The Step-sister
page: (TitlePage) [View Page (TitlePage) ]x * 2 TI A I ST~ ER-S 1ST Xi A BY A SOUTHERN GENTLJ~MAN; 9 TL1UflM)ND:~ AYRE~ ~ WADE. ~PgTJ~A?~jJ~ ~Ii~W8 STEA7~t ~U~41~.F4. 4r U page: 0[View Page 0] 4 V 4. THE 9$ STEP'-SiSTER. 44 1 1~ *e CHAPTER I. A FAMILY PARTY. T rhere Wa'S a cloud on Edward ClerVil e's brow, a graVity on his :lip, that contrasted strongly with the smiles- of pleased approbation which the faces of his bi-other and two sisters wore. .Their father hatd just announced to them his approaching mar- riage, and now looked around with some anxiety to mark the effect of the communication. The congratulations and good wishes 4of his daughteis and their eldest Jbrother were uttered warmly and' affectionately. Edward spoke,'too, with becom- ing respect ; but there was no, cordiality in his. studied sentences. Mr. Clerville rose and stood on the hearth so as to 'face the .little circle. He was still a handsome man, notwithstanding the slight baldness upon his -forehead and a lit tle spring ling of silver in the dark hair, which~ b;etokene4 that life, with him, had passed its me& ridian. His figure, though portly, was not un~ 1 9 E 9 '4 ~A~4 N'~ .4."" 'A' 1-A 2Entere4 according to the Act of Oonggess, by * AYREs & WADE, In the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the Confederate States for the'Eastern .District of Virginia. 4 A' '1 .~.1 ii 4 'A -~ page: 4-5[View Page 4-5] -~ .. '~ ~ h' ~i' tEH1~ c~TED-SIS~L~.1L p ?VtfJ~ SiEV-SISTI~fl; graceful, but rather' of that eomtbrtnble full~c~ of~proportion which almost' always accompanies a genial nature and quiet, untroubled tenoi~ of ex- istence. As he glanced around now, his eye rested on {wo youths and~ two i~a.idens, of wh6s~ paternity any man migbt4justly haVe been proud. Frank his eldest son-but j~ardownez mademcd- -. sellers! precedence du dames! Lucy Clerville was a pale, spiritual-looking girl,- on whose face it was impossible to look witW. out involuntarily recurring to those exquisite SONNITS TO QENEYRA, which ate, pei~iaps, equal ifl beauty and superior in pathos to any of By- Ton's ot~er writings. Almost pctii'e in size, her figure was fairy-like in lightness and proportion. one but must have acknowledged her b~auti- fu I, but of too et1~ereal beauty to. excite general ad'mir~tion. The' ordinary beholder would pause. a. moment and gaze, as at "some ~marble saint pitchedd in cathedral Wall," ai~d*the~ pass onto seek ~n ea~hlier divinity H& younger sister, Kate, was as unlike Lucy graceful movements, and brightly; vivacious face, possible. The tall, lit1~e figure, quick 'but were of e5th sui~ely, andy ~though less lovely, ~weve more beautiful than *her sister's. spirUu~i1e softness. .She was sitting very still-with hera rare occurrence-her eyes lifted to her father's f4ce, with an unusual expression' of seriousness, notwithstanding the smile on herjips. One hand y ret~.ited carelessly on her knee, the' (AAlCr toyed idly with the hair of her brother Frauk, next to whom she sat, the fingers twisting aiid untwi~L ing the hazel curls all unconsciously Lo herself.. F ran k (i5lerville's face was a very han4~-oim one-bat that was 'its least attraction. So JoId~ genial and kindly his air, that misanthropy itseh must have turned abashed from a physiognomy which so obviously confused jts dark theory ot mafi' s nature. Like Kate's, his face was morc serious thaii at mosf times. Ther& was even, an expression of anxiety upon it, as lie glanced from his father's face to that of his bi~tlier, who loaned beside thb chimney, his elb~v resting' on the niantle-piece, while his hand opened an4 ~hu~th~ 1eav~s of a 'book which lay thereon. £dward~s physique combined the charact&istics ~qf both his sisters. The tall, symmetrie~al form and dark hair andNeyes of Kat~ were tempered by thTe pale~ - ness an~d repose of Lucy's face. *lt did not need the presence of the book he was handling to pro cl~hu him a student The mos1~ careless observer. would have recognized him as such at a glance lit ~as to him .particularly ~~ha t his father's eye directed itself as he~~ resumed what he had been saying. But Edward was pr6 b~bIy unconscious' of the gaze ; for his own was tent thoughtfu1Iy~ hut absently upon. the volt~r ~ie with which he trifled. "To a ~sensitive mind,'~ 'said i~W ( h~iW ,'~ S j w page: 6-7[View Page 6-7] I r~IE STETh$JSTEU. & * "there i~ something exqui~i~eIy painful in the thought. of a ,secoiid marriage-even when, as I gratofi~Jly acknowledge is the case ij~ t~he present instaijee, all thc cirei~imstances of the connection itself are unexceptionable. And I amaware that the ~~~r~age of a parent must always, in a greater or less degree, strike very coldly on the heart of a child. It is sometimess, however, necessary 4 to~~Z~~but it is needless t~speak of thi~. Only, n~y dear children, let me assure yo~i that parents are * n~t always s~selfis1i in affairs. of tha1t kind as i~ generally sapp~sed-if' I may judge others b~r I' "We know,~ dear p~ipa, that it is utterly in'i j~ssibl~ &,bu conla. he selfish in anything; ~wd that you have thought only of our advantage, as~ you alway~ do," cried Kate; "but surely you * hai~e'. a right t9 consult your own happinesss, with~ ouit~regard to what we -think, if. wq could be so. selfish and unreason able as to wish y&i fo ren~in nnn1afri~d? ~he ohuced yeproachfully. ~at her brother IEdwar4, and adJed, "I am sure I ~nily wonder you 'did~uo~ marry years a~o, ~ud so far fr~ni b~i~g ~ain~d, I am charmed with Lhe idea z~f~ having a mamma." * I ~e1ightec "Anid ai~ that we are. to have, a pretty newsi~ter, '~ ~aidF~ank. ~' I think shall fa~i i~ love'. with her. '~ WWhat a sweet name' she has,'? ~sajd ly. iut. her ~oft voice;' "'~lan~he Orpiond." 0 * "l3lanvhe Clerville! how would that sound?" cried jYrank. "0, I intend to marry her!" * ".That i~ if she wjlI marry you,~' exclaimed Kate, laughing. ~. '~ I take it f~r granted ~he will, not be able to resist niy industache," .answered Frank,. twirling that appendage as~'he spoke. "How old is she, papa? and is she liVely?" inquired Kate. "She is just your own age, I believe, seven~ teen. Yes, ~he is vqry lively." "'And our~ mamma?" said Lucy~. ," I hope she will love us~" "Jupos~ible not' to d~ ~that,"' answered her father, f"' ly. "'And you will love her too, I "I am afraid. 'she 'will thir& n~e very wild," said Kate,' Iaughi~gly. "I must try 'and i~n to be more quiet before she' comes~". " "She will 'not object "to' 'your wildness, . sajd her' father, miningg, "so' long as it is btit the - overflowing of' youthful lightheartedness, Which does not pass the boui~d~ of discretion. Thit, t~y dear children, I am happy to ~ee that three of you at least are~ prepared 'to. reeeiVe the in~tIier I shall give ybW without prejudice. IL thank you for ~rour~ affe~tionat&cordiality, ~hieli is more 'to me' than, perhaps, yoi~ *htimagin~" You Edward "' 4 / .~' "'i''$' 'A 4 I I I' f I 1~ 8 page: 8-9[View Page 8-9] ( 'PIlE $TEP~lSTER. 9 4 4 "a' a,' .9 hilly, as he, foi~ the first time, raised his eyes to his fatLt.,r's face-" I trusi~, sir, that you do not think me defixdent in affection or cordiality; 'I ~s~ure you," he continued, e~rhestly, "that my brother and sisters cann.4 more ;warmly desire ~~ur happiness than do I, or more cordially ac~ knowledge y6ur right to aef' as you think fi~ in this as in all things.?' "That is," said his father, smiling, though there was an ~xpression of pain on his face, "that is, ~you a~kn~wledge~my right to marry if I think'ffi, but you do not approve of my ~Ioing "S 80.- Edward hesitated, colored ana saj~ nothing. "Tell me,~my son, why you disapprove :of my prope~ed -marriage. Speak ~'ankly~ Your oW ~~ti~ns mist be either reasona)Ae or unreasona~ ble.: If the first, I need scarcely say that Ill will give them ~ue weight If the last, I hope it ~ay~bo possible to convince yo~t. of the fact." .~gain~ ~dward'~ u~ual1y p~de cheek flushed deeply, but, seeing that his father waited for him t.~s~eak,. he at length answered, "It would ill ~coine me to question your intentions, father' I~ut, since you desire'~my opuAon, I must, confes~- I~-4-it se~ins to me," he. went. on at last, des~ perat~ly, "that the~ connecting 1t~w0 families to~ g~t~er must always be njudiobxiis." ~a generall ruI~ your remark is correct. 2~ut~ I ~m' very s~ngiiiue that the pr ent~~ ~i11 4 I A /' up, ~ TIU~ ST1~P-BI$TER. prove the, ~~eption. , Both) Mrs. Qrmond .,ai~d' myself are of an age to see the. propriety of harm mony in a family ;~ and ...both have, Iii hope, suffi~: cient s~nse to maintain it. I am not an 'ill-na' * tured n~an, and I have . been assured by peyspis wh9 are well acquainted with her, and onawhose judgmer44 ~an rely, that she is a remarkably. amiable womaii. So T think ~re may hope y~ur prognostics of evil wilL hot be realized." "If. she was alone. But the young lady, her daughter," . said Edward; hesitatingly, "do you think that sh~ and my sisters-.-~' he paused~-' "May not fall to quarreling?" asked his father, smiling; I trust not. I have the~, best opinion of the amiability of your sisters, wliich you will acknowledge is not undeserved; and Blai~ehe Ofmond is not likely tQ ~pr.ve a ~ brand 04~among us, unIess,~" h~ adJed, jestingly, "she sets fire to Frank's heart.. I cannot iDsure him against that' dangers" 0 "I w~u~d not take the insurance if you oWered it, as I inten4 to- i~ty siege to hers," said Frank. Mr. Oterville took a step. towaras the d6or- paused, and added: "ilihope . and believe that you . will here4'ter see the wi act from sdom of my course in this matter, I a sense of duty, and, if I err, I shall at least' have the consolation of feeling this." He left Th& room. "What a shame. for you to treat ;papa so,. Ed 9 V 4 -I /4 I "I * I "4 I 4 4' 4 page: 10-11[View Page 10-11] ~. p. ~mi( is~e~m * 0, w~rd~"' exclaimed Kate, almost beibr~e her faTher W~~Ut.~heariflg. ~" t~ are that I have acted in ai~y way towards my. father, ". he answered, q~ie4, though the color deepened in his already "~n81ied cheek. ft But ,y6~r manner~ was sq cold~~~~ said Lucy, gently. "You migh'~ have been n~ore cordial, you know." '~ Yes9 yoa did' not act well, Edwiwd, ~" paid ~'rank, gravely. . "And myfath~r fee1~ this rnoi'c deeply than if all .the rest 91' us had manifested opposition to. the affair. '~ "OW! papa always -spoi1~d Edward, and this is-the thanks ho gets for it " sai4 i(aL~ Mi~h~ ~ have been more cordial !" said Ed~ have compr6rnised the truth in pretending to approve of a very imprudent marriage~ for r but consider it such. No, I dq'i~ot think ~ I. ai~ called- upon to practice a-ny siXch d'issimula7 -j i~ard,' repeating Lucy~s remark,~ ~" That ~ ii. ti&tt" ' "You might, without sating anything about approving or. disappr~vi~ the' marriage, . have spokcn~affect~oi~ately papa," L~wy observed, in a conciliatory ton9. Y Tt distressed-~ me to -see ]3.oiv P~uch he was~pained." "it~is~ very foolish of him Then," eried -Kate, in~1ignant1y, "to l1~ pained ~by Edw~rd'~ absurd ill.humor. " - C II. THE S1MP~S1ST14L p "Here i~ the flrst effect of this admirable affair," s:aid Edward5 iro nicalkv; "What?" * ".A d~i~agreemei~t among ourselves. Because my qpirnon does not exactly coincide with her own, Kate rates m&i n true feminine ~ty1e. ~ If she gives - Mrs. Ormond and her daughter the benefit of the temper my fat-her was just coim? mending,. after this fashion, II imagine they Wilt wish they had never heard the name of (5lerville, which they are both to bearit seems," headdecb. sarcastically. "Forgive me!" cried Kate, hastily. '~' Y~m know, n~twith~tanding my father's paneg~#mc, that my temper, is of tne ~4uick.~st. B~~t- It did not mean to. end-you really, Edward." "III am not offeiided, h~e ~nsw~red, coldly, a's he took up his hozik and left 'the ro6m.' - "how very disagreeable EdwarZl is!" said Kate looking after him with an ;atr of eh~agrin-. "NQW,. one may quarrel with. you; Jh~auk, 'a do~u times a day, and lg~ugh it 6ff the u~t minu4e-; buUjust 4iance to -say anything that Edward does not lil~e, .an~ he makes one7 f& it for days after- wards his cold, 'constraifi~d manner. Itt is so provoking!" She looked vexed for a moment or 'two, and then. said, laughingly,' "I do jwish be would fall * desperately.in 'love with ~B1an~he, just to p~y him for his meanr~es8," p. 10 / Ii '1 A. 4 1* 'I 4 i A ~'1 ~1 page: 12-13[View Page 12-13] V - " ; $4 . = 4, . ,, ~.v 4 ~F. _________________________ K .;~ K' .12 TilE STEP STST1~R. "Don't use such a harsh word, Petling,"' said Frank, "and you need not wish any such thing, for 1 intend to marry her inyse~ and I should not like to have a rh~aI in Ed ward, though I fiat~ ter ,rny'self I c&uld distance; him in the kEdy's Javor." "1 am not so ~certain of that, ~" cried Kate, 'laughing. ~~YoFu are the darlingest brother in , the w~rld, and ]I~ love you' a million. fimes more thani do Edward, but I think he might be the n~ost fascinating lover of the t~o. He is always so cold an~d indifferent, that it would he very flat.' tearing if he did unbend." '~Just hear!" exclaiii~ed Frank. "But I be.' lieve'~wh at you say is true. Worn are. much ~; morq easily awed than ~~rsuaded, an~ do not at al~ appreciate a ~ood atured ~-=~.'-- like ~ who coiidescends to admit tMm to a equality." "Condescends! you impuaent creature! " cx.' claimed Kate~ and,. springing tOwards him, she was about to take sunirnary vengeance for' his V disrespectful reff~ction on the :sex femiuiyie,.whcn catching her in his arms, and calling to Lucy~ who had seated herself. at the' piano to lay a waltz, he whirl'e~ her around the ~ooiiL' il she threw herself and him on a sofa, d~olari'~ng h~ had trQd her. nearly to death." '(Jj wonder, "'she said, as &he shook h~r Aark ringlets ~and parted' them on. her forehead, ="J wonder it you will romp asrwlelxr with BThiwh~ THJ~ STEP~STST}f~. 13 "When did' papa say the marriage is to take place r" asked Lucy;. approaching th&m. "The last day of September," answered Frank. They were silent for ~sorne minutes. "After all, jt does seem strange and almost sad to think that papa is going to marry again," oh.' served Kate. "And if he ~hiouId not b~ happy, how dreadfi~ it will be1" -i "But we need n6t fear as to ~hat, I ~ '. said L~icy, " You know that papa said. thaV Mrs. Or.': ~ond, our manirna to be~ is 'veiny amiable." ' ~j I Papa said !" repeated Frank, laughing. "Of course; he ~yould say and think that biW-" 2. 4 ~WThy Frank," interrupted Kate, reproving.' ly, "you are nearly 'as bad as Edward. You0 should not l~gh and peak so of papa." ' 1 ," I'said=. no harm. Only that, in certain cases; man's eyes are quite c1eai~. I, would n6t an.' swer for ipy own ~~w1iere t1 lonely Blanch& is concerned." "1 dare say Edward feels very'badly ab.6u~ it, ~'. continued Kate. "He is just the sort ofperson 4 to dIslike such a ~ing asthis. And the~i he re~ - members mamma, which I. do not. That must "'He ~cgh1~ to remember her dying request: . tJ~n to ivy' father, that he would marry again,. made~both anditer1~ving of uspro.mise to be' (tutifill ajid affectionate to. him.4 the' ~ lw~. might. ~ve 1W. 4-. page: 14-15[View Page 14-15] ~FMR STEP..STNTEft. "Is it possible she wished papa to marry --ex~elaimed'~ K N again ?-" ate, ,~ith an expression of the stronge-s't interest. - '~ Well, -J do not think~ I. could be ~so generous. 411 should so hate the' idea of being forgottenn. But why do you no~ - remind Edward ~f-thi~, Frank? ~" "I will. "~ "11 am- afraid ho may make our iuianYrna unCOim -- - fbrtable by -his cold- manner, "- said - i1~icy. - -- A "Oh! ~uio-;--~he is ,too gentlemanly for tJiat," answered-~Frank-. "What I fear is, that my father will be. made unhappy. -by his want 6f cordiality. - I 1.will go and find him now, and~ remind him of our mother's dying wis-h-es.-" - - - - -CllA'HTiE1~ IL E~R~SPBOT1QN. Mr. Olervilie sought his oWn roOm. Eriterhig, he locked' the door, thi'ew himself into a deep arn~-chair beside- the window, and, fixing his -' -' troubled gaze upon .vacancy, yielded to.a degree of mental 'de pres~ion which had - hot been his for years. He had spokeii the truth -whew he~ as- resolvin~ to * sured h-is children- that, iii ~, - marry again, he was a~tua~d solely by a sens~-~of -duty. The t~uth, ~but -not the whole;- truth. -- To the struggles which th-i~ r~oiution eo~t Ijini he' had 14 A "'6 A 'ulE sTEP-$ iST~1t. net' alluded. Nor; had' he ~qkefl of the utter repugnance with ~ he still oopten~plat~d the ide~'of a second mnarriagethe opposition ~~hi~h -his habits, as well as his 'ineliu~tiOflS, offered to it. lie hai~I certainlY acted ~ith deliberatiOn, he~ livingg, at the time t1~t he waS looking atF the * question in every jossible point of view. But noW it ~~~den3y-$truck -him~ that he had made one great oversight~th~t whileT 5arnifldng '- his , 0~~feelirigS to what 'he deemed ihe. ~dvant~ge of his children, he - had ~entirOlY forgotten to in~ quire into what their feelings might he 'on die subject. True, 'they had all seemed unaffectedlY * pleased hut Ed'ward; and ijere is a~ "but" t~ almost everything. lBnt this "but" was, 'to INIr. Clerville, a b~it bf the flyst mao~uitudC Frank, was right in saying that Edward'S disapprobation * would far outweigh, ~jth their father, t~e ajh proval of himself ~nd his -sisters. Ed~vard had always been his father's favorite. His partiality was, not ~hown in any' way to cause jealohSY or iTI.feeling on' the part of his other children; but the delicate health of Edward, caused first by .an.'accideflt during his boyhood, and afterwards' increased by his injudicious de-, votion to hooks-Still more, his striking resem~ balance to his n~other~seen~ed naturalIy to give -him the first place in' his- fatlier'~ heart Frank waS sent to college and tile two-girls to a convent; but unwilling t~ trust Edward from under his V I-'-, ) A page: 16-17[View Page 16-17] A ~ Ii ~ 0 16. 17 TITh STEP-~iSThm own, eye, the father procured fo~ him a, tutor, - straits of town and. college life. 'Too close. ap- plication threatened to undermine his constitution totally, and, though ~Mr; Clerville could not re- main blind to this fa4, he foar~i his son utterly * ii~creA7u1ous as to the inj~try he ' was doing him- self. .He felt that h~ ought to interpose ~his parental authority' in preventingg the evil; but' it was .n~ore easy to make a resolution to 'that effect than to cwrry ont such resolution. To deny Ed.. ward the only gratification he ever coveted i-that * of devoti~~ to his. boooks----se~med to the indul- gent father :an impossible severit~r, mor& especially as the boy could never be brought to acknowl~d~e himself in ill-healt~, even manifesting considera- ble' irritation 'at' the imputation thereof. The' constant aiixiety endured about him h~id ren- 4erect Edward the 'paramount ~object -of his fa- ther's thoughts; and' now tQ discover that this beloved child would he made unhappy by this marria.g~ was an uuendurably painful tiJaought. All the gloomy images and doubtss that iThao'i... nation 'could conceive were conjured up' before - him. "'What 'if~, instead of 'a kind mother, ,he should be giving. his children. a harsh step-dame? ~ In vain did he recall the' open face and pleasant manner of Mrs '~r~iond~. They-seemed common- plac~'-6ommon when compared to those of 'his lost. A1ice~ 'With. a quick, Dervous start,'. 'he \ U' rose~ lifted the lamp fromi the table i~ear hini, approached an ,scritoire that stood in a recess opposite, aiid, opening it~ folding doors, held Up the light until it illuminated a picture within. It was tl~e portrait ~f his wife. A yoking. and 'beautiful face, it looked down smilingly upon the anxiOuS and gloomy coiuit& nance raised towards it. 'The' contrast between' the man and the pictilrc was indeed very great. Girlishly youthful was the wife~SOberiY middle- aged the hiisband., $he seemed the fit inspi- (b '*',J' ''V ration tor. poet or ~a1u6er-fle the sui~stantiai representative of actual, unpoetic~l life. And yet- there ~as sentinient -as well as s~cb neSS, the enthusiasm &f the lover as well as the tenderness of ~ie husband, in the gaze, which he. fastened on this, fair "effigy of 1~iis longAost wife, lie had' loved, her passionately, and in this' one particular his Jicart had not grown with his yeaxs. Her memory was to him now as fresh, as deeply cherished, as in the first 5hock of his bitter be- Lingeri~igly his ey~ dw~ the graceful out- line of the beautiful head; the dark ringlets, 'that seemed almost to float around it, so life-like were they; The 'smooth, white brow and faintly-' tihted, cheek; the mo~iith, with its 'smile at once so witching aiid so' tender; and the soft, deep'. gazing dark eye! "Alice, Alice I" 120 nutrmured aloUd, 'then oov~red his eyes with his 'hands. F- "I ~i 'I page: 18-19[View Page 18-19] TU1~ ~TEP~Si$TER When, ~fter a xi~ment, he agai~~ looked up., they *wee" dim with tears. 1k closed the prote4~ting door that~ screened his freasure from ~afl;bu~ his own eyes, turned away, and,%replacing the 1~mp upon th~ 'table; sank again into 'his ch~drWjtha deep and lou~drawn groan. L~auing back with closedd eyes, his tlnonghts were busy with the past. * 'ft was not the face upon canvas,. but the 'living Alice who '~Was before hjm now. Their marriage * day, when he~thought no'face of~ angel ~ould be more .lovely than hers, as it gleaifted on hiuf through the fidating haze of. her bridal veil. H.e xemenibered. the' tremblino. touch 'of her little h~nd 'as he placed the ring~u~ion'ha finger; the * ~itting'Jbhn~h a~d ,srnile' with which she heai'd first from the lips of the priest her marriage name. '. Scene upon scene of un~leuded' ha;ppi~ ness rose niockingly before him. He saw her in crowded' arid brilliant assemblies, unspoiled ~hy the adniirt~Pon of all' around,' 'and in the quiet' home hours, whe *~ seemed~ 't~ hifa yet Thore beautiful,' becausee el' beauty shone then for him alone, Her' voice,~her glaiice., her deep devotion *tq him !-'--all these crowding ~nem6ries came as reproaches that h~ 'c6uld 'be, or seem ~to be, faith- * less to' her memoi~y-.-could coldly have resolved to k~est~w even her very name ixptn another'! DILL it was"'ii~~ossi~l~ t1iat~ this 4rnj~st self-' reproa~ '~could i~ontinue long. F6llowhi ~.'the U' ' ' 4 ''4 4 "4 I *j' I I ,I] 'N 19 I. accusation came the. justiflc~tiO11~ ~OfWn, 'wh~'ni in health, she had expressed 'the wish that he "~~~ld in~rry again if left a widower, and, when. dying, she . repeated the '~i~h with great earnest- ness; "1 have no fear of your u~king' aninju- ' dici9'uS, choice," she whispered faintly ;."no dread th at~e mother you. give our children will Pot I supply my place to both you and them. Aiid, oh! dearest iIenry~ love you too well to 'wish selfishly that you. should . iixe ~ohtary and un- happy~. ' I know you wi11 never ~or~et me, and I am willing to share my place in your heart with another who can b~ beside you when II cannot. Think, too, how necessary will be '~ n~other'S guidan.ee 'to our little girls. Frank and. Ed~a-rd may, perhaps, not need it so much, though even for them it. is inipo~taflt. But for Lucy ~nd KaI~e it is indispensable. I cannot, bear to think ot~ their going out ipto the world unskilled by a mother's care. Arid it grieves me 'so to think show sad you ~il1 be-all alone." Sbg passed, exhausted,. and her husband, who had heard her with grief. inexpressilA~, controlled his feelings to answer' her ~eseechiUg look0 "'I will try to think hereafter of what you, ~ay7~ Alice,'~'hO fal- tered; "and you. know how ~acred your wishes' are toy~; but do not ask me to pyomise. 1 cannot.. ~Aud when~inQflth$ and even years had passed awt~y ~nd be foi~~d tha1~, though he had ie~rned ii * "4' II 4 page: 20-21[View Page 20-21] 4, 4~444 -' i.r4 .44 .14 44~~1 '-'-~4' ,4,4~4.44 -~ - .4'~44~' 4K 44 44 4~4, '4 ~4. 4 ','~4-,,4j~, -'.4 444.4 4 4 4414~'4 4. 4 -4 *'Z-~'4'~4-444~-.,4 44 1' 1~... 44.4444 / ~l4 20, 'PH} ST}~P-SIST}R. to live without her, he could not' learn to' think of *, giving 4her a, successor, he altogether aban~ ,cloned the ljiought of 4 marrying again, ~satisfying himself with' the' reflection that, if his wife had knowft the utter repugnance which his feelings offered to the idea, she w6uld not -~ave'asked, or desired such a sacrifice of him. He was ~iJmost a middle-aged man when the subject 4Vressed itself upon~' his .attention by the 'appi~oachipg arrivall at home of' his daugh.- ters from the con~nt at which they had been educated 2 At first he '.turn~d- from it nervously, thinking that it would have been well perhaps, had he married when he was 'yottnger, 'but' that frow it was too late. Still the words of Us wife hau~ited him: "1 cannot bear; to think of their gOing out into the world unshielded by a mother's 4 care' lie felt the force of this apprehehsiou, and, after4 rnan~y sleepless jiights bf commune with his pillow, he resolved that ~he would not' permit his' feelings to-interfere with the perform- ance Qf What,4he could not but acknowledge, was an important 'duty. .. . Not ~ten does a widower set out in search of 9 'a wife with such a reluctance as did Mr. Cler~ ville. And long '~s his search' 'a vain one; At~ last, wheu he was almost' on the tint of despair-. ing of successs, he met 'Mrs. Ormond, a widow, with one child, a daughter about the 'age of Kate. 1-let' character, manners and age rendered her in ' eVery ~spect a ~uitahle mother for his daugh- ters, he thought. He proposed, and, after some hesitation, Was accepted. Distrustful 'of his own resolution, he had urged Mrs. Ormond to set an early day for the niarriage, hoping that, when the matter was irrevocably con6luded, he should n'6 longer be tormented by the poigflal4regret with which he sQmotimes still regarded the having yielded to what at such ti~nes~ he half considered an imaginary sense of duty4. after alL 'And never had this s&itirn14ent of regret affected him so deeply. a~ 'at 'this moment, when the expression of Edward's' eyes7-those eyes so like his thor' s-p-seemed to him full of reproach for this infidelity to her memory. Meanwhile, Edward was little less troubled than his father. Greatly agitated, Qne moment he felt that he had been unkind, undutifnl the next, he was indignant, almost aiigry, shocked, incredulous, at the idea that another was about ic take th~ place of his mother. Perhaps, though unconsciously,, jealousy for himself miu~ gled with his jealousy for her. lie had been so accustomed to associate his father'-s love 'fox his mother's memory with his affection for himself' that' he coidd not well bear to ~nd the one fading, le~st the other should vanish too. Edward was not naturally selfish;. on the ct~'n~. trary,. he was generous anch nobler. But un~ hounded indidgence had r~ade hiiio an egotist'. 14'' ,4~44 4 9' 2~1. I '4~4 .4 I 4' 4 page: 22-23[View Page 22-23] . ' 22 T lit $TEP-$4INTER. without hi~ beingg aware of th~ fact until now. Woefully discomfortin~ as well as mo such a dl to ingenuotis rtifying,~is scovory ~an mind. But, once seeing his conduct in its true d. w~ to acknowledo aspect, his nrst impulse ge and, repair the fauh; and 'when. Frank czime to him and re- minded him of their mother's wishes en this I subje~ ~e scarcely waited for 'his brother~ to conclude 'ere ~he hastened to seek his flither, irn~atient to express his shame and contrition. Mr. Clerville's ~~olitude was interrupted ~by a knock at the' door. lie ~as surprised when, 'after turning .the key silently, his reh~ctant "come in" 'was followed, by the entrance of Eclw~ir&' "II have, come to ask your forgiveness, my dear ~th~r, for the *u~igra6ious and ungrateful con- duct of~ which I have 'been ~uiIty~thoug'lr'J feel I do iot deserve it." His father presses warml& the hand extended half hesitatingly by the youi~g man. "I was, indeed., deeply 'pained, my dear boy, by your evideirt' ~disap~pro~ation qf the step which I am 'about to. take. ,E\1& "to inc .the d'earcst r4resentative of your mother, I ahuio~t 'felt as if her spirit was looking from: your eyes reproach. ~full~ upon:nle." -' - "Dear ,father, forgive me fox such ingratitude, w14ch~ I can. only 'excuse by the ~utpfise your udezpected communication caused me. It wa~ i~iost undutiful,, most i~elfi~h'! Th~nk. 1J~aven. 7. VHE STiP~S1 ~F~I}jJ) 28 'my brother and sisters did not share my fnult. Fr4nk has just reminded me of what I ought not t~ have forgotten: how anxious my mother was .that you should marry again. Her 4~dessing is upon your UD1Ofl~ my' dear father, and for her sake forgive your unworthy son." OLTAFTER' III. 'AN UNW}~fCOME SURPRISE. The last day of September approached. Mi'2 Clerville was '~ anxious that all of his chi'ldi~eu should be introduced to hi~ future wife amd at. tend his iharriage; but though i~dward ~evcu' 'surpassed his brother a~d ~isters~ mow in his cor- dial approval of 4he affair, h~ was. i~ot sQrry to "be prevented from atteuiding 'the wedding.. by a cold, * which, not violent enough. to bealarmin ~, w~s yet too ;'severe to admit of his encountering the Exposure of a journey. Despite Mr. Clerville's reluctance to lea'~e hjm; and' disappointment that he would not be present at the ceremony, he was constrained to agree to Edward's owuproposition, that he should. stay and receive them n their ar- ri#al at, homer They Were to 'he gone about a week. A He passed the time a~ 'usual at his books, only rousing himself occasionally to wish that the pros- I '4 U '"4 I page: 24-25[View Page 24-25] 24 TUE STEP SISTiEi~ 25 mach n pect of so oise in the;hous~ was not~quite so~near. - At length he received a not& fioin hi~ father desiring that the carriages might be at ~he lauding to meet them on the evening of the next day "We shall go down on the nioi reach the Iandino~ at b ~ boat and daylight, so you had better send the carriages the' evening before," the note ~id;. "T trust, my dear boy; that you have quite recovered from7 your c'okl. .1 forgot to~ tell you to write, and have been a little uneasy about you." There was a hurried line from Frank un~ derneath. "Never mind sending but one car- riage, and ~et Robert bring horses for 13'lanche, Kate and myself." ' ~Phe carriage and horses were dispateh~cl, and Edward. after taking 'his solitary tea, settled hum self to his studies with a sigh of regret that this was probably the last tin~e he should be able to do so in undisturbed comfort.; for 'he had fully resolved that hr expiation of his first dislike to the idea of a step-moth el', he would be particularly exemplary in his manner towards her. lie, had eVen decided 'to be v'ery attentive to her daughter, though it was with ~a feeling of uiervous diffidence that lie thought of this latter. He had scarcely even spoke to a young lady, and - had very little ~to do withs ~i$ters even, he was so shy. Kate said he was mortally afraid of ~ny~hing in the shape~&f a Woman.. it was a beautiful Pght~ The aji' s&ft and S a 9 '4 THE STEP-S4STER. warm, and the moon at the full. But students are no~ ~o partial to her light a~ are lovers. The rays Which fell ~across the table, at which he~~at, disturbed our abstracted hero~ ile rose to; shut out the intrusive light, when, as he approaeli9d the window and had said his hand on.. the cur~ t am, the s~uud of musical laughter, with the less' romantic eiatte~ of horses' hoofs, suTprised and startled him.. He looked out, and in the dear moonlight saw three equestrians ~pproaohing the house, whije th~ distant~ roW of carriage-wheels became every moment more distinct. He under- stood in a, moment that -his f~tther's party had come down on t~ie early boat, which arrived at the landing just after dark. Nobody i~at a person -as diffident as himself could possibly comprehend the 4~emorinto which these sounds threw Edward. Mechanically, and without remen4ering that lie was 4n his dressing~ gown, he hurried down, into the hall. The ser- vants ~had also heard the approach of the party; and ~Whether Edward's consternation o'r that of the' fat old housekeeper was greatest, it would have puzzled a disinterested .*server 'to decide. Edward had n~ot screwed his uQurage to the pre-. paratory point of desperate endurance; and the house-keeper, who had a7" splendid." breakfast arranged, was not equally ready with . what she considered a suitable supper.. Befc~re the former had recovered his presence of mind, and while A 4 *1 if & 45 A 9 page: 26-27[View Page 26-27] TIlE ~TEPSlsTE1i. 4 standing with his back t~ the hail door, a gentle haad was laid on his ar claimed, "And this is voice ex~ my 'odlerbrother,;Eaward, is ft?" He turned. Blanche. Orinond was looking up in his Lace with a smiI~e which might 1ha~e eharuted an anchorito, hut which only em~ barra~se~i him. He stammered out i~ome uuin~. telligible 'wordy as Kate introduced them to each other as "I3lanche" tnd "Edward;" and then, the little glov6d hand .being hastily, almost appre~ * h~nsiveIy withdrawn from his, he hurried out to the earria~e-door to meat and greet h~ father and his father's :hrid~. Blanche turned with an expression of' pained * - surprise .to Kate, as if to ask an explanation of his strange 1~ianner.: * "Oh! it is only Edward's way~" said Kate in reply toihe looL " Did I not tell you he is the queerest mortal alive? 4n4 now I think of it, I dare say lie i~ d~ffi~Ient. lie never goes into society at' all. Is nothing in the Worh~ but a bopk-wQrm. Come~ up~ stairs; 'we must change our dress.' iThw d'ye, 1VI~m Le~y ?" sh~ ex- as they~ came to' Whe~e the housekeeper standing is your ngw yoizug missis." "Sl~ mighty pretty 'to be sure," said the, old woman, ~oppiug ~ 4eep courtesy' 'es' ~ shook the' 1iIyA~air hand of 'the young lady in her broad Fiaek 'one. ix 2 * Kah~ 'threw~he~r ~n~ioV~r' Blan&h~4~ 4iowIdet~ T Hk~ STJ~P-S1STf1L N, e and drew 14cr up~the steps, but stopped on the first la~iding place, and turning round burst into a fit of laughter ~" Do just, look at 'Mom Letty's cour- tesies to Mamma," and Blanche joined heartily in her mirth as she saw the profound obeisances of' the housekeeper to her 'new mistress. Mrs. Clerville, after. speaking 'kindly to the serVants, who had assembled in the 'hall to greet her. arri- ~ial, walked qn to flie drawingroom with Edward, on whose arm she leaned, folloWed by Mr. '01cr- v ille, while Lucy, after commehding ~the two maids of Mrs. Clerville and Blanche to the hospitahk~ cares of: Letty, joined her' nioth&' and conducted her to h~r chamber. "How do you like Edward, Blanche ?" she asked, pith her quiet smile, whoa~she entered her sister's room a~ few minutes afterwards. "I really cai~not tell you yet; Ii had 'such~ ~a mere glimpse z~ him." When half a~ hour afterwards they went down to the drawing-room, ZMr. and Mrs. Clerville were 'already there; and Edward; (who, strange to say, had absolutely remenibered to doff his dressing- * ~ gown ~nd don drawing-room costume,) sat on the u~ sdfa beside ,his step-mother, aud was 'listening with sonic appearance of animation to her cow versation. Lucy' and Kate were~ pleased to oh- s~erve. 'that he seemed quite cor4ia~ and easy with her.' She was a handsome, or rather 'aMIne-look- :~ ing woman, with 1lar1y~preposses~iugman- V ( 4 4' ii 4 WI~in~!~~- C j '4:AI' 4: 1' 9 page: 28-29[View Page 28-29] THE ~I~P-S1STEfl. 4 -44'- JIlL ST~F~P-~fSTML 6 rier~ Edward did' riot lookup as they entered the room, his face being turned, in this opposite direc-' tion, and consequently he did ~not see Blanche 'Or- mond'~ '(for in the' hurried meetifig in the hall he had iiot really seen~ her) until she, was ju~t 'befor~ him, standingg in the light of ,a brilliant ch4nde~ 'her. 'And a lovely vision she was, he could ilot but ~cknowJedge to'himself. ll~~' Iiairgoldenas a s4n-beam, hung in glittering ringlets upon her white and dimpled. shoulders, shading a brow as pure as that of pictured seraph. Her eyes were blue-not violet 'hued, but intensely 1~lue, as the' sky is when the clouds fl6atin~ away have left it 'deeply clear. Her whole face and the rounded ai~d graceful form he ~onfessed to be beautifuL Her head' w~s half turned aside as his eye first fell4 upon her.~ She ~#as speaking to Frank, and smiliug gaily at something he had said. 'When she moved' around - and me1~ Edward's eye, - he. I~h&ught her face changed-that the expression grew grave ~wd constrained. -'His own marifier, as he rose and bowed to h-er without speaking, r&- ~ected the change.. - He w'as silent dunn pper, but that was npt. - unusual With. Kb im. ~'rank and the girls jested and 'talked in a lively strain. , He felt ,that there was 'an 'immeasurable dist~iiee iJ~etweeri' the~n and - .1iim~elf. 'Why?' That he coutd no~ -'tell. In I Vaiiitdi~ he attempts to summon resolution tomina' gle in their conversation.' lAke many ~ diffident' S round. "Nonsense 1"' cried Kate, joining them: 9 A little exertion will do. you good. Come on, you unsociall being ~" she, continued, c~tchinghisai~. '~ You know. that I n6ver learned 'to waltz," he answered,' tiirnirny around now. "I cannot ~take a () S '4 4' ''.4 '4 4-. ~1'~ - 4 ,4 4 I - '.4 ' 1 2$ student before, he kjiew .not what to ~say, but Ii~ ten~d ~o Frank's ready flow of smdl talk, won- dering how on earth he could tlijnk of so' many little things that so well filled~, conversation~. lie :had no resource but to attach himself to Mrs. Clerville. She relieved his embarrassment insen~ sibly, and evenedd his feeling any ~wk~wardnes~ at not talking by talking 1~erself. When thQy returned to the drawing-room after supper, 'Frank opened ~hepiano, and~askin~Lucv to play, declared they nThst h~v.e a waltz. "Come, Blanche," said he, taking hei hanci. '~ Are we to perform all alone ?'~' she asked, laughing and stopping hjm a moment as he wa~ ~he glanced towards Edward~ and hesitated in" alout to commence. " Will n~t Kate and her spee~h. ~Po' came and w\a~tz, Edward," saict. Frank, approaching the win~6w to which his brother had 'retreated a few minutes before, wheii Ms. QIer~ viNe' left the room. He had drawn Blanche with him. ~ "I cannot," Edward answered, without looking 4~ [ I t I; '5 I I 4 4 e s i n 3 page: 30-31[View Page 30-31] 1 Ji~ ~1bP s1ST}~E "Oh, yo~i - can ~e~iIy le~rn ,'~' said' Wrank. "llei~e, BJauche ~iIl teach you~ Ske waltzes "'I 'am afraid;" returned 'Edwarc1,~ 'in a con- i strained voice, "that I cannot undertake to learn even' under the tuition of~ Miss ~ ille remembered' ~.udden1y' that it was noLcourteous to call her. Miss Ormond ,'when she had called. him. Edward. He stopped, thereforee, very exnbarras~ed, but he only looked rt- S can all ~three wah~ together," said iM~in ~h'e, quickly. Placiug one' arm around K~tte's 'waist, and the ~other han4, on Frank's shoulder, they were ~soon floating ak~ng at, the opposite end of ~ro~m, leavir~g'~ward tl~dnk- * ing maledictions ow this :own~ 'waut pf~pres~tice of mmd ~nd courtesy lb 'Watphed them. from his so'litar~ corner, and a 'very handsome trio they were. Th~y paused. at laP: *"We have quite tired Frank o4," said Blanche, taking up a piece of music to fan her- self. '"What is the reason," she continued, turning t~ him, "'that ladies ~an waltz so much longer than gentlrnften?". *~' V don't 'know, unJe~ it is' because they gem rally like it idore thaii~ we'do.'~ 4'It is so' warm," said' ~K~te. "Come QlJt on the piazza.". ' instrument and ~d 'li' LUCY left the jolne torn, 0~ ~flR STEP-SIST1~R. K. and Edward ~ou1d hear their anli~ated voices talking, until Kate' commenced humniliig a. pop-. ular song, when they aji caine in the room again, and Frank~rought forward the harp, anSI took out Kate~~ guitar.'. "We can. haye quite a concert n~w," s~tid he; 'Which will' you take~ Blai~he, pianb, i~arp or -guitar ?" "I' beliey.e I make Jeast discord on the 'harp," heanswered. ' '4 Lu.y again sat down to the piano, Blanche bent ov~er the harp, and Kate taking the guitar~ they tuned th~. instrumer~ts, ~mad~ a few. ptellmi-. nary trials, and then ," discoursed simli;' eloquent ii~usic"' that Edward was eharrn6d' ~witli their performau~e, 'particularly with' th~it &f Miss Or- inond. Yoking 'ladies who s~ess- fine figures and beautiful faees '(espeoh~Jfy if they: happen ~'to have beautiful' hands' and arms likewise) ~' should always cultivate a-knowledge of 'the harp, as~ nothing shows those various charms to such advantage as a clever performance upon that classic ~and graceful iusti~iment.' Edward's, ad.: xniration of. the n~ius~ was ~robahly not equal to his acImir~tion of. the performer.' T3ut he lis~ tened and looked in silence, until Frank made* -~ a final unsuccessfuj effort '. to induce him to join *them1~' He could. not overcome the feeling of *~ di~dence A~ith which ho shrank from' making ~ a~pro~e~h to B!ancho~ even whih~ 1ii~ looked C '~ ~ '~ A' AlA, A' A' .'. 4: ,1 31 4 page: 32-33[View Page 32-33] 7 2 Ta~ S~I~E?-$L8TI~1L with soin~e~hing like envy at Frank's easy ~fa~iili.. arity with the lovely step-sister. "But he said he intended to ~ar~'y her,"~he exclaimed men- tally, ~ud ;~ pang shot through. his heaxt at the thought. He almost felt 2 inclined to be: amgry with his ga~ brother j~ and very~ngry~he was with Iii~selfA~first1y, foi~ his di~ourte.~s. tone of ~manner to Miss Orrnond4 ai~d, ~econ4ly, be- cause he could not banish from his 14i4d the witching face of that f~ir one. ~ It :had .taken ho1~d of hi~ fanny,' and restless, ~fevered, sleepless, he went oVer and over ag4hI th~ few short hours, which teemed .to hini so many and sd long, since he heard tWe first tone of Rlanche' s voice, and f~elt vh~ touch 'of her fii~gers on his arm. Why had 'he been so ~tolerably aWkward 4 ,. aud embarrassed, ~ie ~asked hi~self~ To-morrow he would redeem ~his cliara~ter he 'determined. I He. would be.. easy. and uiwcse~ved, he~ was, re-~ solved. And with .thi~ resolution, not desth~e~I, alas, to be 'fulfilled ,h~ sank to sleep, wnd wa.s I goon re~plung~4. into thg perplpxities from whi~h it lie had~just escap~d~. by i~he~maIicioi~ sprite who presides~ over~ the affairs ~ Th~eaihland. 1. 'He awake feverish? ~nd~ unrefreshedj dressed with tiembii~g hand and palpitating heart,~d ' then-there being, as~ he ~6p~Ved ~ 'hjn~elf ~again and again, no pos~ble way of ~yoi~ii~g he courageously presented hi~is~lf in, the ~family drde. iBut not~, ~o~e cout~ortab1e ~oi~'~tt ea~e ~ith ~E ~$ISTe Miss Ormond did he find himself than h.~ had been ~. 'the night before. Jn fact the first evening was but ~ type of what.their whole intercoui~se was to be. ward could not conquer his constraint, ~aiid Blanche see~nedh to have contracted it from rUm. Almost chiid- .1 shy fraak with every one else, the~'e always s~enie~. a frozen atmosphere ~ between. Ed*ai~d and herself. They mutually twoic~ed each other, and ifo~~e~fthe~ accidentaily~eutercd a room whei~e the other happened to be alone,'the in~eeting'was s~ einbarra~sing as to be~ exceedingly disagre~ab C to both. The few words ~whic1~ they &ver exchanged were restricted exclusively to the~salutations, "good mo~nir~g," and "good ev~u~ ing." Generally their notice of each other was biit by silent bows. ~OIIAPT]~R IV. WHAT CAN THE' MATTER BE? "Blanche,~aid Frank, o~e morning, at the break- fast table, "I have serious oughts of falling in lovewith you. What.do yo~ think of it?~r "Pray do," she answered laughingly. "I fancy the idea particularly; and I hope you will be {ust as absurd as possihhi~ about it. But that of con ~se. People are always perfectly ridiculous~ when they ~r.e in love. At least, all the eases I have ever seen were so.." "But sofdy," cried Frank; "If I falling love with .y.~u, and be' amusingly ridiculous, it must be on th~ e~pres~ stipuia{io.n 'that you return the compliment. p You uuder~tand'this, of course." "No indeed," said Blanche, laughingly. "I cer- tainly eanAot makeany stipulation of the. kind. That Would ,~e resigning ~ fe~iuine privilege of saying K A A I 9 I K A I page: 34-35[View Page 34-35] *4 Till ~TEP-8X$TEL no, besides 'deprhring 'you of the merit of disinte~ restedness." * * "And then," ~aid Kate, laughing,, "the idea of such a public declaration I I know if any ~ne was to~make such a or~e to ~ne, I would give his vanity * the benefit of s~jrnblic rejectionn.' '~-' "Well~ I am very much mQrtifie'd," returned Frank; "but I will upt despair. Perseverance 'seb dorn goes unrewarded in the end, and I hope .yet to greet yo.u as R~anehe 6'ieroilie." Edward iiPoluntarily glanced 'at Blanche as Frank said this, and happened to catch her eye.. She had not blushed at all before, but she colo~ed., ci'imson now. Edward colored deeply also, a-nd wisl~ed in his .he~rt that' he was anywhere in ~th~ world but at that breakfastdable. with five pairs df eyes locking won- deri~igl.y from his face to that ~f Blanche, and then back again, evidently at ~ logs ~ understand why they were blushing so. It was worse than ever with them after this,' and it is not to be suPposed that such singular coliduct' passed unnoticed by the rest of4h~ family. Every one,. however, though~ fit to let' it pass~ silently. 