward an.! hdd H.Sj:;v:^u.:;^.j;-i^:^. ^z-- time > m.jo., ^uwly she put forth her hand and laid it in his haS^;?l;i' s:^ j;rS.bi: Cur ^'^ «^"t^'^ ^- ^"^^^ --^ «Hh a shudder she drrwrawivfr' ."•'"'"'''/' ''' ^'« ''t'^" ^^''^ with it, turned away ^ ^ ^''"" '"'"' '"'^' covering her face th^if g?:l!';.!7.? ^^ l^f^T-f - a -an nn,ht look . ho sees away. "^ "''""^" ^"''f' ''« «1 'aiig into the.huddlo and rode CHAPTER XXXIir. AFTER THE OLD LOV£— THE NEW. moment-knew that she EVt m ^ ^"^ '"'' '''-^'"'^t ^''^'i' ^H^ld him ; knew tl' t le had s d, fli? /''"" n ""''''i ""'^'''^ ^ave Mhnce she had reUnq„i:htd hi m o 1 ^ iS" k,";" '''' '/^ ''^" weep. 1.0 iitr n\aj. Ijut she could not 4t&;;i:'L'urt,;r:u,d"iS^td"'/r'^^'^ f* ^^« «*-*-"•<■ some swiftly vani«h.'a de It o ",)"/• "'1 '^r'"""^^^ ^'^^^^ ^^ rlaintive song above her u ^d ' JJ f ""'^'V' ^''"' f"^'"'^'^ ""* ^^s with the echo of the fierL do "nn-,/, •"^^' ''\^ '^""'^ communing' of his pah, haggard ^I^^^^W K uof 10^' """^° "^ ^^'" '"'^'"-y ^ti;irj;:;;!^:;S/;^r--ico said at her side: bhe turn.Hl with a faint s;nilo . 1 wondead who it co ,ld bu Jus pleasure at the recognition gitiin^Y" 'sh It was Mr. Gumming, the vicnr. ^ :' ^^' h -^-^ -'^ ^- voi^e bet; -d ♦ * V, nwcred, with a smile of What are you doing! Star- self-mockery, " I am star- IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-S) V. // {< !C0 '^6 1.0 I.I £ Itt 12.0 11:25 ill 1.4 1.6 Photographic Sdences Corporation 33 WEST MAIN STREET WEBSTER, N.Y. 14580 (716; 872-4503 # iV iV \ :\ 9) V U2 MAHJORIE DEANE %i gazing," and she thought of the star that had fallen from her view forever. Sometl'ng in her voice struck upon his ear, which had g-own sensitive to her every tone. '' It is rather late," he said, looking at her anxiously. " It does not do to tiujt these apruig evenings too implicitly. You should nave a wrap around your thro'\t." iii^-^?^''^ H^^ *'°''^'" ^^® ^^^'^' ^"* * ^i"le shiver ran over lie Is It late i I promised to meet Beasie in the Manor field. She has gone up to the hall." .i cu^ niet her scampering up the village half an hour ago," he said. bhe said she had missed you." '' Half an hear ago ! " she echoed. Could they have been talkincr half an hour i "I did not know it was so late. I-l have been thinking. ' He looked down at her as she walked at his aide. • , '' ™V^^"^ ^ " ^® ''^*''^' ^" ^ ^""^ v"""«- "Sometimes I have an idea that— you will not be oflended ? " She looked up at him, striving to collect her thoughts and give him her attention. * ^ ^'Oiiended? No. Why should I be ? " " I don't know. I am always fearful that I may offend you I was going to say that I am afraid you think too much." II One cannot help one's thoughts," she answered, smiling sadly, tint you should not give way to them. Sometimes, when I am looking at you, I fancy that— that your thoughts are not too happy Is that so?" ^^^ His voice dropped almost to a murmur as he looked at her, and his tyts sought hi^rs with a tender wistfubicss. IVCarjorie laughed, not bitterly, but wearily. '' One cannot direct one's thoughts," she said. " If one could—" And she stopped. He did not press her to fill up the pause, but he touched her arm ni a protecting, reverential fashion. '' Will you put your handkerchief around your neck ? " he asked It 18 colder than you think." She laughed, but she obeyed him. '' You would almost make mc believe that I am delicate " she said, " where IS I am quite surprisingly strong." ' *' Are you ?" ho questioned. " 1 am not quite sure of that • I have seen you look anything but strong at timos." _ " Oh, you are quite wrong," she protested. " It is Bessie who IS delicate, if either of us is. I have to take care of her. Haa she a shawl on when you met her/ " " Ves, your shawl. 1 recognized it in a momenc." _ Another woman would have noticed the significance of the admis- sion, but Marjorie smiled innocently and blindly. Hen from her view which had grown :iou3ly. " It does 3itly. You should iver Tcan over her. Manor tield. Slie lour ago," he said. ' have been talking I — I have been le. otimea I have an thoughts and give i^y offend you. I uuch. " ed, smiling sadly, times, when I am ire not too happy. ooked at her, and •'If one could—" touched her arm leck?" he asked. iin delicate," she sure of that ; I It is Bessie who )f her. Had she 0." ice of the admia- MAKJORIE DEANS. 183 o«?i[/ P*'*-®'^ ?"^' ?\ *^® '^"^ *"*^ ""^«r the .shadow of some trees, <. w-n^""^ stuiubled slightly in the sudden darkness. drewit lo^hU*:'dl"^ "" ' " '' '^''^'' ^"' ^^ ^""^ ^^'^ ^^™ ''^' .vm"!*^?"^ ^^-^ *u^ *'^'"?^* ^*^««'" «^^® «a5'^- " r.essie will think I ^. V .. F ^*y ^^® ^^'^ enjoyed herself ? " in,, :^\ replied " she seemed very happy. I heard her sing- uag as she went on her way. Yes, I ti;ink Bessie is happy. I wish-I Nvian I could be as sure of your happiness." r^if \TT '^vr*l^ ^"'^ t"'"''^ ''P ** ^""' '^""i a« sJ^e di'i 8° she Ifl» .w^®!. b?"?* »Po» her with a fixed regard cf wistful tender- ness that made his face look handsomer even thar. usual 1 am quite— happy," she said, with a little flush. " If I were haJ uu . ^^^^ ingratitude on my part, seeing how kind you have all been to us two girls." ' *- ' = »uu j^uu -* ^°' " .^f- ^^^^A ' ' y°^, ^'" .''?* ^<^* ."8 b« kind. It is simple grati- 1 do not know how we managed to live before tude on our part, you came among us. t JnlT" ^1°°^^*^ 'l*'^''. «"^ntly- Something in his tone made her tremb e with a fond thrill, half of fear, half of pleasure. haa» ' it «'®"' «°' "l>it me speak of myself. Life has been a very different thing to me since you came down here. I 1^?,mT" u"" P^'* *™^ ^'^^""^ 1 '^"^^ y""' '-^n^l i wonder how I could have been so contented. Yes, you have change-1 my life." },.Jrr^TH*'^"L^'^'^/,"'*,S'''""'^'^ "P ^* '^i"^. l^all- quest ioni;.gly, haf-fearfully. She felt the tender regard of his clear gray oye{ felt the pressure of his strong arm, heard in tlio deep metlovv voice the ring of a true, earnest love. ^hnrf "" °\°™^"* ^'^\ heart beat so fast that she faltered and stopped taken'b'n^? I "u "f """^ 'P'f ""' ''^'^^^ *« P^^^''^"^ it. he had taken both her hands in his and stood looking down at her, an eager light m his eves. ' trnJ"^'"^ rjeane-Marjorie ! why should I strive to hide my !.eart tSr? i have known that I loved you for mouths past. I think I loved you the hrst time I saw you. I do love you most pass.onately. Dare 1 hope to win your love in return ?" ^ btartled and agitated, she stood trembling, and in silence. annA^^.t endured m„ch, already, to-night ; thifl revelation of a good» pure, honest love overwhelmed her. m 184 WAUJOIUE DEANE ( ; CHAPTER XXXIV. ONLY A LITTLE HOPE. U^Sr;^^^^^^^^^^^ Harvey C„..i„, ,,ht. neas \>^l^'2^^ '-1^&^:^'1'\ ^^^^«««'"g his ea,er- to tell you this to.ni<;ht I mean A^ I *° ^" '°- ^ ^''^ "«* '"ean o-mo, untii-until you had le^rS to kn'^ '"'"*u^°^ ^^'"^ '^^'^ *« love as mine is hard to silonrJ, T 1 """^ ""^ ^'^**^'"- B»t 8^:ch part a.d parcel of myse for months' T"1?, '^ ^^'^^ ^^^^ me, your face,.yc.ur dear ioice has been h ^"^f " ^^'"P'"^ °^ ^'^king' am too rough and imperative " for AT •''^- ™'- ^'"-^'^^ «"« if I andfaintly endeavorinF^^ni^rhdrlwhtTn" "^^^hisf'^"? '^^^'^ iias tfiken such possession of nm fW f .^,."'8 'ove of mine Mnrjorie, dear MarjorL "ow co" ?d on« if l'"? "^""^ *° ^" «J«e. at leasK I do love you with al 1^ if !'P '°,""^' y^"" * Not I, w]>at fate are you J.TtZtltt7o m?f" '"'^ ^^"^ ' *"^ °«'^- to hope ! Hope ! i do not ask yo to Lv th^f ""' *>* ^ ^™ "«' I bear you i No, how should you ? Rnf T ^°" '^*"'^" '^^ ^"ve to let mo try to win your love '' ^'^ y°"' '""^t humbly, do^Sr f.:rt ^S.t« J^J- harul., and the tears coursed m her ear, that there was alove oflS Jo h^rf-^ tl "^"^^^^^^ woman on earth would do well toTratr an^ u •''? th,« P'-oi'dest fell to the lot of but few of the dau Srf f ''^^"^h a love which have but put away with a lirm Innf ^Z/^.u^^'^. " «he could hopele.a I„ve, whose flame Kned with 1 ""^^^ '''^^' passionate, her inncrm, .t heart ^ ""'^^ ^^^ torture of despair in ■ Gumming %ht- ressing his eajer- • I did not mean for some time to 3tter. But such ■ about with me, sping or waking. Forgive me if [ shrinking back his love of mine iiid to all else. g yon ? Not I, )ul ; and now — iif" -«a moist, st gesture. that I am not return the love most humbly, 3 tears coursed had whispered 1 the proudest , a love which If she could d, passionate, of despair in ar falling like sr, m I too late ? r — that there MARJORIE DEANE i^^ vTceTol:"' °'"-'"°" ■"■■" «''"■' "'""' y"« '" «»0 W» .irong w.h-I wish I had been deaj before iZlflJlVZ you I' " rin^n'lf •' ^"'^ '" ^® ^^< »"'^ ^« '•aised her hand to his lina happy"' Mv^SeTh ^"'^^F^ ^ • ^"" ^^^ "°* made me'r nappy, iviy greatest happmess lies in my love for von i • U L be er to have loved and lost than never fo h^e loved Lt al ' .. i,' .?° .",°Vy- ^ cannot bear that ! " ' norSr^'Teinn* 'A'^f f ' *^ty quite-qnite hopeless ! I can- word. Marjorie looked from side to side, tortured bv his nas«mnnt« n„ treaties her heart melting with pity and reproachful Ind^rntr I-I cannot tell yoii," she -aid. " Do not say anoUier woi ^T.^M.'"^^^"^,^; r»o not say another word." "^^ ^'^^^'^'^'^ ^«' his e^etTnToi ^d!^^! wIiTS ^yef TatlS^ ^ ^"»" ^" but hope. Good night, dear dear MaHoS '>'^u. f Yi: ^^^""^ ™^ graceful figure had faded away in the twiliaht • then h« fL. 1^' and went slowly homeward. ^vvui^nt , tnen he turned, For months this love of his had been growin^r but nnf n„tll thia moment had he known how dear she was to Wm w ^ narrow-minded cleric. Vicar of U,e Ton n rv vuf '^^ ^^^ T was yet a man of [he world.^^clpSrnrte^Vl'^eTovtTo e" in the varsity eight, his form was that of an athlete his bo^rS eloquent of the good old race from which he ha? prun. ^ Marjorie had been right when she c.,Iled him good""and noble and what is more powerful to awav fh» fom 7inA iSnfl ? ' handsome as well. ' "' ^^"""lae mmd, he was 111' * W: 186 MAR JOB IE DEANB. Very slowly ho walked home, and, entering the drawing-room looked around with a strange smile. ^ ' "1 have often pictured her sitting here opposite me, and some- tinies here at my side, with her sweet head . m ...y knee WinThe Tis.on be fulhlled y Cod grant that it may ! If L does I aha 1 be a hapiiy man— dear, sweet Marjorie ] " 1 S ( i I CHAPTER XXXV, EEGINALD'S ADVICE TO ROLAND. JT was noon of the day following the meeting between the two It'vers, and the s|.riiig suushino was Hushing Bond Sirooi. and wooing the young leaves of the park trees. Carri.