'Mr. Clerville expressed much mortification abo~it it pri- vately to his wife, but she begged him not to -speak 'to Edward on the subject; a~ he~~oposed doing. A' Depend uppn it, my deax, it- is only diffidence," she said. "They wifl get over it in 4mb, 'and, be' vory good friends, .1 doubt- net." ~' Diffidence I" repeated Mz'. -Clerville. "it does not look at all like' 'it. Hi~ xnluiner 'is sufficiently sel(-po's~essed always." Mrs. Olerville laughed. "Diffidence shows itself in~vario11s ways;?' ~he ob~ - served. "I think it is 'nothing ~lse/' A' Btit why he ~ct~ in 8Q ufl~e i~t~k1e a manner. I I ~PU~ STEP IS1~W ' 'Sb puzz1e~. a~ well as. vexes me '-greatly.' Blanche must notice it?" "Of course; but she never mentioned~ the subject to me. Indeed, the' constraint is quite ~s much on her p~rt as Edward's. 1?heir first meeting must have been' awkward in ~omo way, and they cannot get over' the effect of it. 'Let them alone, and it will wear off gPadiially. ' ~'rank, Lucy and Kate 'also discussed the matter Between themselves. 7' Why. do yo~i not speak to him Thout it ?" ~sk~d Lucy o( Franl~.r "1'djd, and~ he turned the subject immediately, saying that he unfortunatelyy did not, possess my ~ culty for playing the 'agree4de to~ young ladies, or some such thing." ". If Ii was Papa, I give him a good lecture, that I would !" exclaimed Kate. It would do.no good." is 5 "But it o shaj~ieful,;Frank! You don't know how badly Blanche feels~bout it 1" "I am 'very 'sorry," -said Frank; "but you see there is -no remedy' for the evil;". - "What is the reason he dislikes me ?" said Blanche otie stily retreated through day, when Edward ha~ ha one door ~f the.sitting~~~roo'm as she aiid Kate entered the other. "I cannot conceive what he d'oes mean," answered Kate.7 "But itis not worth thinking-.of. Pray don't let itworry' you." - '~' But what can be the reason of it? I' am sure I never did anything to offend him I -' And if it was. what you told me at first, that he did not like Papa's marrying again, why 'it would be M~rnma that he disliked, not me. And he does like her, I am cer- tam; you' know he is more attentive- to her than 4 4 4 * { '1 4 1' ~ I page: 36-37[View Page 36-37] ~r1TE~ STEP'S1~T~R. * Fraiik i~, e,~en; and 'net i~ereiy' cer~mohi~u~1y so, but he really ea~res~ for her comfort. For iDst~n~e, do&t ,'y~u remember the other day his' riding all "the way to Scar~bor6' to look for her watch-key, ~which '-she ha&dropj~d on the r~dfshe thought? No one could have expected him to Ao it; and. he ijever would. have taken~ all that'trouble. if' he did not' re~i1ly care for h~r. No, it. is onlSr me 'that he dis- likes, though I eai~,not~ i~iagine~ Why." '~ Jrea1lybclie'~Ve~ 'it is nothingg but shyness, after, ~ $~id~ ~,Kate; '"Why' don't you sp~ak to 'him imesand try to overcon~e his~ reserve? You ~ ~~inniiig w~y~that II ~Thh swro fii6t even Edward co~'~d r~ist it." ' B~t R1~anche o4dy shook her head ~and bin shea V~y 'much. , -' fIollywood,~Mr; Clervilie's- 'residence, wa~ 4tuated abont the centre of one ~f tbc~se populdas"di'stz4&ts found often 'in ~'thc Southern Sia4es; '~he~e despite * -the ,di8a~±vanta~e of Wide solacee~ 'the 'society was almost a~s extensive ~id f~t ~iX6re exchtsivieTh~n cai ~geuora4y' b~fbun4- in ~la~'ge tow~# or evew~itie~. Jt~ is ~society of the pfr~i.~auve~t 1~i*i*~ since it combines f~~i"eiaoe~ of in~idi~p~ h~v~et~i~ :with equ~lit'y ~f' soda l~ pOS~~iAon a~ad ea,~te~. It~ intrti4ers~ o'P equivocal. ~or f4se~prete'nsions interfere. wiTh f~ie 'e~se~ an4. n~n-~ restraint 'that exist Oompo~ed entirely of that re~ .jrnbl.icam ~ari~toeracy, the pi~tin~. comnu~i-nity, there is~a1h~rm'oviy au4 ~or~li~ y~a~ely i~t with in~ 'ai4 other circle of social life. ' ' - lIo~lywo~d wa's a ~akrge, ~o1d4a~hioue4,. not' 'v~y Ihandsome, but e r~tn~iy eon~m ~ious ~hQn~se.- lime 'a'-''-- * ~Wide, a~iry hail, the 1r~wing-roo~s, 4~nhi~rooirr, - ~4ttipg-roonvand P-brary, wi~Th -~sey~era~I. plea~~t little ~ant~roo~ws. a~ached, o~cu~ied- ~he ~rs~o~t~' W1~ ~bay'.wi~dQw8 of- o~ie of tl~e ~w~g r~oi~" op.~e4 4 '4 p pp I '4 pP into a fine conservatory, and double ~pia1zz~s encircled three sides of the house. It was furnished in the most luxurious an~ tasteful manner'; so that, though~ artist iiiight have quarreled with 'the exterior of the habitation, neither artist nor epicurian but must have conceded the' interior arrangements -t6- be perfect in 'taste and comfort. Mr. Clerville's marriage was followed by the'~cus~. to~nary series of dinner and evening parties, both at home and abruadr eausin~, -f6r a month or two, con- siderable4commotion, socially.' A state QfaWairs very much~ enjoyed by Franks -Lucy; Kate and Blanche', but which'Edward 4id not at all approve.' (hi- the cow- ~trary, he considered 'it e~trexnely trei~b1es6me and an~ noy~ng... Not that he felt hinisalf.bound to participate 'in. it; such a thought hever enteredd his mind. His health '~a~ t~e &onvei~i'etit plea which n-o't only ex~ ~used h~s~ declining -iuvitati~s out, but jus~fied his keeping his own room when guests were in the house. .As this was cons~an~l~ th~ case ~#Weim the 'family we~e at home, .hisJife was a~nost as solitary as a monk's. It x~as 'a little ci~r~ious, if any cne h~d chosen to fC- ~marK it, th~t44he wh~~ 'ne~er~-bef6ye could be hrougnt to~ ~J~n~wle~ge th~e least tend~e-ney-,,to 'ill health, n&w av~iI~d himself of t~isfqregp~ne fact so frequently. AIr. QI~rviIl~ co~hLaffoi d fo smiie. quietly to hirnsdf over Th1'wa'd's.. sudden-change of"opinion, especially *as. it occurred,~t the very -time- when he 'himseLf had entirely lost ~1~ose appr~hei4ion~ buthe subject which had for years made him miser~hle. Edward seemed i~ 4ei'fcct ~e~lth, he' thought. True, he~ was' very *p≤ bitt that was. ~partly 'con-stituti-onal, and was more the~ palene~ of a schoLar thanthat of ~n. invalid. -' TliQug~h leading ix~, some respects so anchoritish a }ife, -our herogquid-uka feel himself neglected.. Quite the r~v~r~e; M~s. ~l~rvi1'te, iike~ a wise wotn-~n, had & '.44 - - "-p - ~44-9 ~ "'4' p 'C 36 I' I' '4 -I ''44 41 '4 1~ L page: 38-39[View Page 38-39] flIE S~EP~S1STn~O. ~1YRR ~TIP-SI8Th1~. adopt-ed fM1y~ all. her husbaiid's tastes and opinions; and~ most particularly, it seemed, his habit of regard~ ing Edward's ~wislies and convenience ~s of the first import~nce.- ~However n~u~ch pceupie~i with hoer duties as hostess she a1wfty~s foui~d~time to invadehis sane- turn many times during, the trwe.n~y-fo41r hours fwhen she was at home, or to leave tokens of~ her reinern- bran~e and thought for .hus~comfort~when she was ab- sent. The simple, du1l~eolored dressing~gow:n that he wore when she came, was replaced by:a tasteful and luxurious one of her selection; and the Velvet slippevs. which suited it, so .~ell, ~he had worked for him hersoW. She adorned his ro&imwith a hundred little fe~u4taine ornaments and arrangements it had m~ver kijown before, and' studied his~tastes and-habits that she might the more really ;minister to them. The~e attentions at first embarrassed more than pleased. him; but le. soon learned to appreetate theni~ JV imist b~ .a frigid misanthrope indeed who can Png remain'insensibi~' to 'the melting influence of u~a~- cm~tomed feminine care. g But Ndward, tlrnu gh sensible to this influence, found as the weeks r olle4 hy that amok uncomforta~ hl~'chnnge had ~me over the~e~ei~ tenpr of his life. Instead of hj~ usual juiet ,eiijoyinen1~, came a feverish restles~ne~s. For the flrst-'ti#ne ~ ince he~eouId~ rernem- her, books lost their ma~ie4o him. lie ~scaP~ely read at~ all; but ~would ~onsta~tly catch himselfiistening eagerly for7footsteps~, along the uorrid~x outside hi's door, aiid for a m~elQd'~oi~s laugh ~htch he soonJ&u~e4 to ~iis tingtiish from the equally musical niirt~ ~of his. sister Kate., The wi~idow.. ~f his ropm, whi~h frwffed the l'awn, was ~always open nowpan'd when the gay 'party of you4g, people. took thefr. daily ride or depar~ 'ture from W~me, his eyes were attracted magnel4'ally to i7We reti~rJng ca~vo1~ade ~a~d t4gIit w~n tl~ ~ I A A~~' " 'A ' '' A, A A',~ A ' U A'' A "A A' of his generally pale cheek when hi~ gIan~e singled oi~t :the' graceful form 'it sought. He. Would wander forth when certain that. they 'were. gone, ah& dream dreams; and-heave sighs, as every love4ornyouth has' done since ~the world commenced, and will continue to' do while it' lasts. Or, ~1xLounting hi's ,horse, ride fast and far, in the vaiwendeavor to e~ape the strange sei~se of bl~rn~ weariness that haunted~~ him at.' home. And all this time his' constPaint and di~tance~ ~f rnan~- ner towards Blanche Ormcnd i'ather increased than diminished. He did not bear such a state' of mind or"~of7 heart ~~th ~ g;eatAeal' of' patience. 'At lir~t~ he' tried to C j'eer~him.self~utof it. Wha~t,"he; wgo had so often laughed. at Frank's numerous 'love affbdrs, he to fa~ into'a nioi+tbsurd se'ntimentalism than ever Fra'xik had been guilty, of I In l~ve4~~d~perately in lov~e~ with a girl. with whorn~ he had ueV~r exchanged a word!* Really, the thing~ was too pre~1's'terous! H~ must ,'ifh e' h~d qn~ grain'of ~ense ren~~ning,' give up such stuff inxiie~iiately". If th~ infei~enc~ w~s to be relied on, he did ~zot have one 'grain '6~ sen~e, for he did ~ot give 'it"up. 'Finding'. this' ~to be the case, he ti~ied' reasoningg with 'himself;. to' as little purpose. Then he ~suddenly .djsctvered"that; ~ft~er 'all~, it was ~' but irnagin~tion~'~. And' foi~thwith; he"sat dowh'~~to~~his books with ~n air of ~ing1ed'resolutioxV and 'indiffer- ence-when,~io! 't' three ~entenceS% before the a~ure 7 eyes "of B'lanche Ormoud ;8ee'mad~ dancing over the 4,. page,~a~d~~ho~lzeen of' her ~oMen. 'lo~ks o4scuring ~ tbe~ dzaraeters. tint the volume with a slam.' "I ani a 'fool'! a~' idiot I What' eau Vdo to cure myself of 4hisA'8enseless ixzfatu.* A, V ' 9' K "' k N 9' ''I 4 'A * page: 40-41[View Page 40-41] 41 p 41 Tba phy~iei~s h~4~aiways reco nded~a~ea voyage for ~ iLe wouhi go to Caba; ~orj Madeira,,or .Europe~ outhe Autipodes~ :He~ e~ared not a 'straw where he~wen~ sodhatho e~aped the e~vi1 eye~ (for 8o~he begaft verily to regardit !):that had transfixed his heart; But when he ~nu nee~d~fri~ wishes to his f~therz~ Mr. Oleiyille seemed so~h pained., and en- 1treated~ ~him so~ e~rnes:tly to relinqui~1~ the idea,, at least tii4 spring,; that lie 1was~fain toleQnipIy, remem- bering h~w ~ft~ew he had formerly refused~to ent~rt~in the ~thought~jof-aYjourne~. To go uow,'alone too, 1~vrou1d~ b~ marking ~s& plainly his anxietyy. to leave hoi~e, and would s&sixrely be attribute, o~a dislike ~ f4h~r~s ~xu~rriag~, that heev&n ra ~tt~d having token' of it at' all to liis father. He ~ect1y~anathe~ n~?zed his folly, ~1ling1~im~elfall sorts of uncompli. had asErank mei~tarynames. As , indeed'! Why -he was a thousand times worse. Frank's affairs of the heart were always of a: very transient durati9n-his, o~doraVion of oue pre*~ty :fac~ ein~j quickly cured by the sight of another while. Ed~ward groaned as he confessed that there s~eme&no$ the least respectt of relief for 'hh~se1f~in~4isway ~r ~a$y ether. lie ac~ P~alIy ~ v~uture~ d~Vn stairs ~pne night, when there was a larg"~ pa4y, to see if he cdnl4. not fall in love with some ~other angel,. reflecting that a: division of his heartwould renderbothm~ietieawe~,~and, ther~- fore~. mere ~a~ilydo be overeonie. ~'S$auding ata safe distance, he cont~mpThted a score or more of the South's lovely d~iighters ;~but, alas ~ 1hou~h~he ownel that they' were fail", he could as soon ~ha~ve fallen iu love with his h1ack~ni~ n~n~y as 'wIth any one Qf them, w1hil~ that azure-eyed and a~ure.~robeddamsel Blanche W~5 flitting ahou~ ox~tinua4Iy l~eforei iris ~eyos~ was pe~rless~ he thought, as h~ ~1~wJy QoI~'1~i~;e1f he ~ne consohi±iori he poss~ss~d. this #a7s, that had confined4he knowledge ~f his. folly to his own breast. No6P~ suspected i~ he wn~ sure ~ not even 'I Blanche rse]f. 'There he was n~i~tak~i. it takes a wise maw aDd a~ w~y 'one to' 'conceal his love frotw the object of ~it, unless she be~so much occn~pied with somelove of he~rewn as to have Cupid's 1111eV ov~r. he lreyes. B1anch~, did"~.sn8pect it, or ~e would have tal~en E~ate's.ad~9ee about ~speakingto~Edw~rd. And this su~pkirni. nMuially b&~g~t~a sort of 'int.~rest foi~ such a myste~ us and silent adoret. But, she was extremely care ifil to. conflire both her suspicion and' her ~n~tere~t to herAown private thoughts.' Never, o'f~ her own accord~ d'icV ~he mention his n~ine, or s~eeni to remember his existence even9 I' '9 9' p 9% CllAPTI~R V. 1 ARE-DEV.IL. "flon't you: think dinner 'partie&'very dull 'and di~-~ agreeabte I" paid Kate. to Blan~h~e, as they rose fr6m luncheon and prej~ar~d to follow the example ff Lucy, who had ~he moment before. announced her intention of' going upstairs' to dress. "That '1 do!" answered Blanche, With unction. "1 wish we Aid' n~it have toigo to this one!" "1 wonder if. Manimawduld not let 'us 'off going ?.?' s'aid' 'Kate, pausing' On the fitst st~p, t' s she ~as aoout to i~uoi~in't the stair~: "'We can ask~ h~r anyh6~." K They returned into~the morning sitting~ro&m~. #h'er& luncheon w&~ ~ttway~ &ervrd, and preferr'edtbeir jieti- "But., my dears," she sai4 ~at4aet "i.do ~ot 'think '9 - ii 4 page: 42-43[View Page 42-43] ~ A~ ~ '~ 1' 41. STE~S1~E~. it woixld--lookwell, your not going.- The ,Dentb a~e very kind people,'t~n4~" - "'Oh, btit -Mt*mma, they are so vawf-tdly prosy! And this. is jtist a ~tiff family party 1.: For'- my part I - don't believe they .exjpeded us to go, or-will want oure ompl~ny. You know: the~ -are no young people there, - and- it will be dreadful to us- to be bored so. Do let us- ~tay~~t home, Manuixa!" - - --"Yes,-do,~Mamma!" echoed Blariche~ - "Oh i"; - 4?~ri ed Kate~e~~rly, cla,~pi'n~ her hands and then, pohitifig olYt the- ~y~ndow, A' Yonder co-me~ Dare- - deVil-! -- - You ~u ely wifl~n~oVniake~ us leaAr~e- him to go tOr that pr6~y dinner party,~now Ma~rna? Tell Mrs. be~it that ~D&re-d~vi1 'had just come, and she will not nri~d stayii*g.? - be~urr at oi~r '. - -" Daredevil ," exclaimed Blanche; with equal ea- gerness. - She sprang to - the windoW and - looke] out - as a h9xseman , halted oa the ~ra'velv sweep before. the * house; dismounted, throw his rein with a familiar - greeting to ~ servant who at the moment appeared, - and entered the hail with the easy step of ~t frh~d, - Kate ri~n P -me~t him, f~llow&d Mild hy- Blanche-: - - - "Welcome, thrice -welcome, 'truant as you ate I cried K~e~ holding out her hands, and-shaking both of- his. "here, - Blanche, - i~ the - redoubtable Dare- devil; of whOm I have told you- so. mudi-and this i~ our new sister, Dare." - - "Wild'as ever, Katydid.' Miss. B1ancb~ I - am most happy to~'ira-ke yuur acquaintance,"~ he said, ~hakirrg. her nand 'with frank' courtesy -i" Kate and myself are, s~ich - -sworn allies that we always re~on our friends -comxnoi~i -property4" - - - "And I have heard - si muQh of Mr. Dare~deVi-1,?. - - - - replied. Blanehe,1au~ghingly, "thit -he seems quite ai~ * old friend to me." ~ - 4 * "Come and see, MaiI~ma," said. Kate, leading the ~ay to the room theg had left the n~r~ent befQre "Yow must -knowy;Pare, Papa and ~amin~ are g6ing to a* stupid dinner party to.~day, and llla~n4ie and~ my- self-were just b~ggihg:Manima to let i~is stay~t hornet if. she ~il1, what a pleasant day we ska~lV h~tve ; hut if-wQaie oblig-e~ to ~go I intend to take you a1o~ng~ That will-±-here, Mamma, here lie' is at last. -Mr~. D~- yule, Mrs. Cl~ryill~' 2 Mr. Clerville ente~ed~ and Welcomed Dare devil with -the greatest cordi~Iity. After the first .greetings were oyer, Mr.- Deville; who liad~ mo~e than once glanced expectant towards, the Qpe-n. d~por, enquired tior Prank. ~" Oh~ Franj~ has -become such ~ man of bu.siiiess, that he has gone to Scarsboro' to see about selling cotton,'~' said~Kate. "ButMarnina.-" and, resi~m- ing her entreatieS that they might be- permitted to remain at hoPe, Mrs. Clerville consented~ "And' ~es Lucy wish to stay, too?" she asked. -" of eourse,~'- answered both the 'girls at once. Then, Mr~ Olerville, I think we had better go. IL doI4't know what±i~d of a dinner Letty will give ~i-ou all,"~ she added, smiling. "You had better teli- Lucy * to ~ to it, dear&' Lucy was just giving the finishing touches to her vary becoming toilette, whenKateand Blanche came dancing into 'the room after watching their ~paren~s drive axya~r~ "Surely you ought to be dressing," she said, tur~~ ing and observing with surprise~ that they still wore their-. simpl~ white morning dresses. "Give me a handk~rdi-ief; Anna. I am afraid you- will keep Marnmawaiting, gir~. She. was ~ready long 'ago." "But we are~n~A going," cried Blanche. "We are let offI~he -j*II~~in(~O Qf -that di~m~a1 dinner, -and. shall la~ve a nice day at hozae~" - - - - I-- - - ---- -- 4 -V - t V I. -'I p - S { F e 1 4 * page: 44-45[View Page 44-45] 'A ~" K ~ "' 44 Lucy looked as if she half envied' tlieni, but~ only said pleasantly. as she took he\jbonnet front her maid7 and was ahout to put it on, 'K( hope you will." "NeVer mind Putting on your bonnet,:" said Kat~, "for we told Mamma that ~k~u. would rathei7 stay, top, and she has gene already." "flas' she ?" said ~Lucy, with a ~n4le- of relief. "I am very glad. I did ~hot like to say so, but I dreaded the day nearly as ufuch as you did." "And why not-like to say ~o?''cried Blanche, - laughing. "~ ut that's the way always with yoir self-denying people. You -will any itime endure pur.~ gatorial penance rather than do anythingg that you thi.iik would be ~he least unpieasanl to others. Kate and myself are not such saints; Arezw~ Katydid." Blanche pronouncedd the' last Words in a vei~y pecu- -liar, tone; and Lucy looked up with. a~ half start - as - ~he heard it..~ - "No\v, Liilu, as w~ got you off-g~ing'~ ydit must re~ turn our good- offices by ordering a pi&o dinner forus. Mamma said you must attend t&it." - " Very well; but I m&st chaiuge my ~dress first ; '~ a.ud she began to un.c~laspi1er-' bracelets. - - "No, no~" exc1~irned Bl~i4che, quickly rep~ciii~ them. "No, no, Lulu-.-~rou mast do as we t-ell you, - Now come straight dox~n ~taj~rs, for we have s&~zie~ ' thing to show you there." - -, The quiet Lucy yielded, thinking 'tha4- she could SoOn escape, and return to rid herself of her -elabo-. rate dinner costume. It ~as a rich, arnbTer~coiored tissue, trimmed with hs~avy2 black 'lace, She wore o'~ her alab.aster~hued neck~and~ax:ms a cailieo set. -Jiler 'loDg fair hair' was very -simpl& arranged in -heavy .- waved rolls in front, and a massive but classical-look.. ing k aot low on the. -neck heijind. The two' ~irIg playfully -~ei~e1 each a; - ani-an~-'hurried he~ out Qf A "'A 'A' A 4' A STI~P.$ISTE&.~~ the ro&m. They stopped .a moment at the head of the stair and survcye~ her critically; then exchanging a nod and, a smile of miselitevous mean ing~ proceeded. ontheir way. A stalwart g~nt1ei~an, with very bright dark~ eyes, very black mou1stachios and beard a clear bronzed complexion features of no partieniar ~ty1e, but th~ taut. ensemble. of ~vl~i'~h ~ exti cindy pleasing and handsome and whit~ t~et.li that gleamed lust~efu! through the iu9ustache before in~Atiou.ecl, came iim stantly' to meet them as they descended. the st~1r. lie I ad. been stan~ling at the .halI door in a~n attitude of no patient waiting. A stalwart forni-b.~it let not the word shock delicate ~~n~jbil ities. Prom th.e~erown~ of h.i~ cur1-bo~kckCd head to 'the tip ~f his un~xcqp~ tiona~bly s~~li and toiish boot ,Mr. Dar&devil, as his friend Kate cailed'him, was gentleman indi utabiy. Though just.at~ The prosen~ moment his rm-inrier was sl~ght~Iy deficient in gentl~maniy ~ase; for he did ii~t utter a Word as he too~. the. hand of fhe equall silent Lucy. Such a meeting might have been awkward, had. not Kate and Blanche removed the awi~wardnes$ hy' taking thernselv~S ~xvay-; wl~ereupun Mr. D~v lie, leading Lucy into the drawing~rOOin,?rCgai1ied the~ power ~f s~eeeh, anc~ exercised the same very unccas~ ingly for s~me time to come. *T-ho~e nymphs of .i~irth a~id mischief, Kate and. - Blanched, -ran~-oif to;the kitchen. * "Now, Morn betty," cried Blanche, as they burst iii, 4;rnost out~ of breath~ "you ini\st~ get the 'b~t inner you eyer ~ook&d in your life+" - - "Thr. Lu~u's swe4 heart" concluded Kate, suit~ ing her axpression-to the capacity of her hearer. "You must have- twrtl..e-SOtiP, and venison p~atr~ and-~" IL Ar- I Af."1. . . ...... as meet. 1'~ 'Li 4' 4 ~! ~ I d I Al A 4 sa'e ut 1 a- 44% page: 46-47[View Page 46-47] 44'. ~4 '.4.'. i4'.'.'.?' 444 '4 4444.4'. 44'. '.44~ '.4 V'.'.~' :'. .4 TkIE ELISTEI~O "And doh~t'forget some peacock's. brains for'me," said Blanche. "And some nightingale's tongue for me," cried Kate. ' "And son4 heart something or 'other f~r Lucy and llare-d-evil!" ~" An'.d some icc~crea~ for Edward" "And ever so niany good things for Frank, .d~ar fellow." "J.tel I you what the. heart something or other can'. be,~' cried' Kate, laughing. "Some jelly moulded in heart'.' shape. Nothing else is ethereal enough for lovers." - Here the cook held up her hands 'in'. despair at s'.uch an amlanche of words,' and, oi~taining a '.mon~eut's silence, expressed her, convicti6ii that they were try~ ing to fool their old Mammy. "'Thu know Mistis. told inc there was no dii~in~r to be go~ to-~day, ceptin" for Mars Edward, and he never eats anything, cause'. * you was aU tj~e r~st of'. you '.g'.oi~i' out'.to dinner'." "Yes, abut we chau~ed our minds anA'. didn't go~ Here we are; you. see, and Papa and Mamma are gone * long ago, and Lucy and Dare-devil are4. in the '.house, * too. - * "And FrankThas only gone to Scarsboro'.' lie will be back directly. .~ So you must. have 'a i'eal' nice din- ner, Mom Letty. '.j Hear~novv?" . And Kate gave the fat arm of the old ~voman a slight shake to enforce attention n. Letty'.b~th heard aid. heeded, but she thought fit to make spine affected demurs ~'.o the '.suggestions still pressed upon her by the'. laughing girls; and wheii 1Iinally to' the vast amusement of Jack the scullion, tI~ey proposed to elect' their~selves her ~ssi~tants'. 'in the cujin ary processes, she f~iHy took them each by'. oi~e arm. an~ led them. to the door'. '. V .4 ' 4. .4. '. 44 4 i~4'. * ' ' ~' ~L.'. 444' * '. 444'. "A Pr'4. .4 '.444. 444" ~UE gTEP-STSTE~ 47 Shame on you to treat us so!" they cried, with pretended indignation. "Never mind! we won't eat one bit of your. old dinner!"' They ran into the house. "' Rate~" e~ claimed Blanche, suddenly,.'." I tell you what we can do. YoukuOW t'.I~ere never has been aJi opportunitY for you to show me your mother's ppr- trait. Come pn now. I. do so want to see it." * 4 "~Y~sis it not strange," said Kate, as they rro- 4 needed to Mr. Clervifle'~ private TOoro-" is it not strange that whenever one wantS to do a thing with- 4 ~ out everybody'S knowing it, they never can find an opportunity." * They approached the escritoire as she spake, aud. opening the door~, the beautiful shade looked down upon them. T~wy stood for a long time, th9ir arms clasped *9.round each other's waists, ioo*g silently at it; their wild mood. hushed in preseneC of that face-all I that remained of the life that was gone "Do you think any c~f us resemble it?" said Kate af last, in a low tone. "~ Seai'ceiy at all~" answered Blanche. ~WhyIEdward is generally thought to be. the image of Mamma. I ~caii see a gre~t likeness in him to this portrait myself." "Oh! yes; he does look like it; but I was think- I ng of Lucy and yourself. There is a slight family resemblance in all of you, but not '.striking. II think,"'. sh~ added musingly, ~tiIl looking at the picture, "it. is the loveliest face I ever saw in? my' .life~" ~t I have always heard that she was very bea~.1tifUl,'? said 'Kate. "Do you know, Kate,'~- said Blanche, turPin g round } and looking very grave, " do you know I cannot. help wondering ~ow it is that people'. can marry.twiCe! I 4 t ? page: 48-49[View Page 48-49] T~ ST~SIS~L. S The idea of uttering again ahd~ to. another the Very sanle vows they made the lirst time! I should thInk it wohid seem to them a pei'jur~y!. For instaiic~, how 9 ould, papa IQok at this porti'4t and want to take another wife?" "But she 'has 'been dead ~so many years," 'said' kate. "I cannot ~rem ember her. at all. Papa re- mained constant to her 11nieTh'ory a very' lohg~ time. I never had an idea h~ would1 mai'ry a~in." "And. I was perfectly astounded When Mamma told me ~hatishe was going to g~4; rn~rPied. I really thought a~first that she was j~shng2' "I know that Papa felt dr~a4full~i~shy about telling' 'us; particularly when lvi ,. I~d'~ari look d so at him. '~' ~Vhat did Mamma say Blanch you I~e~the idea,?" . e, and how did ~" don't know-~h~th~r ~ra1mma felt shy about tell-' ing me," an'swer~Blaneh'e, ,laighin~g; "bit I'~4e&t ~he did, for she chose'the dusk of the 'evonihg' to make t~e coj~m~jc~tion, and she' cfi~d a little. ~he said she had never though~ of ma~'ryh b~f'oi~e, but that she had ofi en b~en troubled iw r&flecting ~thi~tJf she should die before Jmarri~d; I ~ron1d be ifl LI very sad, unprote~ved ~osit7i6n. She has' very re~w relations,. and there ~S ~not one of 'theiin she w~uld'like~ me to' be with; SQ tha~t when ~ir. Cierville ~Proposed, 'she. thought it would be best, pn my acco~Prt, P, aeeept * Wtn~'~Her friends all told her it wou'4 be a~ very Kate laughed.. '~ It certainly was anytl4ng hut a romantic i~at4r on either ~ide," she.said ,~" for~ Papa profe~ sed~ to n~ct 'u~erel~y from a sense of ~nty-~and Mamm& the it seem~. And only think how 'nicely it has turii~d out ~ I am sure Wa. oilghtz to be very mu~'u ob1ig~d t& ~hew2" - . . - N: Iii. tY ~1 ~g1' IA I "That we ought, and~ that I am. But I 'didn't like the idea much at ~1rst, I confess." "You were likeEdward. lie thought manrunaher- self Would' do well e n'ongh-or, I mean' it would do for papa to matry. her, but for the youfl~ lady, her daughter, as ~he~ 'ca'lhA yoiif. lie was sur~ that, sho~1& g~t to qiwrrelling~~~LUlU and you anti rnyself.~ Both' the:.gTh lau~h~d' merrily at the idea. '~ So that i~ the reason he dislikes me, 'i~ it?" said Blanche, coloring a little~ "I hope you will ~tcll him some time, Kate, tl~at' we~ never have quturrelle.d. once." "And 'never shail!" rejoined Kate, kissing her. I thought ~t would 'b~ the stningest thing to see Mamma married," observed Blanche. "I could not imagine her as ~ny other than a widow. And yet now it seei~is the. 'most natural Thing in the world. Don't it?" "Yes. One would rea1~Y thi4. sh~ and Papa had been nTh.rried to each othe~' all their lives. Do you rcmeinber your Lather'?" "'Oh! no. He died When' IiWas only a few ~m'onth~ Oldv When I caii first remember, Mamma was in de~ji monrnThg, and always Iqoked very sad. she. wore black 'until her health bec~e so wretched she' was obliged to take it~off. Papa Was' a naval orncer, you know. A v~ry~ malignant fever' broke'~ oat on board his .ve~sel'. whU~ c~ruisii~g in th~ M'~diterran~afl, and a great many of her officers and men died: Papa a1x1g~ the nuiiber. They were all buried, at ~ea~ and this nearly~ killed Man~ha. I r~c~ll~ct h~r fali'uting 'one nig~h't, wlienvsome one. sang "The~ Ocean Grave~.' i'wa~ about t&n years' old, and I neVer 'sh~.ll forget ho'~ frightened I was." "Th&Ocea~Grat~e," crie Kate,. eagerly. "I never heard it but' oi~ce, anti I ha've' tried do7z~5' of tiri~e~ page: 50-51[View Page 50-51] I ',1-" T~fli~ STEP SISTER. ~inee to get the notes ,~ but never succeeded. II thought it exquisitely beautiful.. 1)0 you know~ it?" !'Yes, I can teach it to you-only we must never sing it before Maiiiin~i. I don't think the words very fine, b~t themusic is really beautiful, as you say." "~Jome~and &ng it for n~e now," said sate. "The guitar. is up-stairs, so we need not disturb those whis.. pering lovers In the drawing-room. Come, dealing;" Closing ~The escritoire and windows, they -l~ft the room. ( p CHAPTER VI. A CQMPAOT, If Letty omitted a few of the items of the bill Of fare given, her by Kate'and B1an~he, the dinner which appeared certainly deserved more consideration than was paid to it by My. i evilJe and Miss ,Clerville;. They were Peither~hungfy nor ~o1~municative, it seemed~ ~'So far as they, were ~oncerne~,.the' meal passed in almost perfect silence. Edward was always silent,; so that the CoflYorsation devolved entir~1y upon Kati and Blanche. ~They were~ ably seconded by ~Frank, who~, however, ~jiid n~t arrive until dinnerr was half over. When dessert was placed on the table , great was the amusement of Kate and Bl~iicheto see4hat Letty had f&Iiowed their directions literally. , 'Ther.~. was the\ sparkling moul5l of amber~colored jelly; the, tempting .p~ramid of ice-cream; with~ fruits, cake~, confectionery, etc., which might pass for the "good things '.' intended for Frank. ~' Youm~i~t know, goodgpeople," cried Kate; "that Blanche and myself ordered this 'dessert, to suit the ~4, 4 4''. Ii ample. ". Well, and have we justi~ed your opinion of ouv. tastes ?" said Dare~evil. "~.ou and Lucy have, but Edward has disappointed us. We kn'ew there was nothing ~thereal enough for you tWO buL jdlly; and did you notice the#shape of it, 'too? The ice-cream was ,intended for Edward." "And why ice-cream for Edward.?" i.nqiiii~ed Dare- devil, to conceal his xwu and Lucy's embarrassment. " 01 because 'he is so cold. Blanche ordered all sorts of good things for 'lrank, the dear fellow, and he h~s not tou~li~d them~A~haS ~atronis~d Ed- ward's-ice-cream; A shine; Prank." Edward glanced at Blanche, and, as it always hap- pened wh&ir he looked at her and caught her eye, both of them blUshed. He wondered whether it was I I I 1.~ I ,~ '~ - 1 If .111 ~1 0 appetites of all~ the company; Now select, and see if we judged. correctly of your tastes. 7 "Give me sQme ice-cream; vt," said Frank'. "having 'j ust been riding in the sun, I can appre- ciafe it properly." "And what Will ~ou take, Dare ?" queried Kate, after helping Frank. lie looked over the table with an air of conside- ratiom "Do you mean that, like the dishes in Reta1iatiw~, our tastes -are to be taken as indications of charac- ter ?" he asked. ~~\T0 not exactI~ th~tt----or. ye~. Of cliaracter or of state of mind." "We must be very careful, then, iii o.ur choice, - saidhe. Finally he helped himself to some jelly. l(ate was on the point of clapping her hands, but a warn- ing look from Blanche restrained *her until Lucy had also taken jelly. Edward , folloNved their cx- page: 52-53[View Page 52-53] 'F' "~-~" 4 ~ri~ ~is~i~ she who ordered the ici~cream for hhn~-4f she thought him eol~l. "And ivhat did. you intend for yourselves ?" sen- quired Frank; "Alas," said Kate, "We aspired to epicurean deli- cacies beyo1id the ken of Morn Letty. Blanche or- dered peacock's brains, ~and, just to keep her i~ caunteu4nce, I chos~ nightingales' tongues ~ "I hope you do not mean to eschew all less im- perial viands," :s~id ~ "Thisice~cream is very good;.take some." "Thank you, ~ho," said. Blanche; ".1 preThr an. orange.' "And I will take a piece of jellxr~cake," said Kate. '"Lotme. gi~re yoW some, Dare." He took it in his plate, but l'ei~t. it u~ouched.; 'AKat e,". he whispered, as they were all leaving the diniiig-roam, "come with inc iwto the conserva- tory a niobi.ent." "Well," .ex~laixned ~ when ~hey had reached the conservatory, and she had waited just a~qu~rter of a second wit1i~tit his~sDeakiug; "' well, Mr Dare.~ devil, what did you want with in ~" "My sister Kate, now' he~ sT~id pressifig his lips to her fbrehea& bendino' and '~I suppose I must congrtatalate you !h she, ex- claimed, half laughing and half crying, as si~ gi~ve him a very sisterl~r embrace iu retiu~n; "though, now 'I tI~ink of it, I ought to be in d~4air at your perfidy. Y~u faithless ere~Vure! WJin4 has bec&nae of all your vows of devQtkon to me ?" ~"i w li ~find you ano~hei~ 1ove~' more wo~t1iy yoizz' perfection. But, ~aty~id, I want you to aJd ~your. persuasions tQ mine to induce Lucy to go with me to Cuba next nwntb. Will ~f)U llQt ?" X~i4e'8 great 4i~r~ ,ye~ o~eued Wonderii~gJy. TilE STEI~4TSTER~ ~QU mean? Are you going to Cuka next month7" "' Yes. I thought 1 told you in my last letter that' Am~nda is increasingly ill, and as Harry eantiot pps~ sibly leave home just noW, I promised him that I would take her to Cuba' "Why, cannot your' brother leave honre ?" "Her has~everal very important cases that will comp on just af that ~irne' and he is eqirally uu~ willing to leave them, or to let his wifp remain that much longer. So I am to take her over anci remain with her until he c~n go: and-" "You want to carry off~ Lucy I~ No indeed, Iwill not help you tq persuade her to go. 'To leave me, Dare! I have beeA laughing very mnch, and thurk- ing~it very funny, you and Lucy being in love with each other, but when it comes to her aetuaiI~ going away, I don't feel the least like laughing. I am afraid-" Her voice faltered, and she stopped. short. "Why'you knowdear Kate," said Deville, kindly, "that if I did not tak~ her from you,~ somebody else would, and I am sure jrou would 'rathergive her to your friend Dare than to any one erse, would you not?" "Oh, yes; ~ suppose so," she answered; smiling~ through the teavs which had sprung to her eyes; "but this is the first time I ever fully realized the idea of actual separation from j~xcy; and you don't know how dreadful it seenis to me, Dare." "Let there be no separation, th~n. You have not been living at home for years until: within a very few months past, and your father, pa1i'tieularly now that. he is married, will not miss 'you. Live with "I am afr~i4that arrangement will never doe" she IF 7 s I LI ii page: 54-55[View Page 54-55] A I 9: 4 -'9" 9 ,' -z~--. -I? y 9 ~ "' ~ ~1' T~11~ ST$IST~R~ replied, laughing,4" for then, -you see,. I sh~ild have to give, up Frank and Blan~he, as well as Papa -and- 'Mamma. -You know it wrote you how good Maihma is-., Noz~ she Contiflued, with a sigh, "I shall have to resign myself to dear Lulu's4 leaving n~ie. But if you do not. make her happy2 sir," she turned to him with a lo~k of- playful menace, ~' why. " "- I ~hail. deserve 4o-be hanged, dd~ and' quar~ t~red, aiid will agfee to suWer'that penalty." "And~ I prpmise:to inflict it," ~aid '-Kate. "You speak of Frank -and 'Blanche," -pursued' De~ ville. "Do you not think they will soon follow the example of Luc~r 4d '~yse.if?"- "No," answered Kate, laughing'. " What could have pu-t such an idea. if~to you~t head-? ' They ai'e just about a~ likely to fail in an§d Iwere." they lo;ve with 'eacY otl~er as Luey -thinl~s will marry each other. Nob immediately, perhaps, but ~v~ntualiy." 1 "Mercy!" exclaimed Kate- so ~? 'She is entirely "liv can she think mistaken." "" I think myself, judging from their manner, th~t they have no sue h thought at- present-but it is very possible that rhey may h~ve hereafter." - - "I hope so-b'iit I do n6t expec-t it." - ' - "For Edward's sake, I hop& not4" "Edward's sake !" Kate repeated, staring. "Why What on earth can Edward possibly have to do with "Simply that'ke is noPinsensible to the charms of his pretty step-sisterif Frank is. And a.love -affair would be a much more serious, matter with him than With 'Frank.U - "Bdu#d!" exlajuied Kate, bursting into an irnmod~ ~~rate fit of laughter; "why they -never sp~ai~ to each ~Vher! Edward never~ even lQQk~ ~ther,. i-~de&d;hc - - - 4 - 14 - , -. - ~ 4' if; - - , --~ - '4- 1' ' '$9 4- has acted :almOSt rudely abmit -it; w~ all felt' really morti-fleil by his coldness to her. Edward in love with Blanche 1" she repeated, her anraseflient in6reas- ing, a the full ludicrOuSneSS of the thing struck 4~er. ', more and niore forcibly: "Oh, my d1ear Dare, ~ imagination ypu, haVe got I Or' is it because you are in love .yonrself tha1~ you think everybody else must be in the same predicament? I mean to tell 1tbem- both about it, foi .it is the most ridiculous thing I ever heard ilv.my iife~' 4 She started to run o~~t of th.e conservatory, but De- vile catching her hand and detaining her, entreated that she wou!d. not mention -his ridiculous conjecture to ax~y one at alL' - "Oh, but I must!" she cried. "It-is too funny!'I must at'ieast te~ Blanche." "Pray do xiot,'~ said Da-re~ earnpstly. -"If my con~ ~ectiire is correct, any ~xot~ce will Only increase. their embarrassment" "But it is n~t correct,-ItCIl you! Itisyidiculeus!"' ,." Then why say anything about it? My dear Kate I must beg y~ou ser~OUEIY" Well, well,~' interrupted Kate, "if you coriie to serioUs serioUsness, I will not. meTntiofl it; but' I do think you might let me tell Blanche." "No," ansWere4 he, as they went back to the draw- ing-rPOm "And I ani not to cou-nt'On your help in, persuading Lucy to abridge the time which' is to elapse befor~ I am rnade happy?'? he asked' reproach~ fully. Kate ~ her head. "You oughttO think it very good 9f me to give my consent at all. What does ,she say about gorng to Cuba ?" "She would not consent to it." 'No wander. Can y~u not under~taUd, Mr. Dare~ -4 -"'4 '444 ~ 41 44--f; 4 ~t A 44 .,~1 44' 44~ ~ - ~ t 444 'I. ~. '4 r 1' 'p page: 56-57[View Page 56-57] F 4 1... ~ .-' F If 56 m~ ~TEP-srs~rfl1~j devU, tb~t i~ women mnst have some time to get used to the idea of' leaving her family ai~d home ?!v' They where at the drawing..room' door7 an~l Kate, leaving' Deville to'e.nt~r alone, ran off to find Lucy, a glance into the room having~ shown' her That 'her sis~~~ t~r *ag not thet~e. Edward wa's t'here-.-Por ~a ~'onder. Probably he mad~e this variation from"his usual habit, inxcornpli.. merit to Mr Deville. B~it the latter did not tak~the' eompIimen~ to himself. lie tJire'w himself in a loung- ing attitude~ on~on& end' of the sofa, opposite to which B1an~h~ was sitting at the harp. Edward rose froni hi~ seat on the .other si~le of the' room, and drawing forward a l&rge arm chair, joined' him, and ~began to taAk. Deville's dark ~eyes glittered with suppressed mirth as he noticed hcw co~stantIy'~dwa~d's gIanc~ rested on the gr61~jp opposite; fl~anche, l~'rank' ' and the 'harp, Blanche' '~d~rays lo~ked~ particularly WeIf when placed at this graceful ins1~rnmexit; and anyone in ight h ave been ~ai:doned foe' r~arding~#ithpIeas~ure the Picture she ,noW fbrnied.~ I-kr beautiful profile and long golden curls wove clearly defin'~d'again~t the eurt~in ji~st' behind her; he~ "exquisit~bnst' thrown slightly forward; the~ white rounded FaV~rns ~xt~nd~ed over thp strings. And~ then '~he was so exactly hi' frontof EJward that he woi~ld have 'been compelled to turn his face- aside 'if h~had n~ lo:o'ked ~t~heix Deville had -a rn~dicu~rn of Kat~'g love 'of i~ischief hi his C~mposition, and he -~r&so1ved to ap~ily 'a I'ittl~ touchsto~'ie to Edward's feelings. Accdrdingly he iri.~ fo~ne'd him ~f his own acceptaiice'~by Lnc~, claimiu~ 'his. fraternal congratulations t~'ereiipo'rr'~ and Edward having very' co-rdially~ sh~k~en hishand, ~.nd ex~ress&d~ his pleasure at t~e prospect of. 'his 00-utemplated c'on~.. section, Deville remarked, with a slighti~otion of the h~nd towards the p4r~befor*~tbeni. x 5Q -f I 4 'F If If 4 What do' you think of the prospect of ~ in~trimo- nial affair i~ that quarter, i~dW~rdW' The palen~5s that inst~tntly overspread- Edward' s face was proof sufficient to Dare of the truth of his' ~us~picibn. He: inly resolved, however, to hold his tongue on the subject,- and, sorry to perceive how' much p~i~ hi~ i4emark had. caused, he added, "lsuggeste~l the idea to 'Kate; but she lan'ghed at / it. SeenP~d to think it quite absurd." Edward's face cleared a little at this; ~nd thougiL he did not answer Deville's rQmarks, he talked o~, of indifferent subjects.' A few minutes afterwards Lucy and Kate cama in. Kate joined Blanche ~nd Frank, and Lucy accepted with a blush Mr. Deville's earnest proffer of a lart of ~his sQfa. Any one else but' Edward would have lelt the vicinity of the sofa thus occupied; but it never' occurred to his innocent mind that he might be 'de trap. lit is true his presence did not gr'eatl~r interfere with their tete-a~tete, since Lucy and Deville both saw that he was obviously a~ nilcoliscious and unobser- vant of what they were saying, as if he had"been both blind and deaf. He presently ros~e and left the room. As soon. ~as Mr. Clerville returned, that eveniflg, 1~a.re Deville asked and obtained a private interview;' and af~er having -been closeted for a vei v b-rief time with the pater famitia~, he. emerged from the library a superlatively happy man;' for not only had Mr. Oler- yule been perfectly'propitious to his suit, (4vhi'ch, in-i'- *dee-d, was no more than he had expected,) bu{, as~ Dare-devil thought, with the greatest c0n.sideratiofl,' had assured 1dm that if. Lucy cons ented to an imme- diate marriage, he consente~ als&. M~. DeVille be- took himself. t~ laboring this point with the young lady immediately~ But his labor w~s vain. - She wa~ - truly iugeni~us i~ d~visiii~ 'e~QQ80S ~U~4 ""V ~'A I' ~I ~t~A'4I. 4- (1:11 II i~ F, F I' : ) page: 58-59[View Page 58-59] :K~ ~ ~ A A '4 &"5LX~ k7AA.~L~K~.LK~J.X*L74 4 ~ ~1TE ST~P~SI~TE~ She must positively, asKatehad said, have '~son~e -tinie to accustom herself to the idea of 'lcavin~ her farnily~ And then, though'h~r father' hed consented, sh~e knew' he~would prefer a longer delay. He h~d several times expressed the wish that his children should remain with him, a together, f~w. a few months, at least: And-last and most potent objection-.~-how t~ould she possibly be ready in such a short time! Gentlem'Qn, she assured Mr. Deville, had not the least of the' labor required in getting / a. con ceptioi up trousseau. Six months was ~th-e very shortest time in which she could uuder~take to lit out for such a long-voyage as that of matrimony.. Instead of the fifth~~.of ~ov.ember,,as he proposed, tift1~ of April ~hould be her wedding day. . Mr. Devilie was obliged ~o submit; and he did so with just toier~ble grace only. 0 CHAPTERR VII. - ANADvI~TURE. Dare.~devil's visit'of a' fortnight wa~ over, and 'Fi'ank had accompanied' him as far as Scarsborough, on his~ departure. Kate and Blanche wa~ked'out in the after- noon to meet Frank as he was returning. Their path i~ay throughh a pretty Wood, That was inteTrsected mi&. way by ~a river, which held within its chrystid - arms a beautiful, picturesque ~iittle-" island. Frank and E4... ward had been accu~torned in their boyhood to nevi. gate 'this - stream in a small ~b$at of very primitive' Construction, the chief t~eoo iidi~tion of which: wa.~ its ~lightn~s.- it Was Uitill fi~ed occasionally by th~ negroes, when they preferred in the~middie'&f- ~1wtiyer, ~ . The ;b~nk; i~nd was fastened by' a long, stout chain, to a stake driven firmly into the ground.. "Suppose we get in the boat, and go across to the island?" said Kate. "Frank has oftenitaken me over, to§get muskadines and grapes. There ar~so many ~ vines thei e. Is it not a beautiful place?" "Beautiful!" answered Blanche. "I- should. like very much to g~o, though it is now too ~late foi~ ifiusca- diiies and gi~apes. But I am afraid we vould uot inan~tge the canoe. Tust think of our sailing off down stream. We" "Oh!" interrupted Kate, "' I am sure we can man- age it. It is as light-"as pos~ible. 'See~ we can. try ~ 'first without unchaining it.' You take that pole. There-I told you so," she exclaimed in triumph, as, by their united efforts they propelled the little dug- K Qiltup stream as. far as thq chain '~oijld admit of its ~ going. "Now we will push uj close 'to the'bank and unloose it," coritiwued Kat~e, binding with all her ~strengthagainst the pole she held. "I am almost graid," said Blanche, 'doubtfully. ~ "Do. you really think thnt if we unchain it, it will not run away with us?" ." Why, I am sure it can't. Why.should not we row a boat ~s well as Ellen Douglas did? And Loch Katrine is~ much larger and deeper than this little river!" / K ~' Ellen Douglas," cried Blanche, laughing. .'1 ~ think tiPt i~- scarcely a case in point. Authors can make~theii~ heroines do anything." '' "W~Il,"but -Elizabe4h $mith and her sisters really did row ~bout over-what was the name of the lake? I forget. But never mind it. I know we can pole $ils canoe- and ~[ -mean to try; Vh~t is, if you are ~nQt really afraiV'~. f~ fgr the~ "Oh!uo. I~w~e~ a ay idea.~O!4Y / , page: 60-61[View Page 60-61] - '~; .4- ~ I iYI{J~ STEP SIST~1t I thought I ought to parade a little, prudence first,',' ~answered Blanche, laughing~ They pushed the c~inoe close to the bank-and after tugging until their deli'~ate hands h*~d exchanged The hue of the lily for thatof the rose, they succeeded in drawing the heavy iron ring fro~n over the stake. Dropping the clattering length of chain into the bot~~ torn of the boat, they pushed with all their might; but, at first, to no purpose. Th~ dug-out s~ernPd likely to verify Blanche's suggestion, a rid fiora't~ with them clown 4he stream. Half I aughing, h4f~ight cued, they found themselVes receding frorn~ land- lng place, withoutt apjwoachin~ the i~lnud. "Ph ! "' exclaimed Kat~, suddenly4 "we ought to head our boat up stre~im. That is the. reason we qrc not going right. Put your ~oie in on this side Blanche; you were pushi~ig uS down th& current." "How learnedly you speak," said blanched; but you were~ right, I declare. This is really delightful. We must come on the i~v~r often~, Frank shall have us a summer-house made on the island-and what charm.~ ing t~rnes we shall have-won't we?" "Take care,'~ cried Kate. warningly. "We ar'e ap~ proaching the bank. Steady there," ~he oxciarinied, with affected gravity.. ~FNOW~~~ Thump went the boat~, giving them ,such a rude. jostle ~.s almost to upset their equilibrium.' Laughing "and glowing with the unaccustomed and violrnit e~er- ti~n they had been making, they, lifted thQ chain, and sprang upon th~bahk. ~" How are w~ to fasten . the~ .boa~t n~w?" 'said ilianehe. "There ~is no stake~qher~2' "Wrap the eh~ir~' onndthisAittI~ tree." "$ut how can we :C~tex~ it, ~o that it will not k~ose. itself?" They. edarouu~~ap4 ~hi.ieI~picke4..up' a ~tick0 '4 *TT1~' STEP~S!STTh0 '4 -"'4 4 II. "I think we can m~'ike it fast with thig," she said. Having wound the chain several- times about the trunk of a slender tree- on the' margi~i of the 'water, they passed the stick through the iron ring and one link of the ~ thus holding the two together quite securely.~ "H.xv' clever ~ve ar~!" they both exclaimed-and by this time quite wearied out~ sat themselves on a soft cushion of moss to rest. "1 wonder what Frank will say when he comes and finds us here'?" 'said Kate. 8'\~That will l~e say, sure enough," answered Blanche.. "I have an idea he will not think it as amusing as we do.' Indeed, Katydid,'I expect we ~h~~r get two scold- ings for coming here- one from Frank, and: the other from Mamma." "Do yoi~ think ~o ?~ Then we had better return as speedily as possible. But I am so tired.' We must rest a little first. My arms really ache. Don~t yours ?" "Yes~yonder cQmes GleucOc." As she spoke Frank's great Newfoundland dog emerged from the bushes on t:he other ~ide the river, 'and plnn-ging into the water, swam ovcr to the island.' "If we should be in 'danger of drowning,. he ca~i~ save us," said Kate, 1a~ughing. "Wh-atafright you are, Glenco," she continued, as he ran up to them, all dripjiing -hi's us~a1ly ~ilken ci1rl~ clinging wet and sleek to his sides. They both' sprang to their feet and retreated in 'haste, to avoid th~ shower of water he was preparing to shake'off. The is1~nd was only a few hundred yards in length, but so co'v'ered 'w ith trees and undergrowth, that as they commenced exploring its ?4dy nooks, they Thst sight of the b~at and th& landitig pIa~e~ A erush. ing arno'ng'the hushes presently y announced' the .ap- prQadi of the dog, .wh a~e~bo~i$iug to~wad~. thein~ II.. V page: 62-63[View Page 62-63] 0 K it 7' -holding 'in hi~ mouth a piece- &f stick, whireli he laid at~ their feet with th~ air 'of one 'who had performed some most' commendable act; -and ~xpcct~d to he ap- plaude~l accordingly. The two girls exch'ang~d a ~glance 'of alarm, ~ts they thought theyre'cognized the stick a& the One with which they had secured thei;- boat. Running as rapidly a~ the tangled brnshwood -pei~mitted, they reaclwd the idace where -they had left the canoe, only in time to- se'e that faithless little craft floating hastily' down the stream; it ~having already turned 'the point of the island, and found the mid-cur-. -rent of the river. After the first 'momentary glance of consternation, they laughed heartily at their ~re-. dicament. 7 "Re -must have pulled the stick out of the chain,~, said Blanches ' ' -~ - "Of cours& he did. lie never sees a stfck without - seizing it' with his teeth,, and #p~jlj~~g till he obtains possession of it." "- Glenco, G1enco~ thou little knowest ~he mischief thou hast done !" said Blanche to the dog, who still stdod before tl~em, wagging his tail, and waiting for-' the praise he knew h~ deserved so -well. - "HoW are we to get back, Kate ?" "We shall have to wa~it until somebody-comes to hunt for 'i~s. Frank will be sure- to come-the moment he gets home and ftnd~ ~that we ar~ missing." "nut he will never think of our being here. - If we should have to stay all night it wilL be quite an ad~ venturere" - "{)h! we shall be missed and sear~h-ed for." - "But if they do not find us ?", '-' We c~n build a' fire when i~ grow~ dark, and th~&y - will- be ,s~u~e to- see ihe light." ' - "Build a fire'! A~id where are we to get the fire??' "BIe~s me, - I nevar~thoaght of th~b" a~id Kat~; It ~'-~-~ --~ -' it 't- ' :' ) .7, 4 9 K hut ye~ we can, thQugh. By rubbing t~o dry pieces of wood together, tht~y will ignite. You know -people who are shipwrecked always make flres iii' that way.'? £' I doubt whdher we sh~iLll find a.nyv~er~ dry~wood here," said Blanche, looking about. "And. I very much doubt whether we could~ rub~ it hard enough to make it ignite, if we did find it." "Rather than stay here all night, and frighten them all to de~th~-for ~they would be certain to think we were drowned-we will 'have to wade out, I suppose," said Kate. "The river is narrow here, and quite dee); but a hundre~ yards further up, just at the point of the island, it is broad,. ahd1 very shal- low-scarcely more thaj)i txVo feet deep; I think; and there are a great maviy rocks all the way across. iPe rhaps we might be able to get -over by stepping on tbe;u~ We can-go and see." With incredible difficulty they made their Way through tii~ pathless wildei4iess of brushwood, an~ finally,' atter- two 0p thr~e false alarms about snakes and scorpions, reached the partot thebank of'which Kate had spoken~ The river- wa~ spread out befor~ thei~ w~ide and shalloW, with' many rocks showing themselves above the surfac~. Bat, unfortimhtely, these rocks, though they would have ~na'de convenient Stepping-St9neS for a giant, were too far apart to ad- mit of their springing from one to the Other,. "There is no help for it," said Kate, "We shall~ haVe to-wait until some one sees us. I am glad we came here, as it is neai'er home. Yomfer is the road, and we can see everybody that passes~ And here i~ a nice seat.. Oh! we can wait. It - is not near sun- down yet." They skit down again,, and watched the road as- siduously for' some time; hut no~ one appeared, at~d. i~o w~y ~f getting& out1of theii~ -dilenima presented Vt V if I V1 ft I a7~i 4 page: 64-65[View Page 64-65] LJIL'*JZI~.L * itself. An hour h~d elapsed, and they w~r~ ipg'quite Un lnfoltable as to their situation ,when 1~h~y peredved a figure ~n ovir~g slowly ala~g at:a dis~ t~nce.. A~ it was 4~ri ~t 4a~k, tWey ~cQuId only see tha~t it was a.man-.cQuld not tell whG it was. "~i~a~ I caA?" said Kate. "I really am ashamed', ft seems so ric~iculous, o~r being here. But it is gets "jiow will you call ?" said Blanche.. "" I 'wonder Who4hat "I'll call Frank~ and whoever it is must hear, ~nd -She c'illed. several times, as' loudly ~s she conid, ~Fra~k, -Fr~k !" The person in the distance turned and listened a rnomep~o&I~ing'around, but, not seeing any one, was ab6ut to move on, when they both called together, "~F~rar.k, Fr~ik, do crnne to us~-we want you W *"X~here are you ?" inquired a voice, which they reco~nized as Edward's. - "Iiere-~-on the Island," answered Kate. "Oh! Kate, how ~orryI-am'that you called! I had no jdea it was--ddrn. Do~-" "IN eyer ~iin~-hr can tell us what to do," ~ an~ SWer8d K~te. "Let us go to med him," said Blanche eagerly; "we mnight:as well.-".- "No no 1" exclakned Kate, catching -her. arm as she was about to step into the water~, "indeeclyou must not, fllanche'. j~d.ward can sand another bQat?' "What is the ma~Ltar ?'? 4einanded Edward, as he no~y ~cam~e hurrying up, ah~est oi~t oP hreath. Kate explained in few ~wor~ls, and asked if he could get another boat.. * '~ Goo4 ~4me~ven~ !'~ -he ~ezol'aim&d, in a tone~ Qf stich '-' '- ' .," 1" - -. ~ I 4.;:; "0 the first ti~ne with a tense of the danger they he~d iii.. cured. "Th it, possible yon cr6s~4ed~ the 4v~r'aion~1 in that codde-shell of a canoe?". The next mo~xi~nt they heard a' spl~h, and 'the nezt saw Edward stviding rapidly towards then~ 4r&~'~h the water. it was ~ pair of #ery startled and 'fri~Id. eii~d faces that greeted him~ through the gThom of tIre hailing ev~nhmg, as he stepped upon the ~Iank, "Oh! 'Edward, what'haVe ~'ou done ?"' crThd Kate, when she had recovered from the consternation smiffi.. ciently j~o speak. "You will take another violent cold, getting wet in this way. Why dht yZ~m come?" '4here isnot another boat on the plazmt~Vi~n,~' 'h~ replied; and, it wo~mld ~take hours to procure' one; I will carry you'over." He approached I~laAclme as h&4oke, e9ngraP4at~ ing 'himself mentally that die d ~i2tg twilight ~ sealed the fiery glow which M felt upon his fate. She drew back hastily, exclaiming, "'No, n6.--tbank you!. but I am sure we t~an -walk QYer,. as' I tol4 Kate."' "Impossible 1" he a~s~r~d"' quietly. "The cur~- rent~is much stronger thaui it looks. 'You conld.~ot sustain' yourself against~ it. You need' iiot fear~but that Iwill carry you quite safely," he a4d~d, seeiiig that she still hc~itated'. - "It was not that," answered Blanche quickly. "It is hecomiug' late, and' will soon be quite 'd~k,'~ said I~dward. "M~ mother, I am sure; will h~ ~ry# nne'asy.- Fray permit nae." - - ~ithoutwaiting the p~i6~ h~ a~k4, he lifted her in hi~ s, and, car~fuUy adi u8th~"b~r 4r~ss ~ that it ~iohl~ i~t g~t wd; ste~p~ d' '-tue rW~r. 'V4r~ the first u!mSzn~ri~t' '~r two he t~enib1,d ~ e~iesaively thai Blanche really did fee?' the a1&~ if ~hi~hA~ a 7 4' page: 66-67[View Page 66-67] E ~rHE k3~1~P.IilSTXR. I. _ I had- not, in' 'her first 4embarrassment,- onc~ thought. But his clasp grew steady after a few steps brought * him into the deeper water and fhll sweep -of.. the cur~ rent. lie wa7~ked slowly, and with great care, though 'evid~nt1y without the - slightest sense of timidity. Relieved of her- momei~ary - apprehension, Blanche - .had time to reflect on the -singularity of- her position, - with' in-tense chagrin and. confusion. For a mere childish1 and, as she now saw, most imprudent freak, 8he had endangered her life, and placed~h~rs.elf under obligations to ' EdWard. "Oh, that it had been Frank !V shte exclaimed, -mentally. But Edward! Edward, who always avoided 'her so' pertinaciou~y- whd evidently di~1ik~d her I-and for no earthly rea~ ~ou, tool 'It was too yexalio us! Uer conscience - began to make 'a protestt.. Did Edward real4~ dislike per? In the - very secret 'chambers of h~r heart she some doubt of the fact, though she chose- to affect - Abeheve - so, not only ~to Rate, hut to herself. Ed.. *ard was not' alone in blessing the twilight shades tha1~ proved so kind a veil to the flush 'of his~ieek - ~nd the, light 'of h-is eye. Blanche -felt equally grate- ful that her embarrassment was - thus concealed. Thiward placed her, on the bank of the river without~- a word, alkd turning, retraced - h~i-s steps to where his eter reiiia~ned. Without cer~mony4ortremor he bare her -across the. river, walking this time with a rapid, unfaltering 'step. As they turned -in- the diredion' - of bome, Frank ~: came out to ~nee~ them.. "Where have you been, to ~ remain - out so late? But E&~ard. is with you. I ~ thought you- were alone," h~ said. -" Now, Frank, yowrnu~t n&t ~d'to-ezclaiming, and, being horeifi~4,.- ~heu, we tell you wher~ we have - beeu, a~d What we h~v~ he&~ doing," ~s4d Kate. "Will' you- promise ?" - - "No, petling-you know I never make promises' blindfold. But trust to my .indulgenc~~ and let me hear at once what unp~rdonab1e mischief you have K been engagedin?' Kate related i-n det~i1 the adventure, sayingt in ~oiicKfision, "You see we wer~not so much to blamee, after all.' That bad dog of yours is the real culprit." :- "I will cri~~"e~ him a -sound' kickir~g on sight," ~aicI ~ Prmk; "~ut, pardon me, not' to blame ! I assure you I do not consider it a matter tobe jested' upon.~~ ~ He spoke seriously. "You did. nothing less. than en- danger your l~i~s by such inconsiderate rashness . I K hope you will neVer be' guilty of such an imprudence ~ against think !" and, w~rrning as he proceeded, ~i he was going on With what' Kate had a peculiar horror ~ of-a regular fraternal lecture. ~ don he stopped him. '"For mercy's sake, 'Frank, t lool~ so solemn 'and talk so gravely. At least, II suppose you are looking solemn~, it is so dark I can't, ~ee your face." wish most heartily that we had not gone boat.. said Blanche, speaking for the first time; "but we never thought ~of Glenco's attachment to sticks when we left the canoe at his mercy?' How did yflu get over the river at fast ?" in~~ quired Frank. Edward ~a~ried 'us' over," answered K~te; '"and a;m ~'eadfully afraid he will take cold from getting feet so~ wet. We must walk faster-and, Edward, you ought to hurry and change 'your dn0ss inune- diately." - ' '-' . - "You aie was~iig '~r-eat" 'de&l of' -unneoe~sftry thought about my taking cold," he replied. "There is not the slightest danger of\ it." - 4 *for But why in the world did? you not send for hors-eB them- to ride ever~tlreJord there is ~xce1lent4- 0 '1~t1 ~ -4 617 p 4- I, page: 68-69[View Page 68-69] 1. -k ~ b~tea~d of going. in the water yourself?" asked Fr-ank, with st~rpri~e. "~tly, I never thought of that expedleilt-simple. * as it seems," answered Edward, with a slight laugh, "But I am not sure that I should have adopted it, had it 'occurred'. to my mind. It is soiue distance from the river to the hluse, and would have taken so Iong-tQ get horses there, that, on the whole. I think my fir~t impulse was both the quickest am~bcst." CHAPTER VIII. A (iOflI~Ti~T Ot~ N'~CTA~TL. They approached the house as he~ai4 this, alid, fQund. that Mr. arul Mrs~. Ql~erville~ an4 Lucy, though not'-ex.aeily #d~u~med, were a littl~ anxious about th~ir uI1ia]~absen4Se.~' Mrs. Clervill~ had dispatched three . several ~ssengers ~to ascertahi theff' wluerea1~ut~ and hasten theii. reI~urn. . - - 't-Her~ ar6' two young ladies, mother3 who i~rit a r~p~imand, I-assure yo~y' ~wid Frank as 'they entered th~ drawing-room. 'I~4~ed, I must~rnfcss'tEat- if on consideration, you' ~oucIude to ~et tli~up on high seats without hacj~, 'foi' th~:rest of th~~knipt' I shall ~0) 2not think*you unjustly ~ever&' "Why -wh~t ~an - th~y~h~iVe been doing, tc~ exci~ your Virtuous candor ~ ~ving such stron~'.evidcnce agaii~t' them?" asked ~1ts: ClervilieAaughing. -' :~t 'What. do you Thh~k of t~efr ge~tin g.into a~ ~niser- able little-i Th~ - ~anoe~ and crossix1g* 'e river to tht ~, e~u. -fasteui~ the 'b~aL ~6 i~Becure1~. that uc6 leo d4t~fro~iit~ ~ hoi~~.~4~nt it ~&ib dowu 1ea~i~j~bd~ioll ~laD~iehe and I 4A 11 '-4 - .~-- ~ - - :- -~ I Mrs. Olervilie and Lucy. looked agh~s~: Mr. C1~r~~ ~ille half surprised, half atnused. "It was very wrong in. us," sa4d Blanche2 "hut " "It was my. fault entirely," interrupted Kate. ~ Blanche -did, not want to go, Wut I persuaded her there WaP no danger, And I am sure there was not. At least not as m~iclli as you think6 And 'I b~g ycur pardon, Mr. Frank, but our canoe w~s not leaky. If it had not been for Glenco, w& should ha'~~e g~Vteu back in good time, and without the kast difficulty." "How did you get back, if the canoe floated off?-" asked Mr. Clerville. "I called Edward,' who happened to be passii~g', and he carried us over." ~' Edward want into the water?" exclaimed Mrs. ~~1~rvi~le, looking gi7ave raid alarmed. ." Rea1l~r, my dears, I' think Frank Very riglif iii his judgm'crft of your imprudence! .Think what ai~. injury this m~y be to Edward's health-! - Did 1w get wet? Where is he ?' ' she added, looking round. - "Gone to change his dress, I suppos~~,"j~aid Fran-k. "'Was ~ie miwh wet?" r~peatcd Mrs. Clerville. "As well as- I could see 'in the dark he was wet Thove 'theknees." . Mrs.' Clerville said not aifoth'er word, but looked very uneasy 'as she hurried out of the rOom. Mr. Clerville, too, looked a little anxiovrs, but seeing th~ distress of the t~o gfrl~-Blanche especially-~--he tried to re-assure them by the. prediction that Edward would 3uffer no ill effects from his cold' bath. "Seel~e'r~ he comes -now," he obs&rvcd-"and looking~ all the better for th~ wetting he h~s got: 'My'dear'boy,"' he continuedd tiurnihg. to iEdWard, '"yoi~ will have t& came and defend yoktr sisters from Frank's and your fll9ther's indigna~tion~. Th~ey both ~e&m ~indlin~4 t&i~c iif~ $ 4 page: 70-71[View Page 70-71] 'S.' '4 .444' '4 44 4 44 4 0 THE ~TEP-$I$TER rather excited oft the subject of your exposure to takiDg cold.", . "' I should.ke very much rnor~ified, as ~vell as an- ~oyed,"- said. Edward, coloring and glancing r~proach~ fully, at Frank, "if such a trifle is to be seriously spoken ~f. Surely I am: not sd ridiculously effemi- nate that my health mu sir alwaysb.e talked of as if I was a sick girl ?"- "Excuse me,. an~wereu Frank, smiling g-"but if my .'~father .'~ill, recollect, I said iiothing whatever * about your taking cold. I wa~ 'thinking of their ru~- hug into danger so re~les~ly. ~'If I. valued~ their precious lives less," he adde~ smiling, ~L~iiou1J * have b&en less inclined to censure them. AnA 'irow, having ifiade the amCn(Ie honorabl&----" Amende.honol~abiC,,ind~d 1" said Katc. ~. "Would you believee, Edward, he was ~o ungallant as to advise Mamma to scold us 8ever~ly'?"N "Scold you? 'I deny that I used any such woman~ ish word.,. I said 'reiwimand.'" "And what is the differencc,~pray, in the meaniii~ of thc two words? 'I see none, I am sure. Do you, Papas?'.' - "Not much, I confe~s.". "You h~ve'not studied the niceties of expre~s~on~ then," said Frank. "There i~ the same difference between 4he'wprd~, as there is bei~wcen a geiitleman and a ploughman., or a lady and a milk maid." C~ Mrs. Clervilte just thPn appeared, bearing a steam- ing and odorous beverage whi~h she had, been 'con- cocting~for Edward. It required no small effort of self-control in Lucy, ~Kate and Bk nehe to4refraiii from laughing outright a~EdWard~ fa~ e, as, after in vain disclaiming all need of~t, ~nd n~aking sever~i efforts to i~voi4 swa~owing ~1he unwelcome potion, he re~ cejv ej the goblet, and hastily~qua~ed it~ cotite~tS very* '4 Pr A. 44, 4 4 4 4 4 4 44 ~d.'4 4 4. 4 9 4 4.~44~44 4~4444444444444*4444444~44444444,44. ~ 71 4 4 444" 4444 ~4'4. "4 '4' 4 U 4444444~ A, 4' jijj K. 44 I 4 44 Aij I' ~i A : ~ 1~ 41 K ~\ much ~ if it had been a nauseous medicine, instead of the nectar like preparation of wine and spices it in reality was. ..The servant announced tea as he finished his en'~ forced draught-a diversion of ,the general ~4ttc~ntion d * of w1~ich he was very glad. Kate's exercise of the afternoon had given her an appetite-while Blanche, on the ~ontrary, had none. And ~he was so unusually silent during the remainder of the evening, that being several times rallied about it, she eonfes~ed she 'was very tired, and rose to retire. * ";Well, mypets," said Frank, as he and Kate werp about to leave the room, after a general good night- - "iou. think I have been rather hard w'ith you, sog.'ivo me a good night kiss in token of forgiveness and amity." liIe kissed 'each on thecheek-receivinga twitcl~ of his curls in return. . . "My head ought to be very insensible-on the out~ side at least," said he-" for I never approach either of these young ladies without having n~y h~ir cruelly pulled. bicy never treats mesobadly" 'a "-That is because you treat her respectfully," an- sweredthey-" while you consider u~, children, who may be lectured or kissed, as you please." "'I think;" said Mr. Clerville, smiling, :" that Ed- ward is entitled'to any spare kisses to-night, much more than yourself; Frank." 4 * Kate stayed toWafd8 Edward ~to carry out her father's suggestion-but ~an appealing 'look frQm.' Blanche stopped her. ~ laughed and walked on, saying' tq her father as she went, "Edwi~d would not thank u~ for 'ourkisses ,i am sure, Pa~-.and favors jmus t be sought befrn~ethey ~re granted. We will not press ours oi~ him." * 4 "Qh Kate I" e~c1aime4 Rianche, a~ ~oou as they 9 4 page: 72-73[View Page 72-73] 4444 4444 - 44 4'4~4 * 4,4~ 44 4 44444 - ,~ 44444 4444 44~4 4,4 ~4444~~j Q~44. 4 K 4 4 4 4 4 44 44 4 ~4 ,4~4,* 4444~ ~ 44 44444444444. 444444. ,444 444.444 44.4,444444,4 ~A4~4~ ,4,444444.444 444 4' 44 44 4.4.4444 4 -4-44 4 4 44.4,4.44444.4 4 * - T!Ui $1~SX8TERA had gained-thair chamber-" Oh Kate, I am so s~i~ry 4ve tent on the river this afternoon! I would ~nOt for anything in the world that it had happened! What am I to do in the morning? It will be very rwje not to ask yqur brother how he is-and hew am I to speak to him? Ii never even4 thanked him at the time-for he set me - down so suddenly, and hurried away so~ fast, that I did" not think of it until after- 'Wards~~i.and then did not know what to say." "Thd~not~know what to ~av I" repeated. Kate. "I don'tsee that there was the least need of your thank- ing him formaliy-.but it seems funny the idea of y6ur b~ingat a loss wl~at t~ ~ay to, any one. You who are~usnall~ s~ e~Lsy to all. Just go up to him in the morning, -'h&Id o4t tour hand, ~mile and say~ "How are~you this morning, Edward? I l~ope you * h~~ve xi~t~si1ff~red frQrn y~nr ezertiona .on ou~r behalf." That would not be SO terribly difficult, I am sure. I always ?told you that one ofyoni' winning, witching srnile~ would be irresistible to him, a~ they are to / every o~e ~else." - 44 4 "You know I can't do this,'? said Blanche, discon.- sdI~tely. "'Well, iVev~er mmdi about it flOW, I ~m -going to h.d and to sleep-4er I ~ tired~ enough;. and4 I ~d- - v~se yoivto f&llo~ :flq example. - We can ina~agei d~resaiy, som~h6w, to. prevent t ~di'ead ~. much." he awkwardness you. * 4 444 4 4 OJEIAPTRI~ IX. 4 4 II~, THE LLJ*RA ~IY. Blanche's fair face resumed the crimson hue it: had - 44 *6ru the night4 before wher~ edward appeared at TilE - ~TEP~ISTI~W U breakf~t rather late the next morning, and was met4 by a universal, inquiry from all present ae-t@ hi~ health. Mrs. Clervilie had4 already satisfied her so.. licitude on that point by sending to inquire as soon as he was awake ;but 'she now amplified her ques~. tions so much, that he blushed aln~st as deeply as Blanche did;* and the resemblance of expression in the two embarrassed faces was SO~ striking, t1 at seve- ral coffee cups were put in requisition to hide behind their friendly cover, the covert smiles that would otherwise have been observedhy th~ objects of them. Kate drew Rlan~he into the library after breakfast, and proposed looking over some huge book~ of en- gravings that had been the favorite studies of her childhood; 4and4 Soon. beeomiug.inte~rested lii the pie.. tures, some of which. possessed much artistic zuerit, while others were amusingly grotesque, Bla~uwhe.quite for~~t tjiat she was risking what she most wished .to a~ojd-a meeting with Edward.4 Kate was by no means equaUy oblivious of t~h& fact that ~Edward gen- erally came into the library after the morning ride, which his fp~ther insisted on his punctually taking, to find bo&ks~ which he fheu carriedto his oWn' :roon~; often remaining, if the library was unoccupied. She waited impatiently, and w~s gratified by his appear- a~nce ~V last. lie eame in, walking slowly, and read- hlg, as be waW~d, from a biok he held in his, hand. Laying it open o~ the table, he turned to th& sheWes - to ~areh fQr S flI~ other v me. 4. 44 4 "Do corn b~r 4 1 ~s wuat .tnis picture is, rd, said Kate, so suddenly tb4 he started iind looked around in consternatiolL, J~@ having been aware of tlew pre8eflA~e b~for~. Niechanically walked across thei~~ tO 4wb~ere they 4- eat, by a ta- Ne on which was spu~a4 the huge folio. egraving5~ lie he~t over it, as much to conceal 4bis einbarra?$~. 0 e 4. 44 ~444 4 444~~444444 4, 4.444~~~~4444444.4,4444 44.44 4 A 444 4~44 4 4 44444 4 ~4 4 f 4 4. 4 1 page: 74-75[View Page 74-75] .4, -~ i1 - 0 .74 TILJ~ ST}W~SJST§I~R. ~ ment as to examine th& picture. Kate seized the pro~tiou~ rhoment...~..entireiy regardless of the shock she was about to influi&~. *lBy the exercise of sorhe Iit~. tie dexterity, sh.e succeeded in placing Edward in a ~tauding posture exactly in front of 2Blanche...-~who was thus c~mpleteIy hedged in, ~ the one side by Ed- Ward's person, and on the other by the table. Taking hold of Edward's arm, to prevent retreat on hi's part, - Kate said solemnly~" II have absemb1~d you together this morning, my~ friends "-both started and looked at her in utter amazementbut sh~wen.t on with ex- emplary gravity, though the spark1i~g mischief of the dark eye, and a mirthful quiver~bout the lijs, were notLn the best ~ I say I have managed to get you together at last, to remonstrate seriously with you on the. absurdity of your manijer to each other. No,. no; Edwaid, do-don't go !" she proceeded rapidI~-...d'ropj~ing her serio-.coyhic tone for her natural manner~".Pray listen to me. !" And she held him with J~oth hands so fast,- thatije would have been compelled to exert no small amount ofrudc strer~gth to disengage himself from her ck~sp-.-.seeiug which, he remained passive. Blanche never thought of moving~buv sat dumb and aghast, while J{~te we~nt on, ~aying~" What ~s the reason you are always blushing and shying, at each other a~ you 'd'~? Where is the sense of it? I assure you, Blanche, that Ed- wai~d is not an ogre, tho, j~ he, i~. !'. And, ~Edwardtr Ireall~ beIie~te you think i~, Blanche is wo f~iry? You.; are both har~les~ human beings; formidable only to 9ach other. Now 'I have broken the ice for you, and do pray, like 'rat-knal creatures; shake hands and he friends as you oughi1;t~. I will leave you to ijiake acquaintan~~ at your, lei'sure.-" She suddenly ran aci:oss the ro~m, quick asthou'ght4, Qpened the door, Sprang through, shut azid locked it; iill before either Edward or Blanche had relaxed-one mu~c1e from the attitude& in which they h~d been l~t- ening to her. - The click of the lock broke the spell that was upon both, and Blanche was about to rise precipitate1~ from her seat, when she perceived that Edward was so in-i- mediately before her, almost touching her dress, that to pass huiii, wduld be impossible;' and he did not seem at all inclined to move. After starting forward, there- fore, she sank back again in her seat-an exy ressi~n of ihingled chagrin, wonder and distress on er fac~e. She was in despair, actually! What 'must Edward Think of her? That she had abetted Kate's plan for taking his acquaintance by ~torrn?' I~dw~ird on hi~ part had determined that the oppor- tunity should uot be lost; he resolved to speak. But while the words he would fain have uttered, died upon hi~ lips, a gay voice wa~ hear& without, and Fran1~, attempting to open rthc 'door, ceased huiiuming hiss favorite opera air to wonder what was the matter with it. He twisted, he turned, the bo t-'all to no purpose. "Why 'the dooi is locked !" he exclaiiiwd aloud-noticing that the key was not in it. At this exclamatioi~B1anche involuntary glanced up at Edward, ~ind the look sh~'inet in return did not tei-id to relieve her confusion. Eyes sometimes are very e1oqu~nt.-1.-and Edward's expressed~ plainly what his lips refused to speak: ii~tcrest--adrniration-loVe! She turned from him; pushed the' table hastily aside, and flew rather~ than glided across the rooms to an- other door, which led into an ante-chaniber. GrQat a~ was her haste, she open& it noi'slessly~ and closing ~it with equal caution, stood pale ahd trembhin~ be- side it for a moment or two, until she heard Frank, after divers excThmations of surprise, enter the room opposite the library-when she left her pThce of refuge, a / '4 .4 4 E 1111 E sTEP~~S1ST I'UX 75 page: 76-77[View Page 76-77] ~riP~ sPJ~p-sISmft. &r~d ran up stairs to -her own room Kate was there waiting for her. "Well!" cried she eagerly, as Blanche rushed in and Threw herself impulsively on a couch-.-" well! and how h~s my bold move. prospered? Have you ~,made friend~?" -"Oh no, no, no 1" ansWered Blanche. 'A thousand times worse than be~foi'e !" S~e covered her face ~With h~r -hands, to hide the crimson of her cheeks, as she remem1~red ~Edward's look, - and reflected that he &onld no~bvit be aware she ha4 seen and understood it. K.ate questiotLed; and with ~l~nche fol d~ her she and- ~ om~egentle reproach, Mward had - remained ~er~ fectly~ sPinned. and;silent iinti~ Frank came to the door; bow ~ho had. then sudd~nIyj'emer~ibered that there was another ~mode of egress, apd had availe4. herself of it on tbe instant. That was a11 - - "And n~ithe~' of you Sp9ke ?" asked Rate, in a tone of the greatest disap~oi~ti~ient. NQt.a s~lab~eA" Uspea~ to ~im.? just -laugh it off, * "Why~id you ~ot '~ b - andKso get rid 6f~ this foolish reserve ?" - "I to d you, its. Wa~ imp6ssitde j now it wiTh be a great - deal. m6r& enib~rrassin~ than ever," replied. Blanche dejectedly~ - - kat& tapped her, foot impatiently on the floor. Her philanthropic project had. pro~red ~ grand failure; and, as4n ~no~t cases where people meddle 'with affairs not concerning themselves, she h~a4' only done miS-' chicf. She begged flianehe's forgiveness, and easily obtained it--.but that 'did ii4t re~dytlie evil in tI~ 1~st~ ' - - 'p THB S~E~Z?*Si8T)~R. CHAPTER X. A WETTY~ LARCENY. * t t 4 - Blanche would have found it rather diffitidt to de- line her sentiments. on the occasion. - Sih~ ihought~~ was now ~ssur ed beyond a doubt of what sh&~ad~ - often suspected ~ef6re---that Edward's '~xt~r~,e ~ ness arose fr~n~-' the veryopp&it&6fa~ver~ioii. S~vei*l times had she 'see~n the' same glance ~direct~d .to4i~r' face;, but it-ha~~ always been very 4~1i~kl~ ~ithdr~i*~ as soon a's Edward thought himself .&b~t~1. 4b- ways until thyit morning-when she Was: xiacio~us that it was opejn.and unrestrai~d~' $ *o*i~r&d if her own counteiiaii~e ha4 ~b~e~v as e~pres~iv~.as his. Endless, indeed, were her 4emilation~ on Vh~ suect; but she always came back t& tbe sta~tin~g point-, "How dreadfullf ~*kv~ard it will be~ io xiie'et him at dinner!" - Sh~ was ~par.ed the trial. Edward '1i~d taken t~he ~ -and gone down to Ne# ~rIeans for a f~w'~ays, as he not infrequently did. No ~i~e re~ marked hi~ absence~as at all unus~al-and 'Kate an4 Blanche kept their ~~Wn counsel ~ t& what t~5~ pected to be The ~ause of ~t. A- sch&o1fri~nd of Katc'~ 'came -to. Hollywood that afternoon with so-pressing a request that - they' woukt return home iWith her and sPend some dais, tha-~ they willingly ac~epte4 the in~ vit~tion; considering it a 'fortunate occurrence thab they' could leave hoi~ie ju~t th~xi, and so' avoid seeing~ Edward immediately. They returned to find Edwarili gone-gone to Mexi- ~. In New qr1ean~ lie had met his former tutor, *ho as on his way to Hollywood to try and '~revaii on Edward to aeeompa~iy~hiiwon a geological tour through A page: 78-79[View Page 78-79] A ~AAA A ~ A A A ~ A A A A,' A.,, AAAA.~AA' .~ ~A~' A A A 'Al AAAA~AA A AA.. ~ A. Mexico, Nev Mexico, Ariz9nia and California. *. It w~s a design, which had long been entertained. by' Mr. Lysle, the tutor; . and Edward had always ~omjsed to b.c his companion on the journey. He esteemed it a pe~uliav chance, which thus offered itself, of escap.. ing from a life that was becoming. literally unbeara-' ,. and greatly as 'he disliked to pain his by leaving him, he did n'ot hesitae. a moment olving to go. So earnest were hi&enfreaties for lerville's consent to the plan~' that the latter snot withhold it-more parFicularly as this had - ~ for years, almost as favorite a scheme with Kd~rard as with Mr. Lysle. 4. '"And when do you purpose leaving? " 'he inquired. He ~ a little ~staitied and Mrs. Olerville not a little shocked, to hear '~iiat'they must~eaveHolI.ywoocI tl~at very night-in order 'to make a few necessary ar- rangements in New Orleans, an.d be in time for the 'boat which they wished 'to take from~' that port.' "Leave to-night !" AMrs. Cleiville' repeated, in ACOfl sternation. "Why, 'my, dear sir, that is absolutely impossibk. -For such a journey as this, considerable. prep aatioh will' be required-..to. say nothing of Ed- j~ard's leading us. so ~iddenly-. A fortnight, surely,' will make little difference in your arrangements. Do grant us '-this time in whiPi to- recoi*~ile ourselves to 'the, thought of parting with my son. My dear Ed- ward, you cannot think of going so soon ?" A -~d~v~'ard's . r~sMAition wavered one infantt~ as 'he g!~nced ~rom Mrs~ Clerville's face to"the a1~Xious. one of' his..fathei~ bu headwith' t only~forA'an instant. He shook his an 'attempt at ~sri~ile-saying that he could not think of detaining Mr.; 4sle; when, in tj7uth, there was no occasion for doing ' A "ILreally think, m~r d&, another, " he' continue~ ~t~iiat'~o ~hrupt a depnrti( ill lM~ Iec~5~ i~~i~~""~ ths~i. 0 g e'J *,44 THE ST}WSfSI~t~ h if I de~rVCd it for ~ I Wish very much to go, and my father always desired t~hat I shouid-b.Ut I an~ afraid that were I to go through the usual. process of preparatioll~ and think of parting from you all, my rc~olUtiO~~ might fail me" A "Perh~p5 you are right" said Mr. Clerville with forced che~rft11fless and We began todiscusS their ar- x3angenrentswhile his wife went to superintend the packing of Edward's trunks, and agreeiflgA with Lucy iw wishing that the tutor had so'i§tght a compaUiOTh elsewhere. M the hour of partir..g approached ,Eclward ~lt nerVOUS an~1 sick. 8is father and broth& Were to ac- company them to ~ew OrleanS~-SO tha~~he had no~y' but to take leave of Mrs. CiervillO and Lucy. lie 'wa~ spXrect the difficulty of saying good~b~ to Blanche; to avoid which, was his principal reason for depart-. ing so suddenly. For although he had told the truth in rcpresenting Mr. Lysle as exceedingly .aniioU5 to start ~ith~' it delay, he had forgotten ~to mention that he had nevertheless offered to wait a fortnight, or even mouthh' PA' Edwa~that the. latter might make any preparations We desired. The ~~rriagO2.yaS at 'the door to' convey theni to the landing; Frank and.. Mr. Lysle ~tandiug beside it waiting; Mr~ Olervitle ~was speaking to 'his ~ifc 'and Lucy; and. lEdward 'went tq the back hail to. see the servants 'of th~ househOldA who had assembled fher~ to tellAMaSS Ed.ward go~-bYC. ~' His se1f~c*OntrOl ~ab mast up~et by the sobs. of Mo 'if LettY' and his old nurse, he hurried up stairs for a moment, to regain, if possible', ~orne degree of composure, before atteiiipt' i~ng the final scene .~ith his mother' and ~iste~X He st9od within his own chamber, wud tried hard to ~wall0W the choking' ~ensatiOfl~ in his. throat. "It i~ useleSS to defer i~ longer," he mnrtflUr~ to him~lf. A~jA ii ) '0 A" - AA~.A .7 A 4 I page: 80-81[View Page 80-81] A * ~~ 24 ~ 4. 80 TIU~ 8TEPSS&ISTIJ~J~ 4, "The sooner it i~ over.~~-" he ran d&~~ ~tairn. Pass.. ing th~ 6pe~i door of the library, he yielded, almost against his will, to a ten~ptat~n that had been tor~ ~entiiigThm ever Since he had decided, the day be- fore, to go. He walked quickly into the room.....to a table~ on which 4~y a number of daguerreotype5...... s.~ized and Concealed in his bosom' one with which he was, secretly, vei'y familiar, and joining, Mr~. Clervil~~ ~nd Lucy a 1~oment afterwards, made his adieux to with more composure than he couhi, a moment before, have hoped to command. The little act. or t~1eUa which he had ju~;t indulged, had created a di.. version of thought,. Partly the excitement of the mere ~ct7 and p~.rtly the seif..congratula~jon at having oW.. tamed -the treasure he had tong coveted , abstra4ed hi~ thoug~~t~ f~v*rn the pain of .le4Ve4aking. "Po not for~~~ to tell Kate and......and Blanche good.. ~ye for me," h~ s~id. ~~:j a seeing them." in very sorry I n~isse~j What effort it~ cost him to utter that little Sentence, no one cc;riceived, U1{APTJ~ xl, * CO M F OIL~ABLE RR FL EC T1O.~,' 4~nd so Kate and Blanche returned ~o- find ~dward and Frank both cone. The Jes~eI in which they had taken Passage t5 Vera Oruz iid not sail at the tii~e they e~p~cted, and Mr. Oleryille returned h6ine, Prank rPmainingto see his brother~ off. lnstga4 of bhshing ~ ~o gen~ra1my did, ~lanebe turned pale when sIi~ he&~t~d of ~dW~rd's -.departui'e;' but as her face .-Was ~on~led ~y her ve"4at .th~ fime, no &ne uotice~j it. "l~ow lrni~ily 5 1" ~ai4 lCate that ~ 0~' 4 V 2 I "When will fr~k be back ?-Ta~ d hoW long i~ Ed.~ ward going to stay in Mexico, papa ? "Frank will b& back nex.t week, I suppose. 1ff. I~dward's health 'continues - good, he will be gone a year or two I think." Kate sighed, and looked towards Bknche, who wa~ bending.over a book so that her face was completely.. 8haded' by her long curls. Dull ,and depressed, the family party separated much earlier than usual that night. "I do wish Edward had not gone on this ge~logic~l tour that lie has' bean talking abdut so long," said~ Kate; a~ she sto6d. before' the toilette-table cprnbing ~ut her hair. "It is a' perfect wild g.oose~ ch~se, it~ se~ms to me, to be raAging about in Mexico, an~ those territories, after. 'scientific inforiiiation' forsootht! edward is t~ot a very so6i4 peisou, certainly-andwe. never had muth oi' his corn pany whewhe ~asat home- but still I feel uncomfortable& at his being away ; and I l~now Papahate's it teri'ibly." * Blanche did not answer, and turning., Kate saw that.sh~ h~d l~a~ed her face down on the table, and was sobbing~ almost convulsively. "What is the matter? Do t'elline what ails you, darling ?" cr~d Kate, springing to hey side, and try- ing to rai~e her had. ~' - . "I know, Kate~ that y:our brother.just4eft home to avoid me. flow unfortunate I am to be the uninten- tional cause of banishing him ?" "Left home-to avoid you! What an idea? Why, he an4 Mr.'Lysle have been speaking of tl~s for years. .1 do assure you that Edward has been wild to go ever since the scheme, was first started-~and never. reste4 till Papa cousenlAd for him to accompany his tutOr., Now do let me see you smile again 1" Blanche's bright red lips p~ted in afMnt smile and 4.')'"4 4' 4 '1' '.4', 44444 4' TI1~ 8TEi~-SiLbTEiX. ,81 4I~ '44') B 44 44 4 4) 9 page: 82-83[View Page 82-83] 1' A ~~'J - - ,-.v' .. 8Z THIS 5 Kate went .to bed satisfied ; nor did she~ long stay awake to lament her brother' s absence. Her soft, regular breathing'soon told Blanche that she slept; but it was in vain Blanche shut her eyes: and tried to- emulate so good an example. Despite every effort of '~resistance, she could not but d~elI on the thought of *Edward's departure. She was not in love with him, assuredlyj she did not even like him,, she believed;. but she was very conscious of an interest regarding him that might easily have glided into' liking.-per- haps love. His face haunted her as no other face had; and that the tones of his voicewere pleasant to her ear, -she needed no better eVidence ,th~n that of the quick- cued puls~tion they had latterlyA'ailed notto produce. And then only twq -day~ before, she believed itc~r- tam that he lOved her! Beforethat she had struggled against indulging a single thought of him; but there was something very captivating in the i.4ea of, li-is Si- lent devotion. She had been mistaken~ of course- and she upbraided herself bitterly for the vanity ~y whIch she had been misle~d. She must banish all re~ collection. of him fron& her mind ;~ fortunately, his image had not yet taken possession of h~r heart, ~ thought. He was gone-.-and there was an end of the little romance she had half uncons.cious~1y cjierished'. She ~congratulated herself that she would have no embarrassing meeting to dread on to-morrow, or to- morrow, or to-morrow:; at which comfortable reflec-. non she wept heartily; and finally went.to sleep, after wishj ng 'for the first time that her mother had not married-and that sh~ had never: seen Edward Cier- vilfe. The next morning, she awoke 'with a severe head- ache 'and sore-throat 4he consequences of a cold she * had taken the day befo~x' ~3he wa~ not s6rryto havc so goad a~n excnse as these bodily ailments t~ffordcd, 88 S ~ $ r for the pale cheek~ and languid eyes that excited so much comment at the breakfast-table. Mrs. Cler- yiil~-~h0 had a great horror of a sore-throat--p1~e- scribed codling and quiet;* and insisted &n her re- turning there for the 4day. The next morning,~ at the breakfast table, her pale cheeks and languid eyes 'excited so much comment: 'that she owned she had'taken a slight cold, and was ~t very well. Codling and quiet were prescribed by Mrs. Clerville, who' insisted 'oii her returning to her room, and remaining there 'for the day. fr"Yes~ Mamma, P11 go directly," said she. But I want to ~et a book out of the library~first, so that Kate can read to me." - "Let ~no go for it," said Lucy. "What shall T get? What do you want to hear?"~ Anything amusing. Let me seo "-and she fol- lowed Lucy into~ tjie library~" I think I -Would. like one of ~hakspeaie's plays. But not a tragedy. Let me. see !" she repeated. "Tdrhing~the Shrew ?-no; that i~ so c6~rse! Comedy ~f Errors ?-that is so ri- dicul~us, I should laugh so much, and make my head ache' more than it do~s now. I always liked Thick AdoAboutNotking. G~t that, dear Lucy." "~llere it i's,'? said Kate, while Lucy was looking on another shelf and Blan6he had been leaning careless- ly against 'a table. "Coi~e on, 110W ;" and 'they all three. went-Blanche h~ v\ng ascertained what she wanted to know-i. e., whether Edwai:d had taken off4 hete likeness. It was not on the table with the others, ~ and she had little doiibt~ but that it was in Edward's possession. 11cr curiosity satisfied In this 'matter, she~ swallowed with very 'dutiful submission the potion with which her mother was awaiting her in her own room-(the identical preparation, by the way, which 1~dward h~wl taken ~o vehwtmtly ~ few *d~v~ 1wfot~: 1~'~ it; C" ~ 41 ~ 1~ ~ 'jIJ~ 4 ~i4 "4 9 page: 84-85[View Page 84-85] 9 84 1 E 8TflThSIST Eli. itwas Mrs. Clerville's specific fora cold!) put her feet into hot water~, and wentto bed afterwards, as directed. Her mother having suP'erinteiided the affair' to that point, kissed her and Lucy and Kate, and left the room. Kate reclined oii th9 'bed by her, and Lucy, seating herself on the 6t.her, side, read, in her soft and peculiarly pleasant voice, the quarrels and quips of Benedick and Beatrice, totally uiPSonscious how Blanche ~was a~pp1ying the story, the while. And yet, as ~Ianche~ ~id toherseif; no two people could be more utterly unlike than Benedick and Edward, or Beatriee and~ hei~elt Still, there was something ab~ut the story that made her apply it tob heP own VaSe-and it ~eased her for the time. ' She awoke the next morning amazed ~rt herself fdr indulging. what seemed to her now, so indelicate an interest about Edward. ' She was glad he was 'gone-. she really was. ~o she said to herself. And perhaps she was not sorry-now thaC the first shock of the idea waso ver. The 'test of love' is absence, it has been said, which cures a false, but confirms a real. pas.~ 81011. Blanche's-judged by this tesi -#as not real. Edivar~ would n~t have been uttered, though neither wouM he have been surprised, could he 'hive seei her sunny face., unclouded by a single thought ~f hiur. Some 4ays afterwards Lucy made the discovery that the likeness was missing. . What could have b~corne ~t it, she asked. Blanche~ *as, of course, unable to. form. a conjecture ' while Kate instantly accused a certain Mr. Nolile-a pro~'essed admirer of 8l~nche's- of the petty larceny. - * "Aboniint~ble that he should venture to 'do such & thing!" she. 'cried indignafatly, the ii~eiess having been h er property. "1 believe I will 'ask hint I'or it. know, manche, by your blushing so, that you sure as I am that h9 took it." TIlE t$~EP$lsTh!~ '85 Blanehe protested her ~belief in hi~ innocence, and. her' ivQflder as to wht couI~1havc' taken so worthless a thing. But the odium of the theft c~rtain1y rested on the head. of the innocent Mr. Noble. CHAPTER XII. A~N EXPLANATION' ' 9. There is nothing more effe~tn~i. in taking an un- pleasant idea out of the 'mind~ than ..the huriy and bustJe of travelling, and~ of pressing engagements. During their run down, the river, a;nd for several days after reaching New Od[eans, EdWard was s~ husib occupied in attending to various indi4ens~ble ar- rangemefl4s, that he had little time for solitaryy thought. Blanche's image was not 'dislodged from his he~d~, but he was prevented by these. outside in~uenceS from paying his u$~ual devotions to it. But h'is arrange- ments corn attention no longer absorbed by them-his spirit sank at the remembrance of her bright face) and the thought of the~ length of time which must elapse ere he should see it again. And would it be the same t5 him tl~t it was 'even now.? or-he looked up at' Frank, ~ho was writing a letter.. Edward hjuiselt h&d. been arranging ' some trinkets which he in't~nded ~s parthig ~gntS to his mother and sisV~r& "'I dare say,' Frank he 8nddenly remarked, "that YOU will be niarried before I return. '~ "1t is not iinp'o~sib1e," answered his brother, puff- ing away at his cigar,' and writing ~n. Do y~u think then,"' pursued Edward With some hesitation, "that I should be taking too great a liberty 9 4 in sending this V e page: 86-87[View Page 86-87] ,r j f - ~ ___________________ 86 TI1~ 8TJWS1~TEI~ He put into his brothers. hand a package which was addressed-" For my sister's bucy, [Wariche and Kate." ' Taking too great a liberty !" repeated Frank; and he looked up in surprise; "You know I iiever e~chafiged haifa dozen words with-Miss Ormond, and she might think it an i-mper-. tinence in um to offer her a present. But I did not like to omit her in sending tomy sisters." " FiddIe~ticks'!" said. Frank, 'impatiently. "An impertinence, inde~l! Why you forget the connec- tion between us. She neverhesi~,tes more than Lucy or Kate does, in taking anything I offer her. "You! oh, that is different;" "0 nly differenj~beca~se you have chosen to make your manner to hey." He- opened the: pack- age and ~began to examine' the, contents. Edward stood behind him, looking over his shoulder. * "Tlwse pearls," Edward obser~d, "ar& for tucv~-~. This bracelet' and arrow f~or Kate~ These "-he took up a bracelet of ruby ~nd emerald, and ~ diamond cross-" perhaps you had better give them-to her." " To ker' s4icl Frank, laughing; "and wh'Q is that? your phraseology is quite loyer-l'ike,' I protest. Good Heavens, n4 dear fellow," h~ added seriously, "give over this nonsense -ab~ut Blanche! It is t66 ridiculous for a sensible man to indulgejn." - "What do you mean~" asked Edwar~i,:falteringly-.