-.ges were just beginning to roll ahmg the handsome street men i.pj.eared by twos and thiees on tlie club steps, wuh that con- tuseti abse. u..-appetite-yet sort of look, wliich lasts from, say ten till one oclock. ' ^ Reginald, Ihigering in the cofr.'o-room of the "Gridiron 'ex- changed sahitaiions with the inmates, and glanced idly at the morn- ing paper. ' As usual, he had nothi'iig to do, and was doing it with graceful ease and cotitentinent Presently the d(,or swung noiselessly open and the Duke of Smalter looked around. for""^'"'^*'' ■^^''^'"'''''^ • " ^^^ "^^''- " "^"^^ t^»« ^^ I was looking . "T'lat's what my tailor always says, confound him !" said Re- ginald, tilting his hat back. '• What is it, my child 1 " _ " Why look here ! I'm thinking of taking the coach down to Kichmond, and I want you and Chesterton to come. Miss Mcm- HLS.orhalf pr.misedi-that's all one ever gets out of her now— tliat she would j.an us if Chesterton was going. But I can't find uim ; at least I couldn't last night. I drove around to Mivart's and Ins man-decent sort of fellow, by the way— said his master Jiadn t come home. Looked rather anxious 1 thought " Reginald laughed softly. " That's a way he has. He has lived with Roland since he wag a boy, or something like that, and is rather more attached t(; him than his own mother is. Hadn't come home, eh 1 Well the e'a nothing in that." ilARJORIE DEANE. the drawinsf-room, 187 in I was looking you TJm young dnko .Iroppod in a chair, and chuckled knowin-ly. iaking a last flinJ'''''' ''"l^'^^'^ Iteginald, coolly. J 11 bet you what y.ni like she'd throw Roland over!" Ihe young duke shook his head. aa'.,?^i' rr"'r .""^""S-'v.I ^\">^'t know much about women-oh. fjrin away, but I do know this, that if ever a woman was ciear -'one over wiUi"him; ':''"" r^ '' '^ Chesterton. We never stoocl a ha c" with I im not even CJraneland ! By the way, they tell mo that \:^t^t Y^ '"'' ''\ ^""'^ Africa-says he hates "^.vhit.wo.uon they are so false, and means to marry a dusky bride. When do you say the marriage is to come otf? " Reginald yawned slightly. „,." ^}. ^ ^a\« t>^ answer that question once, I have to answer it fifty times a day. I wish Helen or Roland would adverse it hifhe papers. How long i Oh, about six weeks. If I had ever "iter! tained the mad idea of plunging into matrimony, this aliair would act as a sutlicent deterrent. 1 hate fusses, ai d there has been enou.h fuss over this to last one a life-time I u ed ?o ?hink I Bhould like to be-we 1, like you, and Roland, and t^eother P It s but I can see It's a mistake. It's bad enough when you'veac uplJ o rooms in the Albany to do up and arrange, but with the 1 7 ^-«' '^^ -'" have a bit ReRinald nodded and sanntered ont thStnliS ,r S^^^ ^^^ «tared at hi. .Uh who expecta another tha^n^yl^rS ' "^"° *^^ ^'^''^ ^^ ""^ - Not fj'l^T^''^^ L ^« ^•'^'t back, sir. " into the etttthiir;"' ''*^«'"^''^' ^^^-g -^ throwing hin^self am t^n.Tot tfeltiTrainf S S' ^^I, - he might have gone to the ?)?«<.] "* '!^ ''^ °^«ht, thinkfnr. But he hasn't ctme The b^erkLrhas'h"'^ '^''?-^" ^°^ ^ '^'^^h! and there are no end of peMe comimf fh^" ^'^f^"'^ «i»oe ten, ment, men about the furniture and S \t I""""",^ ^^ '^PP"'"*' the courier. Haven't you seen him, sir ? .^^""^''^^^^r'^ Ponies, and Plaimngly,\ut regret^.^ .' S^ It JanJ^'^ ^^'^^'"'^^^''' "°* ««»"- better in health and spirits lately '' ""* ^*' ''^^'"^d «« >"uch *T?' -F't^F-'''-^^^^^^^^ He Ha, ,„. 1 he man shook his head "^"^ "»* "^e an old woman." when he doesn't know I'm in thp l 5^®r ^"" sometimes, sir pocket. We all have a skeleton in fU. ^'^" ""*hing in my have you a small bottle of R^e^vt v?^'^''^'?- ^^ *he way-- of conversation is exhausting "^ ^ ' ""^^'"^'^'^ ^ This sort sippettteTneLTgS;'' '°"^' "^*'°"^ ^ -^^' -^ I^eginald willb\1hne:tW^^:''\^t^t'" ^T*'^' ''*^"« weddin. asylum, to recover my balance of mJ'V '^^" '^*^^« *° ^ ^"''atic and M.S8 Montressor Ve too mu hTr me^'"™' ^'^^^^ ^^"^^ ^^"^^^^^ Hush, sir! there is Sir Iloland M' a .i. . whose ears had been more intent on A« •"^" -' ''^"^ ^'^"°^' opened the door. ^'^ *^® ^^^^''s than on Re-inald MARJOIUE DEAXE. we'll have a bit 189 hrowini? himself yon b";e^' ,?'.'!,y'5E'lt :; ««" yr ••■»'" i»"' ' "'here h-, the h»sgard fa™ "^ "''" ' *"'' ^^ "'"""I curiously ,1 and relnctaiUry I'ft th"Z„ " "' "'■ """"'' '"«• n«i»le.sly Can he have been drinking r' he wondered vacant stare '' '"""""S "'''"""' "le room with a ^^ ^l^^f yo" been waitin<< long ?" he asked. Roland startfd t^his fee a„d' nt?! ^"' "°"^^ "*^'«» " Then he stopped and looked athifn ^''''^ "^ "''^ ^^^" *^« ^«°'«- ^^^ I cannot go. Do not wait for me. I am too tired and played had sTe'rTgtTt ^"' '^^" ' '''''' ^'^'^-''^' " You look as if you ^S^™n;ave,''r'al5"'"^' '"'^ °^"^^ ^^'^^^'^ ^-«. I* What on earth do you mean ? " JNo matter," said Roland, wearilv " Yon oo^ w i • wi h Smaller ? Will you make mv excuse ? T.l7h "it" .''r ^.'^'"8 only ju9t returned, and am tired Kn^M 7^^'''' t^at I have to the wedding V Reginald, how long does it want S '£n 'll°"^'*^/P ^^*^ * '^^^'^ «""^n flush, said. " "^ ^"''^' y«" ^'^^ *^^« I^«t n.an to have forgotten i " he W JltroXied'Sti^eV^f • t"/™' - '« -"g .jata. ThA },«,.„;„„ „u„„x . .'"*^ ,"".»• J^he pace has told upon von playing the deuce with you. Wh " you get awav for a *:^ ll-CT'"^ ,'"« aeuce witu you. 5 -^ 8„ „cck3 I I dare say Helen could y don't manago to hi Ml .'11 L'll 100 ifAnjOlUE DEAXE. p, i« ■ f y..nrt»c:;;srr;?pi!,*:^ ,:;1; w"", i-. .->:. ■• Qn.«t , 1 InivHie it ! " ^ *^' "'^ "^'''^ ^"'^"w ! i il«'n t want quiut. •-'• shall have a funeral in t ho ?;,.„• 1 ?^ TT'' ' '" '" '"^"-"est •' ^V« around to the square, a.H 'ii' brlVk t M H t ^""^ \ ^'™ 8"^"^' come aroun.l until v ,u hav« n.-n i "^ ".'^'' " = '^'"^ «>"«'* y-'u innately, she is foolis';,"norh t^o ^^o a^ inLf * «'^"'^"-- ^nLr- app^ar^ice, .„a-b, Jove ! oli' ^f;. ^ ^^^ S^^'^ rigll^l ^f Jo- o^^iS;-!!^^'-^. "Perhaps ,ou are CHAPTER XXXVI. HOW SIB ROLAND TPJED TO EFFACE HIMSELF. I^^^'oYh^rSy thttS^^^^^^ r P- , ^^- ^'^^ -- "f tl'^ city safety into danjror ^"^'^'^^^- ^^^m lu;fury to privation. Fiom "Chesterton?" said rinri;^ tt -n from a brother oflicer who wa, ,^T'^*°»' V^ reply to a question using his sword for a snTt ^^ZT Jf ^^",''^ °^'^^' «» i^n fire days. Never saw a feBow so feck eT, TY"^ '■^!' °"« «*" ^'^-^ kiiled. Can't think vv .X '^^'^''^'^8'-, . ^cts as if he wanted to be bi^tlusisn-tl^t^r^ti^Si.. ''' "-^ - ^-^^^^ seriously ar;{;,lar's"Lltl°^'i;'ll':.'^'^ "^* '^''^ the matter so to be married, you know '' " '^"^^^ ^ surpuse me. He is going Hamilton emiled, but said, uneasily : richo, if youlike— I'ui-h. "Quiet I Iduu't wautqiuot. "il; soeins to mfl fiiiriily vault if you i> in earnest ! We ddini,'." itroot, thoaunlight Klily. y tlio same. For licre ! I'm goinij 1 ; and don't you ; 'gother. Unfor- in your personal ok half mid this Perhaps you are niMSELF, rnar of tho city )nvatioa. Fvoni y to a qncstion ver an open firo r, one of these he wanted fo be ied to be wild, tho matter so e. He is going MARJORli: PEAXE. igj likl''^''u"wa?'tt; *^r'" ""'"^thins about Chesterton that I don't him" Ja R ^^'^""^t "'«. y«" «««. that he came here. 1 wrote course I twM nf ^""'™"'"'^',."^'^'"« *'^«'» *« ^"'"^ «' t 0? course, 1 knew Montrossor would never do it and I rli,!,.'*- U i So^resfo^slblhTy/'' ''" ^""^' '''' *^*' '-"-• ^^^'^ ^ ^-1 ;| Why did he come, anyhow V asked another. r,^n« , r^^"^ '^ ' ''''"'^- ^''^"'* i"t«"d to at first. Then he han gMM'tVo^e" '•" "• """"^ '"■' ^"'"""f "> «™»te her," .„g. and doesn't open his mouth. I wish to Heaven ho was eafo hom« I Tory' " Le";:"";.'^"? '^ ^^« -«* f ^- i^ - wire^kdird- xcTp iommy, mere, who has a coronet invew Ruf pk^.^^..* i the M. ° '"™'' " "" '^l «•"» »' «»'»■"» Cheatettoa entered ^^Jj Hello!" exclaimed Charlie Hamilton, "anything the mat- sp]inte/fro^^i">! i,?l "''."glancing down at the stain. "A to'tLISTisatrtlfrtTerCh'tT^^^^"'"''"' ^^^ «— ^ "TiTo^C ^ • "tatter when Roland exposed himself gnl^?Sr * *' ^"'^ '"^*^^"« '° ^° *^« " °«' dangerous. Is the *'f9 102 MAIiJOniE DEANE 11 'V It , roHdy. Have 8,.n,e champagne ?" * ^' "'• ^^ "'' *1"»'<^ lioland took a horn cup •' Lri!l' /^ "'" rf/'^'p' •'" '"^'^^' ^'^h a smile, must be r„„ninVv.'ry short nor'' "'^ ^"''' J"^* «" «* *"'**• ^^« " And I." mlid Roland ' '* ' ^ ^^ ""'^«'' ^^ *»»« l''"^^-" ready ';,/:;;; ,::;fS " ;n'i^it*^"*'y^^ too ready to end the game " "'' '" ^°''' '^"''^ ^ ^^ould be only ^J^ Would you r «a.d Roland. looking at him with an inscrutable at ali^?nd It:h1'd''be™nirjerrh"?>"f' T ^'^"'^« "" "^^^ ^ere letter !" '" '^^"*'^" ''^^"■■e ^ wrote that confounded di^reas your.lf on my al^t^ tlii^Ts^r/rnrX' you., be doing aome mad "tJiiT^thC Z i^noSif t^^^ Isn t that meat done V he asked, way'irw monJS at' S't^t" ^-«,-'Jed a mile out of his and 'served up"he dS """^ ^^' ^"°^^' ^^"^^^^^ smoked his pipe in contl^alit'sUenJf ^'''''' °" ^'^ ^^'^.^'^ ^'^'^ the^^otg Z tdr;;Vm!sS"'' r r^" ^'^^ « ^-^'^ -hich and they one and all rhted fhl^^ H°'"^«" ** *he best of tables, They'i.ad au"donVffi d dry^^o^rk'^th? en ''" ^^ ^"^'''L'^' J^ ^ '^"'^'^ ' *ne enemy was within MAnJOniE DBANE. lo.-i la..tl^ aa if they had boen%uJini 1 ^ T^ "' e,vroIo«..|y a,>d nl,\Z Bm..kiMi^.rrehinr:,8. thellin, ^^^ M «.l with s.aoko, f.ulod '»g on a «ate in an En lis, ,, , h "' «'-"^^-f'>l /•-■••re of a ^mpI loan- ^a"in« li;,'ht, her sad d H v),, ''>'"'' ''^^ " ^ ^^'^ ^'""fd to the ■aournlurtenderness • ^''^ '"'''^ upon him with a wiatfui, ^^'^^Z;^:\^r::,Z t Z'^'-r •'-''"— t^e face his vision, bnt it does ot a v • , T ^^ "' Pl'.'''ted-cros.se8 I>-erei,nssupren. ^XSl^^!:: ^J^ -^:, ISu^^ te^;lu;d'l^:'i:-^;:-;;^i-tEc^.;:;:^ ^t '' '- 1-- «^ *^« «f-re n. tn in the T.nln^h ,„;;[;,;: ^.^'^^^^ ^ ""^""^"t '''ter a thio. that";n;:t:d"'i;:e' s i^'u;.;^i''^"'T'\^'^ '^"^ «-^"' j^-- ^y^^, - jr« .