--. f&unin~ first red and tA~efl pale-4br' he thought that 1~'raAk had penetrated 'his secret and \yas' laughing at it." - Why. I mean that your reserve and - cqldness- to our rn~thei"s daughter is not only ab~sur4, but discourteous and ~ungenerous. Forgive such plain words; 1~uAt!t is true." " True ! iih~~p~ it i~" said 1~dwnrcl. ruefully I 0 -A 4' TUE 8TI~P-~1~iTER. I But - rue, how am ~ ose are harsh words, too! if it is t to help it '~ I assure you I ha-v.e tried; but I never ~ould speak to her, and she never would sjeakto me.' "You cei'tainly did i~ ot expect her to make the ad~ dances that should have come from you 'I" "N-~--o. That is, a woman can always find a way to do a thip.g if she wishes to do it. And I-she might have seen and known that my resei~ve arose from the confounded mauvais honte with which I am cursed." Frank turned ~round on his chair and looked at his brother. "Was tjjis really the cause of itEd- ward? and this alone ?" he~ asked. Wi~ywhat else could it be? What did ~ou ttih~k it was "I never~could understand the reason of it. But I am very sorry I did not know sooner that it was only difflden~e. I am sure- I could have persuaded- Blanche to hold out the golden sceptre of- ease to you. Why did you not tell me ?" "I thought the fa~t xvas sufticiei'~ly obvious for you or any one else to see," answered Edward; "andbe- sides-" he was, on the point of telling his brother all-Jais love-infatuation, as he honestly considered it; but the sudden recollection that it was his rival as wdl as~ brothci~ to whom he spoke, and the. reflec- tion of the pain it would be to Frank to hear it, sealed his lips. lie concluded' the sentence in another way. "Besidqs, I doubt if you would fiave been more suc~ cessfu~l than' Kate was,' who attempted the same thing." Frank again glanced up with surprise' and curiosi- ty-and Edward, who found a singular ~ in, for the first time, talking of Blanche, described the scene in The library with consider~J~Ie comic humor. It is true that in his recital he translated the abashed timidity of Blanche int~ haughtiness, and his QWfl rather bold resolution, to craven fear. Frank laughed -I I -1~~ F, p 4" page: 88-89[View Page 88-89] -~ It - 1~ IA 88 T1i1~ STh -EIbTI!~k. heai'tily, and declared he would have given his favorite horse, Tipton, to have witnessed the scene. "86 yoiVsee,"' oi~servec1 FAward, in conclusion "that it is quite impossible to establish anything like ease or unreserve between Miss Or "Why don't you call her Blanche 'P' intermipted Frank, impatiently. "Welk.4~etween~.DIal~che and myself. Now do you think IL 6ught to dff'er her1 those ?"---'he pointed to the jeweIs~" or will you just take 4he whole of them. and present them yourself, sayfi~ that I commissioned you to g~t some $ou~'enir8 -for my-sisters?" "No,'~tanswered Frank.; '~ that would do so far as Lucy ~d Kate are concerned, bu~ i~ould be scarcely r-espectful to Blanche, considering~ how formally you have, treated her. You must write a note." "I write to her !'~ said Edward, aghast. "Why she would think I had host my sensc~! Impossible! '?re~. p~ste~ou~ U' lie turned from.~ table, sayirig~-~- C~ You, will have to manage the. ~I ~ in the best way you can, Frank. Iake wjiat m~a-~e ~r: excuses for * me' you think fit. I must go Qut now and have some likeaes~es taken for myniother and Lucy, What sort was IL they1 wanted? Let me see "---i~e Look ou't his- note b6ok~~cc Oh. ivorytypes. Are you coming 'with " If y~u will wait until I finish this letter,~" A 1 A ChAPTER XLII.- - A ~IG~1~UMXAGJ~ Frank's reception, when be made his appeara,~ee ~t again, was warm enough to satisfy the Xnost~e~ - "K K- 4) 4 89 acting of men, lie was kissed~afl4 petted to his heart's eonteflt. "And Edward'? hq~v did you leave Edwa~l'? Was he in go~d health and spidts ?-aud did he sail at the time expected'?" they all asked-all but Blanche. "Yes, ~e sailed the-day before I left the. city. lie must be about -the mjddl~ of the- Gulf by this time. I had ~almost determined once -to go with him-I dis- liked so to -say good-bye. But I thought it would be too heart~breakiflg. to you all to lose both of us at once-and so gave up.the idea." "Oh, we could not live without you," said Kate. "Could we, Blanche '?"' " N~i indeed2'. was the reply. "~Ye should pine - sway- and die of grief in less -than a month if y ou ran offandleftus." '. - "1 have some sQuve7urs which Edwaid sent to y~U, ladies," said.Frank, as they -rose from the t~a-table for he had arrived just in ti-me~- to join them as they sat dQwn.- ~' Have my trunks been taken P~ niy room yet, ~hn 3" - "Yes sir; thee were carried up immediately," an- swered the servant to whoxwhe.SPOke. . - - - "Blanche! Kate! don't yrnl .~anb a i~ummage '~ I do not presume to ask my moth- or even Lue~, to * engage in so undignified an. amusement. You shall bring them the spoils." - * Mrs. Cleryille and Lucy smiled,, as the two girI~ went dancing outf the ro~m~f6liOWed by Franl~.- He unlocked one - ~f the tr~inks, and Kate lifting the lid of the tray, she and Blanche sat- dpwn on the floor beside. it - ~nd con~imenced the process of. sacking; - chattering- fast and gayly all thor time to Frank, who - drew up a chair, seated- himself thereon, and held the light for them.. Kate. with feminine instinct, took: up the package containing the casket of jewels, -and- bew page: 90-91[View Page 90-91] TuB 8T~P-SISTl~U. i - ' ' - gan untying it-While I~1anche, equally attracted- by some large daguerreotype cases, opened' the first one she-pie~d up. She- started back-4lushiug deeply. Well," said Frank, who waslooking at her, "what is the matter? w~hy do you blush so ?" He 'laughed. 'I was disappointed,' answered ~he, smiting. ~ expected to see the likeness of yourself which you Promised me.' She shut-the one she held so quickly,~ that it might have seemed ~she apprehended its hurt~ rng her in some way. 'What is it?' inqu:ired7 Kate-, who: had been busy' wit-h a-n obstinate knot.' -- 'Lend m~ your knife, Frank to cut- this! Oh, Blanche, do see!' she exclaimed the next moment; as -she at last ~pened 0-ne--casket after the oth~rand displayed the jewels. 'Are' the not beautiful?' ''She pushed up the open lace Sleeye which Blanche wore,~an4 clasped all three bra*,elets on tife fair rounded arm.. 'Did you say' Edwai~d sent them, Frank?' 'Yes-he selected thepi himseP~; to 'suit your -dif- ferent styles of beauty, I suppose.- The s~t of pearls is for IAtcy-this compound ~of ~meialds and rubies for -Bianca la belle, and- the ruby bracelet for you, Petling. Thi~, is yours, t~o"-he took up a diamond arrow. 'I' thiiik- Edward said it would look well in % your dark hair; and-' he -clasped ai'ound the~hroat of Blanche a Venitian an elegant dia - chain~. to which was aPpended h&was -think- Here is - ' something for my in6ther. There- is a note with -it.' fl~oks for Mr.:- Clerville~trli~kets and etceteras that Frank himself ha& chosen--.-and~soi~e -keep..sakes s~nt - by Edward to the servant~; filled~np th&trunk. - Rate rummaged over everything witfr the delight of a child. - Thtt RI~nehe did notenjoy it so miwh. - She hadtake~ - 91) 90 off the bracelet and chain, and held them liesitatiligly in her hand. 4 You mu~t take lhese, Kate,' she,~aid at last', laugh- ingly. i V6u know II cannot keep them, though I am extremely obliged to-' 'You dQn't surely ~mean that you are -going to *rc. fiise to keep them?' ~aid Kate with a blank look. 'NoW~, Katinka, darling, you know I mu~t?' You know very well that I could not think of' accepting them! I am sure you do noV think/AL ought, Frank?' *~ But I do, though 1' replied he, laughing. 4 Owne~ Blanche, because -Edward was too diffident to: speak to you ever; #hy were you~sO cruel as- never to~ give him one word or smile of . encouragement'? It was not like yourself to act SQ haughtily as he says y~u ~id thaL morning in the library ~ 'The library! how did you kfiow about that '?' ex- claimed both the girls in one breath., 'Edwar'1 gave me a most amusing 1descriptiOll. of it-though he said it Was far from being amusing. to' him at the time~; and. that you, Kate, deserve to b~- condemned to a month's silence f~r perpetrating so alarming a jest, on such a diffident man as l~imseW.-' 'I act haughtily I' cried.Blaflche, in a tone of laugh- ing vexation. 'Now that is too bad, I declare t How could h& have- thought so? But you don't really think I was to blame, do you?-I mean that my man- ner w~s the gause of Mr. Glerville's -- 'Mi'. Oiervilie,5 t' repeated Frand. 'It is '.' Miss -Or- moud," and. "Mr. ~lerVil~e," alw~y$, with Vhs 'cere-~ moniollS young- lady~ awl gentleman.' Well, yo~u are both incor~ogible! I give you up.. 'But -I should be- s6 sorry, s@id Blanche, almost crying with- vexation, 'if I thought it was my fanlt.' - I never liked to make any advances to him, becSuS'e~ I supposed he disliked i~e-bUt if he rn1y- avoided me I 1~1 4 -1 1~ *':~~-i~ A V I * I page: 92-93[View Page 92-93] i ~ '~ ~ ~ ;~ -~ '~' 9' 2.~ ~ A~?$ from diffidence~ You see,' she added~ turning to ~ Frank, 'his manner was so different to yours, that I was sure he did not. like me-and you know I could not force myselfon hi~ attention.' Oh pshaw!' cried Kate..-' do forge~ all 4gbout it ndw. We have been worried~ euoi~igh ,already on the' subject; ~nd you were no more to blame, B1ai~che, than Glenco was. I wonder at your saying so, even in jest, Frank! Edward i~ certainly the strangest person I eye~ saw in my life; And so he told you m $gfllaneh&and himself into the library? ~id7lie say. ~boift Blanche? Somehow I never 2 sh~oii d have thought he would tell any ~ne of it." 'He said. he was so frightened~ at first, wh&n he K~ found himself alone and face to face with ".Mi~s ~Or~ L~ ruond," 'that his first impulse was to v~mish out of ? the wi udow, which was fortunately e~en; but the next fustant he concluded that now was' the time tcy hreak t1~rough the restraint that had tormented him ~o 1~ng, and he resoJv~d to speak. But he could'not ~hink of the right thing to say, in the first place; and, : secondly, lie felt a decided sensation of choking ~t every attempt to articulp~te. His- situatior, be said, i'cminded him a country exactly of a story he had read once of V magistrate suddenly called 'upon marry a 'couple, havir~g to trust to 'his m~niory for the formula ~vhich he ~tsual1y ~read out of a book. ,The puzzled Squire coughed and cleared his Throat, nud cleared- his throat and coughed again~---while the company, and the ~rty theinselvesj stood e~e4ant~- a~d finally began, 'first the turial of the dead, then the preamble of a .will, and so - on thi~ough a-w~ok paragraph of blunders,- ttintil -~ he'~ fiuali~' stumlAed by. accident upon u~arriage '~ ceremony,. ~V-h~n ~iis ~~bI~rflderiu~nt va444~4,. a~d 'lie wen~tp tht~i~lv~ re~uwinder of The geivke*witlieut diff&ltv. iBu~ 4, 9 4 page: 94-95[View Page 94-95] '4- - 4 4~f '~,4K'4-4 ~ 4 *'~ 4 K" ~ K "'~4~ '~ 4 ~-A' I 4" AIX 91 THE' IJ~D-$1~TE1t, 'BuL why need he know anything about it? Frank clan tell him, when he writes next,. that' I tI~ink the bracelet. and ~ross beautiful, and thi~t I thanJ~ him for his courteouss. attention'; and he need not know but that I kept them.' '.But, whether be knows it 0l~ not, ~tsk Mamma, and see if she don't say you might to keep them.' 'Do don't say ai~ything about it! Pray do not, Katydid!' 'iYot~ are a4illful witch!' said Kate:' Edwar4's' offerings reposed untouched in their caskets, in a drawer of Blanche'~ toilette tahle Kate absolutely refusing to take them. 9" - CJIAPTERXIV. A FA.L$I~ ~AI.ARM. Aud I~d~waA?. How did he succeed in the Jaud- able resolution. made when'he decided to accon~ip~ny Mr. Lysle, that h~ would leave his love for Elandie' behjnd'.him?~ His consistency was 'as rernarka1~le In. ~is as it was ~in his having fallen in love 'pith 'her,, at first sight, after being so apprehensive of 'the 4dis~ord which her presence was'~to introduce into 'h~s family circle. ' Oh. yes, ~hQ would certainly cast~ 6ff the foolish ~rntiment w which he b*i~d~. been ~ sorely worried. At home, we.~~aw her~ every day, a~id ~was, he4des,~with.. ~tut a'ay regular occupation .of mind,' it~as. rather a difficult matter to control his tIx~ughts. 1~ut'Witl~ all. the. diversity whiih hi~ ~res~nt life ~ouid~'aff~rd, what co-uldbemo~eeasy? ' ' A~' ' ' ' He. wisely,..t~b~fo~e, in,, view of his' 5tQi~t'restl- 'tiOn, appropriated liar lil~e%8;~and~rud~utly ~4se4 9 TUE ~TEP-~ A 41 f-I 9 95 ~1STBP.. 4 '44,, ' ' A I upon it' for hours every day. But that was only dm~ rir~g .hi~ voyager he 'said to his conscience when a smart twinge remonstrated ~jth him on the subject. A sea voyage is alway~ dull to one whose ~iabitS are as unsocial as 1~dward'S were.. Books inevitably lose their' charm if they are' taken per force, t~nd merely'. to paSS' away time. While he was a prisoner on th~e deeP, he ~~iPd gtant himself the only amusement that pleased him. Shut uA.p in his state room, or alone upon, the, deck, he was very constant in his de~ votiollS to the bit~Of polished metal ou'~hi~h the sun had painted& the face of Bianca. Ia belle Habit is a wonderful thi~ig. Ed~ard having the habit 'of looking at the ~counterfeit preseflt~'ent '~ of Blanche, and thinking 00~tintiallyof her' during his. voyage was rather surprised t1~at he could not imme- diately drop' the habit, when, 0n4~n'difl'g, he ~o longer needed oc'eup~tiOfl and amuselilent. He pusheded" and "'p~haWed" at his ~~'conf~iifld~d .folly"-7bUt finding the effort to overcOme this folly Vain, quietly resigned' himself t~ its ~ him- self with thinking 'that 'when he heard of her mar- riage, he ~~tild rub ,out the daguerreotype, and strangle his .love for her. ~3ome months afterwards he thon~ht the time had .come to him t6 fulfil that inagnanftflous determifla~on, whe~r, on opening the package of letters and papers brought to him b~ his servailt one morning1 he w~s startled by the sight 6f a 5j~vel~edged envelope, with M'e custArnial y seal of clasped ~nds. The address was Frank's writing. At first 'he. could not open either it or tlw letters that would give the partiCuI8~r3 of the affair. He sat looking at tkexn~ diinib' and ho~pelesa, for genie min~ateS. Whe~Ai~ did Vake~ "up one at 1&st1 it' was the bri4al mi~~1ve. lie might as nell know tlw ~~~~t: at~ once. W~t7h a sort of i~ndig~ i 44.4 4-A page: 96-97[View Page 96-97] A nit ~sEx~s'~n~ 0 nant spite, he~ tore the, eia~p'ed hands apart in opeiP1 ix~'g the envelope, and"took out the enclosure. ' There were three car~s,~ the largest of which deeply 'bor- dered'w~h '~ilverhe raised' with trenrbling fingers. 'Mr. aud~Mrs.' Clerville at home,' etc.,-.-when? the * fifth of next' month.' S1ox~rly he picked up th& other cards; which were held together 'by a. dainty silver crn~d. ' His' eye fell reluctantly on the lady'~ I~ame~L "Ths~ Glervill2 Good heavens! it was nbt BfaThhe,. ~4ter all. How could' 'he 'have forgotten Lucy's~ mar- riage? He hr~w himself back in his chairwith. the air~ of a man w1~ had been' on the eve 'of' dtown ink, and who :had gi~asped a rop~ just in time' to save p CHAPTER XV. ' TH~P1W~OI~LEQP COUNTER 1R~ITATIOI~. Everything 'went' on~at' Hollywood just as usual 'for seVeral months, intil. Thicy's wedding~ day' 'ap- proached. A family eou~ricil ~was held.tb decide the question ~f what sort ~of a .wedding it should be'. Kate opened the busineSs 'of the meeting. 'She was of opinion, that as ?he' first break-up iii a farrfily is ~ very sad affair to all except the jarty pr~n~ci~ally' cone. cerned, the 'best that eau~ be done'. is to make atl l~as~ * a pretexice of considering~ it" a pleasant ~iid. ~iirthfn~ occasion-. she' declared,~ besides, That ~1w.kne~ if' f~ was' a~o1emn ~riv~ate ,hia~riage, shewo'uld indtrbitalNl~r take ~byst~ricsand. haye a regular Sc~ent~; ~ott~nt~ ly, ~d~'t'h~.tit be as~y a W~dd~n~ ~ 'Ba~iiehe se~oiid&t IKate~ ~u~otTh~i; an~ ~ra'nk wits ~ tke~y ~f2 their 'muds on the.~iWject~? Mr8. Cletviile uUest~dtlrat iuoy' am~ ~re~d ~ ~ '~r~~& .9 al0 A 1% V, ' ~. .2 I' I I 4 [I' - - - - a . r . a e - - n -1, b i , , . - - . ' ' . -- * - persons to pr9npuuce in thejiiatter, and she appea~1~ to them to speak. It was 'a matter of perfect ihdif- ference to Mr. Deville whether he wa~s~married before five, or five hundred people. He referi~ed the decision entirely to Li~tcy~. Lucy rather.. preferred~ quiet~--. her'e she yv~a~ interrupted, by' Kate, ~who sudckiily burst into tears, an4 threw ,her arms aroirnd her sis- ter, exclaiming, '.' Lucy, dear, I can't give you ~tp quietly-and so I want a gay wedding for 'the same reason that the Hi ndoos raise a loud noise at a suttee -t6; drown 'the cries of the victim; I, be it under- stood, being the victim in the, present case, not' you. But, after a1l,~ she cr~d, the next moment, before any one else could speak, "after all, it is dreadfully selfish in me to think only of my wishes, when you are the one to, be consulted! It must be private and quiet, then; and ,I really will tr?,' to behave properly, and not 'cry.. Blanche, yo~i will h~we. to pinch me all the time. I heard Dr. E~dridge explaining the use of counter-irritants to mamma yest&rd~~y,', and I will take a hint from it., When you see m0 in danger of bursting into tears, you n~iu~t administer an excruciat- ing pinch, and it wifl relieve, the pain in~ my~' heart by attracting my attention to the pain in my arm.' 'But lean iiot,' said Blanehe, 'becaWie I shall need pinching, too,' Katinka.' . 'J~ist. delegate the duty to~ me,' stud Frank; ~' I will 8tand between yoiiand:l promise,' if th6re be any'~ virtue in the countei'-irritont pri~icip1e, so applied, Lucy shall not be droWned in your floods ~f' tears. But' here Lucy herself interfere~ remarking th~t ~n consideration she believed large. weddings were the best; a~ marriage being an affair that ~ughi~ to be solemnized with some pompA and circu~t&uee.~ So a;brilli&nt wed4ingjt was; witW the us~ con- ~O~itant~. of bridal White silks ftnd ~atrns ~hseure'V 'I~' " -' Tfl1~ 8TEP-SIST1~R. page: 98-99[View Page 98-99] p 'A-' 7 .0" .~ ~K~0J, '~S 'PA' ~'A TIE ST-St8T~R K in c1oud~' of illusion, orange blGssom$, bridesmaids aud'breakfa'st; Kate dreaded it. extremely; fearing ~'in earnest, that she might take a fit. of hystericut.l we privately engaged.Frank' to e~p1oy. ~i~c" ng remedy if he saw it needed.' ~But,~by the , . dness of fate,, and the assiduities 'of'the. handsome grooiii~man, 'who was her joint attendant, the occa. ~ion passed without the' discord of tears. Sb even' nianaged t~ take leave -of her sister afterwards ~with~ out any oYerpowering demonstrations. But when Lucy was 'really gone, Kate's spirits quite ~gave' way. 'She ran up to 'her own room 'f'oliowed by Blanche; and when Frank returned fr~n the landing to which he had. omp'an~P~d the newly' married pair, he found them both fairly sobbing.' 'Monstrous!' he cri~d, Pausing on the threshold, E .~nd Iiftin~ J~eth hands.' 'Now for the pinching!' he '~ontiuii.ed, ady~neing to~a~ds them;' 'or shall I join. yo~ dolorot*s mood?.' ' '. ' He flourished his po'eket-handkerchief so effectively * that Kate 'and 'Blanche were g6ou laughing merrily, and he took care to prevent theirrelapsing ~ck into the vapors, He rehearsed to them the speech which he ought to 'have .rna4e at the breakfast that morning; related variAs amusing ineid~nts which. had es- e~ped their notice; but not 'his; and fin~1ly,'having restored their us ual~ cheerfulness started~ up and Said: ""I' 'Now,?1~etites, you are good children, and deserve tp be ;enxemb~re& 'f9r it. 'Get rid of this wedding togge~y, wa8h your fae~es, which are' still a littlee '0wolleu, ~ut oii your hat~1 auid come with something, to show you.' me, I. have Having' followed his advke; they joizied h5~J~ the * hail ~JOIQW, a~dhe ledthe'~way t~6 the ri~r. Th~ lit' tie islatid to- which they' had made sq venturesome '~ ""'A. ' - "-'A" "''I' "'A" ''A d t voyage in 'the fall was no# ~h its spring dress, and one bower of loveliest verdure. .' Where are you going?' asked Blanche, ~as Frank took the path leading directly~to the place from which haul, launched their boat. they will see in momentt' he answered, walking 4ui~kly~on '~1Iere,'. he'said, as~they reach ed the river side, and he. pointed.to a beauti~l~iit~9'~il boat that was fastened to .the stake, 'here i~~resent for you. I had. this little craft built for you, on condition you never venture into. it alone.' ow prot~yi bow' beautiful!' they exclaimed. Really you are a' dear creature 1'' 'said Blanche.. 'That you are!' added Kate. 'Much obliged for your good opinions,' he said, laughing. 2 You have not asked what the Aname of the boat is. Don't you think' it deserves a name?' 'Certainly' it does., It is a perfect beauty~ What is ~he n~me? Frank pointed to the white pennon on the slender which floated out .at the moment as if to give, them an opportunity of reading it. 'Tm~. Ei~w~n,' said sate, laughing. as 8he read it. Blanche. bh~hed, ,.of couAe and said notlilng. 'It is a 8QUwrnr:of your wild adventure. Butenter~!' I have improvised ~ picnic just for ourselves.? ey gained the shore of the island ,:thls timb with'~ oat such tiring toil as, before, and found ~the place iii. fete dress for their reception; the vines and shrubs trimmed into tasteful and convenient form-eushioned' seat~-and an elegant coilati9ri, as the .newspa~er~ call such things~spread te~pting1y 6n a table iinde~r' 'Surely the f44~ have been here providing -foi~ 99 A page: 100-101[View Page 100-101] * flt~: ST~P~$i$TJ~l1. kt~#w y~u must be hungry1 foz 1 can certit~ that ii~4ther~ofyou-havei~aten to-dJa~y, and I doiiotbelieve yeii ~e'~ftflythhLg yesterday. If told Mom Letty to s~n4 .u~. over ~a luncheon, ~and it almost consoled her7 ~t tl~e moment, for 'Lttcy's going away. You must de jiiMiee to her guage '&f pur appetites. She Will be &~~~ely~ distge~sed otherwise.' - Kate and Blanche acknowledged that they wqrc h~tng~'y~ since their walk, bi4 p~teste'd against being ~u4ernned to fulfil Mom' Letty's expectations in the w~y ~f appetite. 'I wonder she, Aid iiot kill u~, trying to make u~ eat so much? when we were children,' said Kate~ 'OnWs8e, now, h~re is eu~ough~ for a dozen or two pe~pi~ 4ii4. wl~t wbeterogeneous. collectioWof edibles~' ~M4Dian~e~ 'Bu{ how thoughtful she was t: Every~~ *I4ng ~that Aeknows eitl~er of us like; an~yofrder comes bne of ~your brownies, Frank, with something eke.' - Thay looked around, and saw"Frank's ~ervaut cros ~ i~4& the isla~id in. & ~noe that lo~k~1 very like thei? ~aeqnaintanee; He brought ~ further addi. thmn4o the repast. Now, Robert;,' said Kate,' mind you don't take ~t si~g4~ ~ii~ of' these, things back; And be sure and ~fl)lIotnL~tty that they~ were eaten, tip; every bit. ~f y~i et~n~t miumage it yourself; ~ct some 6ftl~e other servants to help y~&u.' (Y#~ ~.fli;'replied l~obert, ~tni$lirig, 'and Mom l.etty ~ay2y~k amid ~flss BThnclie roust' be sure and make ~. g~o4 dinner; how' she's afraid you'll ~arve yGurs~lv~ si~k.~ .. ~No j~re Wont,' ~aid Bjan~h& "Tell - her we ar~ v~ bu~gry, and ~are going~ t~ ~ -tall th~ iee~ things s~e sent.' ~rHE ~TEP1~Tl~R. 1411 r I-- .4 12 I I 3- I Robert having been dispatched with this comforting .niessag~ to the cook, they~ proceeded' to d9 jii~ViCO to her good eheer, with many a~, laugh at heir ruling pa~ sion for making her children, as she called themreat. ~' J~dward was alWays, her despair,' said Fr&nk. 'She never could get~him to eat enough to. kee~obi~d alive, as ~he expresses it, -and she firmly believes-this is the reason his health used to be so delicate.' 'I wish he was 'here to-day,' said Kate, with a sigh. 'And poor mamma and papa I we have- left .th~m all alone in the deserted house.' Her eyes filled with tears. 'They must be very lonely. ~Ought We~ not to go back to dinner?' '. There is no need or it~' answer~& Th~ank. 'I begged Colonel aild Mrs..Ashton tostay and aine with them; and Mr. Burley and Pr. Bidridgeare theretoo.' 'They will d. very well then,' said~Kate, cheerfully. 'Oh Frank,' she added. suddenly,- 'do t~ll:me ~whyKy~u laughed so yesterday morning as you were readiu~tTh?~ letter you received at breakfast?' 'Did I laugh ?~ - 'Yes, you~ did..;. andy 'in such a peculiar wa~y, tha~tA wa~ -dying of curiosity, to kifow. about it-~biit in tlP~ hurry and confusion since I hav~e not remembered to ask.' ,He. laughed again-but ~aid- the ~letter was only from college friend of-his, whom heimped t&~h~M~e the pl~asui'e of presenting~ to tketu ~oon. '~ 'i!e is coming iiext week to pay me a visit.' 'But what is there unrusuatiiiThat? -What i~thQre about the man, or lP~v letter to make you 1a~z~h so?' inquired Kate suspiejously. . ' ' - 'Nothing in the world about either to be laughe~at. There is n~thi~gL1~diero~Is in the -man, lUfli0elf, I ~ * ~mre you~: a~da& to the ~ -it~Voh~i~ page: 102-103[View Page 102-103] 102 THI 8T~P-SThTXR. pocket-.--' here it is I Read it yourself, and ~ee if there be anything ridiculQus. about it.' ~Iancheieaned over Knte'sslioulder to read it. It wa~ eQmmonplace letter enough-just such ~s any nian might write ti hi~ frien~d-informing F ~Wat,ais 1~e was pa~si~g down.. the river, the wi~JI?~ prop6st~d, it' Frank w~s at hQme, to stop QU his~Way and spend sonie days with, him. That. was all, It W~ sig~ied Henry Jorimer * $ 'i3~enry Lo~rime~f,' iepe~ited Kate.. 'Ra~ther a pretty name, I think. iWhat sort ofperson, is he?' '~Very x~ch such a ~erson as I 4m myself,' ~an~ sweredh~r b~rpther,~with an air qfamus~4enj&yment that puzzled the girls and excited their curiosity: '~ Ao eTd4uth~ and ~&hin~.Adigit~ttl and pedal ex~ .tr~ities-~ud as proud as time 4eyil1~ ~ Why, F~rank C beg you; .par~ Lor the wowl. !~v ~lied from my lipS unawares. ~ BTh~h~7 eoirnuence4 1?rank, th~4ay on wh~oh he expeote4bis friend-p-' ~l~u~he i-but nol; J believe it will ba. safestuot t~otell yo~tm; for if y&~m had, the ~ tr~ordiflary ~e1f~eoutroI iiqt to tell Kat~ ~it~h, your tougne, thare ~ouId be no pr~yentiug your face from inforini~g. her? . 'You are very flattering,' said Blanche. 'What weye you going: t~ say?' 'Thot~ j have found a mode of .reprisal for that U. * bi~ary ~fair that y~u were ~ anxious to requite. But I have concluded to leave it for a surjirise W you as well as Kat~.' 'Reallyl' ~l~ime~ Blauchec~-'iI?14 why did ~on * tell me m~hin~ abolit it then? Yom~ have ~i4~ curi~ity, ~& u~w will ,u~ gr~4i~Y its' iLi2~iA ~ 4 7 page: 104-105[View Page 104-105] ~' ' '' -~ 1$ Till STRP-BISTER. ~' 'It is~very ge er&i~sef you, Katydid,' cried ~llanche, gaflyC~.'but I, -expect it is because you know your generosity 'will not be put to the test.' N / CHAPTER XVI. * MISTAKE. Frank staid away a week, and 'then ~Wrote that he would be at home on tha day after his letter reached Hollywood.' "-ide does not say whether~ Dr. Lorirner is coming with him oi not,'~s~dd B1an~he -'-NToVa word! Just-like, him, to forget it5' an~ sw'emd Kate.- 4 !fhey went that afternoon late to take their usual walk, and, the- weather being' beautiful, extended 'it to' a' cousidetable diatance~ in the direction of the landing. - - - 'Yo~ider -is I~rank now, Ti declare!' eiclaizued Kate, -' Stopping s~ moment to look.~. 'Mid walking, too I I wou4er how that happen~?' Starting 'off,' she sped with- 4ing ;steps.to. meet him. - - Blanch~wa~ about, to follow,-when she was -arrested byhearing her name galled in Frank's voice. She - turned, an4 'he wa~ studying beside her. AmazedL ~half bewil4.red-she gknced around instinctively to ~oe w~M b~a4 l~e~oii~e -of 'Kate, a~nd how Frank had' sc' i~ist.~taneously transferred- himself' from the-spot, e~me distance off at which 8he- 8&W .him but the in- itant before, to where. L~e ~iow wash' Marv~flou~! 'There he-still 4asj some- hundred yards iu~o4vpnce of ~her .o~ 'the -path4, - and Kate. was still- bo~wdiu~ to- W~Wdv hint she' bxil~& '~o perfectly astot~~d a~ f4 I A 4f.~ 4 ske turned once more to the Frank beside her, that he burst into a fit of laughter as he said, pointing to *the other: 'It is Lorimer t took!', Blanche did look, ,just in time to see Kate reach the advancing gentleman and throw herself into hi~ arms, or rather throw her arms around him, with the most affectionate empres~ment, kissing him repeatedly, at the same time. 'What did' you stay away so long for, Frank, darling?' she exclaimed with caressing~ reproach, Landj She stopped suddenly, struck with some strange- ness in, Prank's manner, and, '~drawing back- a~dittle, koked in his face. More bewildered than Blanche -had been - a moment before, she* stood transfixed, until roi~ sed by the Voice of the reaLFrank behind~-her, saying: - - 'Lorinier, allow me .to present -you to my sister, Miss Ormond.' -Dr. Lerinw~r bowed 4o Blanche. 'My sister, Mias Clerville, has already presented her.. self' to ~you in the' most affectionate manner,' he could not forbear adding. - - - Poor. Kate, comprehending~ jno.W instantly her - mis. take, turned all sorts of colors, and. seemed- on the point of bursting into tears. She hid her fac, on Bltinche7s shoulder. -' Why, Katinka, darling, why should you mind it so?' whispered Blanche, who, if it had beeti-herseif, wou~4 have Ieen equally 'distressed. 'It w~' the most natural mistake in the- wo~ld2. I am sure- I si~iould h'ave~e'hared it, had n~t Frank stopped . me~ in time. I-never sa~w such a striking reseniblauce,' M~e said aloud io~ the gentlemen. "fhe only diffai~euoeis that you~i~ hair 'and 4 eyes-, 4are i~ iittl~ IAIO dtirk~t, ~. page: 106-107[View Page 106-107] '~' 4' ~~4A', ~ 4 '~~-A~'~ ~' U - "'~ ' 106 ' TKM0 STEP-SISTER. 'We are continually taken f~r each other,' Dr. Lor- imer ~rp~1ied; "thea glaneimig with~ interest towards' Kate, he added; with a lit±?V hesitation,~' '1 'cam 'soi~ry' that Miss Olerville should so much dislike her very natural mistake. I will try to foigef it, W ~ insists u~on'~my"doing' so.' " '~Wby, ~'Petling,' said Frank? trying to raise her head, 'you ha~e;not spoken to' me yet. Do not think the mystifieati~Am w~s intentional ';Ofl 'my '~~rt. I as. sure you it w~ not. I intended to sur~i~ise you and BlanclThbtit-' he. 8~W'that:K~ato wa~ not likely ~o re~'oi4~r from her Ai~tr~ just then; and ~turning~to his~fr~end, proposed walking on. 'They are -gone,' said "Blanche" softlyE 'Now, pray 'vdo 'not? care s& much '1"' What~ was it, after' all?' 'Kat& raised her face, mottled with erim~on and paleimoss,, "aiid" wet with teats. 'Oh,,Bla~clie, i~ it ~ too' dreadful?' 'Di~ea4ful k-why no!. if it was any one else, you would Think 'it the funniestt thing i~ inall& J41'st' laugh it' off, as 'y6u~ used~ 'to 'tell ~ 'alidimt Edi~rard. Cotin~,. Katinka ma 'bell~; ~let me see you: practice' your own precepts.' 'fButy~ never threw jourseW'iu±o Edward's arms a~i1d4kissed. him I" cried &Kat~ wiTh 'rningled;chagriu and d~spair~ '. ' 2'4o, indeed P i~ugwered' Blaneh~ -hastily, 'in a ~4ieJ~ vi~e~4ly eXpresSe4~Qr4nksgivng~tJ~ref~ '~There,' ~1d~ J(a±e, 'you se4e 'how ~ :hMr~; h~ted ~t, as. iiiuci a~ I do~1' ~ut ~Oi'~kho~ ~~ w~oul4 have-been Very 'different,? i~ nk let W'h&ppen ~ fof?' cried' ~ vs -~' g - 107 from the riian, 'when he might have anticipated-it is too bad!' She ended with & ~'ob. ' 'Oh,'don't cry, Kate! Frank saw us coming,. and, foiling Dr. Lorimer to waIk~ on quietly, he hui'ri~d to meet us, but unfortuiiately, he. did nptkeep the path, ~s he meant to surprise us by starting suddenly from one side. If you had not'i~~h'~ to meet him, it would not have happened.'. ' I wish I' hai fallen down and broken my ne~k, rather thai~ have done such a thing,' exd~itned Kate, 'Oh Katel' A impetuou4y * ~ You do ndt know how dreadful it is I' said she,. s~bbing~ Nor ~c~uld ~ll Blancie'~ arguments - sole her. She expressed her intention ~of going straight to her rooni and' ~nit. leavingg'~ it while" Dr. Lorimer remained at HOllywOod j * 'That will neVer do,' sai4 Blanche, decidedly. 'It would be 'just' the, way to 'maguify~the affair, 'and ijiake Dr; Lori'hier remember it; whereas, if ~ypii.pa~s ifoff~wiVhotP~ further notic~,' he' will,' .a~ he said, ti'y. to forget it. ~ besides; papa and 'mamma, would notice such an unaec6untable ~whirn as your' keeping your ~roonf for da~s,4 and' w&uld, of'~otir~,'fifld~ out the ea~is& of it. ~' No,"'no, 'Katydid~ you~ must face it out bravely. And we had. better hurry borne,, so 'as to have the. first greetingg over at 'tea, instead? of ~ait. ing mitit ,breal~fast, which' would 'be "~nci ~ formidable. Sadly were :I~at~'s lips l~itt9n .t~at night, and 'f~ several days afterwards, whenever Dr; Lprlmer 'was present, oreven whex~ his ~ia~fre w~sl inexitiozi~&' it required? aWthe resolution of which shei*i& ?to irnhice bert p~e~eiit'heri~lf'4 te~ (a~4 c~x~gt~*t ~llusIens by Mr. and Mrs~ Clerville to the siugular SThP-STSTE1~.~ page: 108-109[View Page 108-109] ~rm resemblance between Dr h~ch.eksag1&wall~ the -ti esdiy~when ~he' gentjernan'~ I 9' * v-he Spring and Srnnmei wanb~g. On a 'ipvely aftei veniber, Frank anSI Blanche one bf -the bintiful~rQads~ r~ecti~n around Hollywood most sad. They had been d ftug-~'~rri&ge. 'Puu'ing. the mu~ntaius'of a nei~l~borin ing their1'pa~ty,~hadaucc~4 iwovercoming Itate's avoid h~rnewitk lMenrher ft~t4 ute~1 er ~cce~tanc~e of li-is i ~ -double :x ~he said- whatoah I do but'mar~y h ~ryhim;'~ it was-in -a it ~iI1tI~P}ened that Blan~he a '4J~&viuig the betrothed- i1xto~ uneheerfui '~ileuce ~at~ The ~e0t ~ksi~ ~ Bb~4i~he ei~d~1~rs~lf ~to s Miticipatiug the ~ppy ev ~the~ d~ert~ h~m bb~t ~+by fl~wixrg h~t to- KP I' ~ 4 I ~P~8I8T~R. . Lorimer iau4 Frank kept K themselves; in~ me~ 8he rejoiQed~.unfeign~ Blanche spoke ~ visit was oyer. occasion ~itlV~ only~by Frank. t6 swallow the the smiles tha place around h ~RXVJI. / 'It is terrib I~OSAL. eking the time. ~' Terrib had~pa~sed; Autumn was death. Peopic ~noon, inithe rnonth~ of ~ They are not were riding slowly through ~" with s6me~~ th~t~ e~nd~d in every- di.. death !-4or e~ ~Both looked grave-.-al. association, W4 iscussing. Kate'8 appro~c1i.. happy-and w~ ir~ ~mmner s'ojourn~ in the " ' I never .th g~ 8tate,~ Dr. Lodmer, jo&n had the 1ea~t ~ded, with gre~t difficulty ' Frank, I feciji an~e~o'fbiin~and returned 2 at the spiteft cloverr lie said J~e attrib- t&wards ~Pr. I suit to-the fact of his ~heing' *eoursebut I a: ~4afte?1ki88iug the man, busiue~~ had break up, our very few weeks~. An4~ so it is, that Kated ~iid. Frank,~who had ridden 'whori she neV pair f~r ~beliix~d- them, fell are dreadfully Cqutem~I&tion~of~ the fact. 'Yes,'iLssen i~te, was very s4 ~to;~ them. portable busirn isep; tight ~after. night, in 'Ig t~ere~an~ ant, and the loi~eliness to not imagine.' ;: ~#d;~ even FMz~k'~ gay K That we fol 4Pb~ 1~b~ought of"~parti~ng Blan~lie'laui ~1rQ~ ~hil4ho9d, be&i laughs, and sJ~ ~4p~r ~KMe'a;liap~i- edy~ it wou1d~h ~&4#~hi~, th~e~ei~ted the idea looks 1!~ 8TEP~.SIST~R~ her presence, to appear as us~uai~: ~nd' of and assisted in preparations f&r the 'cheerful courage that wa~ -app ~i~t~a But' she found it very difficult~ often 'sobs that wanted to come, and' force ~t were so far "away from their usual er lips. Ic, this marriytig!' she said, at last, silence that had continued for some le! Almost like losing ~a. fr,~nd ~by so when 'they-are n~d~L. P ~ -- V at all the same. But. no,' she ~ ~g like a shudder. ~' no, it is not 1,ike ren though they' are' bat' to' o~ir.~dai1y '~5till ~'know that they are ii~4ug~ aud ~"~aii see' them sometimes. I - ought ~before," slft~ proceeded,- 'that I' jealousy in' my' 'nature~.4uit; rea1Iy~, aIf ashamed and "htdf inclirted to lti~ugh- V ~m6tio ~s / I am tempted 'to' 'ixrdulge' ~orimer. It is very uurea~onahie; - of in constantly inclined' t~' thinl~4"#Fis~t he to come~ au~d b:re~~,k in upon~ aiid comfort in this way I -An& 'how~ha~d 'should forsake us for an utter stranger," 'er saw' until a few months ago P~ '~W~e unreasonable aud' in~onsi~tent' being~t' ted; Frank, absently;''it is an 'un~om- ~ss,'and I ~e~a 1~ut one remedy~1oriis.' Whatsis it-do tell'rne~fQr'V~a~ Lbow their, example. Merry ourseW~s? ~hed, lint not one of he iaimi - rugged her shQulders.' 'A. i~Y017r~ el' she replid. 'I cannot! yI:t~ink promisiz1g;i-for~ in~ the first pl~c~,wher~ / - -'I '~ ,~' p - - V I CHAPT] tL rx~u I I -9 i page: 110-111[View Page 110-111] /~ ~f'/', ~ ' -I a 110 ~riIE STEi~:SISTER. ~hou1d we find a de~ioiselle for you, or a cavalier for x~iyself, either of who~i Would fit the occasion?" - 'You* ixiisunder~tand me,? said Frank,- 'and seem to, forget that we are liot within the prohibited d~e- grees. Will you not give me your heart, Blanche?' She shook her head reprovingly. 'It is not right to jest oi~ such ~ subject, Frank." ~I am not jesting. Why- should yQwthink so?' Uttering au exclamation/of astonishment, she turned gnd Iobked.at- him in silence f&r~ a-moment or two. .fle smiled. ' Pshaw, Frank, I knew you were j~ngt But it really is hot right.' He j~it his hand in his b'osom, 'and drew forth a small rosary. 'Y6u have seen 'this,"he~ said; 'my rn~ther gave it to n~ ~when I was a child. I~ hold it in m~ hand, .an.d tell you that I am in earnest. Are youconvii~ced now?' Blanche~bowed her head reverently. She turned a little pale7 and did not speak for some moments. ,At last she said, in a sort of'a hushed tone, 'Frank, what put such an idea itito your head ? It seems very strange to me. Unaccountable.' 'Why sQ? I have long entertained it."' She looked in his face-with unfeigned amazement. ~Bi~t we- do not love each each sirn~ly. ' other,' she said 'Pd not love each other! wliy~-~-' 'imean,' interrujpt~d she, th~t we4o not love each othar as, pe~o~ie who marry otiglat to. As, Kate- and Dr. Lorimer do,' or Lucy'and Dare'~d~vil.'. l~ love yciu, I assure you, knd- I liad really had ~tiat~ tired myself that you reciprocated ixy regard: ~Ahd &~d I do, dearest: Frank, to it~ fullest extent, believe me. Never, I am sur~, did a sister love -her favorite ~brother wore than I love von; But this is 4 TIU~ STl~D~-SiSTh1L. liii not the sort of ~ve one entertains, for the person tiwy wish to marry. At least, it do~es not seem so to me.' 'Not the sort of love one entertain~ f~ r the person they wi~h to marry 1' he repeated) lool~ing~ as curi~ ously at her as she had been-looking at him. "You speak-with -authority, as one 'rho com~r~3hendS the subject. Is it practical or only theoretic knowledge that you possess, Blanche?' ~ Only theoretic, I assure yo~x. 'Ah! then lain satisfied. 'I beganto be alarrned- to fear that some more fortunate man had anticipate& me in obtaiiiing a favorable hearing.' Since this 'is not the case', you, must take my proposal into con- siderath~n, and-' his moustache began rtwitchjng as it always did when he was very much amused, ~nd was trying to restrain a laugh, "why do you look. ~o - much, perplexed? I might almost sayj frightened?' 'Because- I am exceedingly 'perplexed, and a little. bit frightened,' she answered, trying I~o rally from her stupor of surprise. 'Such a declaration frdm you is' so entirely unexpected, that 'I can' scarcely credit my senses~ 'This-is the first time you ever thought of me asa ~ 'lover?' - - "The very first. Kate w~s suggesting the propriety of our falling in - love withseach other, one day, and said that ev&rybod-y expected certainly that we would- but I supposed, at the tiinethat she-was jesting, and the. siibject has never recurred to my mind since. No--A never, fo; a moment, thought of you a~ a lover-. as anythi~ug but the dearest and bestof brothers I" - 'Well, I have now thc~ honor ,to ~pres~ut myself to you ~ui the former character '.-he to~l~ off his at, and bowed almost to hi~ ho~,se'~S mane-' aiA success to my suit!' he added, waving his hat,. as he was about replace ito~u hi~ head. 'C V I I ~fIl ~ I i ~ Vt 4 p page: 112-113[View Page 112-113] 9.- V 9 ' 9 9 9 ~, -~ I 9 99. -,~, ;~Y ~9. -9 . 9 _______________ 9~9 ~-~ .99. -9. 99 - . .9- .. - & TUE ~ThP~$18Tfl plau~,h9e iyas silent. Indeed she ~W~5 bewildered. She lyas scarcely ~isc1ol~s of~hatFranksaid during the rezuain4er of. t1~eir ride--or Qfanvthinfftlal 00- ci~rred that evening. ~houghsheta1l~ed and la-taghed, ~nd played, aiid s~ng a~s ~is~ab-it was the mechanic~ - e~1 faculties. alone that w;ere exercised; one single tliought~had ,taken possession of her mind---and shaped * int6 words repeated itself c9n~inually-.J Frank wants m.e Ttoi~arry him! . I~ow strange I' ?Soznetiu~es she ~as half tempted to doubt whether s~ was not eatingg ;If Frank really. had made so as~un~in~ a pro~ositioii. She looked athirn thought- fully. Theie wt~s the least differehee in his man- ner) to herself or. other~-..not a shade of conscious- n~s~~r even,, that sha could~perceive, of reeolleeti&n of ihe i~atter~ But, *hen hiddiug her good ni*gIlt, he to~1~ he5 hand, looked at her, smiling gravely, and then wI~i4~re~d, as he kissed her eheek~.-.t Think of wMt~t said Blanche.' * She 4id of it the entire night. A~ even- in~g she had been longing for the hours itude a!Ld darkness.. Telling Kate that she ired, sh~ hurried through her' night ~oilet and r devo- fi~ She ~onld scarcely command her thoughts while perforniing the last~#ut found )~e~r mind wan- d~ring in the n~ost distracting mann~r-so impatient was it t4 nz~eet and ~rnpple t~ie sn~bject'by which it was. exclusively occpj4ed. Kat~ seemed to her an un~nseioua~Ie~e in :u~dressiiig. and retiring; but ~ sUent. And. u~w siae turned ~he1b ~uu4i~vided 4attentioxi t~ the con- 4f~TPtIoja ~ 5U~34~Ct~ ' ' Her thoi~ghts'*ere Iltumult. .&iov~~ Frank..- 9 t1~e e t~ud noblest, the kin4est~ in~st g~ie- rous of ~i~x~1~rnt-t..Me wa tw~ in4eve~ith 'h~.- #h~&~did Rot want- to marry~hiin.~she wa~ startled V t THt 8P41sThg. 114h 7 9.- 4, 9 9 ~~99 9 1 - 99 99 I greatly at thi, ide~ I, Why was she ao started - asked' hers~W Sh~ supposed ~he ~ 'time. Everyone do'es,1nea4y. Why not,' then, merry deai' F-rank? Sue was su~e she would be very happ3 ~ if she did~but-but~so1aohO~W she fancied th~at,- perhapsit was dilly to, think of such9~ thingj~ntthei~e. was n~t 'the 1ea~t sh~doW ~&f rem~nce about his l4ve for her, or hers for him~ar~d she had always wi~iied and expected-but, after oil; whatis romance ? - People who are not in love~caiI it non ense. Still, s1~e, did iVishKI~ra~k had not taken, such a singularfa'ney. S1~e had much rather~ iiot marry-at 1§ast for the' ~ISeUt. And in this hum-dr~im -sort of way! 9BaP-Afj F'rank insisted 'upon it, she supposed she n~ust cof~sent. At this conclusion she heaved p~ sigh so deep that the sound struck her own ear with a sense of some- thing like, terrors.' 'What am T sig1~ng at?' sh~ thought. 'Wliydo ? feel as if I had parted with a~ expectation#i~.r re~igzIed-' 9. She satwup l~rdh'e bed, and pressing her hands to her cheeks, ~~on with her mental inter~ogaIjt4~y. 'Why do I blush so in the darkness? I am haW afraid to qne~tion my own hei'9d-biit no; I will not ~ht~ni the thought th'~it keeps forcing' itself on .mej, I will meet and' vanquish~ 'id Dim shadowy things iire always terrifyhig! "If this~ theug~frt is. but a shadow. it will dissolve -beueath 9.my touch. and trouble me no n~or~; If it be r~ealit~2Zbut' nQ~-.~It cani~ot, ~h~ll not beso! ' 9 'Edward! why should his face come up befoi~e me! -~why should I think-of him in connection with this affair? I thought I .had gotten over the foolish into- rest I u~ed to feel about 'him because I b~liev~'d he' loved me! IL know that if I was certain, this ~o~nent~ I should never see him again, the knowledge woul4. not pain me; while to be separated forever from 4ea~~ page: 114-115[View Page 114-115] * K -K~2~ & 'r~- ~' '~' " TIIZ 8TEP-SISTER. I' 0 114 Frank would be The greatest g~ef to 'me. How is it, then, that, loving -Fraiik a's I do, I still shrink from inar~ying him? There mu~t be something in' what is called romance, after all;, else why should -I admire Edward so much more than J do Frank? He is not' hands6mer~-his m~nnerscannot+ compM'e to Frank's ..-4ie~ is not half as~ generous and good'! And' yet there is a' something-or~ there was, rather~-a 'sehti~ m~nt attaching itself to him- - "-B~it is it possible I ean be thinking of him, when, whatever his sentiments were,' (I certainly do believe that he lo-v~d me, and that he took my. liker~ess !)h~ never gaVe me the le~st~ reason to expect-pslinw! I despise myself for Wasting a -thought on him I I will never do s~ 'again! And.-.-~yes--4 will marry Frank.' - She threw herself. back on her pillo~v, and tried to compose herself, to sleep, but in~ vain.. Over, and over,.and over again, did all these~. thoughts pass through :,hei' mind. Morning- aawned befor& the droway- influence fell upon her ~yelids. -She a~wok~& late, with a consciousnesss tha~t somethh~g- had hap.. pened; something unusual, and not pleasant. In a - m-om~nt she~ remembered what it was. There was one -sh'arply regretful pang-~one sigh over th~ lost dream other fancy: but th6 pang vanished inamo.- ment-the sigh. ended in a smile. 'Yes,; I' will 'niaNry Fra-nk, '- sh& said, '-if he is satisfied Wjtih the- quality and degree of affection whicli I" entertain ,for him. Surely I. can learn t6 love him. I will- 'tell marntua all about it, and see what she thinks.' ' - - ~She dte~sed - cheerfully, and weziV dQwn to ,break~ 'fast. - - - TTfl~7 STED-STRTrnI. I1'~ (1511 APTER XVIII. 83~TTI4NG TH?. M.ATT1~R. It was a rainy day. Kate ai~d Dr. Lorimer Were in the drawing~room: Frank announced at breakfast that he had letters to write-; and l3lanoke had a basket full of invitations to Kate's wed~iing to addrt~s~. She took them into the library, .whither- Frank had pre.. ceded her, an&sitting down' opposite him at the table + on which he wa~ writing, they both, after exchanging a few words, pursued their different o~cupati'bns. Frank had writteA two letters-afld was in the middle of a third, when chancing to look o~rer at BI~n~hre, who had.a long listiof names beside her, itoccTh~ed to;him tWat he might lighten h@ task by reading the names off to her. fwish you would,' she replied in~ answer 'to'~ his proposal to do so, 'for it is tiresome work thi~ keep-~ ing my attention divided between the' list and the basket. But don~t youwant to finish -your letters? I 'should have d~mand~1 yQur help before, 1~nt for thinkii~g. you. were too bii~rwith them9 'It makes no difference~ about them. Where am I to begin ?' "Th~re7~she answered, pointing on the paper. 'Mrs. Carr was tbe last name 1' wrote. Take your p-en and - put ,a litt1i~ dash, after each one as you give' it Out to 'For what? O~,to tell wbieh, have'. Ileen -written, I s~pose.' 'yes. Now~ proceed.' 'Mrs. Oompton.' scratch, s~teh, went Blanche's"pen. 'Well,' she' said, as she ~iaced the envelope with those already' U- s addressed, and toek: another. Vt I # I 4- page: 116-117[View Page 116-117] 116 ,II" "~I '~ "~ ~ 9 ~!XE SEP~S18TRR T "Miss Corn Malvina " PtO~;~ Scratch, scratch again. 'Miss 'Miss Lrniisa ,Comp~ is necessity of sending~ separate cards to each of these young. ladies ?" asked Frank, interrupting' ~him&~lf. Why not ju~t send one to 'the"Misses Conipton?'' 'It is more respectful to ~endthem separate. They cannot-come, you kn~w.' 'Why?" "Have you forgotten 'th~Pt p~Ior Mr. Compton died only last month-?' '~ True. I. had forgotten it.' O~d~i Conway, Esq.,' he read from the list.. 'What I have you advai'~ced that cub to-" 'Go on, g~ on'!' mied Blanche, 'laughing, as' '~she ~wr&tean4 deposited~the invits~tion. 'Tie is a pet cub' * of 'mine, I~O11 kudw." ' * 'Singular tastes women do have in such mattei's. Rob&rt ;Con#ay,, E~q.' '~Vell:' '~fr. aiid Mrs. 'Orainfourd. Sorry to hear4 they' are ~to b~iniited. Ther are, without exceptioui, the most' disagreeable people I know.' ''What diff~reuc~.. d*~es'4hat make'? -They would' be mortally offeud~~d. if'th4' w~re'overleoked4 Well ~' '#'M'ist D.~ 'Witt; Mica' I ~)kxiieiitina 'Do tWjtt." What a retntrkab~e.' habit of ~igg1ing thaf y~un~l~dy hAs got! Whatever is .s~id4o ~her,, wheth~r~' ' J~abk or not, she immediately re~pouds with a 'h~ ~, lie,' be- fore answering.' -' 2; -' Prank~ Frenk, do quit talking so n~ueh! We' shall never gt'tiro~i at' this r&tel Only iu~ the ~*s,! au&'just'look what ~xrairro~y fofl6~s'!'; "~ - - ( If'y~ou Would. ta~ke ~iny ~R4vtee ~we'. ~shoi4d'gtt'on much faster. I would ixi~elu&e the~ni oll~ctiv~l~r; by families.' 'That would not do welL Ther& are p1~nty of 1fT '1 x 1 98 cards; and n~y time, o~i! yours either, I believe, ~g: not soya1u~blO but that we mo~y~ takethe. trouble to~ i~di~ visualize~ There; go on, do !'~ Frank inad~ no further remarks itutit he came to the name of Erasmus 'Noble, ~Esq. lie paused upon that.. 'Blanche, did you acqUir1~ your theoretic knowledge of 'the kind of' 1ov~e which one entertains for.thepPt- son they wish to marry,' from~ the teachings of this genPeman?'' 'No, I did not,' ~he replied With a blush and slight laugh. - 'I am aware that lie offered to instruct you' in---' 'Mercy on ~me,. I shall have to take ti* list a~vay from you if you do not stop this runnifl~ comrneflt&I'Y on the unfortunMe individuals who are,, coming under your tongue, ai~d uiypen! You must rea11ypro~eed in a more business like manner. Mrs. --PattersoiF comes next, I believe?' 'Yes. ~Wiien am I to hear my fa~te'?' Not- until I have 4i~i~h~d her~. Do go ~n1. you keep me waiting every time. 'Have~ you .no 'consjder~tiOU for the' suspeu~O I am in ?~~-Major and' Mrs. Preatoti. Think of a man's being 8et dowuAO sucl~ work as~ thiI(iB~ Preston when he is ~waiti~ig, with p~ilpit&tiflg!hOart, the d~ci- Bioti upon #hich rests- the p1~iU8~S of-MiS8 Ada PrestonZ~~? 'DZes it indeed I' cried Bl~.che,' ia.u~hi~ig1 and throiriu~ down her pen. '.Do~ you. expect her ;tobieO.k her beart over your ineo~st8n%~? ~ou~itieiT~g~ your long ~ta'udiag rtatioiiWI~h ixer,~perh~PB iahe~1nRY~' 'The' happi~SS of hi& ~hol~~ ii(e, I' was a'boiit to say, if,' with~fe1UiD~iflO pmCipitStiOU, 'YOU ha'&uot"IU" 4 terrupted me.'~ page: 118-119[View Page 118-119] 8' J~1U~ 8TJ~-8T8T12U. TITE 8TEP-SI~T~R. 119. Vrnt tAke~ too lon~t in studvin~~' iirnt~n~. M~r. Frapk. Why: do yow not learn ~y~ur lessohbefbre.. i~ud?'~ ~.; 'cruel nymph, i~ that your response to my &WxiQuS * appeal? I w~uld leave it to any iinprejudieed~nind, whether a man, who does ~oV preteiid~ to Ibe ~e of * yorn'. univer~af geniuses, with tb~e :abi~Wy~to parry ox~ two ~r three. trains 'of thQught si~*ltaneously, can, or ought to be' expected to make love, and read' out. ~u~rne~ ~aV the same time I' ''Why did jrotr attempt it, the~i ?~' said I~lanehe, as * gatlwri~ig up the caiv'ds~'shej had addi~essed, ~he d~pos- ited them ~ii~ her little silver basket with the @Thers, and sitting it on one side of th'e'tabl~~tose to leave the room. - ~You a~e not going?' exclaimed J~rank. 'Yes, I will leave you to finish yYur letters. Kate ca~n help me with the remainder of these,' s1~e pointed to the sket,~ 'while Dr. Lorimer and 'yourself are takitig your after4inner smoke, I am glad. I am not' a man.' 'Why so? 'Is it because ~9U are not, as a woman, subject to 'be tormented by~woman, as you are now tormenting me?' ~' No. Because I should hate~ to ihave t~ smoke, as ahno~t all gentleuen' do~--and' to he ~o devoid of pa. tience as most of themare.' - '' '~atopI ~do not go! Patience! 'I thiu.k youk~ignt to 'credit~ine with'possessi~iga geatldDab' 'Perhaps I oi~ght.' YQU cettaitdy have rnanif~sted. no' lovei4ike impatience for ymmr sentencee, before 'this morning.' 'Seriously speaking, ~htu~he~ 1 am '~ iriipatjeimt for the sober certainty of yo~~r- a.cte~tpnce. JIa~e' ,you~ decided yet?' IA A t She saV down again. '~'ra uk,' she ~tiid, thoughtfully, 'are yo~r &ure you. really wish m~ t& 'marry you?' 'Is it possible you can doubtt it, ~f1&r all my. rances?'' '. . £ ihit why do you wish it? You do not ~even~ p~o~ f~ss to be in l~ve witbzne.' ' 'Iloveyou.' ''Is it not strange,' she asked, ' that you 'who ~have' the character of being so ~us~ptibl&-whG used to be always in 1~!e 'i~ji;Ii some body 'or' ot'her-.--shoul.d, in this one case ~b~so cool and rational'? ' it. i's not flattering to n~ ~nowledge' 'I might answ& ~w'with an aphorism of BuIw~er' s -~J He '#ho loves oft&ii,-'ioy-es not all-id e8t~I lm~ve loved not atalL heretofore. Rut I have bad a charac- * ter *hich I did' not d~s~rVe, for I ne~~er was in Jove in. my life. ~To flirt with pretty women, who permit one that liberty, is not to be in love' with; fi~ ~ t~ 'i~~ them.' 'You distinguish between the two. ~ . 'Undoiitedly. When I say I love you, I mean that there is xtot a caring element between your nature and ,,mine; tl1at I am contemiigd',';nay, desirous, to link &ur'live& together, to---why do'you shake youi' head?' 'This seu'uds "so coldly to me, Frank t Co ut cut I This is not wbat I call love. It i~ so cold 1' 'Net cold, but calm. I would d~. amid areass much fo~r your "sake., astl~e~most passionately speaking' lover,. Blanche; but I ~iave nothingg of th'&. restlesness of passion in my charterer' an~d' you know V never sim- ulate.' LBut suppose, that you are mistaken in' thinkin~-~' she paused. ' ' *' ~ 'What'?" ' ' - I page: 120-121[View Page 120-121] '~'~'' ~' ~ ~2O ' SThP~SIS ~. 'The passion of your nature m~y b~ dormant yet, and"aw&kenLhCreafter, when it is too Iat~.' "Upon my word,' cried~he, laughing heartily,' 'that sug~e~ti~n ndght ~ound' toier~b1~y in ~zie of the trashy fl9ve~ th&t you, and l(ate waste so m~ich time over; bu~4 frr ~e~l life, it is' rather fancifaIL~..too much 80 for ~serious discussion. jLndeed, pardon nib, I think it would b& Somewhat' trjce even" in *~ romance. * Blanche~, ydu are the only. woman I ev~r asked to be my wife.~ Do I ask in vain?' Her face brightened. 'You really c~r& for me more than you~ever did for any other Woman?' More. thaii I ever did fo4 any 6n~Whatever!' She extended her hand. 'I loves you, 'dear Frank, just a~ou ifo~e~ me, with deep but passionless affect~ l4on. I 1~ar~d this was ieut; but, if you are satisflod.-2" ~Perfect1y 80,' he replied. ~I salute you as my promi~d'wit~i A~d; bedding over her, he for the first time pressed hi~ lips to. hers.' * Hese ined determined to conduct his wooing, and - a11* circumstances connected 'therewith, in the most '"S * or~gmal manner, for,, during the evening of. the same * day. on which he received the 'troth o~ Blanche, ~e * announced their' engagement in the family circle,, to t~ie utter amaze and confusion' of his ftancie, who had not anti~ip~ted so hasty a p~eedu~e: The exclama~ t~ons, questions an~I e~p~es~~s. of delight which greeted the' intelligence were i~4~ly oirerwhelmi~g. * M~. andMr~Clefville"weree ~t&wa~' in e~tacies, 'and vi& Iy 'deeply gratified, Dr.# ' rimer sympathet-. * icail~ rejoicing. * " * 'I must write to. pare and ~iicy this very night. W~ ~b~e shall ~ have "th~"'p~e~sitre' of telling' them bitt myself. ~ow delighted they will be.! An4 ,R4~rd, too I 4 will write him a gelluirie femininely letter II TU~ ~P~Sf$Thl~. 4 1 2 I,"'-' - tQ~m9rrQw mOn~flg.~ He piight~tO come. h9lUe to the wedding, as' you will per~iBt "in putting it off until spring,' ~aid Kate. Her idea had been that they ~h~~ld be married on. the. s~ime day a~s herself ~b1it she' was informed by Frankthat Blanche ~nd himself had decided differ-. ently. He was to~ employ the whiter months in com pletiug iS ~b~iis~, ~hj~h "was at pr&Sent far from eligible ~e occupation of 'his 'bride, 'and they would' IiIA~kO the fifth of April a; day of double nil-. portaflee in the family calendar, by eDlebratilig their marriage upon it also. Kate was mistaken. ,in' ~ne of ~her anticipatioUS. ~ucy~s*delight equalled her expecPttiOU - but, from some unaccountable mason, Daee~deVifdid not parti- 'cipate in the general thanksgiving on the occasi0~1. 'His grave face and doubtful shake of the head quite ~,hocked Lucy. Blanche labored~ for some time, under a sense of profonud a~tOfli8l1UleUt 'And I au~ actually engaged, to IF'ra.uk I' she ~you1d repeat to herself a score of tim~S' daily,' She explained to her mother her doubts 'and fears, as to whether she loved Frax~k w~hl enough * to marry him, dwelling upouher j~as of the di~e2r- ence b~ween the affection she entert4ued for hi~i and' the love which-' 'The lovQ. *ith'Whicll heroiU~. in i~ivels are rn- spired towards the]ierOCS who erist in t~ie, same ~egiOZ~8, you ~'me*~,' do you ~n~ot, my. dearP ~nqnir~4 Mrs OlerVifle, ~itha smile, seeing" that she~itftt~ 'You thinl~ me very fooliSh, jijamnia; do y~ really beli0~e there i0 ~et such 't~in~ 'a-s ~~'E-the kind of 'love 'I allude to?' * ' 'I really believe ihat there is such a .thix~g~ a1k that it g~mieraIiY results in diaapPQLi~tmeut i~nd '~W~- t'he fact of itR being a faneiffl1,~ S '~i '~ IL ~ '~ ""'h 4""' I' 121 page: 122-123[View Page 122-123] '~L vv~ 4 .~ ..~' ~ r . ~IiI 122 Tk~ STW..8U3TER. ~era.te4 sentiment, n~ 'suffiei~ntly. bstantjal for every day *~ar~ ~fy dear child ~u may. safely marry Frank. N -. .CIIAJ 1~1R XIX.' '4 $4D~S ANfl SORflOW. I~was at ~zi~i~to thi~t E4~ard ha~i~eceive~ the of Lucy's apProaching marriage. rivaIiWMexi~o, they had pioceede irst tp, tl~t 'and Place; ~tab~i~ hed ' tl~eir headquarters. From 4 - - ' -4 t~nc~the~y made ex~ur~ion8 to' the other i~ining.4is.. tracts of San - Loni~ ~eat~cas, ~nj4,~ , ally, ~n ex- t.~n4ed tour in ~alifornia. They had just 3~urn~d this tqur~, and Edw~rd, with: ~ior~ o~ ~pp~ehen~ ~on t~an~ ~Jeasure, be~eld ao. i~rnen~ P~p~ge of letters and newspapers which ~ad been acc~unuJat~ng fo~ ~ du~f~g the i~bsof th~ir~ab~enc~ ~4~ong the Vcomm~ni~ fro hom~ that' ~ ~m ~ * ~ e~4~A~d him- nu~sen,~ t~o~e~ri~or the - of~ ii~ii~g fr4~Z: a ~eQ~s~r~et'or±, and retiring to~theittI~ d~en w~e~h ~a title of hi~ own , ~,he reiuetai~tly opened rbo his ~Aadj~at. ~&i~; and ~1a~i -~k ~ftrst XeUa that' ~&t~io :eye toI&Iniore diaa~trous x~e*s than wedahi~. ~ ~o~fteu 4 I A 5 T111 SThP-S1~TFA~L. 12~ - .Rj carry. The black seal, the mourning border-it was Deat ~ I ymen now I his cheek grew as colorless a~. the wbit~ iapey. Il~ gasPed for breath. It w~s Fraiik' s writing on ominoUS letter. Who was the victim ? His ~r~Vsk)& ~ ening thought wa~s 'r~iy ~father!' aud ~o. agonizing wa~ this dread, that it tistirped- every -f&eling~;4~i~ stiuctively he sank upon his knees, the lettei~$lI uzi- opened in hi~ hand ,~nd murmuxed chokingly:'Qh Qod, not him, 'only not l~i~ I an~d F w~Uh~ot m~rmurI' He rose with .drops~ Qf anguish ~tand1i~ &ti ~iis hi~w, and ~inkihg into his chair, resolutely tore asunder the paper. An all sion 1o'his father, in ~ first sentence, r~ relieved his worst apprehension. The sli ~et., dropped Kfr'om his hah~oh the table befoi:e him,~nd he ~t- tereci a fervent th wl1ii~Ie tears streamed from hi~ eyes;. tea~, whi~h were at first ~but t~e burst of.joyful relief, but;whieh did not cease, as a glance at the letter again brought hack the sick sensat~oiis of tb~~Q~ex4 before. it wa~s not ~is "faTheix W was not Frank-who was it? lAke a pict~.ure hel& up be-~' fore hhn, rose the, fa~es, one ~fter;Vhe other, of the circle from which death had, snatched one memb~r. His sister Lucy's fair pale face, .aiid soft bl'ue ~y'es- was the face paler still,- were th& eyes closed forever? the friend for.whoin he ha~i ever felt scat than a brother's ai~ection; was cely heart stilled ? this 'sun go no down at h~on?' Had the coldtouch Qo~en. the rose :tint' in Kate's glowing. che~kand spre~&ov~r h~r sparkling eye the haze that would never again niweil its brightness ? ~h~d t~e brb dad wreath been woven, but to hang upon Or w~s it the kindly mother, ~hose genial sm~e ~nd, p1~easan.~ words came vl~fd~ to his feme~ran~Q, ~', ~A & 4 page: 124-125[View Page 124-125] 124 THE 8T~?-$I8TER. 77:' 'A' 'I" "'-S. Li 125, shut out the two faces~ that rose side by side, to his rnemory and hi~ imagination.~ ,The blooming Hebe~ like 'faoe, witJiit~ white smooth brow, delicate& flitting c&lor, ingenuous glance, and wav.tng golden curls tha~t memory painted; The same face-bea~tiful, still; but '~ith that fearful loveliness '~that chills the heart He ring-~-white---~till-rigid.~. gave -almo~t. a bour~d of desperation, set ~hi~ teeth hard, and again turned.to the letter. But he c~iild not obtainn~ from A the int~lli~~~ce he sought. It' wa~ very brief, Frank merely saying that he had ~atched~ a momentfrom. Pressing engagements, to si~est to]~ward that it might be a consolaPon to *' th~ir ~father for him, EdWard,' to return* home. His father hi~d not said so', Frank ~observed. It was a thought of his owi~. With hurried and trembling h~d,' Ed~ar4 tore open letter ~ft& ktter, and they ~e~*~d ~to him ni1m~erle~, until afte ~lrn~t all), he' at l~st~ f& d'the~e r 'glancing at looked for,~~nd leM~ii~d 'that his step mother was d ~. Certainly 'his te~i~ still flowed, certainly 'he 'sor'ro~w~.d sincerely;' but * vet, ther&was ~ deep; if unuttered, "theaEksgiving that the bblt bad not fallen ~6n the siiubright h~adi It d~d not need Frank's suggestion to determine him on an~ iiiiinediate i'et~irn home. lie remembered, with mpst phinfiil~ remorse, the u'dju~t dislike which he had e~ hibited to the idea' Qf his 'father's marriage. Now he was anxious to p~y every respect to the rae~n.h &~y of Mrs. CIerviIIe;w~bieJ~ ~6idd be de~ia~ded ~f the m&s~ dutifuL aftd .a1f~6tio~te ~ ~' 'It was with. peat ~eluct~zi~5e 'tat he'took kav&of man ~ resign his e~mPauhrnship. But' regrets? being ~'I~4~ ow h~~&i~ke~ the TILE' S~EP-SI~TiER. * His journey was not an agreeable one, for thougW he had by this ti1x~e become pi'etty well ac~zustorned to. roughing it, axid though, by~' dint of. necessary practice, his servant, Thom~s, was now.a ver~ Mer. able cook,' there w~s one thing 'coui~cted. with Mexi-- can travel to which he bud not yet, ai~d was firmly persuaded' he 'nevcr~ should;" become ac~,ustomed.. This was the sharing, his apartment at night with a great many companions 'of a very diminutive size, whose, lively, and carniverous motion~, during all the hours of darkness effectcu ally prevented his indulging, in a~y comfort, the slumbers to 'which -the~~ seemed al- together indif~erent. lie had. reached a small village a few leagues only' f~o,,nA~er~ Cruz, and wearied by an unusually. long day'~ay~ retired to the wretched room which~ had been ~ d' him, hoping th~tfa~, tigue would enable him t&sleep, despite the assault of his persecutors. But after a shorthandd disturbed A~umber of an hour or two. only, all somnolent ten- dency forsook him. ~He should, soon, now, be at home. He grew ex~ ceedingly nervous at the thought.- Under any. circus~ ~tanees he 'should have dreaded to ~ee Blanche; to ~ce~her~s Frand's wife.~ And now, overwhelmed with grief, as ~ she a'~ust be, at the death of her mother! His courage almost deserted him. Almost b~e~ regretted having resolved to ~return homeland wished that.ke might abjure it forever. He dreadedAoo., the first meeting withihis father. Tossing restlessly on his miserably uncomfortable couch, he hailed with reJi~f the f~r~ gleam 'ef gold in the eastern sky, which lie perceived, through a craud in the broaden shutter that closed a window just be~si~ie his bed. ~~Risir~g, he hurried out of the~elose, stifling atmo~phe~e ~f the s~sll roon~, into ,the purer. &ir of the e~4i~g.~: ~jIe waB met ~t the thre~hoP'by IiId Feiipe, hits Me~icau page: 126-127[View Page 126-127] 5.,' -~ . 4 '127 C;, guide and courier, with the not very agreeable intel.~ ligeu~e ~thaVthe bay mare was dead' lame, ~nd could not pGssibly travel a, league that ~ d~y.: E4ward ha~~ned 4o: where the creature WffS staiiding, at a little distance from 4he'- house, surrounded by half a dozen or so Mexic~ns,.and~slirinking and starting in evident pain as Thomas ex~uxiine.d one ~6f her fore'-feet. 1t~w~s a fayo~rite ~nimal which hehad bought more thaxi a year before, ~nd~*ishedt6 take home with him; and~he sva~ annoyed inaio slight d~g.ree to~find that1he miisteither make up-his mind tobe detached, at least for ~a4a~y. or. two, or leave th~ iliare. AIS. he was no gieat ji.idge of horse4lesh, at least of the flia ~ which' it is heh', he did~not kn r~whether'tk~e lameness was serious or no~tj but:after consulting Felipe, 'Thomas and' his Mexican ho~t4 (in neither of whose opinionn, however, did~ he. repose much faith 1.) 'he decided, to wait until the next'day; hoping that it might prove to be hat of tempcwa~y durstion.' ~Little' deenied.~ lie, when cor~iing to this decision, thatq the illness of the hors&was on, of those stifling' cir~ums~tauees on which often hinge ~yery Important results. Little deemeQ he that from this. involuntary deVexrtion~- would~ follow an event by *hich his whole future life~was to be iii~uence4. Lpaving ~ horse to: the~ medical skill i~nd atten.. tions~'ofiFelipe, he.:wandered a7way to. a little stream 'which. he per~ehred in, the distance, anid proceeded to refre~li hui~self with ainorningibath. -~omas had a ver~ iioierable cup of coffee awaitIng~ him on -his re'- tu~m, with. a1 by no iiieans. despicable 'beefsteak~ and to these Were add~d- fresb! eggs,- and the inv~iabIe h~'ti#4s, by his hoStess~. After ~partaking.alt which, he-ibegan'to 100k with pl4losoph upo~i '4he sitUa~ * hi~ ~rriy~1. at horx~e, it was-true~; but what *hen? He drea.aed, f~ ~-or~ than -. 'desired, the terniin&tiou of his journey. - -The detention 'was unavoidable, and, such being the case, he was quite resigned to endure * the inconveniences it entailed. Taking~ a volume frQin his traveling library, he again sought the banks of the little rivulet; an& streteb5lig himself ben~a.tli the shade of a tree, managed. to ~et through the; long day not uncomfortably., The di~luudty wafs to achieve the same with' the night. All i~nglo-S~z~n travelers in Mexico are, agreed that the aboriginal inhabitants of the SlQepiUg rooms in the hostelries by the way- side, have~ a '-peculiai~ appreciat low of Anglo-Saxon f1es1~; or else, are very sanguinely disposed towards these foreign intruders upon'them. In vain did Ed- ward, with sublime philosophy, accept the lunavddable - tormei~t, 'and resolve t~ sleep in d~spite-vC it.-~ He was ~again driven'fro~n his uneasy pdlow, long before day-dawn. 'Seating himself on the step-s-of the door which led from 'his chamber, he soothed.his~irrit~ted nerves - by a smoke as he watched the rising, of the. sun. *The mare was better this morning, but sill u~t equal 4Q 'attempting the 'eight leagues that lay~ b&- tween them 'and Vera Cruz. There- was no- help for it; he must remain another day. As he~touehed with caressingliand' the gl&ssy~ arching neck 6fthe beautifQl animal,. he thought the -. defention. woubi be well ~e- paid by oue radiant smile - from. the lips oL Blanche-: for he designed Me~ieano (so 'he had iiamod- the mare~ as a. present to.-his brother's w~ife. - -'(He Was 8C~hOOl- ing 'himself resolutely'to regarding her -in ~this;light4) It was towards the latter part of t~e~a.ft~no&zi that, returning listless and wearied from ~bis -haiznt-b~y4he streagdet, he perceive& a .hea~~y. .rumb1u~g7 r~i~e, * such ~s i~u*e~ by- ~e~icanI of ~aiik ~ approach - the inn and halt. A tbin, sickly l&6kin~g / TEE' BT~PSI8~ZU. S page: 128-129[View Page 128-129] 4" ,4'*~ 4' '4 ~' 4'4' 4' ''4~ j'(244 ~ - ':~ , ~- - 'I' '. '44 '-4'," 4' 'I,-~ 4 '. '4' 4 TI*~ STZP-8I8TiR. Spani~rd alighted, and made some iu~quides' of the 1~, host' whot U "i him thM urned, and, approaching Edw~r4, informed , a lady had been taken ill on ii~er. .j6iirney, V : and was obliged to stop. There wa~s no room for her p reception excepting the one in his occupation. Would he' resi~u it to the lady? 4 - 'He felt some scruples 'of conscience in permitting any one, more especially a lad~y and an invalId1 at least unwarned, to encounter the plague he' ha* hun.. self' been~ enduring Bowing to the stranger, who returned his' saintation 'with the grace and urbanity of ~ well-born Castilian, he as~u.red him that the room was entirely at the service of the lady, but that,'~ after hating occupied, or attempted to occupy ~t, for two~iights, he could n~t advise Jier to follow h~s ex- ample. The Spaniard. hesitated, but only for a mo pient. The lady iva& ill, very ill, ~he .said-totally uiiable t~ro~eed~ 'He wou~, therefore, as ~dward was so good a~ 't6 relinq-'uish the apartment, avail himself 'o'f his obliging 'courtesy, 'and have it prepared 'for her - recep4pn immediately. *He~ bowed, and re- turned to' the carriage, which had haLted near by. Speaking'a 'few words to the occupants within, ~two maids descended instan~l~r. The Spaniard motioned to the otber servants,~ who were numerous, and seve- ral pack muI~s, that 'had 'followed the carriage, were led up to the door. 'With silent alacrity the servants p~oceed~d to .prepare 'the room fo~ 'their mistress. The few rude 'articles~ of fiirrdture which it contained were b~asti1y' removed, th~- or sweptand a very stro~% but subtle ~p~fum~ s~*~kled oVer it.' jNexta br~~i~ with' a few coals Was. broughtt and the place Ye11~~ bf smoking. Wbeu'tlze white vapor,.. ~hi4i~ ~ingentl~ odorous ~ to be pow#~rfullytitil. I$ti~ytoA~e nQstrils, had disappeared, au4. the at- '1 again cle~u~, the process of purification - ill / '. I TIlE 8XEP*~ISTER. 129 I' ii I ' - - 4W ,~ 4' 4 was. .c~mpI4e~ A cornfort~ble trayelling bed Was. ~ straPPed from, the' haek'of 9xie ~f The rn uIe~s,~M in a short time the plage had been so entjr y. m~4~0r~ phased that I~dward, could' he h~ve seen it, scarcely have recognized it as the scene of hjs two nigl~ts. of invo1untai~y, penance. ilehad movedaway, when, with a profound incli~ nation of thaiiks, the Spaniard turn~j fro'm him to s&e to thes~ arrangements; and seated on a b~n~h at the opposite extremity of the low yeranda that ran along the front of the house, he now w$ched the disembarkation of the Th~lid from the c~rriage. She. was lifted out slowly and carefully apd carried in~. the inn, and following 4mmediat~ly, p. young gi4 alighted. Her form had all tire roundness p.nd. grace peculiar to the Southern races.. That ina9s~riboJ2de and exqu~sitq grace 'Which inves~t~ wjth s&res~stless a charm the Oreoles of every land. ~r fop~t~and apide, as she accidentally, revealed stepped to the ground, were of true patrician size and A~idalu~ian ni~uld. 2 these' charms were absolutely thrown ,n~w~ay upoif the indifferent, gaze df her qn~y behQlder., Ed~ ward admired neither the exquisitely rpunded forui,. the languid grace,~or' the 'unexcep~iQna1Ae foot and ankle.~ He onlyKthoa'gEt as her veil fi~oated partiallyy' aside, revealln~ a glimpse of a dark glancing ~eyea~zd. 'olive cornp1e~ion "how is it possible thn~t .anyhw. man being can have so little app~eciMiot~: ~f. ~ beautiful asto conipare tli'e dusk hues Qf the br~tn~tt~ to the dazz1i~g tints caught from heaven's own ski~s~ and sunshine!' That 'ia, the stranger, as a yiout~g~ * girl, reminded him of Blanche ; b4 ~nly to suggest' a coftiparison most unfi4tering-tq l~r-~lf. 1 -. After the lady had been est j~he4 iti he~, ~ ment, the iSpahiard joined Edward, and the latter learned, in the- course of casual conversation, that page: 130-131[View Page 130-131] -j 4 4 4 1, ~- ~4 2~. /4 130 THE $TEP~SI~TEI3~. she was a cpunti'ywOiflaii of his own who h~d n~ar- vied the Spaniard's brother. Having a few months before become a Widow, she waited only to make some indispensable businesS arrangements, and leaving the settlement of the remainder 'of he~ affairs. in the hands of 'her brother-in-law, she was'now proceeding to her native land; the unsettled condition of Mexico rendering her desirous to'escape from a counti'y' Which was always in'~ the throes Qf civil convulsion. Don Miguel, her broth er-in-law~, 'was accompanying her to Vera Cru~ to see her safely embarked for New Or- leahs, where she, was to be met, dir her arrival, by her 'ow~i brother, a 'Kentucky gentleman. EdWard, though by no 'mean&addicted to the squir- ing of dames-nor partial toihat gallant e~xerc1se-- felt nevertheless constrained,' by, the inherent~ sense of chiValrous courtesy of. the Sdutherncr, to offer his escort 'and protection to the lady ill: their *pi~ssage across the 'gulf. He informed the Spania~d thaPhe was 'himself on'his way to. New Orleans, and gave him his eard, ~~'ec living that of Don Miguel in return.. The latter thanked him eLaborately for his polite' and kind - offer, saying he would mention4 it to his sister. $hptly afterwards theeve~4mg meal was announce~, and .Don Miguel went to enquirer whether his niece * gould j6in tb~em 4 'table. He retui~ned withOut her, 'to Edward's very considerablee relief. The repast' over, they lAdulged, in silent companion5l~iip, the~ &~,lming influence of the oi~ri1~; and then', wii~h grave civility,' parted for' the night.' Edward's dormitory w~~s a degree wor~e than the one he had giVen 'up, inasmuch as'it was 'smaller and more confined: "I~ut Thomas had taken a lesson from the practice piVsued' by the SpaniAi serVants. Bo~W rowing the brazier, he gave a triple fumigation to the little cell to which hi~ master was condemned for the 4. '4 181 night. Either there was some virtue in the process, or else, o'erwearied by his previous enforced' watches, Edward was not easily disturbed.' Resigning his'nia~. tei'ial man to the mercy of his 'insignificai~it but inyriadai foe, he slept soup~dly; lie was awakened from a dee.~ ~nd dreamless ~lnmp. bet' by the~ voice of his host. With some difficulty this personage succeeded in making him understand that the sick lady--the siek lady-wished. to see him. He rose, of course, instantly, dressed himself hastily, and, with nb smaU trepidation, repaired to the room where he had supped the night.bU~ore, and which ad-~ joined her chamber. here he was met by Don Miguel, in w~iose face and manner appeared the most solemn gray tty. He apologized in' a low 'tone for, having' a"oi.ised EdWard at such an hour,. assuring h4ni th~.t nothing bitt the urgency of the case w~uld have in- duced him to take so great a liberty1 and presume so far upon his good nature. His sister had become i..n- creasingly ill, so that before the phys~icia7n who had.- been sent for arrived,. iU was deemed advisable that the priest should be called in. The priest possessed some knowledge of medicine and disease, had pronounced her t6'be.in a dying state, and , was nowadminis... 'tering the last rites of~ the Uhuch to ~her.. When this. duty was over, she wished'to~ see her young country~ man; to- Don Miguel pauscA, a~, the dooropeniug, the priest' appeared ,at it, and beckoned thei~i towards him4 In- quiring if Edward was the person whom the Donna was so anxious to see, he motioned him b enter the room. .Ed~vard did' se, and approached the,, bed. of the dying woman. king, in e is ino~~ He almost started back, thin th fi't :men~, that 'she was already dead, so pale,~'wan) spir- b j J3jj~ $TS1STEfl~ page: 132-133[View Page 132-133] 4 ..' 4 KW2 THE STEP- * itu~l ~as~tho face before him. Her eyes w~re closed, ancf there was an expression of unearthly~calm on~the countenance, and even pervading the whole form. She ~yin an easy and. graceful, though statue-like posture-her fe~ uncovered for the religious rite, and her hands,'whioh were cTh1sped upon her bosom, holding a crucifix. Beside her, on the bed Edward observed, with surprise, wa's lying the card which he had givQn to Don. Miguel. The priest said a few words to her in Spanish, an~d she opened her eyes, fixing. them on Edward with someThing. like a smile. 'M~ brother informs me, sir -That you-arc going to-NeOrlns-and-' She 'stopped. Tier Voice was clear and soft, but she. spoke with evident difficulty, and Edwart~ htts~ tened:to ~htJ~ipate h ci' requ&st~ ~' I e~pecttd cross the guli~rnadani, in the first vc~ sel that leaves V~ra Cruz after my arrival there, and it. will give me the g~ea'test. gratification if I can be of~erviQe'to ~'You are you in .any way. looked up at Don Miguel, 'who stQod the other side of' the bcd. riot very kind,' she answered softly. 'lt is 'Sl~ewishe~n'ue to explain to yop,' said 'Ihat gen- ileurian, addresss lur Edward, ' thCtt~ a~ the infirmity 01:' caith pr~PutR my cuaconuterug a se~ Yoyage, - and I ~cAut~Ct7 t~CL~Gi~C, have the rAeasure my&eif of ~ ~ ~ lily ~ YY'~' IT iLk ~.'.".UL' y~~ii~ L~AIeA,~. offer ot',tr~en dh service, and ualaee her umder your 4 / A.. if care.' He proceeded t6 detaji briefly the dir~ctiow~ f~j~ firidii~g out, ou their arrival in N~ew~Orleai~s, the uncle of theyoun~g lady, to x~oseeha~rge she was t be consigned ; and, ended ~ Qbserying that as she ~on4 b~ att~ad~d by, two.f~tbfui va~ts, her nurse, 'I 9 :1 THE I If and the nurse's husband, he hoped that the care of the young lady wculd not~ be a very onerous one to Ed Ward. Edward~ of course assured him that it certainly would not be such, that nothing could give him more pleasure, etc'tc~ra, etcetera, etcetera. The lady looked at him earnestly while he. spoke, and then directing another glance of intelligence to Don Miguel, the lat- ter took up Edward's card from where it lay, and re- marked that his sister had recognized the name as that of some acquaintances, f'or whom, when living in her native land, ~she had entertained' a great esteem. Might he ask if. the gentleman was related to Mr. Clervilleof parish, Louisiana? ~'T am hi~ son,' answered Edward. The lady's face brightened. 'I am sati~ficd to trust my child to your care, then,' she said in ~a low tone. 'God bless you!' sh&murmurcd, and ~' ma~~dc an effort to extend her hand to him. 'You' will-' 'I will carefor her and guar{heias if she were my ~jster,' h ~ said~ pressing the c61d hand.. 'God bless you!'. she said ~again', more faintly. 'Let Ximena come to mc now, l5rothcr.' Don Migu.e1~ hurried out of the room~ to seek his niece, and Kdwiu'd, too, left the ~hamnber, Totally di~inelined to slcep, he went into the Yeran(Ia .~, as he walked to and fr6, looked out on the pale moon- light, a scene and circumstmcos which he' had not thought' of for years, came with startling vividness to hi~ memory. 'His motluu's death, with all the asso- 'ciations of desolate, awesome feeling which had so* o~piessed. his 'chiNish sense: lie 1~hOught, too, of the latter. grief which had ~again shrouded the sa~nie household in mout'ning-~-the death of his step-mother. This reveri'~'and'The stillness of'th~ tight 'was ~ by' ~ '~ol~mn pound. .From the little chiweh~ oppc~ 4 page: 134-135[View Page 134-135] ~' ~ ~' ~ "'';''~'~ 13A TIlE STEP-SISTEW site to the, inn, pealed the notes of the passing bell; that touching call which the, Church makes to al~ her children WhQ hear it, to offer up a prayer for2the soul that is departhig~-the soul that is wrestling in agony with the 'Angel, of, D~atli! 'Edward crossed himself devoutly, a~ he uttered the short and simple prayer, for the ageni~ing, which had been taught to h~m ~y his mother, when he;~ stood lisping'beside 1~er knee. When the golden light of ~the rnorning glowed in the eastern sky, Ximena was an orphan. (iHAPER XX. ~1IOMB AGAIN. It'was~ night when J~dw4rd ~nd his party reached New Or1eans~ As they approached the Wharf and the bustle of arrivaigrew louder and louder on' board, he felt half inclined to despair of a safe debarkation of the persons 'and ~rop~rty 6f which he wa~ the embar- rassed protector. ~it~t, there was the young lady and her' servants .t6 tieAi~posed of. 'He must take her 'to' th~ St. Ojiarleshotel, where he htped to find General Walworth, her uncte, to whom he should be happy to'resign his charge. He had the painful task to per- form of announcing to that. gentIema~ that his 'sister Was no more. This, his first and worst difficulty, over, he must return to the boat and see to the tons of baggage thtat accompanied Miss Yarassa. He had a~ us' as long as his arm, which had bQen given him by Don Miguel, of trunks, boxes, packing cases V~ th~re was no ~end to them! He wondered if it would be~ possible to get them all l~4ade4 thaV night, and w1~at'he must dowith them after they were. minded. I Then Mexicano.-.-and hi~ oWn luggage!. How would Thomas be able to attend to both I He w~ afraid he should have to lpok after the trunks himself, ~v'hule the servant took care of the horse. ~ As 'he~ revolved these troubling anticipations in 'his mind~ the steamer was made fast to the wharf lie' despatehed Thomas for a carriage, and ~went himself to announce to Mi~s* Yarassa that their voyage was ended, and to request her to prepare for leading the boat. His hand wasa little unsteady as he knock. at the' door of the ladie&'cabin. It was the first time he had asked admittance there. Every day punctili.~ ous1y he had inquired c~f her maid as'to Miss Yarassa's health and comfort-desired his compliments to her.- and requested to know if she required aliything,~or if he could be of service in any way; but he had, not seen her ogce since' they left Yera Oru~. ~As she was the#nly lady passeiiger, she had had Life cabin all to herself, with the attendance of~ er~maid and the stew-. ardess. Juanita, the maid answered. ~his knock, and requested him to walk in-but her young lady was not visible. Edward sat down while the maid went' into one of the state rooms ~to announce his presence" to her mistress. *Xinena came forth almost immediately, and, a~p..' preaching, gave him her hand; 'You wanted to see me 'I' she asked simply. He explained; and assentin~' to his suggestion, that as~ it ~as growing la~e-4t was now past eleven 0' clock-.it would be well for her t~ land at once, she requested Juanita to get her mantle and bonnet. Her manner surprised 1i~dward; it was so quiet and self- possessed. She was Very pale, but~ her face was perfectly composed ~ with no signs of weeping ormarks of 4js~. ~~tress about 'it. She' had seemed stunned blier mother's death. From the momen~that all hope wa~ * t3~ TIlE STEP-SISTER6 page: 136-137[View Page 136-137] 136. T111 STEP~SiSTE1t. ov6r,her wild grief was stilled; she grew eold an~ passive; bel~eld. apparently unmoved, the prepara- tionS' for the removal of her mother's body, which was to be taken back to their late home for~interment beside that,. of her husband; received h'er uncle's fa~e~el1, 'when he took leave' of her on board the yes- se1,~ with unconscious indifference, and since then had scarcely spoken a word~ or noticed, the -efforts of tlae faitAifrilJu~nita to rouse her from a lethargy-which alar~ed; her attendant. She reclined in .her berth seldom even changing' tWe position in which -she- had first placed herself; occasionally swallowing, distaste- fully, a few morsels of the'~food pressed on-her by Ju- anita, buL more. frequently declining it by ~a silent - motion of the ha.ind.. Juanita had been not less -~ur- prised- than delighted at the readiness with wI~ich shehad -answered Edward's: request to see her, and now -pz~ep~red- to accompany him to the hotel. He left her in the carriage for a few. minutes, while he went to procure rooms, then returned- and conducted her int~-t~be house. '1 thought,. Miss -Yarassa,' -he said, a sthey followed a sery4nt 'up a flight of stairs, 'that' your Would prefer to retire immediately. I will myself call. on General Waiworth ~tt once, if, as I presume, he -js in the hons~ an4AnfQ~m him rOf your arrival, ~and: you can see him as er-ly to-morrow morning as you wish.' - A T~M~1 you.' answe#d Ximena, and :her lip quiv~ - ered slightly. 'Yes, I had -rather not see him 'until the i~iorning.' The servant who conducted them here stopped and' threw' open a door. -' Good night,? said Edward, as Ximena withdrew her. hand - from. his ann, and ~vas about .to enter the ~ 'My room;isjust'opposite. Ifybu ~hou-ld nee4~ aftything, or wish to speak to me, your maid can summon me in. a mo~nent.' TILE STEP-S1$TEJ1~. 137E 'Good night. You are Tvery kind,' said Xirnena. She turned away. He went to enquirer about, her unele. The clerk, on -consultix~g -his book, told him that there was no General Wal-wortli in the hotel. There 'was an-A. H. Walworth, and- -a George D. ~Walworth. Perhaps one of these was. the gentleman he' was- in search of. Edward too-k out his note-book tif be certain as- to -the name. No; he~ was afraid not. j The- name was Cenera~ Amher8t Walw6rth. The clerk suggested that the- gentleman might possibly have left off his tifle, and put in hismiddle name,- 'thus causing a difference of address.. Edward did ~not think this likely under the circumstances; but -it ~was easy to ascertain - whether it was so. Obtaining the number of -A. II. Walworth's room, h& prot~eeded thither, accompanied by a servant, to whom he gave his eard, desiring him. to knock at' the door, take the card. irf to the gentle- man, and sar that he ~wi~hed to speak -to him for' a momei~t on very partirn~ilar business, if'he h&d i~ot re- tired. A crack of light under the door showed that there was- a. light burning in the room, so that Ed- ward felt no hesitation about intruding. * The first knock of the ~servant received no atten- ti5n. lie knocked again. 'What do you want, and be d~-d to you?' was the' civil demand from within. - - 'Here's- a gentleman- wants-to se~ you on very-pa'- ti~'lar business, sir,'' responded the servant. - 'I never -'do business at twelve o'clock at night, tell thegentleman,' was -the cool reply. Edward smiled, as it occurred to - him for the first -time -that it would~-pefhaps, have been more sensible to have -deferred his search until the next day, but- he concluded that he might as Well -satisfy himself as to V page: 138-139[View Page 138-139] -1*38 V ~TI1I~ STE?-SIST2ER. whether thjs was the man he sough~; so he'said to the grinning servant: 'Ask himif he is General Walwortlkof Kentucky?'. 'The gentleman says, is you General Walworth, of Kei~tucky ?' bawled the servant. There was no Verbal answer;' but there was. the sudden movement of a chair, as if dome ones had risen hastily-a step passed across the room, the door Was unlocked and opened with a jerk, and a young man, with light disordered hair, flushed face, and al- together ;a very dissipated look, st'&od before edward in ft owning impatience. Now Edward, though very shy with women, had never been troubled with the least diffidence towards any onb of his own sex;' and .as A. H. Walwortli's glance met his quiet eye, and~rested on the half smile of 'his lip, that gentleman's manner modified itself considerably. in the same instant, Edward himself recollected that some apology Wa's due for his mistake and 'untimely intrusion. He therefore'bowed, 1~egged pardon for having disturbed Mr. Walwortli, in conse- quence of a misapprehension, the nature of which he briefly explained, bowed again and retired to~ his chamber, sati~fled that he had better delay all further inquiries concerning General Walworth until he could prosecute them to'more advantage9 It was 'possible, he reflected, that he had mistaken the hotel at which 'the General. was-to meet his relatives. The name, he was. sure, he had right, as he had taken a note qf it at the time.. He supposed he should be able to find himout in the morning. It would be decided1 em- barrassing if' he did not. What,' in that case, eould he do with the, young lady ?~ He went to sleep jon~ during this question. The first thing he did next morning, after dressing, * was to send and inquire about Miss Yarassa's health, I ~" A~. ~ U and ask at what hour he should be iii attendance to accompany'her to breakfast. 'This was really very II in a young gentleman who had' never before so much as. asked a young lady to dance, far less to go to breakfast with him. He smiled as' this thought occurred to himself~ while waiting for the answer to hi~ message; and to beguile the time, walked up to ~he looking-glass and gave an additional brush- ing to' the glossy waves of his dark hair, remarking, for the first time, that he was much sunburnedd. Leaning toward the mirror, he~ scanned his face closely, then began to brush his bearcV hard and fast. It was a beard to' he vainof! Black, curling, and very thick. He had long worn a moustachee; ~ut this. beard was of Mexican growth, and, like' all Mexican vegetable productions, of tropical iuxuriaiice. Before he had finished arranging it to his satisfaction, Thomas re- turned.. Miss Yarassai' s compliment~ and thinks- she was quite well, but would 'breakfast in her own room. A rnostjudicious an:d commendable proeeed- ing, her~ proposed escort" thought. He had been ransacking his brains for half 'an hour for something to say to her )at table. 'As she was a foreigner, the peculiarities of climate and' ~the customs of the Cres- cent City were, perhaps, the most prominent subject for conversatfon. He had concluded to ask her if she had. ever seen as damp a day before; intending to in- form her, then, that the days. were often, in fact generally, extremely damp ~in New Orleans ; that it was a delightful' city, hut bad climate; that there are .ly two feet of mud before .you co~m~ to the water- in conseqne~ice of which; people are buried, not in the ground, ~but on top~f it-but no: lie remembered that a detail, of this kind was not very ~ell suited to the breakfast table. 