^^!'' f ""■''! '" '='^'"'n'">fl of the fort thJ:^rlt,:ir"S;;^^^^^^ ^^^^ fe. and he .ont to ;^-:;.i^::hj£3SvV-- ;;'rd, ^?ood..vJ,rin / Mr iLiUlton '■' lT"'^'''t .^^'^-^■^-'^r^ln,. my hn, and without i^esita i.n "i. 1' i^^^^« .«P'f "^ f^« P>Hest En/ been to the magazine. You havt r^Z' ,t ^'"l""^ ^ ^ ^''^^'^ J^'^t IJoland bowed. ^""® *^° "'"'■^ thoroughly," ''I am elad you think so, general " Ch.rl|e Hamilton otiored his ci^rcaso "A cigar, general." ^^o^r caso. ron^u;^^'i!:l:rS't::fi:^''^'r^''' -^ --^^ swift an^era chatted,\„t rim;"ould st" Sn^td^ I "T'^, '^^^'''^ ^'"■' ^'^ -" had oomo among them with ZlT^ ' ^^ ^"' '"^""«r. "'at he ---^.|.okeS.in^rta=^SStaa^^lSS-..-^";'P- F i3 t;io water ] > "^ *^ Caauaiiy ; i sen !i';i :■ il'; 191 .UARJOllIE DEANE. moaSouUr''^ ^^°^^'" *"«^^''<^'^ ^^e one who seemed to know the Tl)« ocieriil nodded lhout,'litrulIy "Yes," he fcid, aa if ho did n „, , ^, - , , . ' — -- "- "»" not know almost to a Quart how much the f.rt he^d-'-yes, I was afraid m ; and the bre?d Ts run mns,' low. Jiiit there ia a convoy near." i^^very man h.okcd np with sudden interest. The general nodded. 1 \va3 aayised t.iat the supplies would be sent by the twentieth If they have kept their word at the other end, those supplies are There was an intense silence as he looked around. It 1 am rijiht ni my calculation, those supplies are waiting in th« west fork down the valley. They are wait ng to pass the Hues ^V e muat jret them in, or a] ve up the game." 'IS ever ! ' exclaimed Charlie Hamilton ctte. ^"""^''''^ ""'^"'^'^ ^"' ^^^^ ^''^ * '™"®' *°<^ P^ffe'l his cigar- "It seems tome, gentlemen,'^ he said, "that the onlv wav to got those supplies into our midst is by creating a dfverH^^n fn an tX'west.""'"'^'"' '"'^ withdrawing the enemy's attention from He took another pufT. " Wo must make an attack on the east, and while the enemv ia engaged there, n.istslip the convoy in on'the west Now geS =e;7^t!:?th:^Sr^^^ '^^'^' ^^°""^ *^^ ^"'-" ^^° -^- Btol"' Ko£id'^hfi';^irfi*° '^r ^''^ ' f "* f^'-^'^^^* ^-o^S them i?u-Vu ' ^ *'''' ^-"'■^ towering above the others. With your permission, general, I will lead the attack." CHAPTER XXXVII. THE RESULT OF THE NIGHT's WORK. ^HERE was a courteous but reluctant silence after Roland had spoken. The general looked with cnlm scrutiny into the pale, stem face, iou want the lion's share," Sir Roland," he said, quietly lied to know the : to a quart how le bread is ruu- general nodded. >y the twentieth )se supplies are a those supplies, are waiting in pass the lines. >ufred his cigar- lie only way to iiveraion in an attention from e the enemy ia Now, gentle- ut— " who vol- 1 a-.uong them BfS. ttack." ^ARJOniB DffAX'ff. 19.) K. Br Roland had 9, stem face. said, quietly. i on the ram* (( Ifa <( You ''Let us cast lots," he said. hai'd™ """ »"»"»' "-^ "-' -" 4t the pice, hidden in tteir me'^urhirhl'Sd.*" '°°'""' '-■' -•■°>' ="e«'y "^amined Ihe frag- qui-t*: """«'»' "Aoruaot dUappotated „>„™„„ Kotad .aid " Mine." The general calmly nodded. you wmt' ktdt'ou^^to :rer •" '^•^ "^''' ^-'*--^7. « If wiU arrange. Good ndf^gSem^nT ^'^"'^^•^' «^ ^'>^-d, we iland%T?n\l"t'lt"refi^.' ^.°™«- night," stepped out '*' '"^""'^ ^" PiP«. »°d with a "good- Charhe Hamilton followed him and WiA »,• u , shoulder, "^'"» ^^^ ^aid his hand upon hia Roland turned. "Well?" he asked. ble^Tot^ ^^^ ^^^^^* ^- ^ — t. and then he said, in a trou. takl 'jufpC)? '''' *^" "P' ^°^-^d. I wish you would lei me SjJ^nd^book his head. you. Tarn aToiJertan^rfcon oMm^."*'^^^ " "° ^^'^ '^r La'nd7' '."Tu"^^* this m^aTs'l "' '"" *^*" ^'^'^ "«' ^ ^""^ ; than you. We have tu been here lolZfu''^ "' ^\^ '^ '^^'"^^ "^h of us are better fitted for it th.an LuS. fV"^ ^*^«' *»^ ««™« the «.. xor the work. It means-s;n.eth;;g to' t io iT^VX" 106 MAHJOIilE DEANE. Pi ihin^*.?" ^'"^^ '^ ^ ^°'^- '^^^'•e '« "o another and future wife to yours - and he paused sAgmficanth'. Kniand smiled. ;; Do you want to rob me of my glory ? " he asked. don't'cat a S^s'frrUun'trfhe ^r''^'"'^ i-patiently. " You For Heaven's sake tlnW^ffi, ^l',"'^ ' ^.^" '^'^"'^ ^^^^t' R^'and. home in E^g a ml fij Z^ ."^ |he '""t^er and the woman waiting at Don't waste any n:j:i^rtl^:''Y,CS^t " otS' *\r" good-by. perhaps, for this will com" off to n Ihf I tMnk and ~ ^Tar&tV"rsh.;irbettb"f ->:^h'"^happen's,\ei; m; ml know' better wti^l^^s thafl".^:^^^^^^^^^^ ^'^ ^^ T^' ,^°'.', -'J gently releasing himself/he sT;oW*:;LZ\,^^ 'SntstrdT'^ ^-ehestd^S sS^k^^Lt^ (oTn.^'"™ wi{l°dTety abstltilr """^"^^ ^"^'^"° «"* "^^'^ *^- ^^-^--^ forth, with the word to" attack." ' ' "' " """"'"" '" ''™" " 'uture wife to in't matter to IS of it. But ntly. " You hat, Roland, m waitiuif at B." ^ voice ; but st bo to me. iood-night — nk ; and, as my mother lot, you will -night," and pallor con- 3 rose from town. le darkness dangerous ; sned to the ty he would iig face rose h his heart i in peace. ; our hands and strode le attacking There had ipoken save mb animal in made its eant death, 1 expanded rode at the ' to draw it MARJOniE DEAXE 297 di^f'S^t^'"' ?^^ *5° l^''*'^'sht figure of iiis faithful valet .vho by dint of entreaty and sheer stubbornness, had obtained R.-kmi 'a SoiSfL^^ -'^ '-^'^ him^'ri^r!iuniau;r^:s - inr't'S'tlilf fL!^'' '°'"l'""y "'"•''^ ''.' '^^y- '^"^i""« eyes watch- uig It troni tlie fort, anxious eyes strained to detect the first si.rn of any discovery on the part of the eue-uy °" Lying upon their breasts, and staring into the ni ht. Hamilton and (,no of his comrades eagerly watclied Hamilton A ^" l"r 1^''"'' *''''y '^'^^ ^'^ •* • " '-^^l^'^tl Hamilton. Cant say. Is a hundred to one against them. If a horse thS a'rel'o'st'."'" """"' ""''''' *^^^ "'"'' '''' l^'^"' -'t of ran;:! Hamilton groaned. "f'oorold Roland! I shall look wpII if T ho,.« *« 1 1. mother and tell her how it endLr I J^h my'ha^rh ^d ILn c'ut ott before 1 entic.d him here with Ihat infernal lette o mine "■ sh 11 «!. It '* 'l-P'^'f^ ^"f ^ "'^""■*^- I '^^"'t «oe them now We shall see them directly. 1 wish to Heaven 1 was in it " \ard byyard, the long, dark Hue crei)t across the plain. Another hundred yards or so, and it would have pass.d o^U of h^d lect range of tire and reached the east end of the enemy's ine He c"t'^« ^ThT .';,l"V":f ''?> '''■'""'' ^'''''' ^''*« *he darkness, necouia see the light of the Russian camp-hres, could hearth., na,?v'a on. X' " R T '"i ■"T"^ '"',«""• *'"' ">" "™' '""'» - bS ra!™;;l';f; tK;;Si!r:",,'r ""'• "" '^•" "■""«•'• "•» After all, he thought, war is the proper game for a mm Fv«n If he lies stiff and stark in the treliches yon L- he w U have S for one quarter of an hour a full and j.erfoct life Suddenly a shell whistled through the air" ri-ht above their heads, and threw a long streak of li.lit full down upon them Ihe next tune the stillness was cleft in tw.in by the sou d of a ''SrU''p'h?'f f'-^'^'^'f^ ^^"^^""'« '''"'^^ * deep, hoarse Ch.,rgo ! burst from his lips, and with a half-smothlred roar froni his excited men, they followed him as he dashed fortird ' A dull, echoing roar of encouragement from the fort rose behind ,^;",'.;V'^'"Tr'\'"'" ''-' V"«'">'' --^ ^hen the dofs of war te"re U.t^I.os. .n.ithcdcmonorslHi.lner rose triumph uit and ra-ing Mounted as he was on a charger whose impatience ran parallS 5! )| it, H« 'II 198 MA n JO HI B LEANS. ^'J^;''\^'^''^'^^^^y-\ found tho hi m in the hot raco for deal h So dark was it tliat ther men pressluo; dose lohind friends Steady steady ! " shouted Roland ■0 was danger of friends cutting d own m the thicli of it but for himself h Sl1*^'■^'*™« "g'^t' ^^^ the fort bchi voice, and the next instant he urired wua forth shot end shell aimpr^.o.. ''^'"^*^^'"«"^^'«"Iy belched which answered back in Ed "'^''' ^^"'' "^ *^« enemy's hne; side asking nor accepting qSr^" ^'"'^' ^^^"''^ ^° ^'^^^^^ "hither advantage, cheered on his mpn hiln?!- ' ^^ ''and, se,zing the and leftrand mowingVown^^^iSm"' '""'' ^"^^^^"» ^« "^^^^ of &er"° "'' ^'""^ *^« ^-- *-^ -- over prostrate bodies assailants. Like a swollerwave th-l r"'" .^^^'^''^^'t of these thick ranks, ^hich ehoTand s;aye5 LdTj^'lf^'^^'r^ °" ^^e before the charge. swajecl, and inch by inch gave way detL'ofrlntaTe ""' '"""'^ ^°^^"*^' "^"^^-^^ by a shout of tra';''oft;Jr;;it tt^°3 :,r". ^'^ ^-^«' ^^ ^--^ the down upon them' fr^m Ihe rf^ht ^ ' ^'"^ ' '""^^^"y bearing or extinguished. "'^ lemaining, to be outnumbered aro'^nd!"lavitbi.H.f'%'^^'' T' ^-^ ^'^^'^'^ - »«■■, allowing "•...;.; I,., , „r,d ...eZlti J!:^SZ ■■'"""' ' ™'' '"W" «» »', J on aro ,,„,n,l„d •■ l,e V,S off hi, "'• ? "■" '"' """1- I!ol«iKi8 limp and W,,.di„« ,n„ ' ' I"'"' ')"« ""'idns Tif.;";:rn:dd;d'"'''"''''^-i'™''^ to?h:\,tt;h'\r™tri^;'-:iSrr " '"t r"» "' "-^= drair.a was ivor ^ " ""s'« "heer, and lliis act ot tLo .ome face. ^ '^ '' "'" """'"■est surpriae on his handt with H ,«„rdii„t th™„„h ill' ,„„ "° ■"'"• "'"' '""' returned =a.r,.„, hin. off to the hut whici'had t'lra^^l^l^r.' 'E™^'^ "■ ■! ;sidG, and of those pulled from it, in » Hamilton seized round with hearty > most phlegmatic the war, showing The supplies are ?d, and the gene- 'ing out his hand, loa aro in, and— ck eye noticing h grave concern, words of thanks this act of tho Iton. "I know =• this?" and he shaiio watching ise on his hand'^ head. "Show had returned ed around him, 'U succeeded in to him. MARJOEIE DEANS. 201 CHAPTER XXXVIII. WHO THE RUSSIAN OFFICER WAS. 'W^dVTalijflto^^foToff H^rV° *^^* ^^ -'y — ly J-nd and watching ^^^^f ^it^^S^^ prZrneclst^;;lHl^aS^Tet?i^ ?Tl'' ^^^ ^-'-^' ^^ a mere trifle " """"ateiy. Let s look at the other a-m. A]i .om:':„l To? him "Stt o'^h' ""''" """'" Hamilton boiled Wm and matched Zi wT* *:i.?„'!;XS"'°'' """'""''" "»»d wedi'd;e':;pe'\^*■:'lVo'„'lr.■• '"^''■' "^ -"-o. c-t-'on, •■«th:ytd":t°:,ret£:Ss\rt'";:?t' ",?= "™' "■* have come back." •"inu'ies earlier, we should— we shouldn't course, and we didn't know how ttn4 had f, ""''f ^"^"» «"' ^^ men were at the gate. Now I sunnnJi" t > ^'■",^'^ °"* »"*il the Roland smiled grimly ^^ '® ^^^ ^® ^*<^ «no"gh of it ? " he'lts^;^T^"f?\3t--e'-n my life as I did to-ni^ht " for a fight." ""^ °°"^ ^^^3^ yo" fellows are always era vine. ^ nhinW'tl1?r '^^ ''^'^ ^""^ '^"d rose slowly for if fa'^Vot^J^SKlrTirb?^^^^^^^ ^-- or two ; "All right," said the stoHd one wkh a 1 f T "' to-morrow.'' tion. - To-morrow, though ? Look^ ihT' ''!«"?/«'"« satisfac- along old fellow-we'll see you -,afe homP ? ' *^^ ^^^"- ^"«^« And with him on one side an ih.^n ^®*" «" "«•" reached his quarters, and^ he ttrS^to «a"v '" ?'-°f''^'-' ^"''^"^ gleamed grayly in the east ^'^ '^^ ^''O'^ "'g^^ the dawn lo^i:t:Z7.iXt'' ""'' '''''' ^- ^--^ «P, an anxioua " Is It much. Sir Koland ? Are you badly wounded ^ " I'li « 202 MAR JO R IE DEAXE. AndTou^"°S^i" ri^"^'*"'^' sinking down before the fire. Ana you / Ihe doctor has been with you ? " AH right,, Sir Roland. Mine isn't anythintj to speak of. been ! I didu't think we should Heavens I What a ni^ht it has have Leon back, Sir Roland." Roland nodded wearily, "You had no right to go," he said. "Go to bed now. and call rXr'c"!d "" *'' '"^^'- ' ^'^" "^ *^^"" ^'^^"^ *'- fire-lirseems The man dragged a mattress to the fire, and made as comfortable hesitated.^"'' '' '■ '^'"' ""'^ * '"^"'^' ^"^ *^°»* *« g«. ^^en he D ^h^Pri«one'>, Sir Roland ? He's in the next room. " Roland looked up, !•' ?^'i*®u^ ^'"^ ^° *^°'"® *" ^^^^- ^8 he wounded ? " v , Jt u 7^"°f , . 'J'ho doctor has seen him. He's not badlv hurt. Shall 1 send him in ? " ^ " No, I'll go to him. You go to bed." ^Jill "^n" ^«"*/«l»«t/."tly, and Roland, taking a candle, knocked at the door of the adjoming room. Receiving no answer he opened the door and entered. »"awer, ne By the light of the candle held above his head, he saw the oris oner stretd>ed full length on a heap of straw, his head resting on his hand, his captain's uniform splashed with blood The easy carelessness with T-hich the man could sleep under such circumstances attracted his attention, and he stood for a moment hnni'oL 1. uT*^'oH"P°° * glitering speck upon the man's H ' u : ]"*" absen ly he approached nearer, to see what it was trembhng **' *^'" '*^'**'* "P' *"«* ^^''^'^ P»l« «»d The speck of gold was a ring, and that ring was his-Sir Roland's! It was the ring he had given to Marjorie » svord *h^avTl^"* *^^ ^^°^ *^"° ^^'^^'^' *°^ ^® ^"^ *° ^®*'^ "P^"^ ^" wfste'dJelmbg'?*"'^ *^' ^**'^"^ combined, got the better of him ? f.Slhf^ down again and looked at the man's face. It was the face of the man he had seen with Marjorie in Chesterton Wold fl,VHnA™T^"* he stood staring at the sleeper, a storm of con- ?^« n ^ emotions raging m his breast. Then he examined the ring apin, and, by the light of the candle, held close to the hand, saw his own crest engraved upon the stone. ' ■„Vff.';'l'^!f^''' ">«.•' I* ^«« the man! With a smothered ejao- Seeoer' *^'"'PP®** "^^^^ "?»" » ^^^"^^^ «»tooI, and atared at the ^wn before the fire. thinsi to speak of. 't think we should to bed now, and call re the lire — it seems nade as comfortable out to go, when he st room." ed?" Q. He's not badly ? a candle, knocked ig no answer, he id, he saw the pris- tis head resting on ood. d sleep under such itood for a moment but, as he did so, ck upon the man's to see what it was. iad stood pale and 'ing was his~Sir jorie ! d to lean upon his the better of him ? face. It was the ssterton Wold. *, a storm of con- txamined the ring to the hand, saw a smothered ejao- and stared at the MARJORIE DEANE 203 have killed him ' A ,d?f J' ,., ''°,j''?°"'° """ ■»«■■. I" «°"1<1 J^ni luf .h""" '"^ '"•• "' ""'■■■■'• K*"" «' ""d .tared .„d imn^d oUh'etrpr'^rhl/'' "°°' ''° """'S'"' '"'^ '^ »°™d the .oi!S.^3r,sri7/d'l:^^^ good-lomperedly • aawned on his face, aa he nodded Ro^MdlrdTw^'-i" "?' r?^- ''""■'-S "'">"•■ I iof.,' Roland's lips twitched. rin^Tstin^^CdidTSt'ietw^ "That "Yours? Of course itVvm,r«^ V {'^^'nandit. It is mine." laughed lightly. ^'s yours. You know me then?" and he Roland eyed him sternly. " I know you, and you know me. That is enonrrh n fuse to give me that ring ? " enough. Do you re- wi5f:JXrn;Xle'""* ''' "^"' '""^ ^^^^ the questioner I came'by ?t'fai>ry'." '"^''^^'^'^ ^°*- ^* " ^^^^ ^ but why this tone ? sprint" hislee't""" ^""^^""^ '^"*-*«d ^^^^-d's face and he wa:g';T;?t^'oVbyTtrj?trs''^™^ "^*^- ^^^^ --. -it The prisoner rose and confronted him. flashbg!" '' You r ratV 'frt ^"?^ ^" ^^^« -'^'J--^. his eyes gave the ring to me deserves no InX ^""""TJ^'' The lady wZ She played .t^i|^ess^? ^^^^^ Z^^^Z.:^>^'^- ^- ,1 "£^«- -°1' *h« delirium of his weakness ,«ff,-n. *}.. ' to mu »ue has played traitresa-to m., thi manVho i.P 7rjii,i:i:z!^z: ;i:z„:' "J an, lioro," panlcd Sir Kolaiid, •• bccai.M her troachcrv i„ I And he drew his sword. '' Or you will mur.lor u.e," said the other, cilmly. his eves Rv.. 1 Fith a trnuh ed, pnzz'ed srrn*ini7 ,.n ., ','''."; .^^^ "'^' ' ^weii, na "na.;uJd!^;;!.;:;r';^oki;::" ::^L;v:nd at^?;::; With exfeiuied sword Roland moved toward him ;' I he nn« ! the ring ! " he jiasped, hoarsely. 1 lien suddenly, as reason 8tru<"ded fur iinr tlirr^r.^ i,„ i great efl;.rt. recoiled and Hung th^sword f,-!,':; I'T'' ""' ™''^'^^" ' it WW . ' ,""*'' * .'""*'■'''' unnatur .1 kugh, '• keep it i T.i- t back to her, and wear it on your weidiug-day, and tell L t I, her last lover, spared you her first ! " r o" ^'"T'i ■ ' «h'>"t«fl^he young man, stariu-. " Are von uri I an not her lover ! D, n't you know mo, affer all ?'' ^ ^ ly.owyou / 'echoed Sir lioland, vacantly. Yes Great Heaven! You cannot think-po time. Do you know who I am ^ " Roland stared, and put his hand to his throbbing brow. -poor follow ! T I 'ai for you slio bofrayed vti rue that liug ! " siilo for his sword, fnr I worda of lloland ; but MAIUORIE DEANE. iiOS CHAPTER XXXIX. THE LOVEH AND THE lUlOTlfER. Hiight refre hint and cS.^n T) '"""^''' ^" ^"'^"« '"''» «"'»« brandy through Rola^ priips "'"' '*^"*"^"'^ *" f°"« «"'"" insU,Si';e?y fllf ?!S Jf hlf h'"" ^^"1 -^"-« the valet, for ho liuve de8irod as few t „es,.ll "k," ^^'^»^''' P^'^"^ h« would Presentlv KmiIT, i ^'^"'^''^^s '^^ possible to be near him .i..i,r„ti^t;.h°t:e''i::;ii hu ' "'-\vpi-«..„e .* .i™l'r;.\\riSrdi!i-rA[7d7;!.i;'>° r"-^ ■"-■• -- grounds are deeper than yen S ifolin^H ^1' • ^^ '^'^- " ^our feol 'em until the excitementWpr ? I". ^''''''®- 0"« ^oesii't hole in that tussle wSyZ fellows thJ *7 '"*^ *"^ * '^"^'^t- Tirrr'^f'^ unJu;SXcamp."^'«*'=°' ''''' ' ^'^^'^ givl^M:i^lrerre^:,^^^ -de to seemed to ring in his ears listened, Marjorie'a very voice p'^°".^"°«^"ie?"hasaid,atlaat. MarjSl'i'B'ssi:''^' '" ^ ^^^^^-^ ^^ ^^^^ -emed made up of "les, Sir Roland." IJoIand held out his hand. 'tZlrV^ohr'''' '^'" ^^ ''^^' ^^ ^" <^-P voice, full of >•[><, X i, humblf 908 MAR JO HI J3 DEANB, { i not hand and anything iolj^^l^^;,, ::^ 'l^ ''r^' ^<^^ ^M^^^e ' Roland." *" ""'ypart. You ve done me no wrong «ir Koland colored and paced to and fro waved h,8 hand, depicatL the «ud.l • ,'"''■>' ,^*>«'' i but ll„lan.l called up in the brother's mi,i5 ^'^'"' ''^"* ^^''^ ^is worda had both o;frhJ:;'^,eKs'rfai;^ '^^^''^-J '-'^ -y Hfe- met herZ^n in Beishire^'^ "'■''"'' *"'•* ""^ "" ^^^ niyht when I cried. r.da;;:frtt!;rt?L;'^^- -^^ -^'« "• '^ ;vhd„,ed him, "why did yc'u n f yrif"'^""""-'" "^ ^bt- past ovor Why did you create all tlm^tmysi^^i'/''''"^ '^"'^«" *" «'o not trust me l~me, the affianced ^fw c.,noe«l,n.nt / Could y„„ you could not why'could not he ? VW H /^""' ^^^^^ ' '^»^> '' fear from me ? " "* ' *^bat did you, what did she - Ton f .^''; M '[''i^''^ h^« moustache, r ou forget that I was a desertpr v bound to cause my arrest if I h^d r«v««l "J' "''^'■?/ "'«3'"'"t'-ate. and you havo never been so un o tunlte Is toK"'^".''^-. i^e^icles-weil, a dog from place to place or v.n-^ *? ^^ * tugitive, Inmtud likJ which such i man vifws eVerytan b'*"''"? *''« ^'^t''^^^ «! -e- «^^ Poland. Vou w/ufdTaTe fehe\?m7 I^lS: lii Roland groaned. thrhjd}U?St?mremInd'ir -.' ^'"^''^ "^^-''^ ^^^^^ have dispelled ^"^'jf";^ Captain Deane looked at him Roland s"art'eiand'lLT.f;t;f \ ^^ ^"^^nd ^• one, mso many ^ords • h,. 11^ \Vho had f^J.I hiuno me no wrong, Su- evous wrong, " he «aicl ury oyea ; but Ilolttiid 'ft that his words had recked half niy life- blunder. You know Bane / " atant haHi;htinos8, u..t on the nijrht when I i^en and earth ! " h, 'ice of the past ovt-r rself known to nio ' aalinent/ Could y„n 3'oiir sisfer / And it i you, what did sh,. 5re a magiftrate, and Jtiif. iJeaidos— wol), tjigJtive, hunted lik,. id the distrust with I swore Marjorie t,, e same, 1 venture to '■ould have dispelled e.irt. Sir Roiand ? " a-] told hijiv? No "' '• 'i"'- ■ ivwnhi.i nad led him int., be hia fiuiiro wiU, ', waiting ff.r R .|. th a tiugo of scorn i I'l.iyincr you fai, ,, i>j' lieu, (tin J i AfARJOlUE DBANE. 111.. 207 ai'""^-" «'<...,.»„ <„,„„,,,„,, .„,^,.^^^, i iiapponed No ' " .n,M p i . , body hovering about Tw'a, a wo"mIn' ^, ''"T *^«^« -- «»'»«. I saw her as I was in hidir7g waTt^mf V J~? ^'*''"' »'*^^»»if"l Kirl. there's more in this than appears on t*h ' i^f'»'-J«"« •' Sir lloland cruelly, most cruelly to my Eor i? v T^'^""^' '*^"" h-^^e behaved own .n.stake." ''^ '"^ """«' '^ y^" have punished her for your '' i del'll^ '1!^ ^''"^ '" ^i' hands. wiljT^Si^-P-'iuP-ddown. his handsome face working f.ave kTowVSat mr?Sr-^deT^'':,'^ "--'• " I™ight have crushed her so'^if'Thorinot'b^^^^^^ poverty would never Poverty ! " exclaim«.l i/ i ""\'*^«n soniethuig else " mean?" ^^'="^'™«d I^-land, looking up. ?' What do you J.aptamDeane looked down at him tion «'^.' h.t £ i;;r„.tt„':"s*vr">'"- ^»- ^e- suspect my poor Mariurie t „f ' ^"'and. Was it so easvto chanc.. to exi!l ,in that ^l^wo d5 Ta^eTo'; ', "'i^^^'^" ^'^« ^^^^ Poland bowed his head before th«vnr'''"'*^f'' * "^^^^^ boy ? " ;,I knew m>thing of it - "1 'esai^ IZl ™? » j^^ignation.^ It ! And he ground his t««fi. i ^," ^ ^new no word of '""ther and the other had kentf^' ^e thought how clever?y his S a"""^ i— A"d she twl'loTof it^l " ''■ ^'"'^ ^--". do JNot a word." "" ^^^^ of it to me when I met her 1 M'Sie"! «WttttL"':^^^^^^^ ;'It would hardly e '"an who had thrown her otf'P,.'fi?^r",^ f .'^«'- Pov -' "^ the ,»rl m the world. But 'TO girl ! the bri.jhtfst v'erty — , Un-w- ' "- ' '"" ori-ntt'st. pure- know» aow to bear it ! ahe hasforgot 208 MARJORIE DEANE. baclf you/r h' S'on /h" ^^^^'''l' u^"'^ '^ ^^^ h«« "ot sent you it to L in n,ist ke that nTh^ "^^' t"''^'' ^/, *« «^"d. She g^ve Bhoes from off her d^ar feet ^ ItTa'^^^T"". '^ ^^"^« ^'^^«" "^^ t^^« Chesterton, to be able to retnrn f f satisfaction to me, Sir Roland 1 accept it." he a-n"^ «< k, i ' i . Yes," he eLlaimed! Sin« to arlT f^rn ^,",5 ^* ?