'He must think of something else. Happily, the entrahee of ~Thomas, 'with the ~I!tE STEP-8ISTEi~. ~1 189 4 . page: 140-141[View Page 140-141] ~1~ ~11E STEI'-SISTELL. message above mentioned, relieved him of .th~ puz... zling necessIty.' He went down and took his oWn breakfast~; after which he set out again in se~reh of * General Walworth, of Kentucky. * No information &ould be obtained of that gentle man's~ whereabouts. He. was at none ~of the prin~ cipal hotels in the city, - nor had~ been for a month ~ - Wi~h exemplc1ry patience did E his enquiries- question - clerks dwar.d ~~rosecute .and examine~ th~ir books. lie ventured1 to intrude ~a second time upoi~ A. 'IL Wa[woi di,- hoping to obtain from t iat gentle- man some intelligence of' hjs names~ike. Hut, though Mr. Walworth's reception of-him was -mor~ courteous and obliging' than it- had been- the -r~ight- b~fo~e, he~ could not aft'or4 him the - information he asked. - - He was a Georgian, not a'- Ken-tue , and had - no relatio~ior acquaintance of kian, he- said the name Edward men, tion~d. - Equally ign&ant was George D. Walworth, to whom he also applied. - Jiours had been consumed in his fruitless researches - -in driving about from one hotel .to another, - and canning over pages of -names----when he suddenly re- membered that Miss Yarassa must- be -surprised at * . nearing ~nPthing of either 'her' uncle or himself all - day. He had forgotten, -too, to write, ashe intended, to. hi~ fnth-er or Frank, to let'them know that he -ha1d landed' and would aoon be at home. And-~--~what an oversight 1-he had totally forgotten about Miss Ya- ~rassa's p~o-ui~taii~ of' luggage Before leaving the-boat - the 'night before,-he ha4 1l9arned- frQni th0 captain that this conl~~ be atte~id~d t4o th~ n~xt morning-but morning Was long passed. It must 1~e six p'cloel~, he,, thought. - TaJ~ing~. out his watch, be touched ~ spring of the - ,ca~e, a~c1, as it flew open, -was~-yery mw~h Ielieved to. ftnd that it was ox~ly four. ~$i~%thi~ was late enough. $hould he attend first to -th~ lady ci-- -If t .. s . .. a a the cottnt4.' S 9 or the luggage? The lady, he ~ ~tep- ping into his job coach, drove to the St. Charles. But the luggage weighed heavily oii hTh Pii4d, and just as he was about to enter the hotel, he bethdught him. that his best plan would be to haiid hi~ list to a commission merchant, and- have the things bestowed in his ware-rooms until the ~i~sing n~~an appeared to claim them:and their owner. ~e-ent~rii~g. thecoach, he went incontiiient and dis~harg~d Ids conscience of this task-then returned, with lighteiied Lre~ponsi~ ability, tothe hotel. endingg for Juanita, he begged to se~ Miss Yar~ssa '1 in the ladies' p~rIor, iear to which Was' h~i room and where he- waited,. and waited a con sider~Ae time, he 'thought. But at last t~ieAark-iey~d maideii came. SIoWW, *ith 1an~uid st~p, she entered;. arid, sonie- what to. bi~ relief, but much more to his suifprisb; did n~t seem t~ think it 'a matter of any moment that her uncle w-as nQt to~be foirnd. She eviiiced n6tthe'le~ist impatience, erflkarrassmE'iit or . concern at a circum- stauice whkh Edward could hot but thiii.k wa~ well calculated tO excite all. Three pf these emotions, but looked at him and~ listened to his rdatioii of his efforts and failures with an air 6f Well-bred indif- fereftee. 'Strang~!' thought Edward. jjs she so childish,1 or so ignorant as not' to understand the thing at all? It seems so?' Then: again add~ssih~ her :.. 'Perhaps-~ I had better te1e~raph Gem'1 Wa1~worth,' he' said. 'He ma~ have -mi~tak~n the time ~t which he was to meet'you, and be still at home. Will you give me his add~es~, ,if you pIea~e-the name .of Ihe p1 where he resides?' ' U~ tqo-k out hiS ~abiets.' his place, 'H'~ live~ in 'Yrd~eyale is the naijie of page: 142-143[View Page 142-143] 2 ~' - '.~' 142 THE STEP-SISTER, 'What is the name of the nearest town?' 'I do not remember.' ~ Hi's post-office?' 'Verdevale, county, 'Kentucky.' county? I had perhaps better telegraph to Louisville, ~making, inquiries?' 'If you like~' Edward put up hi~ tablets. He was was amazed at her perfect unconsciousness, or noncha1ance~be did not know which it ~w~s~-in so awkward a positi~n. 'I wonder if the man is a myth.?' he eja~milated mentally:, 'and' if this pretty insensible is to be left on my hands altogether? What am I to ~do with her?' *He glanced at her again. She was looking straight before her, evidently forgetful of his presence, and the'expression of her large dark eye was so mourn- ful that the half-sentiiy~ent' of impatience which had been excited by what he considered her stupidity was instantly checked by a gush of generosity and pity. For the first' time he felt, what almost any other man would have '~felt long before, a seiise of, protection and proprietorship towards the lonely and' ~Iovely girl thus accidentally entrusted to his care. ~nd, after all, he thought, a& he still looked at her pale impasgve face 'and sad unmoving gaze-after all, how much more sen~ib1e ~n d less troublesome to him this quiet and. undem6nstrative manner ~f tak'ihg the disappointment than would 'be the noisy excite- ment which most women and girls would display, he supposed, on such an occasion. ' It was~ with a gen- tleness as well~ as kindness that he said, as he rose- to leave her: 'At all events, ~ [iss' Y~assa, I hope you will, not give yourself the, least distress or unea- siness. Nothing is' 'r~more. probable' than that your uncle has mistaken the time appointed, lie may ar- U 143 I ~ ~A .~ I nyc to-night. I have an eng~gernellt at present, but will return and attend you to dinner, unless,' he added,.' you prefer dining in your 9wn room.' 'YesJ prefer it.' lie bo~yed and'withdrew went to his chamber an4 wrote 'his letter. Explaining lriclly the caused his detention, he told his'fathem~ he wouhl beat home~- here he paused and threW down his pen to con- sider. if General Walworth did ~iot~.appearthe nex , day or the day after, he wou!ct wait no longer , believed, but must, yes, lie must take Miss .Yarassa home with 'him. That would certainly be bitter than remaining at the hotel, though it would be very dis- ao'reeable and eiyibarrassing to her he feared. He knew jt.~~~ld. be ~6Ao himself. Perhaps she mighI~ object to going, and wish himto take her on to Ken- tucl y. He hoped not, rind thought not-she seemed so passive afid indifferent. Altogether, it was a- a very unp1e~s~nt dilemma in which he was placed. lie resumed his pen, and continued' his sentence-~ would b~ at home on. Saturday. It was possible that the young lady might accompany him, as there * seems little pro~peet of fading her uncle. If Frank was at home, of course he would be at the landing to meet him. Sealing' and addressing the letter, he rang for * Thomas to take it to *the post-office. 'Thomas ~was not forthcoming. lie suggested to his master t'laat, after being cramped up on shipboard, Mexica~C' needed exercise, and, Edward assenting, he was ~iow ~ out on tha~it errand. Edward was about to give the let- ter to the gerv~ant who had answered his ring, but as h~ wished it to go without delay, thought itwoul~ be beet to send it to 'the office by Thomas when he camel instead of risking its being detained, by some care- leu~~ a~ a letter~of' hi~ had been once before at THE ~?I1EPSIST]~ page: 144-145[View Page 144-145] 144' THE STE?.8'ISTER. that same plsu~e. He therefore 'put it into~his pocket and n~eVer thought of' it again.' ' He' was tWe4..-more tired' in mind than in. body-~ by his bo~tl&~s 'perambulations.' he rose and went out to the nearest book-store to look for some refresh- nient; nor was he long in endingg it, ,but ~soo~ toQk back With him to his r6om a' companionn in *hose ~4~i~& 'discoi~rs li6'J~av all rec6l'lection eb of the 4a~r. 'Mis~ Yarassa, his return home, the" ThDner hQur,' wei'&'all forgotten~ 'as he Aat ab- sorbe4 in his. volume. The "wee sma~ hours' were upou" hi~"' ere he closed the' page and sQught his pillow. ' Oi~ telegraphing to Louisville the next day for 'i'n- forrnation~ he learned that there certainly was such a' man as Get~ral Walworth, but that he lived in' the interior 'of the. State, no line of telegraph pa~sihg near him. E~w~ard~ wrote immediately to the a4dr~ss whidrrXimenaThad mentioned, appi'ising him.of.the Thath ~sf~'hf~' and where ib&its df l~is niece. As"'he $till 'eu'Wrt~ined sonie' hope that he niigl~t be on 'hid way 'to N~ew' Orleans, a 'little behindhand in i~is appointment, Kdward 'stayed oi~t the time he' had ~Prescri'be4 'tb Idinself; "'but; on the. evening of the 'th'ird'~da~ of"his 'waithig, lie askj~'d an interview with Ins charger and proposedd to her tb accompany him homn6, foi~ 'the px~~'se~~t. He blushe4 ~nd sta.mmered in. nlakulg' di ~ pI~oposition. "She heard it with per- fect" '~oiiipo~tire; and' dissentedd' without a word of ~lIology, 6rsliiide'of ~ohfusion. ''There are f~w p~rson~wh'o h~ive not, oxce or twice intb~ir~lke~ 4t"ieasi, paii~ed and ~~nientally) ~g~ven the~nseWes ~, shake, ~1~e question, 'Am I aw4ke, or '~x 'I dre~jn~'?' ' ' iN~e~er was' x~ian. more disposed to ~inake tQ hn~~sif this nt&tro~ary;t~i'arv~wag D~4ward, a~ .be' "' ~ed "N" THiS $T1~P-SLSTELL. i15 the, deck of one of the floating palaces that steam up and down the Mississippi riv~r, watching each fa- miliar feature of the landscape a~ they passed along. Here was" he-he, Edwai'd' Clerville-the piotector and traveling companion pf-~.a young lady! itwas really incredible! He was tempted to douht his own identity! A young 'lady'! And such ~ young lady! ~o quiet and matter of course in her manner of re- ce iving bis attention that he could not blame any one ,for taking 'her to be his Wife, as he perceived that everybody did. Not the slightest symptom~ ~about her of that' little flutter and consciousness which most young ladies would have exhibited. If she had been eight instead of eighteen, and he seventy in~ stead of twenty-five, she could not have been moi~ composedly trusting afid. simple in her air to~v~rds him. No wonder that he had been greeted with con- gratulations on. his marriage by two acquaintances, fellow passengers, who saw him.coine on beard with iMiss Yarassa leaning upon his arm, and followed by her servants, his servant and horse, and their u~'iited arPay of trunks. Quite ,a family party they undoubt- edly looked'! The" mistake too., was th~ more par- donal le and natural, since no friend or acquaintance6 of his would .evei~ have thought of snspeeting him of the gal1ant~&y of escorting, any lady but his ~i~ter or wife. This was n~itlier one of ~his sisters-it must 'be his wife, they thought, add made~ their~ compel~ ments accordingly, being of the opinion that the ,possessor '6f so beautiful a wife deserved to be con- gratulated. Edw~3xd 7was not very gracious in his reception of theircongratulatiOfl'~ In very few words h~e~ti~ed their misappreli.~5iOfl. .Really, he hoped he ~Xu~u1a never be so situated ag~.in.~ T~'~ere 4proachi~ig. the h&me landing, and he fore part of the. ;boat, ~a~ing. eagerly V ''F *1~ page: 146-147[View Page 146-147] 7' - I THE STEP-SI8TEl~. 146 toward the bluff that stood out boldly against the * eastern sky; expecting to see his brother and th~ car- riage. Neither was visible. It was strange; Surely his letter must have bee-fl received in time. With a sud- den misgiving he put his hand into his bi~east pocket, - and there it was! Drawing it forth with ~ 'muttered objuration a~ his own. 'careless forgetfulness, and the habit which Thomas ht~d of being out of the way just when he was most wanted, Edward twiste d the unoffending paper into the likeness of a cigar,. aiid threw it 'into the water. As thre was no signal for the .boat; to stop, she held on her way up the river. A flush of vexation mounted to Edward's brow a~ he thought of the annoy&nces he must encounter 'in landing atScarsborough. He-was well 1~nown there, and, like all small towns, it' wa~ a~ gossiping- place. The people who chanced to see him would be sure to participle i-n- the mistake by, which lib had already been ~nade so uncomfortable. He should be stared at; i~poken to, and talked about Ifrith real village 'gusto, - he knew~ Not Benediek himself 'befox~e. his magnanimous reformation of sentiment, had a more unmitigated horror of being called 'the married' man,' than our unfortnutate hero now entertained for that appellation. 'He groaned in spirit-but, with true Southern courage, resigned himself to meet the occasion. As they would soon reach Scarsborougl~, he had' all the party ready for instant debarkation. [f'he'~ could only avoid the least detention there! Thomas received his orders in. advance; and on leaving the boat; ~ award drew hi~ wh~e~rimmed Pa- ~ama hat far over his byows, with a faint hope iyat this precaution, together with the. heavy beard ~der itin ight prevent his being recognized. He-~#r~JkCd sloWly up the bluff to the hotel w and entered the parlor 'to wait for the c~4ag.e he had 4 -'C, " (I I' ~' L t s THE STEP-SISTER. 1457 ordered. It WbJS ~at the door in less than fifteen minutes-and he ought surely to have been satisfied with such unusual expedition. -jl3ut he had not~ in the meantime, escaped notice. His- face was aflame I with confusion, and his manner very forbiddingly haughty, as he led Miss Yarassa to the ~carriage, handed her in, and, following~ with all eQuvenietit [speed himself, drove away~ leaving Thomas to provide for the ~onveyance of the rest of the party. He leaned back in his corner, and glanced over at his fair companion as she reclineil in hers, curibu~ to discover whether' she had observed and understood the smiles and look~ so intelligible to himself. It was plain thAt she ~had not. Sh~ was as pale and numoved' as usual. By this ti-me he had grown to consider her as.a breathing automaton, upon whom words would be wasted. Their drive of ten miles passed in absolute silence. He was thinking of the cha~g~s that had. occurred since he left home., It Was less than - two years, and yet how great. were these~ changes! Lucy, Kate, Frank; all married--and his step-mother dead! And Blanch~I he could meet her now, as the wife of his brother,-with composure. His ill-starred love troubled him no more. l$ut, looking back in the calm spirit with which we can regard things that are of the past, he rejoiced that he had checked it. in its early growth by absence, and that a sense of m6ral right, as well aeo'f hono~' towards his brother, had enabled him later to conquer it entirely, for he felt that it had been, th~4 it would*~ ever remain the one passion ofThis life. Had it taken. firmer root in his heart, he might have been a miser- ~1e man. As it was, though he knew that he could flOV~~ love again, that his life must be a cold, unge~ nial ~i~e he thought he could wed himself to ids K books, &~id should not be unhappy. He was very I, 4 page: 148-149[View Page 148-149] 148 THJ~ STEp-sISTER. agreeably surprised to find that, instead of dreading the arrIval at ~horne th~e more, the mote nearly it~ap.. proached-..a~ he expected he would~the. idea had lost i~arly all its terror.. 'Refore leaving~ Mexico, he shrank at the bare thought of meeting his father- seeing Blanche! Distance s6metines lends terror, as well as enchantment, to the view. The carriage stopped l~efore the deor: of Hpllywood. Descending, he assisted Ximena to alight, aiid' led,. her into the house. CHAPTER XXT. RE-AOTJON. They had left' S carsborough late, and it Was now sQmep~me ~aftet~ 4dark. The hail 'door w~s open-the lamp. b~ifrning~verythiii~ looking just as usual. And yet Edward felt the'~ chang~. There. was' a stillness, an 'air.hid.escribable, but oppressive, hanging over the place. No~ ~ ha'ZI' heard their approach~,. it seemed, as'riot eyea a servafit came to meet them. Edward * crossed the hall, passed through a ccirridor, and stopped a moment~ at the sitting-room door. Ic was * opefr~ and h& could l&ok in on the f~Anily so reduced in irn~bers since l~e had joined' them last around the table ~Wh~i~they now sat .~t' tea. Only three-his father, Fraiik ~nd Blanche 1 Mr.' Cl&j~ili&s: back wa~to the door, and Edward's eye ~i'ested btit art instant on the familiar fQrm, which, as he' saw it, looked unaltered, and passiji~g 'Pr~~ with a slight moinentar~r glance, paused at the o ST end &f the table. Blanche? NV&s it really d 0 sitting th~rs, he ~aske4 'hiin~elf. Coming ~ the * da~kn &ss~ he could~:not se~ very distin~hnt Ths A 4 S seemed to. him a ~tranger. While h~ involuntarily shaded his sight to &btain a clearer vision, a siigl~t movement of Ximena's, as she stood beside him, re- called his wandering thoughts. Without allowing himself time for further hesitation, he entered the room. Blanche saw him first. At her slight exclamation, Frank looked up, and rose quickly from the table, &nd I~Ir.' C lerville, turning liis head. awl perceiving' him', started up too. Ximena remained standing near the door as Edward hastened forward to meet them. A few broken words were interch&nged as they gr~spQd each other's hand-and then Edward turned to Blanche. She 'had risen, and stood, her hand ex- tended, as he' approached. Neither spoke. * The .sight of her pale face and black dress shocked Edward in- expressiblY; and as she felt. the convulsive trembling of his han~1, she ~ould.'s~rcClY maintain~the foree4 composure for which she w~s struggling. Ed~ ward bent his head over h~r hand, and his tears feW upon~it, as he pressed it to his lip's. It was the mute assurance 'of his sympathy in her sorrow-for~ all this moment there was n6 thought, even ~his heart,~ave for the kind mother who was gone. Mr. Olerville and Frank both glanced at Ximena, and the, former took a 'step towards her, saying to Edward- * 'Have you brought :tne.anoth~r daughWr, my son?' Then let me welcome her home."' 'Oh! pardon. me!' exclaimed Edward, quickly. No,' father:; this ,,yoflng lady-' he huri~ied to her si and said, 'Allow m~ to present to you my father .~niy .~r&ther2'' Scarcely giving either party time to ack~o dge ~the introduction, h~ took Ximena"s hand a~1~rned to Blanche ,who had advanced. 'I have b.wiigh& you a gue~t3 Blanche,' he managed to 149 I ~ru~ '~ * L Ii '4 page: 150-151[View Page 150-151] -150 a 'THE '~T~P~SI8TEI~. stammei~ out, '-whom I am su-re--' he 'ended his' sen-. tei~ce by placing the' passive hand he held in that of Blanche,. Who pressed it very 'cordially, murmured some words of welcc.me,. and drew Ximena to' 'a '6hair, saying gently, 'Sit down and let me take off your bonnet.' 'Ximeua. submitted. without opposition, and Dianche removed her bonnet and mantle, while Edward shook hands with the' two servants who-were in attend- ance; inquire~i if the 6ther servantsw~re well* an- sweredhis father's questions as to when he had landed in New Orleans, alluding slightly 'to his detention but without mentioning the cause ~'f it, and expla~n~d about the letter which' 'he had written, but forgot, to send. He glanced toward Ximena as 'he' spoke-~----by which they understood ~that the detention and the letter had both something to' do with her. Chairs were placed 'for theni~~&~ table, and-they all sat down.' - ' - - Blanche, Mr. Glerville an4 Frank exerted diem- selves to taW easily and natii#ally, in order to pre- vent all sense of constraint or awkwardness on the part'~ the beautiful ~stranger whom Edward had~ brQugfith ome with. him; marveling much , the while, - where or how lie could have picked up such a travel- ing' companion: She was not his wife; was~'she' his betrothed? It did- not' look so. There were no glances of' intellige~ie~ nor 3ven a word exchanged between them. Edw4A~4 seemed to have forgotten her very existence, a~ he 'sat absently sdrring' his eoff~e and looking 'intently at Blancjw. Tue young lady herself 'was apparently unaw~a1e of the pecu- 'liarity g~Aier - position.' Her manner w~s q4'~t~ and un&mb~xrassed; 'and she answered when sp~n' to in 'aAo~w, SWeet Voice, but there' was' a dr~i~y ab-. stra LiOn of air ahou~ her, and she never e1nce 'smiled. 9 ~" '7' I""' "X TLI1~ STEP~S1STE1t. 151 t Blanche observed.that she wore. the deepest mourn- jag. 'Let me give 'y&u another. cup of c6ft'ee,' she said, 'as Xiineria made the slight movement of her plate, which signified that the~ceremony ef eating was over wjtli her. A ceremony it had literally been; she had scarcely tasted 'a mouthful. 'Pray take a hot Waffle!! 'Nothing more, thank you.' 'But you do not - eat at all. You ought to be hungry ~ifter traveling".-all' day she was going to add, but recollected that she did not know how long she had ,been' traveling; or where 'she came from, Qr where she was going, or even ~what her name -was!. Edward had actually forgotten or negleete~l to men- tion this last in4ispensa.ble~part of an. introduction.! Blanche mentally echoed- Kate's'~ opinion, ,that he was the strangest person she ever ~a-w inter life. Despite her efforts and those of 1\fr. Clerville and Frank, conversation languished. In fact, none of them knew what to talk' about. Edward seemed to avoid speaking of- Mexico, they all noticed. lie was ahiiost as silent as Ximena. Shortly after tea was over, Blanche a~ked her guest if she would like to retire- and Ximena answering affirmatively, they left the room.1 Summoning, the maid, BTh~nche led the way up stairs into the chamber next her own, glanced around to see that every thingwas in order, ~nd said, as' she took X.imena's hand to kid' her good night- 'Jenny will bring you any thing you want, Mi-' She broke off .the word in the .midd1~. How e~ces~ sively strange an~I careless of ~EdXvard not to have mentioned the lady' s ~naine~ and ho~ very awkward and. discourteously it sounds to address any one with - out' naming them, sh~ thought!' She endeayo~e51 to make up for' this deficiency-in speaking, by th~4en- tlcness and cordiality of~ he~ voice and manfler. page: 152-153[View Page 152-153] 4.-' 4 4..., .4 444 ,4444 ~.4 .4 TLtl~ STED-S~ST1~R. Pressing '~ kindly, she added7, 'Per. Ximena's hand' haps you would like Jenny to 'stay in this Aressino. closet a4j~injng? S'he Can do so if you~wish it.' 'Thank you. J~ianita, my maid, has nbt come yet, then?1 Blanche looked at Jenny, enquirh~gly. 'I. don't know, m'm,' Jenny replied to the look, The man that drove Mass Ed yard from Scarsborough said that T hoinas and-, 'Go and see whether they have came yet,' ',inter' erupted Blanche. Ximena'had ~eated herself in an armchair, and was reclining back in an attitude of weary lassitude. ~he lool~d so young, so sad! and youth and sadness aiPt not~ well together! that, with a sudden' emotion of sympathy and p1ty~, Blanche bent over and kissed the pale brow. The ~ct seemed to rouse. Ximena. She looked up with earnest attention at Blanche's face atid.theu took her hand. '1 am so miserable!' she said, with touching sim- pli~ity. lUanche did not know what? to say; but' she pushed back the dark locks from the forehead which, though so pale, was hot a~nd throbbing, and, stooping, again pressed her lips to ~t. Xiznena seemed ;'.ab0ut to ..speak when the door opened and the 'servant re-entered room. 'Thoy have not come yet, Miss Blanche,' she 'said. 'Very well, I will ring when I want you, Jenny,' replied her mistress, S ~ w~'~1 She looked with curigsity toward J~1anche and the stranger as she left th~ chamber. ~t~be former drew a foot-sto~A to Ximena'~ side, and silt doww-~resving her clasped h~jids on the knee of the latter~ ~ihe h~rts of the two girls were in$tinctivoly drawn to. I ward each other, but they were silent. Xim ena spoke first. 'You are his sistt~r?' she asked. 'You mean-' 'Edwatd's. You call him Edward, I thought.' 'Yes-that i~ his name,7 'answered Blanche, won- dering at her ignorance on the subject. ~'And you are his sister?' 'Not his own sister?' replied Blanche in a faltering tone. 'His brother's wife?' 'No :-his step sister.' Teats sprang t~her eyes. 'Are you, too, unhappy?' said Xirnena. 'Ali, yes-you, too,. wear this dress t'-she touched her own mourning~ robe with a.. shudder. 'What is the matter? Why do~ you weep 1' Blanche's tears gushed forth. Sh~ had been bat- tling b rarely~ with her emotion ever since Edward came. His pr~en~e recalled s~ forcibly the time im- mediately fo1h~wing her mother's marriage, when he was at home, that it ha4- required all the resolution which she could command to' avoid yielding to it be. fore Ximena' s qlIe3tiOnS) which could not be answered without allusion to her great' grief-quite vanquished her hardly sustained fortitude. She covered h~reyes with her ~handkerchief, and wept unrestrainedly for a. few minutes. The Spanish girl watched' her in si~ letice-with a sort of wonder-until l3hnche, relieved l)y the indulgence, and feeling, that soxi~e apology was due for it said: 'Excuse me. You~' must think this strange-hut I could not restrain my tears. 'It is but a feW months since my mother-' her vei~e fail~d~ 'She is dead?' asked Ximena, with strange calm ness. Blanche bowed her head, and her tears flowed afrcsh~ S 4', J. 44, '44 [ 4 11 4 4 ~t (4~4 ~ / 1 44 44441 4444 ' 4 44', 4~4; ~14.- THE S rE?-SISTEIL 153 page: 154-155[View Page 154-155] "7' '7'' - 154 THE STEP.~SISTER. '~But how can' you weep. so-?' exclaimed Ximena in a tone of surprise-~-almost of envy. 'I cannot weep: I have knot shed a 'tear since' my mother died!' Blanche pressed her hand. - 'I am ~o weary-weary!' continuedd the poor girl mournfully. 'If I could but go to ~le.ep,' and never wake again! But I am very yeung. .1 fear I- shall live a. long tim~. Do you think it a sin to tray for' death?' Before Blanche could answer, Ximena s eye ~acci- dentally fell upon the ~et rosary. Which' the former wore depen*ng from her girdle-and which', she had taken in her hand while Ximena Was spe~king. Evi- dently soriie sudden thought or association was' ~ng- gested.to the young Spanish girl by the sight of this rosary. 11cr lips trembled.-~.and therewas an expres- sion of troubled thoi7ight in her eye: of doubt or ap- prehension. At this moment a low~knock at the door was followed immediately by the enfrai~e of Jenny, au~rnnpanied by Juanita. Acknowledging the re- spectful sal~itation of the woman,.' a.& she advanced towards them, Blafiche rose from her lowly seat, thinking. that' Ximeua wQuld probably wish' now to retire. 'She turned to say good-night-but Xhnena 'had. started' forward eagerly, and spoke a few words rapidly, in Spanish, to her maid,' who answered hesitatingly; and with. an air of deprecation. ~ Give it me! give it me!' cried her young mistress, in .English. 'Give me myflio~ther's rosary 1' Unwillingly, as it seemed, Juanita pr9duced it from among the folds of the kerchIef 'that covered her bo- Soul. Ximena caught it with hurried hand, and held itup to the light. It was o~ 'lapis lasuli, 8et in gold, and sparkled in the rays of the lamp, as ~t sWayed to and fro in her trembling fingers. But it was not the beauty of the gems, or the glitter of the ~gold, that I * "I 7/' 'N4 TH~ STEP-~ISTEJi~8 the young orphan saw as she gazed upon it! With a sudden low cry of anguish she sank on her knees,, and clasped tl~e precious relict to her heart* and then the passion of grief which had so long been prisoner, asi twere~ within her breast, burst forth with fearfUl violence. She fell forward upon the fipor, writhing convulsively.' Her tears had'corne at last,, and they came in storm! lier weeping, compared to that of Blanche'&, was like the tornado of the ' tropics to a gentle summer shower. - Blanche knelt down~ on the floor beside her, her own tears falling like rain' drops over the rayen locks now so wildly 4isheveled-and the bla&k-rob'ed, writhing form-and ~tr9ve to caln~i the frightful vehe. mence of her sorrow; Juanita mingled her sobs with the convulsed gasping of l~r nurseling; and Jenny ~stood with parted lips and half frightened stare, re-. garding the stranger in shocked amazement. The~ orphan refused to be comforted, aiid Wer broken, de- spairing exclamations touched Blanche t~' the very souk-speaking, as they did, of a~. &orrow so like her - own. After more than an hour ~of futile endeavor to soothe the passionate woe, she remembered that .bier failing to return down stairs would excite surprise. She rose, therefore, and whispering to Juanita that she would so.oii be back, beckoned to Jenny an~ glided from the apartment. 'Wait . here until I return, Jenny,' she said to4he b girl in a low, tone, Pausing a n~oment at th~ door of her own chamber. 'Get me a wrapper to put on~ and my slippers-~-.and go and tell. ~'Iorn Hannah to have 'the bed in the dressing~clo~et fixed ~for this wo~ man; Help her yourself, and get it 4one as quickly as p possible. But don't go through that room ;'-she pointed .to~ Ximena~'s chamber. 'The outer door of the dre~sii~clo~et i~ niJ6ek@d, is it not V ~4I ~ I 57 I' I *. S page: 156-157[View Page 156-157] * ?w~'i'~, 4 THE STEP-SL~TER. 'Yes m'm-I think so.' ~' :~&-quick; Jenny.' The girl hurried down the passage, tried the lock of the dQorand soon returned. '"Yes m'm-its ~peii2 'Well-don't forget now. Tell Mom Hannah to come immediately. And 14t her put~a bl&nket on the bed. These people are used to a much warmer' climate than ours. Oh! and Twant some ~offee-ab6ut twelve or one o'clock. Mom Letty need no~ sit up to make it. John can do it. A~id you stay in my room. I may Want you during the night. 'Now doiVt go and forget half I have told you, Jenny! Do you think you~can remember it all ?' Oh, yes~ Miss 'Blanche. Where is the in~n to sleep, Mom Hannah says '?' "'T-he~nan'?' 'Yes m'm.~ There's *& ina~i down stairs, too. I thinit Thomas said he was the woman's husband.' 'Let'the rooni next the ~antryjbe prepared for hint Nov~'get my things--the wrapper,' I mean, and slip- pers-and.. put the wrapper on the bed where I can find it. And then see about the' rooms. The woman ha8 had tea; of course?' ~'o m'm,' answi~red .Tenny, shaking her head. I wanted her to wait for home, but she wouldn't. She talked some outlandish way that I' didn't under~tond; a~c1 th~ii sh&said: something' abQut her "-child," so I thought she must mean the young lady, .aiid I broug'bt her right, up.' And you;mnst take I~r right down again, dire4ly; to get srniie supper. But w-ajt~untiI I 'coxn~ back. She coul~1 not leave the young 'lady, now. She 'was he" nure~, I s~ip-p~se, and seems very much ~ttaohed t6 her. Is' theA~ a-il, nowK'? It' ~eeni~ to me' there w~ or*~ethi~ eh~-~ ' - p 157 She stood still a moment to think. She aint Mass Edward's wife, sure enough, i.~ she, Miss Blanche '~' enquired Jenny. 'No; certainly not.' I knew Thomas was telling a story! lie said 'Mass Edward was married to her week before la1st~-or last week, I forget which-before they left Mexico; but it was to be kept a secret-' here Blanche, who h~~d scarcely. heard the commencement' of Jenny's sen- tence, turned round, and listened with an expression of surprise and doubt,. as the girl continued-Jbut III thought -it very strange that Mass Edward should be sitting down stairs there so quiet, arid her goiri~ on sp up here, if she was his wife!' Blanche could 'notforbear a smile, while at tha same time therehad ~been something so very unusual about the whole affair-Edward's sIdden and unexpected appearance, thus accompanied-that for a moment the question did occur to her whether what Thom~ts said might not be true. But she instantly effectedd that i~ was impossible Edward should act in so- insiw core, a nianner towards, his fathe~'-and-pshaw! how could she credit it for a moment! "And pray, did your Mass Edward give Th6inas leav~ to tell you ~lzis secret, that is to be kept from every one else 2' she said1 ~valkiug quickly down stairs, fQllowed by thg .ser~a~t. Oh, he tQld all ot the s5rT~ant~. as ;Tcll ~s inc but he said the white PALs wasn't to kno;~ of it,' Blanche smiled again as sh~ tnrPed iP4o the cor- ri~lor which led tO the sittiiwrooin. I 4, 4, '1 "4-i I 'I ~" "'1 T HE STEP-SISTER. page: 158-159[View Page 158-159] 158 - TIlE STE?-SISTEI~8 CHAPTER XXII. TTVEMORS AGAIN.- * -- As soon as - Blanche and Ximena had retired; Ed~ ward explained to his father and~ Frank the chance -~ circumstances by which Xim-ena1 had been tlI!own upon his p-rotection----enquiring ~of the finer if he * rememb~i'ed having been acquainted with the youn~ lady's mother. 'What did you say the name was?' asked Mr. (Dlei~ vil-le. - 'Yarassa.' - - ~' Her maiden name, I mean.' 'Walworth, I suppose.' That is the name of her brothel', whom I could not ftnd.' 'Walworth!' repeated Nr, Clerville. 'Oh ,ye~;1 recollect now. - Miss Walworth! - She was a schooL mate of your mothers, I think. At least, a fijend of hers. I remerubef. Her parents were ~very much opposed to this marriage ;~ snot from any objection to Yarassa himself, I. believe, but because they naturally objected to his living in Mexico. I think.I heard af- terwards, however~ that they generally resi4d in - Europe-spending very little time in Mexico.' 'Miss, Yarassa speaks English like a fiative,' said Edward. - 'Poor child!' observed4 Frank. "She - miis~, have been very much disappointed and embarrassed at not meeting her uncle in-New Orleans.". - Edward thought, but an impulse -of delicacy pr(~ vented hi~ saying, that she Was not half as much dis" appointed and emba~was~cd as he himself had been: He mentioned having written to General Walworth, and asked he father whether he supposed' it ~ be neca~aary to write~ again~ a S I I thuiik so,' was the reply. And meanwhile I hope Blanche can make her contented to remain here. I am very gla~d, my son, that accident enabled y~u to render this service to the daughter of your mother's friend.' Blanche here entered ~the room, and heard the his- tory qf Edward's protectorship of Ximena, relating, in return, the sudden paroxysm of grief into whidi- the ~ poor girl ha~'fall~n a.t~he sight of her mother's ros- ~ ary. WithouKdoubt EdWard. shared to some extent ~ the sentiments of compassion sb warmly expressed by his father, Blanche arid Frank for the apparentlyy friendless cpndition and sad bereavement of the young orphan; but he, nevertheless, could not help thinkihg- what a fortunate thing it was for him that this paroxysm did not occur --on board the vessel as they were crossing the gulf, or at the hotel, or on the boat c~miiig up the river. Such a circumstance [*6uld i~ave complicated his embarrassments ~greatly was rejoiced that the young lady was safely trans- ferred~ from his hands to those of Blanche. lie glanced at them-her hands-as this thought crossed his mind, and gave a quick start-~on1y just restrain- ing the exclamation that rose to his lips. Just then Blanc-he rose, and, paying she would return to Xi- mena, bade them' all good night. Edward was so absorbed in hi&own reflections that he entirely for- - got ~* acknowledge and return the salutation until after she had left the room. lie was thinking-thinking of-her hand. There was no wedding ring upon -it I A m~gnificeizit dia- mond blazed uvon her engagement finger, but wed.k ding ri~ig there wa~ not! Could it be possible that they were uta married yet? He had taken it for granted that they were, because Mrs. Clervill&'~ death had- noU occurred until some tiPie after the date set for THE- STEP-Sl~TER. 159 ii 41 page: 160-161[View Page 160-161] * the marriage.' Could anything have happened t~ prevent it before that? He hoped not! lie did hon- estiy~and earnestly hope not! For since' it was fated that she could hot be 'his, he wished the barrier that would separate them forever to be erected at once. So loi~g ~.s he had considered her actually the wife of Frank, ~he had' been resigtied, had thought. hi~ '1~ve was extinct but no sooner did he entertain a doubt on the subject, than the same love blazed up again furiously. It' had been covered, it seemed, but not extinguished~ by the ashes of despair. If thoae ashes had rainedd undistubed, no dQubt it would have died out-in time ; but stirred up, and pushed aside by this discovery, the fire 'had free vent' again. Frank and his father talked -on; he answered like one in a dream; sometimes blundering upon the sense of what they said, ahd ansWering per~tinently- but oftener giving response so wide of the nark, that they began to suspect his thoughts to be with Ms fairs traveling companion~±particularly as he every now and then looked around' nervously at the door, and once asked Frank, quite abruptly, if it was not pro- baJ~1e that Blanche would be down again that night.~ r) Frank said he supposed not, as she had bidden them good-night; adding thaI~ h& hoped ~IVJiss Yarassa had become composed before this time. Edward blushed withv-exatioii, as he perceived that' he wa~ c6nsid~ ered to beAn great anxiety about Miss ~ara~sa.. At length, to his great relief, 'Mr. Clerville remark- ing that it was late, rose to retir~. Edward' willingly bade' him good-~ight, bu~ 'was not so ready tc~pa1~'t with his brother. lie propose& their taking1a s~pke together, he fore going to bed. ~ ligI~tiag their cigars they puffed away fbi a few ~irPites in ~iI~nee.. Frank~ s ~aban~ dtd ~6t iig'nite. as i~e4diJy - V as wns desirable: Or, raUii~i', it would n~'tdraw'freely.' - 4' TIlE sT~r~~sTSTJ~ft I6~. 'I p * After Wolding it to the flaim~ of the lamp ~everal.tixne~1 he. pronounced it ~ spurious thing, nn4 pitched it out of the o~n window by Whi c~ he s~t; Selecting aiio1he~' with care, he ciii the end artistically, and1 With ha feet up and hi~ head hack, in the attitude of your devotee to the weed, giive it~ fragr~nee to the' nightbre~ze'that *wa~ play in~ among hi~ hazel .ri~gles. Edward hind watched him, with the air of on&iWho is glad of any ex6use to postpone a, thing which ~l~e is nev~erthies~ ~anxious to do, and now 'clea4d his throat twice be~ fore , .lio felt hie VOiCe sufficiently. steady to ~ hia brother a very simple question. Emitting ~ great mouthful of smoke, he enquii'ed, with af~e~ted cadim. ness, 'You are not married yet, Frank?' 'No.' Edward's heart gave a great bo~ii~'d. 'Did I not nwntion in my letters~-J thought I did.~.that l~lanche was. sick at the tim~ first appointed; a~d my mother Was then taken ill, and died on the. day~whje~ was afterwards set for th~ marriage1' dward said he had not received this ietter~n~ ~ked when th~ affair was to come off~, now. - 'In the winteV, probably, If ~l that is.' Tou do riot suPpose she will objec&?' 'She d908 n~t like t&he mit1rrted so ioou after het mothev'&Ae ath; and I tiave xiot pressed the poLnt, a~ 'My f~ither~1o~k~ badly,' said i~dward.~ 'aau h~ b~i11?' 'No. A good de~d depre~e4iu mind~ orc~urse. I &n' glad that you have come; ~nd glad that yo~ii hav# brought this yotxng lady with you. I hope that her presence n~ay~ l~ave a gooa eft'~eet on ~Iau~he~-.~ ~ :her. K~te staid ~Uk her uzxtQ, 1@~t w#ek. & 41 4 0 page: 162-163[View Page 162-163] TWF -: 8TEPBI8TF~R. 'can you not supply her place'? Edwrd forced h~inself to say. I{ot entirely,' he answered) with a-smile. ~i But II hope your fair Creole may.' 'She will not be here long,' sali Edward, and then 'asked same questions ab&~t Mrs. Cler~ril1e'~':illneSS arid deatti. -lUs brother answered at length, and it was long after ixiidntght~when they finally separ*~ted. When he retired to his chamber, instead of going to be4 aa ~mmon sense ought to have' dictated, Ed- war4 took from his pockol a~key, the- custody of which he never put out of his own h&ads, and went delving i~W the secret recesses of a middle-sized trunk that 'li4 been mounted on the to~ of a much larger one, wheu~his luggage was placed hurriedly in- his room on its arrival that night. After covering~ the floor ~r0~121d with ~the - coitents of 'the trunk, and leaving th~ unnaat~ l~qking array for Thomas to attend -to the neZt morrkifl~, lie-found what he was in search'of-a ~q~are,~ 41a14 .~ealed packet. Re carried -it and laid U down Oft thetable, glanced around the room, boWed the '~door-though - the hour of the night ought to have prevented all fear of intrusion-let down the ~irrtains-thoigh it was' mid-summer, and warzn - enough for tb~em to ~b& u~'-axid, returning to theta- ble, tpp~ up thepack~ge. It was sealed -with maiiy se~ls and The @veloped' in many fQldings of-. paper. 8I~per~cr1~ion,- had ~she seen it, would, wn- doubte4ly, h~tve excited Kate'ti curiosity as~ to the eontents- - - * "in the evnt d ~ny doath, -thi a4*age i~ to~bo d.etroyo4 un- - ~ ~ I gw~i - ~WA5II&F ViJUe5~ 45~' 4 --,~ ~v~ed hi~ ~0 E~UV0 '~ - trOItbIO O~'-C. -~ iim~WA4 rn*e I- V 9 I 4 -'' - ' -4 - "' ~ -. - - V A - ring- -STEP-SISTEJ~. voluminous folding that surrounded it, hQ' drew- - forth Blanche's, daguerreotype. - The Blanche of two years before-not the Blanche of the present. - No, she wa~ changed-; sadly changed, ~for there was the stamp--of suffering now upoii the pale f~-ce, which, in the picture before him1 aKpressed only the unclouded4 joyousness of very early youth. lie leant his he'ad on liii. hand and gazed very earnestLy upon it,.a~~d hishea4 heaved with an emotion &fre- bellious bitterness as he refie&t~ tha,~he -~ l~a4. re- to be. again to~tured~%3V~he ir- turned home oniy 'stable infatuation of which he 'had thought himself-fr - What. eed. could lie do? How struggle against it? I~Iad he conceived the possibility of~tl4s - mi~f~rtunehe xyould not have- retired from ~fex- ice; lle~ would have 'Written to his f~tJ~er, confessing his mad passion, and that he did net' dare to risk -a recurrence But now, ~eof it. ~T ~ its unconscious object. - - was h~ could not-~-no, it was impossible that he shQuld go- away again. Ae re-': collected,, with painful vividness, the intolerable- re- morse which had. assailed him iii. the few oneiits of agony while he was in dciubt whether ~ wa~ not dead; How 'he had thought that 'if ~Ood would but grant him th~ opportuiiity,- he would think of his father's happiness as he ~ever had~beforeai~d e~dew~er to . n~ibut9 to W ~y every - means ja his' - - powers ; lie knew that hi~ p1'e8~I1ce w~ A ~'f'~~ $,~. solation~hi~-. a'b~ence an equal anxiety to Dir. Cler.. yule. ~ He ~must make the sacrifice of his own trari.. q~iiiiityto -h~ fathe -,~ e ~ He ~uld -l~utefrd~ure ~ as he Jiid-forni~Ay; and ha-hoped the marria~wi~u4d 'be c1dayt~d a feb' month~ only. lint meanwhile his~ '~u~t be a diOi~ ut ~ ft~r~v would not eutrenob. ~ hi~ Old ~ rye. I - ,'~ - ~ 1 41' 3 Vjj - i 9 page: 164-165[View Page 164-165] - ~ ~ I~4, U!ZL~ EP-U~TZR; I - BIane~e often; he must talk to her; he mi~t ta1~e 'a toi~e of q~ije~f~~aterfl4f4IiharitY toward her I Yes, tb~q he h~art waS .convu1~d in tli~ effort., he ~o~ihI &~ it. ,~either hk brother or herself ~hou1d knb~ that their hapjmieS5 was yearned upon the ri4u~ of4ds U0 closed the picture, and, with a heavy sigh, de~ posited t in a draWer of his ~ seer~t~VY-& secret drawer &lways secrecy with this lu~k5~ love of ~ L i at~ 1~i~w ~ ~ hwk. and A~Cstcned it w4ei~c~l1aifl, his face grew hot al the re~ that ~hi~ further~ an4 Fran~ evidently con~ eprii with his ~o~dy charge, Xhncn~i4 o~ generous to wish to rec~ll th~ service had reiidered. her; but he did esteem it a ~Ward ordelTiiag ~f fate which had placed him ~ pos~$~ofl, ~nd h~ hoped most devoutly ~ia'~uncIe would appear soon and relie~ rther perp1e~itY in the matter~ f~g~wE. - - - ~FIM~j I rily uiarRi~ ~~#U* ~e~)~I41 i It. ~ now nearly morning, and ~he h~ beer w~.eping unceasing~y.the' livelong tight! It i~ distre~si~g to ~e& her I $hewodd not suffer her~clf to be undr~~d; and it w~s with great diffi~u1ty that h~r maid and wy~ self succeeded in getting her from, the fl9ur'to the bed, ~herc she is now lying, her face buri~4 in apib low, and sobbing so that the whoic bed sLt4~e~ I am only~tonished that she is not perfectly eThau~ted by this~ time. She doeo not not1~e anything ~e say~ ~ tJi~ 4oman kngwl~ej' to do, seems frighten~ says ~lie !i~ver hei ~ before. Her head is burnIng ~d cold. I am afraid ~he A#iW Va1re~ brain feverif. tjilis ~tate. contintiei much lohger; and I hive felL girea iud~ioed swallow it, dsubt ~) only tly jitelinad t& ~give laeran opip~te, ;(if~h~ ?ear~d to venture; it myself. What do ~Q~U: think o~ it? ~l waiit ~ou to aend for Dr. El a~ Wi~ light. i~i~ pouring rain, dredge as soo.~ and I hato4 to.send out a servant, and to rous& the doctor at such an hour, or. I should have de~patched a.messenger several h6ur~ age. Am ~d~aid~ you ca;~not read t~his scribbling. Frank ask~d Jenny on~ or two question~, aud-bid~ ding her ~m t~he lanip oatlw ~ wait outside th~ d~or ugtL1 he called her ~ WIIC~ ~he was gene, and'iy~ote a few line3 tYBlnjc~e, aw~ ~a~nots tu J~r.Eldridge. Opening the door a little ~j~ace, ~he V ~~~h~m to her as she stood h~ ~Lhe ~a~gei~elling ~AQ t31 tlw one to her mis '. ~ ~'~4tRobe~rt in5tatlj with thq~other t~ t~r. ~ lie then ~ ~tp~t tp 8leep.~. ~JIi~ poor #hibi~ &a b ~&uid ~R1ancIa~ ea~fled~id Gor~$ideted her~41n~o ir tk#r~~ ~ x4j~tja $o~ ~ 0moti~u of ixzdiguation and~~n~~fl~te.. 7.