^'^^^ ^"S^^ ^^'-^in- late. She may nc.t have forgotten ,! ''t'''^,', ^^ '"^^ »«* ^^ too A life's devotion shall ILne^orfL ^ ""t", ""'" ^'^'- forgiveness, swear to you. her bro-her hat ? Z"^"^ ^ ^^"^" caused°her ! I Bay and night she has been whhiif "'^'' ""^^ *" ^«^« ^^^ •' I will atone ; a.ul vou ev.n T "W ^^png and waking. Yes have done so ! " ^ ' ^'^'" y°"' «^^" ^^ brought to admit that I in.'Jhi's £"' 'fv^S"'"" '^ P""^^ -* h- -tch, his eyes flash- atZtT^Kk'SL'^en^'k*'''^"^"* ""• " ^^'^^-tgo to her My dear MarlorS^?; mr.'^^T *" ^^^.^ ^^^ ' I" Poverty ! impatience he t^ok up his coat t ?n ^^'t '. ^""^ ^" his frenzied don terminus and boo'k seS fo^ WarfeJ"'^ "^"^ *° '^"^e to the Lon- thon^,^r[;:.;hecnlrorr:2m'"" ^"''^^ «"-- for a moment; j^;;i am afraid, Sir Roland, "that your discovery has come too ^^^::i Sii^S ^--;3^ ^is disturbed mind evidently ^l^a.,0, we must start at ^^ ^.X^^ri^^^T^ ^^^J^'Z^^^^^rt^'^:^ ^-->y pointed to tluje is an army behveeif ufand Sh,!!^!. ^^''^ "-' ^ir Koland, ^'S!?^ "^^'^"'^"" '' '"'' " "'^ '"" ^"' ^^^" •'"P-- and lll're w.i^hrshu't nT.o?? '^f' ?"""« i" Poverty and sorrow ^^itl. his iKm.ls. ^ '^ ''"'^ '"^"^ '^ '^^i^"'. and covered hi. face 'i'h, youiig raaa'y res^utraeut yielded to pity. wiles, ihe has not sent you to send. She gave have given me the n to me, Sir Roland ns," and he cast it her. a moment ; then he >n her finger again. "It may not be too ivin her forgiveness, ive caused her ! I ceased to love her ! md waking. Yes, ht to admit that I itch, hia eyes flash- ' We must go to her her ! In poverty ! md in his frenzied drive to the Lon- ice for a moment ; very has come too led mind evidently iveiit OS ? Come, No. What can ravely pointed to tls brightly in the )rt. U3 ! Sir Roland, and vain impreca- orty and sirrow, by the walls of a i covered his faie 3d down at him. 1 heavier piiiiish- i Woman's wiles, ^-'^liJORIE DEAKB. 209 worUhat'3 coming on" ''" '* ""''^ '' ^ou want to be frtsh f j^ho HamilU'laVghe'd.^''^ ^"^""^' raising his head wearily tL aT^' ^"^^ ^e shall have to n,!; /f^ /"^■■'" *" make an Roland started to his fee^ },L P"* our bucks into it " sudden hope. ^^'^' ^"« ^Jes flashing with the light of a I will" t"u"n1n "f Jr t\ ''''^ '"^ ""«t^^<'y lau.h - V „. • . e,„.„ 'n for an hour or two. I shaT Te readv "t'S^'f *: " All riahi " -A ^ ^"* feep out°of'it"atStW 'o?dTeH""^-K " ' ^^^''^ -'-- yon to commandr?'"^"' ^ ^"^ ^^^^ P"««"^'-. Sir Roland. What are . ip half as long as he did ° advis?, h, . °^ '" """''^ '^^^^« kept it a little trip toP.ris, o a^.it oTa Tl>t at V ° ^'^' ^1 vV"^ ^ "'^^"^ he was going to be such a f ll n^ f ^i '^""^- ' ^''^''' 1^ suppose Ha,mlt,H,, wrote, an^'g^ ^iL^^r, ,\-r*\°?|f j)"^* ^^at fdU, the lunatic wrote and aske me-act uallv m. r^' ''' '"^ '^"^ ' hnn J but that was no reason whv I shonl T f ~." f "^'^ ^"'^ J^^" "And where is Chesterton nnli" ^^ ^""^ ^"°"-=^h ^o go." " Where ? " Rp^VaiT wo dj "uJ ''" """ ^^'^ ''""^ *° ''^''k.^ ly knows! We-Wi^^S^Sr^'-k^'--^;'^. 'IH— on the head by the iTuss an no ., '"^ ^"'^ ^•^'" "''^^■k^ ' ^^"ocked boastly fort., Lti^/lXife'sH^^^^^^^^^ T^, ^f ^'^^ the estate going to the do^s in.] +>,„ ,, V f ."^^'^*^'- AnrJ there is '.'.body heard .^-sconlinS L^Jld , ,T * ^'^T««"'e fellow whom take possession " ° ^' ^"'^ expecting to walk in and dead/ Roland never did likohn . ^■■- ^^ ^^^ should he be yourself a hundred Hmes x\o he i^ n J'T"f ' ^'" ^''^"'^ '''^ «» able to take care of himself than i, P '^"^'t,^^", '"^'^ ^« "^"'•« know that he is in the w'r '' '^'''"^- ^^''^^^> ^^u don't hj;^::i{?:^:^;.n 1^ t.r^ ^^^'^ ^'^^ «-* «^ -->" the om with^tS.^ ^sio " r;f^ i:;,^s-"" ■ '" '^" ''^^"^^ -"'^ -^ort. •■^ Europe.^ ..o ; 1 am ,uite sui^^tMng'h^s hapl^i^ ^tb^S^ III >'l if OlO MAUJORIE DEANE. h et.. Even the .eda ,1 ctk ™t TlLl'^T" f ' ""'' '■Pk»l'te lueiilii.uej her absent l„„.r .T,i,.™- '^'"' '» ''™''y "is "ho "HeiB aVayt/u'e E'eHt .f^'r "T"'*''. »!* a smile : him back utiliUImlaat mirte •' '"*'"'■ ^^' ■*" ""' ""P"' metll'^lfe;, it p^id^'eoLif til" '"'j'? '" P""-' "■«■■= -re will, the .ten, fa«/ '^"' "'""' "" '" "^^ "-d grappled that' wrung tLprrd heart S ,lf. TV' '''"''" '"d J^'l^^y th.'^"y.''Sidtfholdt't hS ";f ,r"",V'!^ ''»^''" ' Oonbt. let^l'yt ll%l"Kt&,Ta';r S *?.^- r A"^ robe, and aj. W doubt, and ^^^S^:S^S^S'i,^S:^^^Sl^ And after all, she did not donbt. ^^^\l^Z^::i^t-^^^^^^^^^ proudly conscions of hold him againat the world f'^ """" "'''"' ^^°^' ^'^^ I can siie'irt^ardt^rSrirLitfthT' *\^^*^™ ^^'^ -°*'^- -**-« hectic fl, Ih that' so freaSentir'f ' ^'f- ^ Y''^""^' «™"«' «"d the come bac. and,: I^K;^:^^^^^^^^^^^ and that to da^T S skth and tJL"^^ """'^^^^ f''i '^' thirteenth, him for a month >" ' ^ *^'^^ "^^ ^'^^^^ ^ had a line from ' Onrwel' f"w:!l"t *'^ ^r-nd bracelet on her arm. bo mistrr' of- C™ertn Wolf in'?' home, no doubt ! I shall dress ? AVorth has surpassed himself T'l ' ^""^ ^u^" «««" "^y be the best-dressoH bl'^!^' .i""';! " ^ *^j»js «."'! that I should t! It he cornea hW7 ^o w^eVESu"' ' ''"" ' ^'^^ ''^•" : in time for the wed- le preparations. The •ridegroom were close ^ lioland had been re- r the gate in Warley lenters and upholster- ^nd to every one who onded, with a smile : . We do not expect in public, there were 1 mask and grappled Jng tresses of golden ' doubt and jealousy luty, and caused her y beyonu .ill doubt, oved the brown-eyed I supplanted, under his robe, and eft, she hid her love i smiling and trium- )roudly conscious of me back, and I can old mother sitting of the girl, who re- l to Roland, liant smile, and the cheeks. "He will for nothing." light when he drop- ich the beauty had ;ourage you; but I i for the thirteenth, a't had a line from on her arm. no doubt ! J shall Have you seen my i said that I should ihiuk I ahall be." MARJORIB DEAl^E. VVK "e^ertheless. " "^'*' *'"'^ '^ ^le does not I shall .ered.'* d.d she me.n / Perhaps Lord Graneland could have ans- CHAPTER XLI. HARVEY CCMMLVO'S HAPP/ness. Uie little room, which wont bv H.i L c ^^''''^ '^^''^ sittin.' in ■lone was nutting the fiSn f f u '"^ "^ *''^ ^^'s* P'-'-.^or Mai ^'hurch ; Bessie ^l\^C\ZivT"^ '° ^ ^'"'^'■'^-^'^ «ketch of X" "s. her hands clasped behinThVrVe'u'T' ''^'''^ '' ''' extreme hm! face wuh a thou/tful, ad-ithS !!.,"'' ^^^ ^^'^^ «^^d on Marjories to view theeff, ct'of tLTlIItlS^'^' ^'''' '''' '^-'^ - one side 1 m glad of it," said Bessie '''t- i 'l"arter of an hour for that tinish.v. f ^ been waiting for the last me see ; how much do they gve yog "^^r ^ ,J^''V^-^ «t it ! Le sketch unceremoniously. ^ ^"® ^^^ ^^r chis ?" and she took up the wered MafjIIrTe^'smimig!' '^'^ "'''* ^°" ^« "^^ smudge it !" ans- Why cloK^:;: -^^li«j;e;^H^ ^' U. worth fif.y g..„.,3. to the picture. " '"= "' < He d be a pleasing addition fruit snppo.,e. H. ha "ot h ''T' " «'""eth,ng has of. P'-^Bt, and he dn.i -; 1 r„'' ^^"^^» *° ''»« «cho«l f„r- ..-v..v= p,,sc ana tie dfitsr.V ,^qIi me aenoo ec], if eyes away, as if we were forbidden 'r Hi I,, «1 'Ci MARJOniE DEANE. exclaimed Marjorie, reproachfully : a easie rose to her face '/ It's the truth " said Bessie, calmly. " No one could help no- ticing It. If wo had been detected playing pitoh-and-toss on Sun- day, he conldn t avoid us more i.alpjihly. What is it V |'I--d()n't know," answered Marjorie, falterin<'ly. ^ I beheve that to be a falsehood," said Bessie, cheerfully But J m very sorry. A nicer man than Har.ey Cummiu-' ''' ^^ Mr. Gumming," corrected Marjorie, but laughin-ly ° «' wn^V^ Cununing," repeated Bessie, with pretly wilfulness. , VVhat nonsense it is to always talk of a man by his formal nan... ju^t because he is a clergyman ! Ho was christened Harvey, and he^is tls..vey. It's a pretty name, isn't it (" I' Yes," answered Marjorie, "it is a pretty name." Very well, then," retorted Bessie, "1 choose to call him Har- vey Gumming. He ought never to have been a clergyman, with those shoulders ! He ought to have been a soldier ! [should lik.. to see him in a scarlet coat. If he had been a soldier, what would the young ladies of Warley have done, Marjorie / Eaten him ui, considering that they worship him now." ^ ' Marjorie laughed again, and going to the window, leaned out, her beautiful face turned to the sunlight. "They would have eaten him," said Bessie, confidently "1 can tell ofl on my right hand five maidens who are dyin<. of lovc tor him. Jo "Nonsense !" laughed Marjorie. "Pray be more sensible, Bes- " I am sensible," retorted Bessie. ' ' I am crammed full of sense, only you will not believe It. Let me see, there are the two Mi« Greenings, there is Miss Drayton, there is " ',' 2"*^ !" whispered M irjorie, warningly, and the door opened and Harvey Cumming's tall form entered! No knight of the middle ages could have behaved more chival- rously than this vicar of our modern days had done Many a man, loving a girl as he loved Marjorie, would have given her no rest until he had gained her; but Harvey Gumming luul behaved with a nobleness which befitted his name and ancient line- age. Inv^?*" /k'^ ^^t u'°\*' ^,»^™th ago, when he had declared his ove and besought her to allow him to hope, he had lived on that iiope alone, and had never once obtruded his love. At one time a daily visitor to the school, he" had for the last month laid himself open to the distinct charge of neglect of the youth of his parish. At one time he had never allowed a day to .'u by without calling at the school-house and .•xnhau'.in" a word w-'' the beautiful mistress ; but lately he had so pointedly avoided the MARJOIUE DEANE, illy ; but a faint flusili '^o one could help iio- :ntch-an(l-to8a on fciuu- liat is it ?" erinyly. d Bt-asie, cheerfully. ir.-ey Cuinmiug " liiuyhinj,dy ith pretty wilfulnesn. 1 by liis formal nam" fistened Harvey, and ' name." loose to call him ILir- sen a cler<;yman, with jldier ! [ should like i soldier, what would jrie \ Eaten him uj.. window, leaned out, sie, confidently. •' I to are dying of low e more sensible, Bes- rammed full of sense, ire are the two Miss J) and the door opened ehaved more chival- done. rie, would have given .rvey Gumming had i.me and ancient line- he had declared his he had lived on that 3ve. he had for the last ^e of neglect of the r allowed a day to uo uiutedly avoided tho 215 offended. ""'"'' '""' '"'SM 'o think lie was firm, tight olaspfe h»n,l h„ h . ",''''''°'.''"'™' >"" ^1"^^ » "E^f = hHi^- r '^^ E*s-r^ '- '' Marjorie who to^d s lentT: thT"'' '/'''"t^ ^''^ "'^««-« ^han for cast,"' her face faimly flushed"^ '''"'^"^- '^^ '^'^""^^^'^^ ^^^^ down- jusUpeCkfnfofj^tMfcSmmr;' candid frankness •' we were you ; have we ? " ' ^"mming. I was saying we had ollended ^^Harvey Gumming smiled, and laid his white hand on her golden fui; mSSsXirlTLr wind^T'^^^^^^^ OfTonded? No lam r,^ vv mdow. "That was kind of you. not at.^afAe' r^^l.Vl^f:^!^' """'»• ^^'^ -'^^- He laughed, and looked at Marjorie. he aske'd ^'" ^'"'"^ ""^'^' *^^* ^^'^^"^^ ^^^^^^ Miss Marjorie ? " Marjorie smiled. work'it?ut\^f rSef"'*'" ^'" ^"«"«^«'^- " I^-- -uld not goi'ng^'rp'tftt'Ltgrf;;^ ^% -^^ h,?-ow. lam you. Mrs. Greeninrwiil be de Ight ,. tS^sJ Cu '''^' ''' "^^ ^^""-^^ Manone hesitated, but Bessie jumped up ^ "' way, Mr'Vummbg 'tS'f ' ^\^J--''' «he said. " Don't give the room, '^"'"'""'g- ^"«"t "Pon her going ! " and she ran from ^Serioulir'";;"^ went up to the window, seriously, he said, " why ' seclusion whJn %oml^^v i\Z^I ^^°"''^ y"" P^''"^* ^" remaining in Marjorie looked dow^n ^'''' ^'^'''''^ ""^^'^S *^«"^ ' " Bho'xU^d"5ouTot1''"* *^'^ ^*PP^^«^ ^ « y°^^ ^au add to it, why 216 (( MA RJORIE DEA NB. Here's your hat, Marjorie," exch your j.cl">"1<' ■><>' I «m glad r came." ^ '' ^"^ ''"' "«" Pe"u«led me. gudd.';?si'ghf fat'etrid'Tortr iLdVsr "-t^ "."-^ happy." ^ ™®- ^°" i think you have been he'gSnlTS;r,'lhl'^^ ^ - '^er face and its her a cup of tea. The wav ^n IZh^ f' ^^''•^''^ *"'^ ^'•^"ght quent of his devotion Tnd M^trt ^ ^T*^"^.'' *° ^^^ ^«« «>«- indeed, not to feel it ^*'^J""« ^ould need to be insensible ^^1^%'^^^^^^ ^-^«^ around with vague un- *'IthinkImu8tgonow,"«hfi»a,';i ,.;=;„„ .«tx.. ,. , , if 218 MA njOHlE DEANE. 3 f Bessie may stay. 1 will go and bid I have ever so much to do. ■IWrs. Crreeniiifjgood-by " - «- -"" "»" got'i'wuy'! and waslair;a'v"acr^'':.^'.^ ,V^' ^'^'^ '--^ difficulty, she h..ard lLn-hSZ7 K T'V^ ''"'^* '"^''^^ '"'^ ^o the village •' \vu r 7 ' Step— behind her, and she tiirnpri ' ^^^ Why d,a ,.„u e„,„» i ■■ .h, „kei'y in hor eyes. ;; wh^r ^;;£.^^:c— 'c ji- tr^ rh ^" t^"^- Besae liking them all. Did vou tel? l?pr 1' ^" "^ J'''"'^'"^ ** that I would send Margaret for her 1 " ^' "'"'^ ""* ^""^' ''"'^ of leavn.g yet. a^ul'tVat'^re'ruld taL" ^ 'e J Z^^^^'^V^^-^^t ^ Ma^one could not help laughin^^X^j^L^SS 3^,,^, of •'Bit^t/^KS.elt^yt^^;'^^ °"?^^ ^" ^^•" great friends, and understand each 'other perSv''-Tf ''.'''' "^ my own sister " pertectJy. If she were wolct bn,i:\°JSnt;'' ^ ^^"^^' ^^"«'^' - *he signiiicance of the drrv/u'';i'ack brTath"' ''K^Ihr' "^ " *°"« *^'^* "^'"^de Marjorie care mo:Uor ead. o"ther I wish «L™^ o^vn sister we could not jorie : you can make ur brc^^^^^— ^j;--il';^;^ar. ou|::£r Sli^;;!^^-^^^ -• '^^ ^-^^^ working nerv. Tii:;ffi^;o/]:i3";^I;lv";:^i"""^'? ^"-n-^ieto such devotion. infold hor and therfwai oiX n.-^v'^-'^'tP 'T''''^ ^"''^^ ^^^'"'^^d to herself. "^ ''^' ""'^^ P^^^ ^" her heart for him and for you ! 1 made a vow then hU nartoJfr "^ ^""^ "^^^'^i' ^ ^°^« I would not pestur and harass vo?, L, T T" ^ ?"'"*'^ *««' *hat love for a mouth I 1. .vp ^IL^ ' ^^""^^ V*"* ^P^''^ ^o you of my seemed woeftTy^nfndweafv ""LJZ' *?"'°^ '^' weeks hav^ with the old .ly, ^1 ];2.:Sin?^ ^s^tl ij; ssi^^ass^ 1 will go and bid h much difficulty, lod to the village, urned. lald not spare you going to her side, bly: ntrusivfa of me to eyes. 1 went on rapidly, don't wonder at d not hurry, and k she considerrd e hadn't thought iirf,'aret. " [eristic speech of )u<4ht to be." ntly. " We are ly. If she were nilicance of the made Marjorie sr we could not iorio, dear Mar- will you not do I working nerv- such devolion. ?oiee seemed to 'or him and for ed ardently on If dearly I love iiunth ago, that ; to you of my he weeks have our side again, ■jorie, nothing MAlUOiaE DEANE. ojg except that I will not ask for too much -for all your heart at onrn I know, or I can 8ur.niHo, ll.at there has been aTlS^n n^ nnri '"^"'" ""h'-i'-Py- 1 would lay down my hfo to purchase y„ur hapi.incs.s," and his voice broke ^ Marjono hn.ked up, tho tears in hor eyes. He Hushed and took her hands -N.l'ZH'nJ '• ^'" ""''"' "'"" '^'PP'-^^' h'« emotion silencin.. him thfhiSrid'S''^" ^^" ^^« worthy of the best lov'oS •'You do not know," said Marjorie, wearily <' Linton i T AiA not thuik to say this to a living soul, but I^me'it to v. u L\ is given to one who cares so little for it th J h« h^ . • ^ '^i"® It is my shame and my sorrow bul so it i« ^'^.^.'^f * " ««'de. way alone, Mr. Gumming " ' '° '* "' '^"^ ^"^ "^^ 8" ^7 ''1 know what you ask," fnterrnpted Marjorie sadlv «« W. He 13 to marry another. That is nisi • huA\\ i' T^' ^ ^^• cannot be rooted out of my heart ^ 1 hav; slid tr'.'"''*' ^°' T ' never before have I confessed it to ^,u ' *^^ *° y°"' '''^'^^ rolled down her fair cheeks ^''^^^ ^"""^ *^" ^^^'^^^ ^"^^'^ Ba;si: :i\ir:::/Sar£^r "t,?^^^^"^' ^-^ '«* ™^ the highest love man can give ' I love v'o . mJT "'" Tl^'^"^ ask your love now I can win it i r ^ . ' ^^^"^J""^'- 1 do not God's keepin^^ G^ve me vZself .^,H H ^"" P^^* ^''^^ ^^ne into happy, au'd i\m conLnt "^ H k"no hin "mSt of'v'" '' '.?'? ^^" shly Marjorie looked at him with sorrowful earneatness. ; plead i'i S20 ^AnjOh'lB DEANB. 'No woinai) could Hh Kh* >, J.kno^ tl>at ! n.n _^ ^, ,^/'W "' y-,r I.„n.lV' «ho said, - oh givo ,n return. My life aeom, ^ 3^,^'*,, "'" «'''-^' "^ nml seml^lanco to niy very own ! Con^'eVlny ZvZ\ U '' ""'^ '^"^•P '^f'T-y ' vn, >f / ''»ve done wro„y in tl.is ! ' ^"" '^ ^""'^ '^'^e- «oci holp we vou Mr"^ .^'''''■'"•"' •' " «f'« excla n.e5 - 1' \T' T'^T^ '^' '" "» ' and slipped past hti [„1^;t"ho::e''^^^"- -- ^-m U^aLd?; about to'follow, wh^n^i/iX^'aln:'"-" 7-^'' *—«"*, and was wa.s^ and, h.-ldin, h.r for I^a e "rn'/rl ^'^ "'" '*^«"''' "' Mr. CunimniL'I" trasoed 1/" ' , ,* *"^' i^isst'd her. trolhorki„hi.';,rr"''' ''"*'" ''O """"y -kod. "Can't . Oh, I ana so ,WV,'.™™." she said, " but i. it ,e,„^ ,„, " You are glad then i \JI,'^. ^"PP^ y«» ^il^ be ! " ^'•'''"^ ^ shosnirl, "oh, [1 semi'laiioo to io8t f(jrevor ! " it for my own, I can iimko me a ! Will you r, too ? Aluf. in your love I She did not ' tears, as the wrecked ; but respi-ct, and God help mo MAIiJOIilHl DEANE. ^. from tho Wr f„iti .SteSe"""''" "'" -"«", •». J^lS tlio race alie liiidint; the and almost g tho ]\, us '. f'. Oh, It's just mur- tieo / Oh, the shadow It, and was around her ler. tis happy "Can't a I moment, him back ', I am £0 rom room 3oni win- ater, and Crying ? voice, the best <( CHAPTER XLir. MARJOIUE'S VVExODLVG EVE. ^ I 'Srtrhre^etrs'.^^^^^^--' -^--I Bessie r»e; but IVe read about J ,r:"a'"r^ "r^''"'« J-'^^^^s t^ £t"AV""'^*^-'^^'''i"«t as good, s,''t^M \v '"'V'" ^''" f'^«'"^'n dear ]\riij„rie, Til have just suoh 1 1 t^'^ ^ '» '"arried. mv ^^yyoa i I,/s unlucky s,f' It I uV' , ^"" '"'^>"''t ^ry i o7 will look Dead white af;, ys v 1 vou^ ' ^''' ', ' "^""^ how y, u surprised xf there was a froo St^• th« .' ' ^''-'^'"'^ he a^b:t other yuun« men will bH HO ma^^huii' •'"''''• ^'-""'•'•"vv. the Borae Many .„a v.ri»u, haj'b,.„ h"'^ Cum,„i„ „ ^^™^ "•ho had kid traps for th° y'L ,? 'he maloh maki;!,. ,„.„™, was tlio romauw attached to he °v™?„- bl'""' ,'" "''"""". theri ' ""8 ""'e- It was well kuowo ■f. :If f 222 MARJORIE DEANE. "ih !;■ iC * f.: shorter than Marjorie,' S'hweTadtpn"^^*''"^ the millionaire, and it was rnmnred broken "^ Vr^sion^ and romantic attachment violently ladrer^'/aa" in""!!!!' '""'''"f;,*''," disappointment of some of the young ladies nas tn the seventh heaven of delighted excitement • and tho„,,h there was some disappointment, there was n . / -feel'i ' a d teT ^'^™ ^'''''^L "' ^"^'''^y- «« -^'^^kly it n.igh a Imo be' Sdtd V"" ^'"P'^^^ible to feel a-^rievod a J.inst i7er. tinni 1. •'^^' ^^^T ""^^ *"'^1^ ^^'« fore.no t part in the prepara- Mr OarS''^' T '" h'^\''l«'"«»t. She and M.l Cartel-oTcoiir e Mr. Carte was to give the bride away-purchased the weddinT BeTsie" ou nZ" ' d"' f ^'T "'^'^ ^^'" V-in/to wea'iUier e"^; '!'«;?, ""i have displayed more anxiety and interest. she Sid "^ r 1^ ^^''i ^ ^"^ ""^y ^" ''''^' «J'«rter than A ^^ I; ■ ''''^" *''y everything oi„ ' And iMarjorie stood aside, almost a disinterested soertitor nn^ ^SS°~-- - - - -s J-,-- ctiair in the study, with a cigar and a glass of whisky and water wasgu.ng over, for the twelfth time, but not once too "ten f'; To nib? h"""^' *p^««*°^y «f ^I--- Deane's rise, f.U and de^h of M.r^ • " '^ Gumming learned what little Mr. Cartel knew a dSr C!' '"^'1?T^^ \^'' ^^"''"'^ Ohesterton-heard it with listener iSf.'"' '* ^^'^ ^''''' ^'''^' '""'P''"'^' '^ ^^^^ ^^^ the But he had no fear. Once she was his, his very own he would teach her^to forget Sir Roland Chesteaon,'or any o^her "^ viewint it wilh w'f ' ^? "f "F ^^"^ ^'^'' ^"" *^^« fiff'«th time, and Mine"! noTa Ld d ""fu^ "" '^"^ «'^'^' " ^^ ^^ «^»'Ply P'^'fect ! Enable to con.wt-ff;."''*!'^ any means ; but this ? " and c^uite f "i Sarmenrd vn "V^^"'"^']'^''"^^ ^^ eulogy, slie laid the wonder- whef«Zl • '^^V-^"'^^" °''"«' ^^'^^ returned to the table, Ton h'dls and th' h "" ^^f "f '^" "^"^^^"^-"^ ^«^ ^^^ coachman's but! lon-n.iies and the horses heads hamS'foid'edTilv^^T^""^' ,^'' ^''^' ^^*«"'^^'^^ «" ^^e table, her V *°'^^^ i^'y. though her writing-desk lay open before her ' thesTt dr"i''"•r^^^"uK^' f ^'^^ ™"^« bL^ifulp^ Laps? for Ihl 7.1\' 'I'^'^y}'^^^ ^hich glowed in her da, k. eloquent eves for the little touch of gentle wistfulness that curved the ed lirT ' Her eyes were fixed on Bessie's nimble fin.ers and s f mi^ed every now and then at the incessant streams ^f "hatter Tlieh wer' "!n^Wit liT\ ^{''^TT'' *^ '^'^''' '^^'^'"^ ^hou.hts of the'aa'ir oStS ' *'' ''^'' ^'^^^ ""''' '^"^^ *° ^^« "^-"^i'-- MARJORIE DEANE. 