&Iv., w~ka4 and r&odA~er t~tke. $1 jd~ 12 s; 4 I page: 166-167[View Page 166-167] 166 TEU~ sT~r~1~Tkat~ * chance kindne~$ of strangers. He was .not surprised that Edward had obviously lost his heart to one so attractive both from her helplessness and her rare beauty; hoped she would return the regard of his brother arid thought, with satisfaction, of ber ~scap- ing, by this means, all dependence upon a kin~mau who seemed uxrworthy the confidence 'his sister had reposed in him. The doctor lived but a few miles from iJolly~o~d, ankl made his appearaxlce some time before breakfast. Frank was up and ready to receive, him ;' and Blauche was refreshing herself after her night'3 vigils with a bath and. morning toilet, when a me~sagc came to her* that he li~d arrived. She' quickly finished dressing, and went to Ximena's room for a moment, to see how 81W was, befDie goi~ig down to the do~tor~ ~The .sobs were ~faiut~, and came only at int~rva1~ Blanche eTould nQt se~ her face, but thu relaxed attitude~ of her ~.ure denoted great exhaustion~ She told Juanita to throw a shaw1~over her misttegs' feet, while she ~er5e1f brought the phy~ieian. 1k enkcred the room with the light tread of one ac~usto~ne4 to the sick charnber-examiued the pulse of hi~ p~ti~nt~hbent down and Ii~tened to her br~ath~ ing--~uid deAred~ if. pp~sibIe: to se~ her fa~e~. But ~e p~ii n~ att~tioi~ to tt~ ontr~ties of' B1&n~lie~ * that ~he ~ett1d~ lift her head from th~ pilloW? The doctor ~t~'r~ bwn~. ~ an opiate a.nd ~tjr~Th~nt c~im1~in~d, which he replested rn~g~V be giVo~i to tier imhmdij1ateIy-S~yiflg that' he *ould ~ n~tic&it~ ~effect. -' 1~Th~t~cke recefled it from his Jii~ud with a.. doubtful look. I JIu~b* ~b10p p?*F341 4J~ thOr ts~ ta ~ 4 ( i I I ~RE STE1'.8xST~ft, 'J't i~*~ that spe should,' answered Dr. Eldridge. '1 can. try,' said Blanehe. r'o her great satisfaction she found, on herretnr~ to th~ chamber, that Ximena had turned ~vt~r, and was now lying on ~her side instead of her face. She carried the draught to her, but could not succeed in attracting her attention to it The dark eyes would open a moment at her e~rne8t adjuration, but the iid~ closed over them again almost instantly. She mo~ toned Juanita to try-~giving her the wine-glass CQntairiiug the medicine. The ~ron~an spoke sorn~ time~n Spanish, and though Blanche was not sufii~ ciently'familiar with the language to understand ex- actly. wL~at ~she was saying, 8he caught a word now and then which reI~ted, to herself. J'~anita wa~ de-. scribing her 'anxiety, and informing Z~mena of her having watched be8Id~ het' all nighL First some IiVtIe movement of her lately passive form showed attention, and a moment after again enclosed: ~he look the eyes ~re ~glance ot gratitude; ~t the ~a~r~e time e~tend~ng her 1~and~ Blanche leant over and' kissed her, and oWered thee draught, Which she SW.&11O~~d without hesitation. 'Try and. 8leep now,' said Blanche softly, passing her hand_ ~aro'a~ng1y ove~ the I~of brow and glosq * hair. 'If yc.u were only undre8sed! 1t~~~1d be s~ * Ruth more co~xiortab1e. Will y6u try?' Ximena made a uloveinent of a~nt, and witb~ ihe assistancee oi Blanche aud J~ziuy,1 quickly changed her cIoseIy~fitting trave1in~ .~ for ~ roije de nuit. She w~wperfec~1ypaesive in their being ~~ident1y entirely Pro~trated. 111 B~~eligtI~. She saitk to sleep almost imm~di~teIj~ Bt~iich~ apprebe3Isrons mfrch ?eIt he, ~ bered that bre~kfaat must b*4~ady, au4 Dr. Eldridg. 1 ~ p __ ______ ___ ~ page: 168-169[View Page 168-169] ~T1L~ ~TI1P~ISTEt~. * ii~Lingl~~ after his early ride. Telling Jenny to w~tch by the young 1ady~ and Ju~nita, w~o had be~ up ~d1 uight4~~ go to bed, she proceeded herself down ~ ~assed down the eorridt~r5 and was~approach~ 4's ToQffl~ the dGor, opened 'aud he came ~aw her, he made tone hasty, i~volun~ nt of retreat, bi~tt, peeking i~, waWed f4W~'rd ~I4 W~t her with toler~bl~ ~ssura~Ce. - As both of them had resolved against resuming' their f~amer ~liyneSB, they shook hands, and went on to - iih~ breakfr~t rooni~ together, talking amicably by the way, t~iough Edward's manner W~a rather ffuried. 'El n~h&WaB qui&i and njiemba~t&S5ed. The*~e Were three very good reasons for ~this: firstly, she had, when engagUghCt~U to Fralik, once for all resigne'J interest about hisi brother. ixwa~ ~a* ~eutiineflt of interest only ~hi~h ,she had ever enter~ t~Th~d for him, and therefore i~ had wa been a diffleult r~atter t~r~preS~ it~ Atided to this, she Was now under the ~&beriug iiifiuenee of affliction There is iio 6tbe.r s~eh 'di~4llusioni~er 9$ erie It ~~~itsdf so rc~1 that die unreal 'vanishes fro it~ preseinee. The littAe far~ciful, girlish ro ~e hat had once invested Lb 'wa~r4'w idi~& in her mind now scarcely had a pta~]e in ih~r memory. He had 4oTh FraUk :Wat his~ ~iiigi~1ar ~ua~nil~r to her had arisen from diflideiio~, arid ~o diffi~ deuc~. alone d14 abe attribute hi& talking t~&~ul The random remarke heutter~d, as he wMked hytier S~d~ towards the breakfast, ro~wo. LadVl~ uk, in ~ aside to~h~r~ while ~the doctor was p~epai'iPg Xi~ ~i~e medicine, ha4~l~okeu of Edw~ard'S :~rXTOfl~ &a~ie~y L~e night bdTore about the b&aiitifuI Creole. ~1ie thought, i~ the '~U~t1i~al thiTug in th~ ~otld ~hM- O~k44 have A~41~ in love with ~ f~ir a~ '9 -~-'--**~ "4 U r . 'ben if be had proved i e~ibi~ ±~ ~ ~t!'cng ci1hns npon his adnairati~rn arid tm~nly~ ~jtj~ ~ washed ~to~ tell hini ~ gently as os~i~b Ic, soa~not±o cicite aiarrn~ that ~'eho had thought it nec~e~a~y to~ send for ~Dr. mdrid~e to see Xirn~ua, at~d w~4~g~ad 'tli&tn&onewa&in the Pomwke&th~ entered ex~ c~pting Vii servants. .'Is ~breakfast ready ?~ ~Are y~u waith~g~ for ins?' 0heiuquired of J~hn~- You can bring it in, thei~, at once' John, and~A~giistu~g hastily dp~rt~A ~o 9~ey. Rianche placed her~eIf ~t th~ table, and b~g~n to arr~nge,&r. 'disai'range, ~th~ cuP~ in tile her, in order that Edward ~~ht ~ observed. Go and teir Jenny to send me a handkerchief, Den' 4ie ~aid to '~' little embryo di nii.g-rooT~~ ~ervautwi~, generally stood beside her ehair, and CO~ntinued, pickingg t&' Edward: * '1 wa&alnjwst Uneasy akout Xi~cna This rt~ori~ing, and ~thQu~~lit ~, that D~ . Eldridge had better see. her. ll' javc~ her an opiAte, and she was asleep when I There ~va~ a dead ~iieuee. J~dward did nQt know what to sa~r, and Blanche benevolently ~o~tifr~d. la& employment of put~iiig epoo~s- on thu cups a~d~am~ cers ttiat were pIo~ced ready t6 receive the £ragra'nt Mocha qf Araby, or V~e cheering ~u~p~w4r of G~hina. Some ~1lght peculiarity in her tone dinai ~ t1i~ fool idea' that he was in loVe with Miss Ya~ras~ ~a Yes, truth oblige& the confos, SO lug the thought; 'that iii o~e were~4ke v&ry words. In ~h~Wit took form in h1~n~iiicL B~f~re~ he~ ~ouId ~nd w~r~o~ vOice to an~werBlaxj~~ re~xa~rk in~a m&n~ i~i page: 170-171[View Page 170-171] 4 -~ 4 170 ~it~ * ner to disclaim the implied impeachment, breakfast was ready-the opportuHity lost. During the whole of breakfast, his face was a per~ nianeht erimsqn. Dr. iEldridge~ met him very cor- dially, and naturally supposing that ha would be as much concerned about the young lady-whom he understood to be under his care-as the rest of the family were, began to assure him he hoped there wa~ nothing serious to be apprehended in her case, but that, a~ he had no pressing call elsewhere, he should remain during the day to watch the symptoms.~ Jie thGught it~rob~ble that fever might come on towards evening , but he trusted it could 1.ie easily managed. Much more he said, which~Edward did not hear. The doctor; observing his embarrassment at the first men- tion of Miss Yarassa, instantly came to the same con~ clusion the others had; and though he was too'well bred to alhide, either directly 6r indirectly, to it, his smile and the tone of his remarks wt~r~ not to be mi~sun4erstood. Edward sat indignant, but, alas I speechless. Under similar circumstances, Frank would have extricated himself from the suspicion with- out the least difficulty by simply informing them all of their mistake. But there is the"misf~rtune of your diffident man. Speech andy ideas always fail him just at his utmost need. Edward knew that if he at- tempted an explanation he would stammer and blush so that it would make bad worse. He was compelled to en~.ure his wrongs in silence. lie left the breakfast table &S; soon as he pos~ib1y could, strode iudignantly into tI~fe iibr~iry, and began hastily, to invite. a letter.. A ver~.bj'ief and not over courteous communication to ti~neral Walworth it W8S. He felt~ dowu~ight savage at being judged~ and ,conyie~ted of a passion of which he was peufec~lY gigitless, and was determin'~&thM At s~o~ld ~ot be * . / I i~,i his fault it' he was not: delivered from the imputation by the speedy departure of the object of his supposed admiration.. He was joined by Frank as he was putting ~ the document. 'Is that a death warrantt you are folding ?''said Frank, with a smile. 'You look as stern and reso- lute as if it was.' 'No, it is merely a iiI~s letter,' he replied, placing it in 'an envelope. Taking a p~en, he hastily dashed oW the direction. 'General Walworth,' paid Frank, leaning ~ver his * shoulder to read it; '~your fair Creole'~ uncle, I sup- pose? But would it not be better~, Edward, for my father to write to hix~? Let me see what you have said, will you?' He took the letter from Ed\vard's hand, openeded it, * glanced over the very few lines' it contained, and looked at his brother in surprise. 'Why, my 'dear fellow, this will never do! ~So eold-it is scare ely civil! The man des'~rves no b~t- ter, I grant you, if it is by hi~ vQhintary fault that he has been so neglectful, but" think of th~ young lady herself~ It will never do. Pray let my fathe~' write. As he was acquainted with her mother, h~e~ may probably have known this man. hitns~1f. At all * events, it woMId certainly be more 'proper, under the circumstances; that the letter be from him.' Do you think so?' * 'Undoubtedly. I am not surprised ~rou should be '4ndiguant,' but-..-' Hepaused, as Edward lookedup with~an excl~ma.. don~ of impatience. 'I wish to heaven, Frank,' ~he claimedmd hastily, ~ that you Would not commit the preposterous mistake of auppo~ing me to be in love, as it is called, wi'ththis girl, merely be cause she hap- pened to be e~trust~d t~ - my protection, and that s'c~ I', ;.l~ j jt I,' DI~ f~TEp-srt~nrn. page: 172-173[View Page 172-173] 4 44 4,44-4 4 "4 - "4'" -' 4 " 4 -4' 4 ".4,4444" .44"4,444, ~72 .1 4 4 4 I 4' "444 I 4~44 44 4 4 44 c44e~ompeUed me to bring her~ here. lt'was not ~ f~iI~, I ~ss~@e you. I am no more in love With. her4 than with. this chair.' 4 ife dave the chair j~n qnestioil a rude touch with IA~ fo9t~ ~ank ~lr~t stared and 'then 1au~ed. a ~ '~ p~I~g1it yoo were, I confess % e~nd did ~ot ond~r * ~t i~v; for ~he i~ handsqine enough t~ tify such a w~a~knes.~ Bid-what ~ 'there in the "'imputation to make you look ~o wratliful?' 'MTh~;BIanche say pIea~e ~OTflC there, Mass Ffa~k,' sai~I Ben , entering at the uionwrit. 'I re~liy would l~t my fallier write that letter, 'Ed~ War~7 ~ra:ok remarked, &S 1i~ turned ts go. ~And * Ed5vard, ~a~tiu~ his eye over it again, ackn6wle~'g~ that it "w~ decidedivttnC~ air~and c~lf0t5UChY~4I ~ca~iott. Cruinphn~ it in his hand. #t.h ~u ~ tient ~ he thiew it on the4 hearth an4 ~a1ked 'out 4 of the room. BIanch~ was standing.in th~ hail talking to F'ra~k. * flW3alV~ed ~she was, lEdward thought,' easingg un~ ~4n~i6dsly, to observe ii detail wh~t he 4-had )~ut a ~ener~i ~pr~ssi~on of as' yet. Thou~W her fo~in ,ha;d * not lost 'the lovdy rounffne~s of youth, it Was more '~l~nd~r far"4than foriIieviY,~nd her face inch thiuzier. No 'golden ends n~xiTAloated from her hordders.' ~I~he hajr was~ dr~i ~ n; l~ack, half covering the ear~,"4 into a plain knot at th~ ba~k 'of the head. Trn~ it waved * and. vij~pk4 as it. ~ and there wa~ ~nch a "~rich ~lund~iCe of it~4 that Edxmrd could ~rcely regret ~he "rihg~et~, beautiful as they had.?been. T~h~ ~ n~&x~ent lie thought fri~re cl~ie. 4Tn&o~w.eritb hai ~tirV'ey of tl~e f~ice it.~ejif, h~ Was not s~urebiit"ihat ~ chiselin~ finger "of 7~u1)~eripg had, lie~htei~ed its beauty aleiii.' The feat ufrs nowwre of ~~ finer ~y~unftt.ry. The eqrtiplexionwas of such i~lA~4'WiIit~ ne'$~ 'th~V i~ iook~d, U~e .~ face in rian4QtIY ~er, 1 i 4' r 'A wT~ ~ more tran~p'arent. Per ~jm alt thP4 iii ore stri Ii dte' ~otubr~ dre~ rnaete f0r ~ he still i~~' youthfnltie~f a~"4p~d y~ang. Bi.Win" form, atti~ tude and movement) a wornanl~ di~gi~y hadtaken~k~ place of the a1m6st~child-Iike' graceflulness which t~b ward had admired. The daueingl4 step was s~rr ~w~ weighted. Edward's StUdi~e5 had never lain "much i~ the poetic department, but as his eye followed her, When she turned from Frank, and mounted the stair slowly, almost La * ngn idly, a line of L. E. lie. occur~4 For nothing like thi heavy step, betrays the ho~y 1ie~rt~ ~' Towards eveni ii g', as the doctor anticipated, Ximena~ had high fever and delirntm. He looked~ little grave, as he followed Blanche d~~n stairs, after counting hi8 paAienls pvtlfle. a 'I would bleed her,' he said, 'but she is a1re~4v so much reduced in ~ti'ength-from inanition. I judge, h~ what you tell me, a her woman e~ys-thM I cannot hazard it.~ He took ~p his medicig& case from off a table in the ~tting~room. it and opened selected aphial. ~ ITkThSt try vera1r~it~.. I think it will bfin~ her pii1~e ~lo~n during the ~ourse of th~ night. 4~ as 80011 ~s it i~ down sufficiently, Miss Blan~1ie....~ay tc eighty, or even ninety-it is a hundred and forty now !~Ay all means ~et her to take some 4nourid1~ nwnt. Anything she pi~efers. ~Coft~ee or "tea would be best; hut anything will do. i Of course, I need not warn you to be eareftd ~Vith the medicine. Y~ii know that t~n ov*~r-dose would be dangerous~ 'Oh! yes,' said Blanche, sinil ing.' ~Yo may truit nie,. I think. I am ~er~mueh afraid. ~f ver~Tum.' * 'Good e~eningttien. I will egil eai'1 ing.' ~ G994~ev~I4n~ but do)lot be 8l~rpri~ed1 4~et~r~ W Ii I d 4 I i page: 174-175[View Page 174-175] 1. jsen4 fori you during the night. 'If the fever 4oes not begin to subside by~mh.hiight, I shall be alarmed.' There is no o&asion to be' alarihed, I hope and believe,' answered he; but send certainly., if you '~hin&it necessary.' Re bowed and retired; while Blanche sat down and wrote off the directions he had given her,4 in order to be sure that she did not forget them. She then. went back up stairs, and remained there until sumironed to tea. "You are not going to sit up again to-n~ight, Blanche?' said Frank, as she rose 'from table. 'Yes. You know I' have the ve~'atrum to give. I should be afraid to trust the dropping of that even to Morn ~I~nnah, careful as she is. She has not a steady * baud. And any ho~v, I c6uld not think of leaving Xi~ena while she is so ill.' - 8he started as~slxe. uttered the last word, an4 looked aj~rehensively ~t Edward, as if she ~vas sorry she had said it. ,Frank was standing beside ber,~ and' laid his hand on her hiringg tresses,. with more of a brotherly than lover-like solicitu4e. of manner.. 'You will be madi ill yourselff, I fear, by such un- accustomed fatigue,' he said. 'Oh! ~no; there is not the least danger. I slept~ nearly all the afternoon, and am quite fresh now. Good-night; papa. F scarcely think I shall be down ~g~in; good-night, Edward.' ~S.he pl&ed her hand on Frank~s arm, and rnoyed towards thedoor, as Mr. Clervide and Edward re~ poundedd to her good-night. The former begged her aot.to incur any unnecessary fatigue ~ir exposnr&~ wished he 'could ~ssigt her in watching. as lie, tc'c was apprehensive her health might suffer from her being up so much at night." 'sot the sligl~teat danger of it,' she repeated, pause i~4 . TH& 8T~P-&T8TXR. I TUk~ $P-$13ThR. ~' ~ 175 in'g a moment as she reached the door' and lookiiig back with a smile. Edward's eye had been following her retiring form; but he withdrew it r~ow with a double 'pang. Her easy familiarity ~with Frank, as she drew him out of the room; despite all his efforts to resist the eniotion; filled his ~heart with jealous jain; and, whexi she turned and smiled,, the ~' subdued expression of h~ countenance& was so different to its former unsh~ dowed joyousness, that there was a sudden throb in his throat and moisture in his eye. Blanche stoPped as soon as. she and Frank were~in the hall. "Did s6~ ask Dr. EldriCge '~ Do you thimk he 'con- sidered her dangerously ill?' she inquired eagerly,, butinalow tone.' '' 'Why no,' answered Frank. He does not consider her dangerously ill. He told me distinctly that thera is no cause for alarm. You are nervous, II expect, from the fatigue and worry of last night, and are. frightening yourself needlessly. Give the medicine to me. I will sit up and measure out the dose at the proper time, and any one can, thn administer it. You said Hannah is to be up, did you not? She can come for it,' or, rather, I will bring it to 'the door to her. YOU must go to bed, Blanche. You certainly ought to be satisfied that between us it will be properly at- tended to. So go to bed, like a good'child'!' '0 to leave impossible, Fi1ank.' 'I could not feel it right guest in this way I 'Wheh 1 am attending to her?' 'But you cannot be irii the room! ~, no; I assure you te~at if I wen~t to bed Ii should not be able to~close my' eyes; whereas, sitting by her, in a' large chair, I can sleep-.-2 N0 doubt ~ it~' interrupted he; ~ you will 8leep W I ~',;i '4g '~' page: 176-177[View Page 176-177] 1 ~ - Y,1~ II - 4. gmat deal,~etarting elvvery minute to look at tb~ wat'~h; a~ you will h~ sure to do. No, ~la~nche; I insist on y~r#giu~ ~e tM piiiai a~d direction~, 'Jf ~"ou will %a~iroOt~-M least you shall be kep1t awake b7 t~ink1ng of the medicinee all the tinw. I will hrin~it to yqu at ~he designated hours.' ~vll4fu~I man must have his way,' sa4 Blanche; I suppose I ~h~1l have to let you share my watch' '~W~it & mQm~t, and .1 will get the medh~ino.' She~ litirried up stairs, Frank following. ITh waited ~ CouBiderable time b~Thro she appeavcd. '~Hei~e it .i~yw~4V4he directions. I wMe -them off ~prevent .thepoa4bility of mistake. ~hc~ took the ~rst dpae at six o'clock; it 16 now nine, ~nd I have suet given h~r another. It is to be taken every tlire~ * bonrs, 'you see ; so at twelve 'you must bring 'it,". ~ Very well~ Now go4o Bleep/he said, ki~sing her b0~. :-'~ wishjl couldreturnthe recommendation,' she au~ ,, ~y~'ered with a smile; 'but on the ernitrary, IL must say, do keep awake.' it waited' tew minutes t~ twelve o'clock as Frai~k glanced~ at tWo watch that lay on the table before him. He laid down the book ho had been reading, put liii cigar o~tit of hi~ mouth, and dropping -Xinw~ ua~& m~dicinointo the ti~y wine~glass ~lanehe had gi~v~en him, ~at w~tc~hing th~ miirnt~ haud as it slowly moved oi~Ward. When it pointed to el~v~i~, be ro~ c '~~-up tihe lamp and the dra'uTgbt, gild went to th~ door. As he opened it, ho was ~urpri&ed to. 'DI&uche coming to m~ect him. ~ ~What i~ th~inatter? 'Mis~. .~aras~a i~ not worse, .I~hope ?~or did. you think i~bad 'forgotten th~ hour I It iwi~t twehel&t2I. net forget it hut I am ~QIh! I knew you would ~4$ur~.' w1wVh~r ~11% ou~bt to P~ I e A I .i4,4~ 'U THF ~TE1~-SISThU. rnedieinc~ I know so little about the pulse.~4mt her's, Ihou~gh itisstill .qiiicI~ seorn~ to mc very feeble.. 'I ~ have just bveu dowry. ~tajr~,, intcu'din~ to ~ot papa, if ~ he was still' up, to cunle d~ her; buthe ha~gou~e to bed.' -,' an . - 'Certainly; hour a~o4' -~ . I 'Well, Icarwot think of giving him~~~bio of gcWng.up and dressing. You know ~1i~iiKl&e: wakencd.iu 'thh. wuy., h~ ~loes not go W ~1~ep+~~in that night, and always feels badly for it the next '*Thy, ~o you mwst conw in fbi' a moment, in chamet~roC physician, and c~unt her pui~e. You1 will. be aIAe .to yidge. wliether ~ needs the'. Ve~ainiug do~e~ ~1d~h I thedoctoroL'dcred." I * - 1 * They were Iby this time at the thre~hAd of cXim~ na's chamber, and Blanche lou the w~.yin~ She had di~inissed Juanita and hannah to thOl adjoining apart~ nuents, and 'had shut the doors that excluded them,-a~ their loud and continued wdcoming of 'tired N~ turn's sweet r&storer,.' w~s not a sound well adapted to a ~ieJ~ roomm. it wa~ largg chamber, and ~p dimly lighted that objects. were barely pereeptib!c. in vne c~rner, but ~tanding considerably out from th~ wails, was the bt~d, but. draped in tWo gau~e4ike' folds of the ~mus~ quito.' netting, that t~ll all around it. A deep, softly~ cuThioned chair. in'wtdch Blanche b~dhccn sloepiug', ~t near by; and' a little i'~ front of ttr ; at one~hIo,. ~tuc'dj a small .tablo of oval. l~rm, on~ eorn.~r~. ~fth~ blue .andIwhif~ dan3asked cover '~I which re~ted~w ~he arm of the. chair, A vase of 'iow~rs1 ~ I (Auina~ f~an~ 'of pertum~, one or two ~ silver ico~~pitch or, were CrOwded togeth~ at. Pue en4 uf the taIfde'~ whi the side ~e~t~th h~i~~toe~ ~ 1amp~ covered by ~an ogrech~~d~ai 4~ ~I~4~jg~fl - ~ity'sh~.it. in' th~hi~W,~ ''V "If page: 178-179[View Page 178-179] 4 "'~I4' '4" ~ S'"~ -' 4 4 4 -4 -'4 4' 'It- 'V 178 ~az STFP-81 4-'- 44'~" '4" ST~R. * illurninatii~g only a small ciclie upon the table, im-~ mediately around it's own base. A little Fiench watch was placed where the light fell broadest-; and a book, with4 a jet.mounted fan -resting on its open' page, lay half within the circle, and half in the surrounding obscurity; Blanche removed theNshade, lifted -the lamp, and approached the bed., Gathering the transparent fol ds of the. net-' ii4o one hand, and holding it. up in a graceful festoon, she threw the light full over the figure reposing on the snowy couch beneath, and mo-~ tioned Frank to her side. Seldom do~ sculptor mould, or~ painter portray, xno~re consummate beauty of form and tints, than were 4 combined in the living model before them: She -was resting on the left side, with her head thrown~ slight- ly back on the' pillow, so that- almost her" full face, and the throat, were visible. The left hand,- from the closed fingers of which fi~ll. several' loops of tie blue and - gold rosary, supported the cheek. The- black hair escaping from the little' lace cap into which Blanche' had ga~there~ it, was spread over the pillow in luxuriant profusion; and the brows and lashes,' equally black, w~re marvels of delicate 'pencilling; The check was~ blooming -with the 'fever - flush, and the crimson lips. just parted sufficiently to give a - glimpse 'of. teeth 'white as the p~ulp of- the cocoa-nut. The 'sheet had-been pushed to the wa~ist,~ by 'a move- mentof the' right hand, which 'was thrown forward carlesaly~ looking 'like' an exquisite carving of ivory- go motionless and clearly chiselled was it-and the'' lovely -bust, thus revealed, swelled softly the white drapery thc.t covered it." Every ~oathern planter is, of necessity, a very tol- ersble. physician in an ordinary way, his patriarchal life giving much e~er~ise t9 hi~ skill 'in the heellhg'art4 "'I I 4'44 * ~"'4 - 44 4' I Tilt Wl7EP-$ISTET~. 17% - ' "'FIt '34 - ii 211 4 4 A as well 'a~ teaching a practical knowledge of the power ~t governing. Frank had for years been ac~ ens tomed to count pulses and diagnosize symptoms; but his patients ha& always been of a very different order from the rare beauty and delicate organization of his present subject. He put his finger to thewrist -.-.scarc~ly touching it, ,le~t it should awaken the sleeper-and taking the watch from the table, coiPited the quick, but fiuint bea~ings-ga~ed thoughtfully ot the face, bent his head close, to listen to the breathing and' then turned away. Blanche, after replacing the lamp on the table, and adjusting the .shad9, ever it, folio Wed him from the room. 'I would give her a cup of coffee now, and omit the medicine this time,' he said~ as -they passed-into the corridor. - 'Oh! Frank,' exclaimed Blanche, clasping her hands, "has she taken too much veratrurn?' -' On the contrary, not eno~igh yet, I. believe. She must have the other dose at three- o'clock; as her pulse is still more than a hundred. But, as you oh- served,' it is very weak; ana her strength must n~t be let down too much. I think you. told me she has taken no food to-day?' Not a mors~d, or a drop of anything. I tried in vain ~nd repeatedly, to get her to swallow a 8i~ or two of tea. She would not do it. And Juanita says it ha~ been just.this w~y ever since 1~er mother died- that she has lived on air.' 'Tie doctor tells me that he does not apprehend brain fever, but fears that it may take a low typhoid form.; and for. 'this r~asoi~ he is anxious to check it. as ~oori aspossible~ Wishes to puslf the veratrurn to-night, and' thus sustain her strength by nourishing food and stimulants.' 'For Heaven's sake, do not attempt to pus6 it too far ~' said Blanche. I ' 4 Pt page: 180-181[View Page 180-181] '180 ''OC coi~r~e not. 'i~her~ i~ no indi9ation,.~t.p~esN~b of her being nmch aiThcte~ by it, It 'is' not to rten'~ tpaii~e. the narcotic influence but becan~e it. Is ~ ~t~rnu1&ting nonrieh~ent~'tliat I say give hei~ coffee- or ~ Ihit how WilL, you get her to dunk it, ii she refes. everythIng?' ~3j~ ~you say sire needs it- so ihuch, I ~shail jiht insist mnt4i ~he does drink it. I'~ill hav~ ~o~ne brought immediately. Wait~ please! I will 'be beck' in a mont.' ' 'She hastenedd into her own room, roused flannab, wh& Was sleeping' be~i'de Jenny Qfl. a ma~ttre ss that had been- te'niporariiy pli~ced for fhe'm, arid sent l~er for the coffee, and returned to Frank; who w'a~ pacing nois~ lessly up and down the corridor. 'Is ~he ndt the most beaidiful- creatui'e! you ,ever saw.? said Blanche with' entIPisi'a~m. '1 do-hope 'Edjvard will marry her, if only that I mny have the pleasure of ~eeing' her all the time.' "119 has noAdea~ of it at. pr~sent.' 'H'ow'do- yeu'1~now?' ' '-11~ told's m~ 'so himself. "Told y~uh&had no id~a'of-'marr~iug her?' "Not' hi those words'; but he'i~a~ v~ry ~nuch dL~ gi~sted at our having *41, as he sai~L IA en u the.' pi~efr~ster~us-' iiotion that he was in' love with' her. Pr6te~te'd 'that he was no morein lovewith her tiisn with5 ~ne of "the old green morocc~ cWatr~ in the library.' .' Bhinche looked u-p,~ hfi.lf s~irp'ris~d, halt' ~i~used. '~' must have very little taste, theu,' she said. 'I ~*d~i'~ WW~V he would 'say- if he knew of the report With whkh "Tluimas 'edified the other servant$~ on liii. arrivAl I" K ~ 8~ilQd~ anil proce~4e4 to relate ~v'~at 4e~ny 'I a I 4 p s had r~p&&t&l to her th~ night hof~ire~ that Ph.orn~ had uaid, ab on~ there beAux a secret marriage ; .a4d~. jug th~Ct Th6ma~ afterwards ~xcu~et1' himself to the maid for 1iavin~ told this 2tory; by e~p1ainiAg tka~ the young lady waw taken fof hi~ rriaster~s wife 'all Ih~ waythey cam&up the river, an4 'at Searsbcrough, aud how, vexed his master had been aj the mistake 'iIah! that is the reason he i~ ~o sensitive~ou th@. subJect~,' said ~3'rank,' laughing heartily, but in a pro-~ perly subdued 'tone. 'it certainly wa& a singular chance which piRced him in a position for which he i~ about as little fitted as a man well could be-prQtect or of ~' young lady! .1 confess 1 n ~Ver wa~ so m~uch ash. tQniShed in m~ life as when they caine in lad 'night. JAk~ the people on the boat, and in ScarshQrou~ I thought of course she was his wife; hut the won~kr was, that he should ever have thought of taking a wife ;~and:wh~n he, said, or implied, that she wa~:not, m~' amazement redoubled as t~ how in the ri~u~ ot' probability 'she' became so familiarly associated with him. Really, he deserves a medal fbr moral courage, to have undertaken, and acquitted himself' so sucee&s. fully of, such a responsibility!' I. caiX just imagine the' agbnies he has been eyiduring, poor 'feJiow, '~ith such ~a charge on his hand~1' -lie laughed again. 'You should have seen a letter which he 'w~6f;e this inor~iing t6 Mi~s Yarassa's uncle! It Was a model of' the 'curt imperative; translated into;plain words, It 'Wou1d~ha~e reads ~Sir-9L am ast~wished at your c'on~ du~ in hwvi og failed to meet' your relatives 'iii New Orleans~ ~ you~~were expected to 'do.. It ha~pu~me t'o the 'disagreeable necessity of bringing you~ ~ie~e 'ho~i~ With me where she is very much in ~y way; &~4 -~ust reqtiest you to come and believe e me of tht ~#enien~ as SQQU ~s y~eQ r~eeive t~W i~4ter": S ii page: 182-183[View Page 182-183] 1i82 THE 8TtP.~8IF~TER. 4 "But he did not send such a letter, surely?' said Blanche, quite siTheked. 'No.. At my suggesti~m, he conceded to leave the writing of it to my father.' ~. 'tide not'see why he is in such a hurry~to~~ get rid 6$~ji~r I '1 an~ sure I wish the uncle would never c&m~ t~4~jm her, and that she could 'stay with us. .1 have t~kea a great fancy to her, Frank!' 'Of course" said he, smiling and shrugging his shoulders. 'Why of course?' Young ladies generally take these fa~nci~s to each oLlier at first sight, but-.-' 'They don't last long, you mean? Oh! 'but.J con. sider myself an exception to the general ruTh. I am not at all addicted to the forming of hasty friend~ ships-.---and I am sure my fancy' for Ximena wilJ c~ontinue.' 'Perhaps so; but you must confess that it will be a matter of accident if it. does. 'You have been ac- quainted with her how long ?-a little more than twenty-four hours; ~and know nothing whatever about her,. excepting that she is very handsome.' 'J.~ judge hei~ charabtef by her face-.~-.and it is The' sweetest face! $he is like beautiful picture. J'am *nev~r weary of adrn~ring her. And you will please to remember, Mt. Frank," she added, with. ~a touch of her foirner graceful archness, 'that my se~ have an intuitive knowledge, of character, which Nature has denied to you self-satisfied lords of creation! You are tall so afraid qf being, caught in a 'blunder, and l~a~4ag to acknow~e~e it afterwards, that you Iriust; weigh, and eX~Lflhine, and beat about the hush evei~ so long before~ you will ve~.ture to ~forrn a judgment~ while we trust eI~tirely to our 'instincts, and ~re~ very seldom deceived; you ~~ust confess.' * U, S I p V I 1 8S3 .Franj~ laughed; but before he could anffwer, Blanche exclaimed- 'I' do woiider if Mom Haiinai~' is not coming to~ night with the coffee! It seems to me there has been ample time to have made it. 'Ah! 'there she is flQW. I will send you some, Frank, and yew must ~ink it; and at three o'clock you are to come '. 'Yes. Put a good deal of cre&~ ~md sugar into the~" cup you give Miss Yarass%' 'Very well. I hope I can get her to take it.' 9 CHAPTER XXIV. .~rmA ii'ATTLV~T AV9 VI~1TL~ rbARR gITAnAW. About two hours afterwards; as Frank sat quietly reading, his door was suddenly burst Qpen, and Blanche rushed in, pale, trembling, inarticulate with terror 'I As he sprang toWards her she regained hr voice, and exclaimed, in husky, scarce audible tones: 'She has taken too much! Ica~not waken her'!" The uiext instant they were both in Ximena's chain-' her. The shade was off the 'la~mp, but the 'net was down ~tifl around the bed. Prank hurriedly threw it up over~the top of the bedstead to get it out of the way-and stooping, examined Ximena'~ pulse and her face. There was an alarming 'change, in botlu' since he saw' 'her before. The pulse was barely per- ceptible, the face colorle~, and the breath~ig peculiar.' Though a chifl of horror struck to his heart, he en~ deavored to re-assure Blanche, who stood, her very lips white, and shaking as if she had an. ague fits 'She is ~aiittle narcotized,' he sai.d, 'and tnt~st b~i roused. Where is Haimab ?" * 0 fr 4. ' & S TH~ 8TJ~P-S1STED1. page: 184-185[View Page 184-185] .. 1~4 - -. 1' ~ * tarwnl~ ~d6~tor! ~&W~ fly *. f~r - 1;he :d~tor, Erank ?~ cried Blanche in a pa~.ting voi~o.- .. -- - "Yt~s, -taut Jlr3t let mc d9 wh~ I oan.' ~. ,H~ liftd they- lid of the pitcher, 'piuiig~d' IdA ku~ud hito Vhe. Water~, gatfrereii up.' ~cvcral tloatiug fi'ag~ ment~ ~ ice, drew a whitee linen li idkcrehi~f frc~iii '1il~ pocket, ai~d 4ipp~d ie Mo the eitherr lik~wi~e-~ ~tv~ig1ate~ed it~ put the ice in it, folded it lo6sely, ~drai~iug Ximcna'~ head:~ laid it \inde~' the back of ~h.ei~ ne~k.~ ft Was the work of k~i th~iu a moment' ~ ~fy dear ~lanc ho,' ho. cQutiu~icd., ~is he picked Ill) her han4kor~hiet, and, saturat:i:n~ it~ ~d~o with ice v~at~, laid it over Ximena's eyes, '~do .x'ot ~arrn yourself ~o dreadfully. 'She i~ slightly nar~~tizcd, that i~~alL' ~it down.' He'. placed ~her in the chair by the bed~side,, ' D~u~t give way to ~uch terror, 'or ~ou wiff n6t be able to rei~ler' an~ assi~Van~c. t'au yow~L fan. het,?. And tell ~ where tlannah.ii~' H~ *&rds had the effect 'he iutended-of 1ou~it~ Blanche -hei self. *- ' £ ~ will call her,' she said, and sprang acr~s~ ~vho r~m~ to. the dour which con rn~iicat&d~ith her. ow~i ch~ber. 11rn7 ha~~a treu~1dcd ~ that she . could iiot thu'. lock. Frank. opened it, and. ha4 ilannali ewa~k~ in a moment. She lo6k~d up . astonished and * frigl~4eucd, 'for' hi~ fact~,- too, w~s v'ery pale~ though - li~i~aniier wa~ not thirried.' '~%~iiek, ~liannahiget up,' ho 'said, "ar~4 g~ ~ti4 ~ make s~uie mustard. c ida~m~. Wake. ~Johu and \~ A4us~tu.s .~rst; and ~eil- Joint t~ make some very. coffc~' AuciPtu~ wat~iKfor a ~ . to. ~i~at some f0o~ba4th. 'Lu~fau.tiy tell '- them. . ' Make ha~te~ hack ~i2th tWo mu~Pr.d.' *~You'P~ed 'uct' be partiettl4r ui )~1i1~ it2 - , - - 1~-r~oin, wkii~ . 4u;n - / -- '-Wakefl Jenny, Bla~che, and' send for uOt~8 Ice. ?ut it on the back of her ~ over her for~he~44 and eyes. Get a stilT Wair btU~h, ~nd btn~h her heAd fly, ~o as'. to irrit~i~tC it a~ much ~ po~ibie'- ~ha KherPiflGh her-in a ~ try every w~y to ~t h~r awake I w.~ll re~urfl imniedi~it~Y' 'Th~ d~etor, Frapkl the'd&CtOr!' '1. am going nOW to send. ihope and bebeV~ tb~r~ i~ no great da:fl~CI~, but pr6rQpt mea~iUVe~ are neCe~ gary.' lie spoke quickly, but ~~ih~Ut excitement; and 1~ft her as he con~1ud~(h Lie ran down 5~~jrs4~kg three stepS at a bollnd~diSPatched a 1ite~and~dOath speed for the doctor, and hast~flad~ to the kitchen. 'AugustUS was blowing U~ th~i1r0, J~h'i grin4iflg coffee, and Hannah ~t~ndiug at ~ ti~bW 3~i~ hag the mustard. A pie~c~ of white ~1 jh~y~~9fl ~1ie Vable by ber. They ~l1 1oo1(e~ frigUefle4 ~n4'~ eOiWd. 'i~Thke baste, boys,' said Frank, as lie eut~~&d' 'Th~ the mustard ready, ilannab?' Wjthoflt heaTh~g her ri~ply1 he took, i~p the pieet~ of ~lbth, ~nd t6ze off dome wide strips, the si~ aD4 shape h~ waiit~d 'tb~. ~atapia is; seized ~ knif~ ~nd began epret~difl~ theta~ from th~ maS~ That 1~ThAU~b v~a~ rkii*~t. 'ITh~v~ ThM ~oWe~ a~ ~tr&xig ~ yOU can analte 'it, Jolihi ?iit fou# limes as mttcb ~s 'u~ual *4 th4,$O~AO qi~utity 6f w~t~r. ~(eep. a ~oc~d fire; Augn~tU~afld plenty of hot water." ~'Xes, sit." ~T~~n~a*' 1" -It is ~ * 4' ~' '4 4" 6 page: 186-187[View Page 186-187] 'V ,~' '~' THE $ThP-STSTEL.~ 4 the st~ir~ase, who had a large bowl of ice in her hands. lancee was- folIo~ing. his direction~ when he en~ ~tered, shaking Ximena;. brushing her hair th~ ~rong way; murmuring broken prayers with quiverin ips. Frank 'approached quickly, and gave her two of the cataplasms, saying, 'Bind those around her ~ncles, Blanche.' He placed the remaining two on the wrists, 's1ndh hearing Jenny come in, called to her without looking around, 'Bring nie some pocket handker~ chiefs. Jenny." The' girl set the bowl of ice d~n in the middle of the door, and ran into her mistress' room to a drawer, returnhtg in ~ moment with what he required~ As he was tying up- ~he wri:'ts, Hannah' brought in the r& maining plasters. 'Put some to the soles of her feet,' said he; "and here,' give me two for the'. palms of her hands! Bring me some French brandy, H~nnah! and', Jenny, go and h~rr~ John with the coffee" 'Here it is, sii~,' answered John, from the door., advanced, with ~. small tray, and set~-one side ot' it on the edgeof the table, as he moved the things away to make room for it. 'Take this away, Jenny," he said- in a low ton~ holding towards her the vas&of flowers. She was standir~g, cJose.Wy,~ut so~abL~orkedi~ takingg wi~t~r~&andinvol'untarUy wringing her hands, that' sh~$di~6t. hear 3uiin. Ho 'gave her a 8ha1rp push 011 th~81~oulder:' 'Hero-Aon't ~~ou hear?' She looked arotind, 'What are you standing there for as if you did not 'Dwv~~y sense?' he whispered. ~ Move these .thi~gs olr the~table.' Jen~ ~heye~, anA 'pushing "the Way Cu :itf ~ 1lle~4 a~ 1arg~ ~ offee,.~aud i~.1il~' I do, he observed that the netting still huug d6wn around the foot and back side of the bed. He drew up ~a chair, and standing on it, caught the net and pulled it up entirely out of the way. 'Yes, that is well,' said Frapk. 'Have you got the brandy, Hannah?' Put the decanter on the table ,L will.take it in a moment.' 'Ts the water to be brought up, Mass Frank 'I' en~ quired John. 'No; not justnow' He had finished binding on the mustt~d, and ~now stood gazing intently ~upon the pale face.~ Putting his finger ort the temple artery, he started ~as he be~ came conscious that its beatings were more ~slow and faint than when h~ li~d noticed it on entering the room first. His lips ciose~d~ firmly. for an' insta~nt,4hen he lifted hi~ head. ~' John U He' spok~ in a quick and 'decided tone; 'Y6e, sir,' re~ponde~ John, from "the side of the' room near the door, whither .h& 'had retired. 'Go and scud A'ugustu~ 'to meet and huiry the dbc~. tor. Tell him to ride without' drawing rein ! Y6u~ yourself, bring a bucket of ver.y 'hot Water. Let it. be only not boiling." John's 'yts ~ir/ ~as lost in 'tfre movement of his feeL) a~ ho ra~ oi~t of the r~'om~ n~a~l~ ~rersettrng~ a~ he we~nt,' two women serv'anta4 Th~ had been r~;se4 from their slumberb ~' few. minutes before 'by Augne~ 'tus, who thought tkey. might l~e 'of ruse, and were hurrying into th~ apartment with faces of iningl~a curiosity and horrors '~ItanD.ah, get me instantly, the large 'bottle of ~ ~ia~-barts1zor~-OUt ~ftbe m~dieine cb~etA' V~bile ~'h* *ent f~r b~. Ns~cbe" wMohe4 Y~aik~i -""4' 187 THE ~TLEP-8I$TER~ page: 188-189[View Page 188-189] lay ~n the~ pijThW ~where sh~e hod left it, and beganj rou~d! manipulating Ximena's head in the nlo8t extraordinary Hannah!' and ~vigoMis .manner. He brushed it as forcibly as He op6 po~ibI-.haci~, forward~ in a circle [p-he .di~t~d th, hcad, thro brush into it with a quivering motion of his hand~~ Afthe ~ai he ~thiewasid~ the ice from her brow and the back enveloped of her head, and applied the brushing process to. the gave a sui napt of the neok, and all around the throat--contin. tion. she ~i~g iti~intil Flannah4ouched his arm, and extended waken lici to~ar4~ ~irn a hu~ge glas s~st~pped bottle of concern~ and ifl8 Ott tra~1: spirits of amonia. prized th 1~ld ~it a moment,' he said, looking round the fluid, ~l~nchi this mustard is very ~rong, it must riot be between ii leNon4Oo long, or it will blister the surface; you had ~ott of ~ etter rern&ve it from the feet and anoks now. . A~h, opcued WI hi~r~ ~ I Set it down rn a 4m1i by th~ b~d, diateW. ~3 Mn ~ ~~4owels, ~annah I Jenny, quick, get who ~ad HaVe them ~dipped into the . water,~1anehe, ohe ~b w~pped arouiidthe feet.' 'drinkt!d ~p t~i~ed 1o4h~ table, and as~he did ,so, observed her ~ ~~men who had just come in. 'Ikre, Ra&hel, of p~in, fi stake the8e loweig I' lie said to one ~.of them.- ~tanUy in~ s~n~by ~ou can ~e taking tbe caapb~ins~ .off~Th~ ness. Gi~ with remo fg~the ~p of ~offee, he~ poured out a third of horn. Tb i~q~4eg~,~U4 i~ u~ ~v'i~h bt~fld~~f ~nd touched it face bec~n ~VA~br ji~, !~e ~o~s'sti1l 1iot~ a~ud th~addi. lift one oJ ~ ~set jt~ down, to6k th& bottle ~ an~ 'Now, ~w4lJ p~u 0 ft~ ~i&Ii (4 ~LIerpti~e it~i2i~t ~Bi~musV be *fWwar4~ 4 I ~1 page: 190-191[View Page 190-191] "A "A' 190 * scafdin' of her hands and feet and a scrublin' of her li~ad with that stuft~ ~Mass Frank put on it,' she dran1~ '~Wifr'you give her more?' enquired k1~nche. 'Hei~e is the doctor,' answered he, as, a hasty step sounded without,:and~ the, next momejit 'Dr. Eldridge entered" . . 'P' i~ w~ll~ha~t you 'hay? been s9~~prprnP.t, AIr,. Cler~ ~ville"'~ was afl he said, after Frank~ had told him~i~ th~ fewest possible words, ~'h~t had 'been done. R~ * asked 'no questions as to jiow the tldng Q.ccui'red- 41& not seem inclined to ta1k-'b~it~ applied ,himself vigorously 'to,.' following up the 'advantage already gained. ' ' ' ' its grave lt"was' hours" 'before his face i~el~xed from 'a~4 vi~ila~t ~xp~'ession, or 'the unresisting,, and ~ E'~if~eoiisci~s form of Ximon.a had a moment's rest from the to~tii4~ig expedients 'employed ,to keep her ~1~e2 Baring r~rms ,to the shoulderss, the. doctor called for a' bijuich of nettles, the stinging strokes1 of sp~n. covered the. smooth ivory skin' with a fiery eiiiption.' This' rough treatment was,. alternated by violent' shaking, and sudden dashes of ice 'water litO he face. The seivants, ~n~i 'Blaxiche, were h4f'in~lined t~ 16&k' ~on him" as' a' barbarian-so piti' 1e*~ly ~iue1 'd'd "hf~ coiduc t ~ them more ' 'orrn~fli' to p~i&ll~' 'wh~zi Xim~na, w'h.o wa~ new recqverlflg the touch o~ t1~ nettThe,~ ~nd ~ a gasping ~iii~rer as ~he water jlehged her ~t~e~t bssom.~ 'Her recovery W~S probably accelerated.by '~hA ~udden 'and pierciJ~g ~crear~s of Jttanita who all at oboe appeared.. at the bed-side iii a eta4fAof f~ant"~ te~0~0~~lQ$ A ~jj~*ft BJirWkS 81~d CtlOO. ~ ~A ', ~ A t~~ 4 THE STEP-BISTXR. .191 Aj _ 'A' "'""-""""""-"-" 'A'--"- "-'A- passizig about and noise during the night Tn fast very little noise had been made, a even that little had, not reached her ear, both Aoors of' the dressing closet wifich she occupied being shut. Rising hastily, with the sense of having, 'overslept herself; she had hurried' to her young "mistress' ~hamber. No one oh.. served her entrance, and the scene which present~ itself to her starl4ed sight, was sufficiently alarming to justify her terror-.though not, perliaps, to excuse 8uCh a noisy expression of it. Thig was Frank's opinion, at least. lie had with.. drawn from and had , the ch~xnber on the arrival of the Doctor, been walking up and down 'the passage be- fore the door ever six~ce--excepting when he went, to procure, or~ to order, something which.' the Doctor coiled for. lint he hastened into the room now, and was' about to 't~ke the vociferous and struggling Juan- ita 'away by force, when the Doctor put his hand Qn his arm, an4 begged him to let her remain. Her shrill screaming is a very good a~sista'nce to the ~ther remedies,' he said, finding it necessary to. scream, 'almost, himself, in ord~r to mak.e his voice audible through hers. Frank relinquished the grasp he had taken of bQth her arms, and easting~one glance towards the bed., to which the Doctor had already returned, he again lift the apartment. 'But Blanche was struck with c~in~ *p~ssio~ at the. woman's distress., and going to, her, siice~ded:, after several ineffectual attempts, in making her. i~nderstand, and 'belieVe, that Ximena was not dead, ~or dying, but that "she w~s very ill. She en- treated ~iz~iiita n~t to render herself helpless by giving way to au~fr grief"axid terror, bat to control her 'feel- h~ga, and lend, ~hei' ~a~i~x~e in attending on~ 'h~r ~ ~ ~' page: 194-195[View Page 194-195] .41 Kate gave hini a' ~tnart tap on Ilic cheek, u~ 1w' placed himself 'inthe attitude i~equired. "Yow ought. to 'be ashamed to aekno~ledg~ that you are not accu~.-- tomed to it And a litt~ intermediate practice wilbiiot. hi~rt' such a stiff-kn~eed personage.' ~h~e'; p-utl&I the obnoxious bow loose, and went on' talk-ing.a~ shetied~, un'tiecuxd' re~ti~di it.~ '1, am afi'aid~ indeed I know very w~lY,. that hmimiiity..i~ not yotr.f~ail~ng.' I .ques.-. tion whether' yon 'eVer 'l~nel~ and said your prayers- i~t least since you ~ re. a ~hild~-.unt'iPyoucame' under. m~r admixii~trati@n. Dfd :yOyi?'. I cannot affirm pesiti~ly, 'but'Vhis I know, that I & have e~m6ugh of it" to do ndw to mak clip for past de.. ficiencies. That you mn~t admit.' ' ' 'I admit no 'such' thing. . And, ~ythe way, pray telL me what is' tWo re~tson you did not kneel't4me in. inakin g your proposal, as is incumbent upon ~ali- loves or~ - such occ~siens? The omission was exceedingly, dis~* rc~p~tfi~l, and, if I had only thought of. it a'~ t~ie times WQu1'haY~ l~een a good excuse for rejecting ,s'uch a~- free and easy gentleman.' 'It i~fo'rtunate for me that you did not think 'o'~ it;~ - then, But th~ om~i~bon ~ unaToidable, for if yo~ kL~Ct~ 'om~ horse~b~c~zr - ~ ~ S '~tiQ IL~'I?~t ~a~~ed rather a 't:cE.&asc~ ~i~g C'~23L~'0fl- ~2)~ I hai not thought ofpro~i'iing' ~eif~itL one on ~ t~at are t~s~i in ci~zi~ses~ which v~~ld have been more ~owvenif-nt fo~ the pur~o~e, why 1'hope the failure may b~ f~giv~n ?~' kate'I~ughed, aa4 'havifig hw'~~A 'i tie to the cry'- ~t tha~t satisfied heT, ki~cd h-h~a between tWo~oycS aV~I told i~,yir~1. that he mig;h'1 gc%,~U th~ siuiie time hoi& ~ ~ from his brow'~ S k r ,, -- -, ,',~,, THE STEP-SISTER. 19b 'Certainly,, your forehead and nose are very lik&~ dear Frank's,' she Said, 'though the, general resem.. ,blance &oes rot strike me half as mtich as it did at first' - 'I suppose, humph!' lie. paused, and rose hastily, as clock ~n4 an adjoining roam commenced~ striking. 'Nine o'clock; i3 it possible!' ho said looking at his watch. 'Having a wife~ is a, dreadful waste of time to. a man of my profession, I find. Indeed, several of my elderLy paLents, who consider themselves ~rivi~ leged to say what they think have hinted as much to, me,~ more than once. Yesterday morning, when I went in rather late to see Mr. Yerby, he thanked Heaven, with a profound sigh, that' he wa~ not mar.~ ned, if the being so would have the same effect on him that it does on some of his nei~hbors-that of making them-neglect all their business.' 