223 it was riimnred itucnt violently ine of the youn» xciternent ; and Uu iil-feeliiii,' ; iiiffht almost be t lior. ill tho prepara- artel — of course d the weddin2;- wear it herself, nierost. han Marjorie,' spectator, and I her beautiful ge, the scliool- ted in thearra- sky and water, ? too often for II and death. r. Cartel knew —heard it with io well did tho own he would ler. deth time, and limply perfect ! s ? " and quite d the wonder- to the table, achman'a but- ;he table, her before her. , perhaps, for juent eyea, for red lips. nd she smiled chatter which , it would I OS her thoughts the beauti(.!9 Yes, Its a pity it isn't St. George's, Hanover square," said iJessie, tossing a rosette into the basket ; " we should have had the newspaper people with a long report, and all the particulars of the hlvt.% r; ""'^ *'?'' length of her eye-lashes. As it is, we shall fnn P , / ' ^''^'^.^"'^ l^^^^'?"'" ^°<=°"°t in th« Warley and Staple- ton LHj//e, as follows : 'The bride was exquisitely dressed in dull the «df If' ""^'"^ '^^^"^ °^ *° advantage the beauty with which tne lady is most conspicuously endowed ' " Marjorie laughed, but absently. ]| Have you written the report yourself, Bessie ? " she asked. J^o, my dear; if I had I should say something for myself- £«?''''^ P'T' *^t '^*^f bridesmaid, was als^o exquiSly dressed in white si k, with ' But nobody will notice i y poor dress, except Charlie Greening." ^o^..yi»uor ;| Charlie Greening?" repeated Marjorie, smiling, 1,0=1 J"' "oddedB^ssie, coolly. " He'll admire it, poor boy I He has had a special hohday for the wedding, you know I met him eW ?Le Vn^fr ^' T*^":,^^' ^. «^' "^'^ be the most beau^fS deal of?; MTvf"°n' ^^ ^^^^ to sit on him. He needs a great A -A*-^ Not literally, of course, though I think he would eo mad with delight if I should really sit on him " ^ Marjorie laughed at the young chatterbox. Bie, suddenly *° ^' ^"'^ """'^ ^'"' *^°"°^*''' Marjorie," said Bes- J^"^ ic: r^'SS wo^^yU^r^^" ^°' '"^ *° ^° ' «-« - A '"i^ ^T' u^°°'' ^y ' ,^'^** ^o»W T °ot give if he were here ? And we don't even know that he wUl get it for months.'^ Uessie paused. ^hlir \T ^""^ °? ^°'^"^ *° ^^f\ ^b°"* him ! haven't we just heard that he was safe and sound? Besides, who knows how soon h« may be here ? That stupid fort can't hold out forever, and then ho will get leave and oome to us, like an arrow from a bow Fancy Marjorie I Captain Deane ! " i?ancy, Marjorie's face lighted up and she murmured • here I "''^'^ """'^ ^^""^ "''"'^ *° ^^ P'°"^ ""^ h^""' ^ ^'^^^ he were •^^'i/lu^® but knew how he, with a companion, was striving with all their might to reach her I And had ihey but known how slxm their chance was of ever again aeeing Marjorie Deane \ 224 MARJORIE DEANE. y:% CHAPTER XLIII. THE UNBIDDEN GUEST. you away. Dear old Cartel ! T' 1 vl j! a i. -"^^ ^^""^^^ g»^e upat the%icarage to ni'ht I tdd Harv«v ^K'' «"J"y'"g himself plenty of cigars^and some whUylnd ;X'' ^^^xlX^:! ''•" irieuaiy, ana old Cartel anxious to impress him with tho .^^„ Vw The, will be here in h"lf ai hoS" °Oh . ■"""i ,""'■'"'"' ««''' ' her hand, in " of whi,kev in the houM . " "* " """« »' ' "'S'"- o' « ■>'»? 1^ Marjotierce, .„dp„,hed her gently out of the room, with a little .n,':^ I'ntdrlf th'e'ri,,"..''" °^^'°'" '» »''' °«'«' «■" ^°"'- ..»h™t„r;;^'r«^ir;r,l--^Sor-^^^^^^^^^^^ even the mass of white satia on the chair besi "e h Ir can SS S„rh?;r rXIn her'eL'"' ""' ^'°'= "» Hke' ahalS^ probably be a ich should give njoying himself ire to give him the best fun in and eager to be ;h the idea that 111 alliance with t Harvey quite ', tliat unfortu- don't woiship ir forgive you. asette into the alf-past eight ! stretched out 3igitr or a drop m, with a little el that you've ing, and Mar- itude. the all-inipor- er, which not can dispel, rda, sped back ftcgard face of ike a haunting d grown upon •8 ua tlie-y had II her strength f of sorrowing MARJORIE DEANE. 225 she would be happy-S^pp;^ °^ '''''' ^ "^^» ^« Harvey Gumming: .oS^:^ -:i::«£u^^^^ - voice her''?aXL"pt%o'h:rS'lnd'i ^^'^''/^^^ ^°«« ^^^"^ h-' eyes a* the vis^rn of^S^ St af hf Lt'.f ''.T^^l^ '^^^^'"^ thrill wenrthr^ourher^" '" ''' "^'''''^'^ ^'' ^^^^*' ^"^^ " at he" Takreis '"' < oTl^ ^'^ "r™"^^*^ ^^^^ P^-^nate anger should troubie me now^" "''' '^^''"' "P'^" '"'^' ^^^^^ ^ tI»ou|ht lipr^S^tlf^'"" "' self-reproach she wrung her hands and s.t her WitH f hlf T*'^ ^"^ *^"'" "^^ ^^'^ ««"»d of footsteps outside to h"."'°™' ■"' '■""-S ' " "» ™<1. hoarady, and hU lip. chn.g Not yet. not yet did she realise it ! But it was as if a heaven of W<' n ?;> J/i ; 226 MA RJ OKIE DEANE. happiness had opened for her, and the joy were almost lost in the delirium of the surprise. As for him, convulsive shudders of emotion passed like waves over his pale, haggard face, that still, through all the rack and harrassment of the past few weeks, retained its grand, subtle beauty, " My darling ! oh, my' darling I " he murmured hoarsely, " have I killed you 1 Forgive me ! I have been watching you through the window until 1 could not keep from you longer. Oh, my Mar- jorie ! ia it really you, my own darling ? Heaven forgive me for frightening you ! Speak to me, Marjorie 1 Let me hear your sweet lips say that you have not forgotten me ! " Forgotten him ! Alas ! alas ! When every sense within her responded to his touch — when her heart leaped at sound of hia voice as a dog leaps to its own master. Forgotten him I Ah, if she could but forget ! "Not a word ? Not one word ? " he pleaded, his voice low and trembling with passionate entreaty. " Will you not look at me \ It is I — Roland — come back. I, who ought never to have gone- fool that I was ! Marjorie, my darling, I am not fit to touch you —I have wronged you, wronged you cruelly ! Forgive me, my darling, my own sweet Marjorie ! " And he lifted her to his lips ; but before they met in the passion- ate kisa, the spirit within her freed itself from the spell, and, with & low cry of agony and pain, she put her hand against his heart and forced her head back from him, her eyes fixed on his with a wild despair, her lips pale and trembling. " No, iio ! " she panted. ••No ! ' he echoed, hoarsely. " Marjorie, for Heaven's sake, do not drive me mad ! Look, how at your feet I beg your forgive- ness ! " and he dropped on one knee, his arm still wound around her waist and imprisoning the lithe figure that writhed in his grasp. "Marjorie, look at me I I have frightened you. I — I ought to have written, but I would not dash my joy with one drop of cold caution. Look at me, Marjorie, here at your feet ! You — you have not forgotten me I You still love me ! You will — you must forgive me ! I can explain everything ! No, I will not insult you with explanations ! I am here at your feet — see 1 at your feet, my darling ! You will forgive me ! " Hoarsely, brokenly he poured out the passionate entreaty. Wildly she trembled and looked at him ; in her ears his words surged like the roll of the sea ; his face seemed in a mis*; before her eyes ; but his hands — ah, his hands I hot and eager as they clung to her imploringly— were tangible enough, and she thrilled beneath them. " Marjorie," he said, with a pause, during which his eyes had wandered over her face with greedy, hungry longing, ''• Marjorie," I r almost lost in the passed like waves all the rack and its grand, subtle d hoarsely, "have 3hing you through ;er. Oh, my Mar- pen forgive me for let me hear your sense within her d at sound of his tten him 1 Ah, if his voice low and 1 not look at me 1 3r to have gone — )t fit to touch you Forgive me, my aet in the passion- le spell, and, with linst hib heart and >n his with a wild Heaven's sake, do beg your forgive- ill wound around thed in his grasp. I. I — I ought to one drop of cold feet ! You — you u will — you must ill not insult you ! at your feet, my lionate entreaty. 1 his words surged before her eyes ; ;hey clung to her 3d beneath them, ich his eyes had ing, "Marjorie," MARJORIE DEANE. 227 and Wa voice was calmer, but still trembled and Quivered .^i+T, ti,. Taki me'! ' "^ ^ ' ^^'^ ' ^ ^""" ^^^^ «*'" ' ^ ^i" be your wi?f ! from W pa7e 1^'' '""'^^ ''''"°'^' ^^ " ""'^ '^'^ ■' *«« '^'- ' " broke For a moment the sense of her words failed to reaoh hJm +!,»», '^'' ?oX« r? '\^ ?7'. r^ t «*^gge-d to Ws Sf '""' *'^" * you mean Ah r .'nL he hoarsely echoed. " What-what do "AreTou Landed ?""^ '^^'^ * "^ '' '"^^ ^« «^-«d ^«^ -«^- ,.,,?^Vbook her head slowly, and shrank back, for with a crv of rehef he was ready to seize her again. ^ Too late ! " she said, and ove°r her face came a shamflrl lnr.b ^t Why ? why ? he passionately demanded. Ihen, still holding her, he turned and looked around the room with an eager, yet vacant stare ; but suddenly his eves fell on tha SSlttS ^" '^' '^'^ ^"' "^^°"«> - ^^« unmistSblfsigr'ol ^^^^£^7^a^i^^ ^- -'"' -^ ^e stood bilence fell like a pall ; the clock ticked loudly Bessie's "Yonnc Lochinvar " floated down in bitter mockery, and^ there thev stood^ taese two, so near and yet so divided. ^ °' At last he looked up. He read the answer in her eyes. "Yours! You are going to be married! Is that so? When?" ^^ To-morrow," she breathed, faintly «r,^ i?-'^<^"ow ! to-morrow ! " he echoed, vacantly; " to-morrow » " wasted! '"'''''"''^ *° ^^' ^"'^^-^^^ ^^"^ tbaVwas so thL and Then he turned with lowered head "By Heaven ! ' ' he breathed, " I km punished ! " waSfd hTm' "'^'' '^"^ '*""' "''^^"^"^ *'- «bair for support, she .^;;Ye8," he muttered more to himself than to her, " I deserve Then he looked at her over his shoulder, as a man might look '^g:' 228 J:» IV Iv I • : i i'"^ • f I 1 ; k »'' MARJORIE DEANE. when he takes hia last alimDRfi nf +»,^ j- . expelled forever. Hia fvA^^?.!, • ^''^ P^adiae from which he is not dead, but had sprun? into if f J -^ Passionate love which was clung to him. ^ ''" 'P'*"§ ^"'^^^d him, and, falling at his feet, '' ^o!and ! Roland ! Poland i " he\t\?nd^^^^^^^^^^^ over his face, he cried ' *"*^ ^'^^ * '^'^d light breaking dating r"°* ^'^^ ^^*- ^- will not leave me, my darling, my the man whose plighted w^fe^he WM ^**^^ '''*^ ^"' «°"1 ^^^ self i^°i w:yt^^1i,: «rr»^ \ «r- ^-» ^^ Save me, Roland I Go • In ^Tn «? .^ " ''^ ^**« ' too late ! bear it longer ! See Hook at me tL?' r.™'"."*l' ^'^ ««nnot her eyes fixed wildly on his ™eLv t* ' ^"'^ '^® ^'^''^^k back, yours, shames, shames me'' You haTe .onf ^^^","1 ^'''y ^ord of am married-married already in all W T™^ *°%^**«' ^^o^and ! I cannot betray him ' " ^ ^ ''"* *^® «»ere form ! I cannot A malediction broke from his lips. ''Whoish^troVerftJa^thlSlds? ^f^^^^'^ «-'--«^- The question mad« h\.,.Tu " V ^ ° "^'^P between us? " " Wh\ ?" sSe repeated nfl'-'"' '^"*, * ^^''"ed her. than you did-one ^ho has nCer 1 l^f ^'^° ^°^«« «»« f>etter betray. Roland, say wha' yZ wilf Tlh'^ ™e-whom I dare not You are too late ! too late ! The past c^nn« ""T^ ^'"^ to-morrow. " fee ■''.hf i" ^TJ l ''" 8'°>M'J- We''drrled1rV tt\ff J'^ «?'™ ' " » W But , he took up his hat from the > from which he is r the beautiful face le door. ' late love which was ouch, leaped like a her. falling at his feet, fora moment, then "Id light breaking 9. nay darling, my e yielded to him, > with her soul for Save me from my- late ! too late ! ute I I_i cannot i she shrank back, irs, every word of late, Roland ! I form ! I cannot. lately exclaimed, en us ? " ler. loves me better ?^hom I dare not ' him to-morrow, revived — never ! it, while I have f. heaving bosom. is hard. But J e truth, or had liahed the story. )S. lis hat from the MARJORIE DEANB. 229 hMV^tlf S,tf.;' "'"■ '--^'tas hand., h,, oje, fixed on So be it. Good by ]" ™"-™ olher-viho loves you so weih han5fefll°fc°;^X'°^"* Mm '"'' ""«' » piteou, pa„,s )„•, set, his eyes fixed with a look of ""^"'"J*' ^'^ ^^«« ^^'''te and face. '""'^ * ^ook of suppressed agony on Marjorle's ^Who^fJhtl-^H^'^r^ ^'^^^'^ ^* bi-"- voice indicating plaiXtTth:^^^^""'" ^° ^^^J^-' ^^ , For answer, Harvev C.imm;» question was unnecessary. hand now cold and ^liSr^nSy^SVleTi' ^"."^ '""''^ ^^-i°"«'« set glt^ol Ufte?iSra^„rtV°1^^,f ^-' ^^^ the same I'Ps^ and as it fell inS SnS's ea/e! ^' ''"'^ ^'^'' ^'^"^ '« ^i' n'^ht. ^^°^*°^ 8 eager grasp, went out into the broti?;r"kft^ert;:tL^&im^S^tr^^ f^^^^^^^^ ^er other's eyes, awed and subduedTcaroBlr H ^'.^"'^'^'"^ '"*« e««h p.nes8 which Harvey CummiS nnM! ^ «'"= ^ '"^^'''^^ the hap- for them. ^ "mming s noble sacnface of self had wrought CHAPTER XLIV THE BEAUTY REVEALS HERSELF. ^^ Cdt. itZ °pirtf Lf ^T! '"^^^ °f ^o'-cl's return tmlight, and the ratUe^ o ca;ria*es';l^/fi;^'^^ ^'^^°"=^'^ ^^s lon« claimed that the night's gavetv hln f^^ ^^^ /"'*'"J^ streets prot unusually long onef was Jr^l^g^i^lXse"'' ^'^ «^^«°"' ^^ Uut though many had flp-l -r.-i " I ^^' the houses,- the lights were' b?rnin^nT"nr^' *'*'''*'^ ^" ^^^'^ GroBvenor square. ourning m the Chesterton house in ;• 'i ■ 230 MA RJOniE DEANE. Lady Chesterton still clung to town, and to all the invitations gave the one answer, "My son may corr>e back at any moment; and as he must come to London first, I must remain." Hard, very hard had the time gone, with the proud old woman, and the high and stubborn spirit was beginning to show signs of breaking under the strain of months and months of weary watching and anxious suspense. Reginald endeavored to ;heer her in vain. To his assurance that nothing wrong could have happened, simply because if it had they must have heard, she turned a deaf and incredulous ear. All that she knew was that, months ago, Roland had gone to the seat of war— that battles had been fought, forts taken, men slain ; and a vague horror had fallen upon her that she would never see her son again. No word of self-reproach passed her proud lips, but within her heart she longed, positively longed, for Peter Deane to be still prosperous and living, and his daughter to be her son's wife. " If he had married her," she murmured to herself, as she lay awake in the still watches of the night, " if he had marrier'. her he would have settled down, and I should have seen him happy and had him near me. Would to Heaven he had married her ! " Yes, it had come to this now, that the haughty old woman would receive Marjorie, penniless and ruined as she was— would even wel- come her with open arms. For, with all her pride, Lady Chesterton was no fool, and pon- dering and thinking she had guessed, during those weary months, what it was that had made Roland desperate and had sent him to a probable death But never a word of this escaped her lips. Even when Helen Montressor spoke confidently of Roland's return, and softly mur- mured of the approaching marriage, the old lady uttered no pro- phecy, made no wail ; only at times, when the beauty mentioned his name, mentioned it as if he were on some pleasure trip on the Continent, the old lady looked np with a glance of sad presenti- ment. But Helen Montressor took no account of glances, would not even listen to Reginald's vague murmurs of uneasiness ; and, to tell the truth, Reginald was growing both anxious and fearful. Scarcely a day passed but he looked in and inquired if they had heard any tidings of the missing man, and when Lady Chesterton gloomily shook her head, the beauty invariably laughed. "Heard? No, we don't expect to bear, my dear Reginald. Roland always was the worst correspondent in the world. No man hates letter-writing more than he does. We sha'n't hear, we shall see. I give him another month. By that time he will have grown tired of the whole execrable business, and be tearing home by the quickest route, and ao heartily sick of the Turks and the Russians that we sha'n't get a word from him about it." MARJORIE DEANE. 231 all the invitations k at any moment ; nain." proud old woman, » to show signs of 1 of weary watching his assurance that lause if it had they ilous ear. nd had gone to the taken, men slain ; e would never see ps, but within her • Deane to be still r son's wife, herself, as she lay lad marrier' her he Bn him happy and arried her ! " T old woman would » — would even wel- no fool, and pon- ose weary months, 1 had sent him to a Even when Helen 1, and softly mur- y uttered no pro- beauty mentioned jasure trip on the 3 of sad presenti- of glances, would uneasiness ; and, ious and fearful, luired if they had Lady Chesterton aughed. y dear Reginald. I the world. No We sha'u't hear, that time he will 8, and be tearing of the Turks and about it." And Reginald invariably gnawed his mustache and looked down at hid boots, and took his departure in silence. Wot only to Reginald, but to all other inquirers, and they were many, the beauty gave the same answer ; and the world in which she moved, the little world of the upper ton, wondered and shrus- ged its shoulders. ** "A rare, high-spirited one, the Montressor, said the duke to Uraneland. 'Looks very much as if Chesterton had become food aboSt her?"*° ^^* ^^® '^°''*"'' ^^""^ * ^^^" ' °° '"0"''ning bride And for answer, the famous, or infamous, marquis showed his exquisitely made set of teeth in a significant sn)ile, that seemed to say that he knew a thing or iwo which he n,wl« weal.h-how els5 a beantv wlt " l^^- """ °f * ^"'"*" ^'^^ »"« ^ ^^'^ey call me on h^r ? V*,"!"! «> P*"««'i and looked at him with a calm smile Hoved ou ' " however, grown suddenly white. " Roland, He started slightly and put up his hand, there b^ "n^rd 'tVtti: -' " '^ "^' '°""'^' " '^'"'^ "« ^''^^ ' ^«* inga^S^Teadil;?*^ fingering her jeweled bracelet, but still look- ^A^^r^r T *^^ '° ^"® ""'T^*^- ^°" th'nk that I should be asham - sha ^h?? fi'K'; ^"^""' ^°"- '^'^^^^ " n« «hame. Thero von JrL th^aY^ ^''^^ nK. Strength and will to endeavor to sav^ you trom this dis^nice He started and his face hardened again ,J^ l^^Tf,^^ '^ disgrace then ; 1 think it doubly disgraceful now that the father turned out a mean adventurer." He stopper ! her, his patience exhausted at last. ^ Jo what may all this tend, may I ask ? " Sirrniv to this," she answered, " that you may know f>illy why :>.. ■ ; 1!" 7T[' *'\® ^"*"''« Marchioness of ( Jraneland "-and she rose to her full height-" once stooped to scheme for the honor f your hand Goodiught-good-by. I should like to utter the rlge.^ Go?d-byX^^°:ianT."^°"' " "'^^ ^^"'" «" ""^'^^^ -"" oJ^tl'l^ ""f * to the door and opened it, accompanied her to the e5 [o fh;\ P"* ^'' '\r'^^ ''^^"'' ^''•'^ courtesy, and then return" «„Lh! ??^'."'^''''^"',"/.' '""''^ sorrowfully than angrily, that such a beautiful form could inclose so hard and cold a heart horrrT-'* r'u' T'^ *,^^^ ^'^ ««"'<* no* «ee her as she sat, her - .« ... ..1 ..e. n.-vnas, luc huuiu Dcauurui loiui Working in the agoi.y of disappointed love and wounded pride. "'"'^"'"^ m tne I ■ I I W 236 MARJORIE DEANE. feeble "come in "he entered ^'' '"'' '" ""POOM to thS re.Ito/„rhe?T:^'dr'l"S S«'^ -,"» ci-. herfc ferred and of unaooken wrlf^l^^^ "i® ^^ eloquent of hope de- "Mother '■ 3aid Tlf. ^^'' *^** ^" ''«*''* """ot^ him- years, "mother !"' "" ''''^*" *"'«"*« *ban he had spoken for her^^hl'^ThenX^ttdtC^^^^^ ^^^'^^"^ *h— ^f ing into his arms '^' heartrending cry, and fell faint- 4Von;t?,rmfr"^fo;^^^^^^^^^^ chair, and would peace and joy Ughted u^her old ?«?«''* ' f^l * ^™l'« '^ i"«ff«We between heVhan'ds and Curmur^^^^^^^^ -»d «he took his thin face My boy ! my boy 1 " " Mother ! " " You have come back to me ? " "Yes, mother." '' Nof a^dn''"'^ "'* ^° *^*y *=*^" ^ ' ^^^^^^^::^,^^ --' -c, she scanned hi. Vou are happy, Roland f" "Yes, mother." '''I'h^JeliurhTm'oThe;^'^ ^^""^ ^^^J«- ^^^^ '" 1 wiluKer^t^fT^^^^^^^ Take^etoher. will love me as you d d! Td vou wi?) nnM ''^ '^°"" '° •^^'•' *"d y^" Roland wondered to serh^s nrrL T^ "'^T^"' ^"^^^-i?" word, only thanked H^ven that^It fw '' 'i?'^*'"* ^« ^^^^ "« he loved, and to himself ""* ^^"^^ ^*^ '^'^^^ *<> those len he went up response to the chair, her face it of hope de- smote him. dad spoken for ig the arm of and fell faint- ir, and would clung to him, r eyes opened le of ineffable his thin face MARJORIE DEANS. 237 scanned his ^e me to her. ler, and you 1, Roland?" he said no me to those CHAPTER XLVI. IN CONCLUSION. ^HAT same night that Roland had returned home the Mar ~, ,^q««of Graneland pe.<,uaded the beauty to elooe with S" and thus It came about that London was startled htX Tl A"l Sir Roland Chesterton had suddenly r!?Srned and «xat th?C^^^^ m order to avoid a marria TT^ivii ui ucr son B wile. (the IND.)