'Oh, he is nothing but a cross old bachelor P said Kate, 'and I'll be ~ if lichad a dozen wives, not one of them ,would care enough for him to *a~t -to keep him with he:' tWo minutes longer than it was possible to get rid of'him.' 'I must be~onc, really said Loriiner, kissing her again. 'And you havenot touched the papers!, Will you not just glance' over them?' 'YoQ must do it for m'e~ love, and tell iiie the news wh~n I come homes, I expect there is~notbingintliem.' lie picked up hi~ hat aid hurried away. The next morning Kate's anxieties were removed by the eight o" a letter from Blakiche. There were- two postage stamps on it, and its weight ~howed that thiey wore both needed. ~lre tore it- open quickly~ and w~s dal pages' lighted' to see the many closely written it coiitaiaed. 'Tell Alon~o be can came an~ clear oft' the'~able, -,I h page: 196-197[View Page 196-197] i 196 'rilE ~fEP~S1STER Jim;' she said to her little messenger who had. brought the w4come letter to her, and a bundle of p~ers to b~~i~' lord and master9 She had adopted, in her menace, the I~ng1ish fashion, of having all the breakfast placed on table at once, so as to dispense with Ihe attend- ance of servaut~ at that meal. Perhaps this was one reason of ~r. Lorimei's lingering so every morning, instead of going to his exigearste patients, as they ex- - peeled. Leaving the table, they went intc~ the charm. ing little room where Kate tpent most of lur time. Tne~ winter bef~ereit had beeii the cosiest pThce im- aginable, with its rich, deep blue curtains and carpet, its softest of couches and chairs, and the bright fire that was always k~pt burning, when cver the temper- ature of the weather gave the least excuse for it. Nor did it loek less invitingly pleasantt now, in its cool summer' arrangement of~ lace curtains, cane- backed and seated chairs, and. matted floor.. Sun- shine and breeze came through the open windows, a~jd under one of them Kate seated herself, on' the cQtlch which,',swathed in its linen covering, still hOd plate there. Her husband thiew himself in a loung- Pig attitude by h~r side, and opening one of the papers in his hand, prepared to divide' his attention between it and ~the ite~s from Kat~ letter, which he knew from experience she wo~LIJ read o at to him. But be-' i~re Kate had fQund the commencement of Blanche's luminousnos cQmiThlniQation, he was summoned, has-- tHy to see a child that had b~een suddenly-taken with ~u convulsion. Unwillingly he departed, leaving her to enjoy her epistle alone Three well covered sheets! She was 'very sorry Herxry~ had to leave her, but never mind, ~he could read it to him when lie returned; arid mc~ii.wbile it was with a positive sense ef luxury that, having at. last found the beginning, (Blanehe'had.~ut it up very 9 9 __ * I PHJ~ SPEP-SISTER. 197 & 4' carelessly, she thought, leaving the first page in the inside of one of the sheets,) she proceeded eagerly to devour the contents. It commenced with a slight excuse for not writing, the reason of which' Kate would understand as she read 3n, and immediately plunged then into a descrip... tion of I~dw~rd's arrival; and of tife beautiful stranger whom he had brought with him. Kate was made to participate in all the astonished bewildern~ent.which Blanche herself had 'felt, and finaThy rdieted of the sate iii -the course ~f the fourth page, by hearing~the true circumstances 'of the case. Th&i came a re~a- tion of Ximena~'s illness: the horrible fright Blanche had been in when she found her. insensible. Frank's and the Doctor's cruel modes of restoring conscious ness; Ximcna's amazement when, on becomifig fully awake, she florid her head, 'hand's and feet so painful as to shrink at the gentlest touch, and w~s informed that she had only been kept alive by the applications which had reduced tlien~ to that coi~idition. 'She is still suffering,' the letter continued, 'with a slow fever, which the 'doctor says is not dangerous, but ma~Ir "hang on" for weeks, unless her mind can be roused and interested' as it is mental depression, far mere than bodily illness, which is the matter with her. I can well uiiderstand this; and I endeavor, but vainly, to interest and amuse her. Alas! I kn~w too*~ well, from experience, hoW fruitless it is to expect her to be anything ~but depressed and rnise~abh~. But she is s6 gentle and uncomplaining, that I often feel like crying over her in very pity. And oh; Kate, she is such an exquisite ci~eatuve!. J.~ is no exaggeration to call her perfectly beautiful. I used~to . think your eyes ~nd hair the finest I ever saw, but, begging your par.. d~n for the confession, hers are the handsomest! AIuf then she is so graceful.! The peculiar grace Qf th& 0 page: 198-199[View Page 198-199] 9'' 9~ 9;' 198 .9 9 ~99 THE STEP-S1$flI~I~. 0 9/ 'I 9 '99999 9 99 9 9 999' 9 9 9 THE STEP.~SISTEW 199 9 4 Creole. Her mother, as, I believe I told 'you above, was a Kenl\aekian,. and her lather a Mexican, but of pure Castiliaz blood. It is'strange, is it not, that her 9 nude was not in New Orleans to meet them? I sup~ there has ~not.been time yet for an answer to pose 9 '~ Edwaid's and Papa's letter to him. EdWard wrote when' they first landed, and papa ~t1 day or two after they reached here. Quite dread for letter tocome. 1 shall dislike s~o 'to part 'with Xime'na. Ximena! t~on't you think it a' pretty, name? She 'has the s~ete~t voice I ever heard. I do wish you could ~ee her, K4te! Try and 'persuade 'Henry to bring you over, if only for a week, will you not~? I do so long to see, you, Katydid! short, as the time is since yoa left me. I was so lonely and miserable after you W~nt; notwitb~tanding dear 'Frank's watchful affec.~ tion. Kate, I often feel as if I .am not 'good' enough to be Frank's wife. He is so noble. and ~xeellent. But I ~suppoSe I rnu~t console'myself for my deficien- cies by the reflection that' I. nevei' saw any one who ~as worthy of him.'' There was a break in the letter here, and it co~n.. 'xiien c~d again under a different and later 'date: "Thursday. Kate, I feel as if I had been the 'most selfish being that ever existed for months past! To papa, to yourself and to Frank! How more than 4dnd'and indulgent you 1~ave all been to9m&!-and II liaye requited you by making youas uncomfortable as I could with my unchastened' gzief! Ohhow little do we see and know ourselves! How blind we are I It as if scales had ju~t dropped from my eyes!' 'TII1~ morning after breakfast I 'was sitting with Xinaena," w~ho is stillin bed, trying 9to get he~ to talk,' ~r tc~Jisten' while I read 9t~ hers ~She 'has 8eeme4 peru feotly listl~ss-~.-a1pathetic*iIidi'ft'ererit and unobservant of everything'~ A~gus'tus knocked" at the door, and I I' 8aid that Father Lebrun was down stair~. lie has been very sick, you know. This is the first time he has been9 able to come out ~r mare than a month. Of course I hurri~d down to him~ immediately; and .1 told' him about Xi~nena~ begging him to try. if he could n~t move her, as no qne else, 'has succeeded in .9 even exciting her attentionn. The doctor,9 and papa- who comes in to~ see her every day-and Juanita, ar. d inys~lf have all failed. So I brought9 him up. 'She was lying with her eyes closed, as usual, when we came into th'e'}oom. But she opened them, andlooked up with more inter~ st than I have ever seen her mani~ festbefo~e,, at the v~ry first words9 6f the priest. He sat down bythe bed,~ut his hans on her 'head and blessed her, and then began to t2lk to hcr-of her grief~atid the cause of iL I cannot toll you~what hesaid, Kate. No doubt it was what he has said 'to iii e again and again. But we often hear things without compare~ ending them; and how much m ore easy it is to' see a fault in others than in one's self! Grief is blind ~ well~ as s&fish~-for' f never was aware before how entirely regardless of the comfort of' others I have been i9n t~e indulgence of my sorrow. Father' Le- brim's admonitions to poor Ximj~n ~ applied to myself f~i', ic~o~'~ fc~JLly than ~o hz~t ; her gricf is moro. (~jJ~9~ 99'L9L~ ~ ~ *99999~~~ one, a~ I have, tq wLom she o'v~es vh'~ &uty9 of cheer fulnes~ a~nd resig~iation.~ A3 ~he Father ~poI~e I saw her lips begin' to tremble. She glanced up at mc, and we both biir~t into iear~. Jie-~Th~a I will not atte rnj~t to repeatt his words. I hope tI~~tt ncithcr Xinicna or 'myself will forget I b~'rn 9X~i on& of the fi ~t __ of the~ resolution I n~d~ while ho was ~a3~W~' T home to ~nish This kttex sud ~et 5'our I 1'aow you ~il! be' ~urpr~d an~I u~ 'er~y s~t 'crn+ I~c~i.ir~g~ 4 rw~ ~fl g1~~ ~y 'er~s~ * p499 ~99 I 9 999i 4 994 9~9 4 ~ 9 99 99 9,/9 I ~ 9~ '99~ I page: 200-201[View Page 200-201] 200 THJ~ STII?-SiSTER. selfishness in 'thinking so much more of myself than of ~any one '~ls~! My daY iffg Kate, you mist, forgive. me!~ When' II remember hoW cold and indifferent I was to you,' while you staid away from Henty so long t~ t~e with me, I actually hate myself!. So many things that my dear, dear mother said to me when she was 'dying, that I have not thQught of since, come back {6 my i'ecollection now! Po you hot remember how she' begged' me not 'to grieve ~s if I thought I should never see her. again, but to think of her cheer fully, as- 'How' could" I have forgotten all this, Kate ? I will * not forget it'agaiu. You shall see that I will not. "I knox~r you arewondering how I3i~dward and my~ self get on 'si~iee his r.ctiirn~ You remember I was fictermilled to be easy and friendly with I' liii .when he came home? Wc'ii, 'I declare I have Cried to i~e ~o, but J find ii atmo~4 impos~ibIe to makg any pro~ gres~ CowarIs acpiaint~ance' even with hint He does &~all me by ~y name now sometimes, and s~ems intlined to ~be friends with me-but he blushes and starts so every time I speak to~him, that really out of ~compas~ sion I let him alone generally. The otlver morning i *wentinto the library to see'if I could find a~b'ook that would, be likely to' an~iise Ximena, and he happened to 'he flier. I' am sure ~',w would J~ave Iapghed as I"'rank I~d when I told him about~ ~t afterward~ had se~: ti ~pa~mo~i~ ~iTofiswhkh h~vmade to talk - a iittie. I a~l~e~1 liim if he ~c~uld recommend 'a hook to me as I wanted one to read to Ximena. He looked about, without in . the least knowing what he was, d6in'~ ev~dent~y, and presefttly brought me-~whajt'dO. YOU ppo~&?-.~ voltulie of (ftc's Dict4omt~W ~f Arts! Of cc~urse, I looked surpri'~4, atid, I'~ ~& afr~Ad, amu~d; and when h~ loolced ~t it again and ~aw Mrhat it ~ his ~cr.r~f'~i~ion w~ pitiable. I 'tried ~o 4 I 9 9 * TUE STEP-S1$TEL~. 201 V 4; p 1~ I laugh it off, as you used to advise, telling him that the studies '~thich pleased him were rather too pro- found for ~imena and myself, ~and taking up some other book, I le'ft him, * I am afraid we never shall learn to be sociable with 'each' other, for though I try) I and believe he does t6o, the case seems hopeless. However, we shall not be together much longer to worry~ each other.-for Frank waa telling me last night that we positively must go'ltorne in December. And thoi~gh I hate, oh, so much! to leave poor papa, I cannot refuse to consent. Dear Fraiik! he has been so patient, and kind, and considerate ~ I wonder if there is another as ~rtadzdterated1y 'noble, heart in * the whole world! I doubt it. There is not a spot or blemish in his nature.' He has aP the gentleness and self..forgetfulness. of wom'ait, with the courage and 'firmness of man.'~ I was ~o struck with this~ when Ximena was in such danger the other night. 'Most men, under the circumstances, would have been perfectly heJpless-~..would have thought that to send for the doctor was all they wer~ called upon to ~do. Dr. EldAdge said he could not have treated t'he ease better himself thaii Frank did, and that if he had not been so prompt as he wa~ she~must hav~ died. 'Oh, Ka~te, just think if she had! I am sure I neVer should have~ forgiven myself for not~ watclliig her more closely. They all say if there was any fault about~ it the doctor Was to blame. He says so himself. That he ought to have inquired more particularly. Whether she was accustomed to taking opiates. It seem's that she never could, they effect her so powerfully. She took very little vercztrum comparatively to' what is usually given; 'but the weak~ state sue was in', from ,~ having lived almost:,.withont fi3od. for so long, as well ~s, this idiosyncra&y'of hers, caused th~ mischief. She has p~~oin'ised me totry~ and~ eat, something to-in6rr page: 202-203[View Page 202-203] 202 THE STEP-SI~TRI~. 4 ~'1 a~4the~i doctor is going to bring her an~ron~ tonic. This~afternoon is the first t~ne I have seen 'her ~1nile -~-just for a moment-.-4Tllit how it" lightexl up.her face! I actually looked ~th. wonder' at her beauty. And 'did ~QU ever know anyfhig as perverse and unn&tural as Edwai~d's 'not having fallen in iIove. ~vit'jh her? At leasf Frank says he has not. That he was very'mu9h p~ovo'ked at our suspecting him of the' weak~iess, whpn they came. 'But I can scarcely credit such in~ sen~ibility.. \ I "do think it will be too bad if he lets such a 'charming' commencement for. a.romance end hi n~othirig, instead 'of endeavoring to win' Xirnena ,if only that~ papa ~hould not be 'left entirely without a daughter. My love ., to .Henry, and write soon, Kate~ Affectionately, BLA~NC11E.' CHAPTER 'XXVI, AFTER CLOUDS COME $U~SHTNE. Father Leburn's visit to' Hollywood, which wash to bave been of a few days duration only, was pro-~ longed to a month.. Blanche obtained from Dr.' Eld. ridge, on his visit to, Ximena, the rnor~ning after the Priest's arrival, a medkal opinion that, change of air was. absohftely necessary to the speedy-rec~wery of hi~ 2Reverence's health, 'and'as this' opinion was~'gWen sincerely, perfiaps the Priest heeded it somewhat.~ Rut a:much greater inducement to him to lengthen his stay .was the' perception 4hat the moral. atmos- ph~ere of 'the house 'ne~ded...brigh~ening.. Mr; Oler yule was always grave now~ his face reminding Father Leburn ~of what it had been for years after the death of his first wife. Blanche was pale, sad~ subdued, ~dward was looking thin, haggard and wretched. "I And Fr~.nk, who was the one spring of light and anything Jii~e cheerfulness 'in the house, often now~. reflected in his face at least the thoughtffilness of sorrow. Xhnen'a waR 3yorst ~f all'; in general, per- fectly apathetic; occasionally, almost W~d with 'grief. Wisely and gently, as one' -a&custonied 4o miiP~er- ing to minds diseased, did the Priest set himself tQ the task of corre&ing the evil. He wrought as mudi 'by example 'and the unsVudied teachings that fell from his lips as by direct precept and admonition. 11i~ manner was ever so ~hflpIy, inno~&ntly cheerful-With nothing in it to sho~k or' offend 'the most sad'den~d spirit, but sootI~ing geffial--~vinning insensibly, first to sympathy, then tQ participation in his childlike submit~ sion to, trust in the Father above. Soon 'Mr. Clervi:ll&s brow'. related from its. settled' gravity. Frank was all himself. again. Blanche's step regained its elas- ticity, ~ Taint but most lively color~ began to steal into 'her late pale cheek,,. and her smile, if not so joyous, wa~ "'as bright as of old. Even Ximena, th ough~ oppressed at times by the ino~t hopeless anguish, exerted herself', with some '~success, to be patients to some degree" cheerful. '~ iITht 'with Edward it was different. He' considered-. himself C inisus~ed of Fate '--a mis- era~~e~~an. He. could not study'by' day+-he could riot sleep by night. lie lost all appetitee, and' smoked incessantly. His father's former apprehensions abdut his health were revived in full force, ~.nd he regi'et- ted very much (as 'Edwa~d himself did most heartily)' Wat 'he had' returned home.'. Had he not feared that. the' journey to' Mexico, at this ~eas on. of the year, would be' dangerous~-~.more: especially as the ~ornit6 wa~ prevaAling to a considerable extent in Vera'Criiz-- Mr. Ol~rville would have proposed "his r~joi~ing Mr.. Lysle ~le tried to' persuade him to go to s'ox~.e ~f $ def Wh .aEin .: , . - - ; -- - T * . '4' - 203 page: 204-205[View Page 204-205] 4. ,"'4, 4AA '4'' --4,' . 4 ~-.-.' 4. 4 * 204 ' TIlE $TEF-8I8T1~ft. -V IK':Ij 4( the many pleasant watering-places that are- scattered throughout the fair Southland, offering 'himself 'to be bis companion in the excursion. But the young gen- tleman was obstinatee in his rejection of He had a perverse satisfaction in' plan. being miserable, and, as he was laboi~ing under the very 'i~orst form of the malady with which he was afflicted, a relapse- always. more violent and dangerous than, a first at.. tack-he 'was to that degree imfatna1~ed that he could~ resolve to tear himself frofli the torturing fas ci- nMion of B'lanch&s presence. He lived but; in his ~s~c4en glances at her facet in the sQund of her voice and f6ots~eps,~ in hearing his name' occasionally from her Ii ps, and sometimes speaking her own. . Perfectly careless of everything else around him, he went on his gloomy *ay unimpressed by the cheering influ- ence to which the real grief of the others yielded. In the inevitable progresss Qf Xiniena.'s grief from thought only of the~ dead to a- recollection of herself, Blanche was affected to perceive 'that even- in con- templating loneliness of her position, i1 wag not of herself so much that she seemed to think as of the distress it would have been to' her mother, could she have anticipated that the child whom she had always shielded so carefully from the- lIghtest 4isc~om- f6r-t should 'be this left, unthought of by her natural protectors-aba~~doned entirely to the care of stran- gers. The consciousness of .thi~ fact seemed to strike hei' suddenly one day. She inquired for the first' time about her uncle, General 'Walworth, and appeared as much offended as surprised when she 1earne~t that no information concerning him 'had been 'received. With far mora decision of manner thant is usually found in one. of ~her age, she requested that no farther appli- 'cation should be made to General Walwortli on her behalf, saying that she would return to Me~eo to her 2 4 'I '"I '4 206~ uncle, Don Miguel Yarassa, as sooii as she was well enough to travel. * 'You know,' she observed, seeing the doubtful ex~ * pressiou of Blanche's face at this decIaration,~ 'tha t with my nurse and her husband, I can very well -make the journey' After a pa~is~, she added: 'how strangely it mPst have looked to you, Blanche, my coming here with your broth~i'; hut I i'~allydid mit ~know xvhat I was doing. I bav~ no distinct rec6llec~ don of anything from the time--' she burst into tears, but dried them quietl5r, and, went on: 'all that dark, dark time is like the dim images of' a half forgotten dream to me. I cannot even r6m ember your brother's name." - 'Edward.' 'Yes-and the other name?' I never heard it.' Clervihle.' 'I blush to thinl ~vhat an idea Mr. Cleri~ille must, have conceived of me. He could not but have consid- ered it very singular that 'Blanche here interposed, protesting against Ii ei' perplexing herself while she was ill' with thinking of aiiything but getting well. . 4, Here are soma fruits and flowers I have broi~ight you, and you must enjoy and admire them for me. Don't you like~fiowers?' - She took a beautiful moss rose-bud from the vase, and put it iii the passive ~fingers. "I used t~o love them passionately, but I think I do not care for any thino~ iiow. All earth seems dark to ure.' 'You. must not give way to these sad feelings.. It is almost impossible to control them, .1 kn9w3 but we mu~t think of what Father Leburn says.' 'Yes-i try. I have been very s~impie, I fear in yielding to 'such unchastened feelings as mine have been. but-' 4~ page: 206-207[View Page 206-207] U PILE STEP~8I8ThR. 4 ~THE b~EP~$1S~R. 207 The dai~k eyes ~'began to ov~irflow, and her sentence was not finished. ;She: held up4~ rose-bud to exam, ji~e its beauty. As ~ did s&;The. appearance of her hand seemed t6 strikee her. She extended. it from her, turning it around and ~said to Blanche, with a faint smile, 'Did ~"ou ever see stt~h. a hand 3.' Blanche took it in her own, and rubbed the. back of it a moment:.. 'V'o~ know all this discolored skin, will come off. soon, and leave it. fresh and f~ir. It SWill be prettier than it was before we spQiled it so.' ~.' Dear Blanche, how hind yQU have been !-how gdod-2 Then it is your ttiPn to be good now,' iI~terrnptcd Blanch~, laughingly. See--does not thi&lo ok tempt- iug?'.~-she pointed to a pretty silver filigree basket on the table beside V~e bed, which contained oranges, ba- nanas i~nd crimsoii.~cheeked peaches, all peeping forth froiii ~rnid the deep-green, fragrant leav~ of the orange tree. There was a small ~ ilv& plate and fruit .~knife by the baske&. Blanche peeled. a peich, an orange and a banana, and laying~ them in the plate;. placed it within ~rea~h of Ximena' 5 :h~J~d. 'Frank came up th~ river last night, and~ brought these ba-~ nanas for you. They are unusually fresh alid nice~ .1 t1hinl~. Will going dawn !11 that I left ~ou stairs in a moment to eating on~?, ~o~uot let me tell hi 'get, th~ I was :telling you about.'~ Xim ens, smiled and took up the banana. "Frank?' she repeated,. 'that is-i~o~.---~' she hesitated. 'Not Edward, your ~ravcling companiorr. Frank is hi~ brother.' . . - * Xime~iawns resolutely cheerful from that time, and. her health improved ~steadily, but very sJowly, she * thought. She' alluded ;~gajn t~o General ~~Wal- worth~ but s~o2ke freqment1y~f her intezided return to ~!exico. Blanche W~3 more and ~ ~harn~e~ ~ p her as' their acquaintance matured ~o friendship during the long summer days when she sat beside her bed, sometimes reading to her, but oftener talking; and *each making the other familiar with h~r own Ip*st ;life. Ximoria told her friend of the old ~ wliere~.~ her happy 'childhoQ'd hind' fleeted away like~ 'a fairy * dreamof joy; ' and 'of h~r native home-~ha't clime ~f the sun, Mexico, whiclv she see~ned to ~regai~d with ~ sorrowful yet'pa~sionate love-the lovQ with which a patriot look~ up'mn the cotintry which he ft~u~t pity it'; stead of glory' ~n. And Blanche spoke, too, of her childhood, but mor ~p arti cularly of the period. which followed her thePs marriage, when she first came to dear Hdlywo6d; ofLucy, .arid Kate, and Dare- devil-and, of course, of Frank~ and Edwaid. And both, learned, to talk, first in low sad '~iiispers, 'but gradually with' calm and cheerful spirits, of the simi~ lar sorrow which had turned all their joy to. mourn- ing~ Mr. Cle ille had visited Ximena often in :her own room; bu it was ainusihgto ohs~rvc thech~raeteristic difference between F~'ank's'and E d~ward'~ 'greetings to her the first time sh6 appeared down stairs; Frank offered his hand and spoke with such wrdial friendli- ness that Ximena felt easy and rat' home with 'him at~ ~once. Edward, by' a desperate effort of resolution, and in a ~itiab1e state of confusion, presented himself in the sitting-room to make his compliments' to her. She half rose to' meet him-wari~i thanks for his 'kindness to her ready ~ipon her lips-~but on seeing ~his ceremonious, it seemed to her cold manner, she ~W&s silent; whilst he, with much embarrassment, e~- .pres~d hi~ pleasure at seeing her again,~ and at the, improvQment, i~ her health. Every human being c~r~ iles about him, or her, a certain moral ~trno~phere. A kindly and genial nature di~u~es around itself ~ E page: 208-209[View Page 208-209] 22 ~2 222 2222222-2~2, 2~j22~ 2*~222,2 22 2 22 22' '2~ 2 ~ 22 222222222 r. 23~Z'~' 2 22 22~ 2 :22222 22~ 2222 ~~22ff j ~ 2~2 2 2222222 22 222 2 2242 12 ~2' 22 22 2 22 2 24 222 2222 2 22 222 2 2222 2222 2 22 22 2222 22 2~2 212222 2 222 22 222 4 TUE STEP SISTEIZ2' a glow of warmth and pleasure, like a sunbeam which illumines all upon which it falls. 2 But there are faces that, like a London fog creeping into a drawing-room, chill, dim and dampen everything around. Edward'~ presence in the sitting~room was not that of a sun- beam; and though Frank soon managed to do away the ~light gene that followed his entrance, they all felt it a relief when he rose. and left the ~partmeiit. His attentions to Ximena from that time consisted of iri~- 2v~ria~ly blushing t~nd bowing when he entered hcr presence; a sight edifying to Blanche, inasmuch a~ she took it for an 2 entire refutation of the idea she had once e~itertained as to his sentiments towards herself, Whenever that recollection recurred 2 to her 22now, it was with a laugh and a blush atthe vanity-~~so ,she considered it22-~~which had given rise to sueli a suspi±~ %CIOTL CHAPTER XXVII. A GLIMPSE BENEATH THE SURFACE. 2 It was with no little difficulty that Ximena was pi evaikd upon, by the united arguments and. entree~ 2 ties of her friends, to forego her intenti6n of returning to Mexico immediately on her recovery. Mr. Clerville represented the, extreme probability~the positive certainty, he: considered it-that General Walworth had been prevented from receiving the letters ad- dressed to him by absence from home. lIt 2was the season when most Southerners forsake their too sunny hoi5nes for a mountain or r northern climate. He re-~ minded her2 that her mother had committedd her to Edward' ~ care, to be delivered to the guardianship of her uncle---of the anxiety which she had mmifes2~ed. $ TUE STEP-SISTER. 209 to leave a country torn to pieces by civil factions-. asked if Ximena thought that she would wish her daughter to return, thither alone, ii~h en, too, the health of he.r uncle, Don. Miguel, rendered it doubtful whether he would, even if living, be able to afford her prote~- tion in such a land-agd ended' by strongly advising her to wait at least 2 until the fall before condemning General Walworth finally, or believing that he could be guilty of so singular a disregard of tl3e wishes of his sister and welfare of his niece. Blanche asked, with ~ffectionate reproach,. how Ximena could think of leaving her, when she knew she loved her so much? and the doctor, when appealed to on the subject by her, pronounced the scheme altogether inadmissible. The state of her health, the warmth of the season and the existeilce of vomito at V~ra Cruz, all forbade the idea, he said. Instead of this longjourney, he should recommeDd daily short ones 2 on horseback, both 'for Miss Yarassa and Miss Blanche. Blanche had always been in the habit of riding a f~reat deal, but siwce the death of her mother she had entirely djscontiriu this favorite exercise. It was associated in her ~ind with all pleasant memories and exhilerating e~notion, and seen~ed inappropriate to her present depressed state2' of spirits. Once or twic~ F~a~nk had suggested a ride, thinking it might b~ing' back th~ rose to her cheek; but sI~ evidently shrank so at the proposal, that he' did not insist. She agreed to it when urged b~ the doctor, entirely on Ximena' s accQunt, afid with some persuasion induced the latter to consent likewise. 2 Prank would have ordered the horse~ for that same afternoon.~.4jut Blanche informed him~that lie was too precipitate in his expectations. Neither X~mena or' herself posses 3ed that very necessary equipment, a riding hit, of the right cotor; as neither of them 21 14 page: 210-211[View Page 210-211] ."' '4, ~~4~~~~,. I 44 "4 - 1~ .210 TU~ STEP~-8ISTER. * had ridden since they went into n~ournjng. Bhiiwhe said she could write' down to Madame B-, the fa#hionable modiste who supplied ar her 'requirements in the way of dress, and Q.btaifl themb But it would take at I~a'st a-week for her letter to reach New"Or~ lean3, and the habits to be made and' sent up. ~' It will be all the b4-~tter, however,' she said, fa~ I really do not belive Xi~ena is str~g enough' yet for the exertion. I will go and write im~ediate1y.' She went to i imena's room to consult h~r as to the mod 3 and material of dresses. 'Ju~t let Juanita get'me, one of~ your dresses that fits well to.send t6 Madame 1~- for her to make l~r. She keeps my patterns. Now what do you think will be the best .material?' she continued, as, after ringing ~he bell for Juanita, she came and sat down to th.e table n"ear' Ximena~ 'I .i~eally do~ 'riot know,' answered the latter. "Cloth is too heavy for ~urnmer-~and bombazin~ too light for a habit.' She looked sad, as she alwa~ did when any. allusion was made to her dress. 'Yes, bombazin~e is entirely' too light. And be~ sides anything worsted, even berege, is unendurThly warm-to me, that is. If we could get some lustr& less linen! I always prefer linenfor a surnmerriding habit. Supp6s'~ I 'tell her to 'get linen if she can? Would you like it?' Ximena assented. 'It can~be lined throughout with 't'he same, so that the skirt will h~xig .well.' I~ think it very likely Ma- dame IB- may have some herself. She imports her things direct Mm ?aris. But if she &.in't get ?linen what h:'d she b~ttci~ take?' 'Would it be safe to leave it to her own selection?' 'Oh yes, that 'would be wisest, I expect,~ replied Blaue~he, ~iling. 'She' has unimpeachable taste-. V and the 'only fault I ever hal to find with'her 'is that she. trims ~a1~ittle too ~much. 11cr things are in good 4aste alway~-b~it I do not like too elaborate. trin~- "iningon'anything.~particularly inour4ing. K 'Juanita,' said Ximena,~ as th~ woman entered, in answer to the bell,' 'get a dre$sh of mine that'fit's w'ill, and then -~~- I want some money..' ''Never mind about the money now;' said 'Blanche smiling. "Wait until MadAme sends her "bill. Lus- treless black linen,' she went on 'with. her. memoran- dum-' pm if this cannot'b'e. r, -' A knock at the door*, ~iid the announcement of din~ nei interrupted her at this point of her consultation. 'Ar~ you' comingikwn V sh6 said,"rising.-~ or shallI send your dinner? 'I think'y6u" look as if you did not care to walk down stairs. I will send it.' Ximena smiled, and .coi~fessea th'~t sh~ 'felt* either languid or 1azy-~he did not know which. 'What herse.c~n she 'ride, Fraiik,' inquired Blanche, as they were discussing the matter at dinner. 'Marmion and your own Jessica 'are both v&y gen- tle.~ ~Eer'haps Jessica would do best ur&til w e~ee what sort ofhorseman she is. Or, Edward, you might of- fer4.her her compatriot,' Mexicana. You have ~not seen Mexicana yet', hayc you Blanche? ~be is a beautiful creature.' '.' Yes,' I have seen hel' several times: at ~ distance, when you were riding her She is a perfect beauty.' 'Like1 her' f 'contrywoman, of the old proud spanish 'bloo~" said Frank, 'laughing., ~NQ m& Mexicaii mustang; no' ignoble admixture or dilution 'of the 'noble fluid.' ' 'I am sure there is~ dilution of it in Xim'ena' ~ veins;' said Blanche.' ythe. way,' cried-Frank, suddenly, " how a~i I aboiit attendance on ~ou two ladies' I TILE STEP-~1t~TML. U" A li 211 page: 212-213[View Page 212-213] * 2i~ 'E STEV-SI$TER. KEdward, you will have to' make an elYort of ga~1lantry,' and'be Miss Yarassa' s cavalier.' * 'Yes, my son,' said Mr. 'Glerville-' I think it would 1 e proper fo17 you to. do this." I fear, the young lady may consider that you~ have not tecn'as attentive to * her as. the circumstances of your acquaintan* de- maiided, and this. will be an excellent opportunity t~ rectify past omissions.' 'I am sorry ~QU think I have been deficient in pro- per attention to Miss Ya~ssa, 'began Edward, in a very~ eonstrain.ed voice-but'---" "Y~pu see,' exdahned Frank, intertuping him ,with a. laugh, 'II cannot very conveniently' multiply or di- vide myself, so as to attend 'Blanche and the young lady both. Now, to your great credit be it acknow- ledged; you bcgan your career of knighthood by play- ing priex eket~a1ier~ to Miss 'Yarassa, and you must continue it. We cannot possibly dispense with your a~sistanee.' The 'argument ~eemed unanswerabl'~-and. so Ed- ward did not utter1the protest that was glued fast on the tip of his tongue to the i~of of his mouth; but' he verily thought that Miss Yarassa must certainly have been born to be the plague of his life £ and a question did .arise, for a moment.in his mind, as to what lie should / do in the event of hisbrother's and father's informing ,him that it was incumbent upon him to propose for Miss Yarassa's hand some fine day." Really, what with their obstinate belief that he was in ~ovb with her- and their exaggerated ideas 'of the ~ttentiou due to her from him, it would not be very strange if they should come to this conclusion. He' asked Frank irivatelv if h&. was serious in wishing to inflict such a inut~ual pe~innce on the young laay and hims~1f as his atteudaiice, he was sure, 'would prove. Frank an- swered by repeating seriously ' what he had said i~ I I I''" V.' 4 I / I 4 TtE S~1'EP8J~T1~JL 213 jest; that h~ himself could ride with but one of' the two girls at atime, and Edward's company was there- fore indispedsable-unless. he wished the whole pleasure of the thing spoiled to them, by their not be- 'in g able to go together. Edward 'made no farther resistance-and fate rewarded him for his virtuous en- duranee in a manner as unexpected ~as it was ecsta~ising. The riding habits made their appearance in due time, and on the afternoon Qf the sa~ne day the horses were ordered, and Edward was notified that his hour~ of trial had' arrive~J. 'Blanche came down' stairs b~j~e Ximena was ready, and seeingFrank just en~erin~~he library; followed him. ' She sat down. on the firsV' chair she' came to, and laying h'er handkerchief and whip on the table beside her, began to put her gloves on a~ she said: 'Frank cannot yOU ride with Ximena? It is ~a great sacrifice in' me to relinquish yo~ir company, ~ut I am sure she would enjoy the ride so much more with yourself than Edward for an attendant." Frank did not look ver v:much pleased at the propo- sal; Blanche, glancing at him, an~ perceiving which,' added: 'You see Edward is always s~ 'silent and re- served that, Ximena, who .d@es not understand that it is only his way, is worried at it. She thinks, ~s I used to aboufmyself, that he dislikes her, and 'it spoils all the' pleasures she would'oth~rwise have in riding, the idea that he is an unwilling escort. So I con- clud~d to be 1very magnanimous, and get you to go with her, leaving her gloomy cavalier :to myself' 'Of course, if you wish it,' answered Frank~.' 'That iB not a ~'ver~ gracious asse~t,'.~aj4.Bli~1a~, smiling, as having flni~lied fitting on her 'gloves, she looked up. 'Just waW until 'you see the brilliant ~ruile with whi0h Ximena will welcome the change, - T 9 page: 214-215[View Page 214-215] 2422 2- 9222- A' -2- '~ ~'iK 7i - '7 ~ 22": ":2 'r Z14 T1i~ s~~-su~TKu. e - and then regret it if you can. I am sorry you persue~ded E~lward to join o2ur- riding parties.' - Why?' asked Frank, laughing. 'BecauSe he ~evidently dislikes it so much. And I have given out all hope of his and Ximena's falling in love with each other.' 'You really expected it?' £ Certainly. I consider it beyond expression, pro. yoking' and incomprehensible 'in him, at least, innot doing so. If I was a man -I should be raving about her.' ''I think you rave about her as it is. I am sure - I hear so constantly of her perfections, that L am growing jealous.' - 'Are 'you?' she cried; laughingly. 'But is not her face enough 'to excuse any one for raving 2-about it? I can account, 2fo~- Edward's singular stupidity only in on~ or two ways;' 'Illow is that?' inquired Frank, much diverted. - 'Either he is man of rharbie,' without even the pretence of a heart, or he must have been jilted very badly some time, and become a' woman~hater in con~ sequence. You know men sometimes are so unjust as- to attach the siiis of one individual to the whole sex. 'Did you ever hear ol anything of the -kind with hipi?' Frank laughed outright, and' looking r~uind, said: 'Come forward, Edward, 'a'nd answer to the grave charges preferred against you.' Blanche turned also, and saw~ Edwa.rd etandi~g in one of the alcoves behind her.' ther~2" she why did you not tell me that he was exclaimed. Rising hastily, she walked towards him. 'L am so sorry, Edward that heard my nonsense. I wa~ only jesting.' ' E~r ~orde had. wounded him deepl~r, but i~efor'~ed 2- 1- 2 THE STEP-S1~ThR. 215k hjmselt to smile through his pangs, 'as h~ begged that she would be under no concern about it. 'I am so conscious that I des ~ve far heavier cen-. sure th2an you have given tomyslupidity, that II could not besb unjust a~ to be offended.' 'Oh pray do not repeat that word'! I assure y9u I was but jesting.' 'Many a true- word is spoken in jest. But I will not inflict the tediousness of my attendance on~ ~Ijss Yarassa. My2s6le reason for having agreed to Frank's proposal to accompany you, was the belief that, by so doing,:2 I prevented what is generally considered an undesirable awkwardness--a~ party of three.'- - Despite his- endeavor tG speak lightly, there was in his voice a tone of -bitt ern~s, which Blanche at- ~ribute4 to a sense of irritation at what she had said. Though she colored slightly at the last part of his sentence, she went close to him and laying her hand on his arm, while she looked up to his face with earn estb entreaty and exclaims d: "Dear'Edward, donot punish me for that thought-' less speech, by taking it seriously! Ii am' sure you will not make me so uncomfortable, a;s I s~all'be if you do not go with me. It is myself, not Ximena, I ask you to go with. You are not going to refuse?' - He hastened to,. assure h~r that he was quite ready - to attend her~ if sh e~really 'desired it; but there was - a bitter throb at hiaheart as he thought of the" mag- nanimous sacrifice.' she was - making, in giving up Frank's escort f6~ his o~vn. 'Then you must be very good nature and enter- taining,' she said' in her old arch tone, 'or r shall think you have not forgiven mc.'' She walked out of the room, Ed~'ard -following. - - Xirnena and Frank were standing beside the-h~rses waiting for them. The former had approached Mexi.~ 21' 2- 22.222- I 22'] A' '22" ''I p2" 4 222- $ 12 '7L~ 2$ - a pa page: 216-217[View Page 216-217] a -~ 216 THE STEP-SISTER. cana, who had been saddled for Blanche, by I~dward's prders, and wa~ putting the white star upon her foi'e~ head, repeating her name, and murmuring words of caresshig fondness in the liquid Spanish tongtle. The animal seemed to re~#gniz&the familiar sounds. She put back, her small, high-bred ear as if~t6 listen ; bent forward hei" head~ moving restlessly, manifesting evei~y symptom' of ir4elligence and pleasure. '~ $ee.~she knows the sweet tones of the native dj'~ said Xiinena. 'Me~ieana, Mexicana, we are exi2Ies~both; bu( I shall see the golden sands and the silvei~waters soon, while you' must languish ever in the cold land of th~stranger!' She laid 'her1~ face down on the shining neck of the animal, tp conceal' the tears that stai~ted' to her eyes. ~ Are you going to Ade Mexicana?' said Blanche, who 'had come to her side unpe~eived. 'Is she per~ ~fe~4y gentle,~ FrLLnk?' / 'No; II ah to ride Jessica, I i~e~li~ve., Did 'you not ~y so Mr. Clerville? Mexicanw is for you, Blanche.' '2But you know we are to. change escorts, and why not horses, too, if you would like to ride 'Mexicana? 1)id not Franktell yoa that he is to ant?' ' be'your attend- 'No-he did not ~tell me.' Brilliant in deed was 'her smile, as she $urned a glance of inquiry towards 1~im; and' very beautiful did she look when, mounted on the littl& Mexican mare, she c~Aiterd'off with, him, leaving Edward ~nd Bia~nche following at a slower pace. Frank certainlyy would, have Pteferred 'the arrangement which he had himself proposed, bv.t h~ did not think it ~necessary to mt~fli- fest his discontent by a ~ilent or constrained manner. They passed swiftly along the cool shady road he had seleete ci,, 'exeh~ngi~g ~a word oc i~nMly,' but AoL 4 TH}~ STEP-SISTJ~ft. 217 talking mach, for' a c.a'nter is not very pi'opitious to conversatn. lIe remembered soon that Ximena wa~ an invalid, and, saying his hand on Mexicana's reifi, checked Mr speed,' and that of his own h1o~se at 'the same time,. as he said, with a smile: 'I shall 'ijot be able to answer to Bl*che, . Miss Yarassa, for my neg1e~ct of her earnest 'injunctions, if you return home exhausted hustead of improved by your ride. Would it not be prudent to moderate our pace?' '1 suppose so,' she answered; though. Mexicana goes so easily;' but, it is true, I am not very strong yet.' Theexergise had already brought a glow, bright as the bloom of the pom'egr~.nate, into her clear dark cheek. Pra~1~ thought of tlw cori~pliment of the Irish hod-carrier, on rcstori~g t~o ~uda4y her parasol, which had been blown out of her Mnd by a high wind, aud fcltlncljncd to ~y: 'Faith, if you were as strong ~s yoxi are handsome, you could ride'from here to Jeri~o' without fatigue.' ' He did not, however, indulge the inclination, but merely' remarked- 'We must not go too far this first time of testing your strength. The sun is rather Warm, I fear; but, as this road is very shady-' 'Oh; not at all too warm for me,' interrupted Xime~a, , 'You forget that I".m a child of the Sum, ahd do not shrink fThm his rs ~s voti of a colder clime do. It. is impossible, I prcsurne, fob' 'any ~on~ bu~ a uati-~-e ~f the' tropics, 'to conceive the love which -they. who are boi'n beneath his vertical beams bear to th~e grand luminary. I have always sympathi~d Stro ngly with -his as wprshipp~s.4. Unenlight~- en I b~ Yeye1atio~1, -~we~0, .it. -se~i~is- to n~ .that their is-v~uch ~i~'~ab3i4 a~id r~tio~al than that of a~y other heat1ie~ nation.', 'I am not sure but that it was,' answered Fra.nk; page: 218-219[View Page 218-219] A a K * ~ 'for if~we contrast it with the Assyriaii aud~Egyptian of of woishfp, or even with the poetical My the Greeks. and Romans, how far simpler, rnqre sub~i m~eT this adoration of the~visibIe and actual spring~ of' Light &nd Life, than the bEnd, haif-cred. ulous, half-skeptical ~u~perstitiens of others! The Oiiqber ~aw4hat when his d drew near and looked down with dazzling counTenance, Earth wakened beneath his smile. Her brown bosom smile'dThack emerald green; leaves expanded; flowers burst into bloom and fragrance; fruits swelled and matured: grain sprang ~up' and ripened ;~ all life welcomed his approach rejoi~ingly! it is not strange that the mind of the materialist (and, in one sense, all pagans' are listss) should have attached t.o radiant, seemingly sentient presence, thu idea of Deit'g., In the morning he. came, they knew net from, whence; in the evening he went, they knew not whither,! and this was MYSTERY. sometimes, for a season, ho departed to a distance from them: so thai~ his 'beams were pale and cold, and Nature lan- guished until when he listed, he returned. This wa~ POWER. And 4W' ages, unwearied and changeless, had " bo~ning ~y~" looked down on tlw e'eneralioB r ,,-~ / cw ~r~em ~nd i~i ~o ri~cu~ i~gLt sh~d biess~ngs rapd~~ tLe~n Th~ ~ 2~QRTA~I~Y 3tery-poT7O~ - 4 xez; fo~ ne athcn, th~ir creed wags not an irration~I one.' 'Thank you for hax big de~ehped my idea,' said Xi.meM, smiling '.t never thought of dip .rational& of The 4stem bcfoi~e, but merely co"~idered it poetic'- ,affy with admiration; perhaps because the Abor~gi nais. of my o~w~ ~nd, a,~ well a~ those ~f Peru, w~c a~ m~h F~rii~~ ~ were th~ ?~r~i~n ~i of 4ev. ~v~i~y thh~ ~hie1i r~Thte~ ~b. , % & past or parent, of my unfortunate country, has for me a mournful, but very deep interest.' She spoke sadly, ending with a sigh, ai~d, as if to 'change the subject, glanced back, expecting to see their companions approaching. They were not in sight. 'They must ride very slowly,' she observed, with some surprise. '1 thought they wou!d have joined us before now.' 'I thought so.- ~B~tt it is possible that they may have gone another way. There is a fork half a mile })ack~ and, if th9y have, we shall not see them at all during our rider as the roads diverge widely. II did not think to provide against the probable contingency of our taking different directions, by settling, before we started, which way we should ~go.' His conjecture was correct.. Edward and Blanche ha'd ttiken an opposite course to the one chosen by hinis elf; or, rather, their horses, finding themselves perfectlyy at liberty to exercise their own taste ~and judgment i~ the matter, had, after putting their iioses together in consultation for a moment, taken this course, without the fact having been observed b~ the pre-o~cupied riders. They had. never before been lete-a-tete for more than a few minute~ at a time; and hoth~ felt the strangeness and awkwardness of the position. Added to this, each was meditating an explanation Which it was difficult to commence. Blanche. spoke fi~rst. 'You must have thought it very impertinent of me Edward, to be talking of you -as I~did, but-' 'You were indignant at my insensibility to the eharx~ of Miss Yarassa~' h~ said with a 1"oreed smile, as she hesitated. '-it is true that I cau~ot behold her With youi' visioi; but is it just fb'r this reason, to d~em m~ cold-without a heart?' ~rltE 8TEP-SIS'P~R. 219 I page: 220-221[View Page 220-221] .~: ~ I,, 22Q TIIR ~D~P-sI8TEa. ) U * Blanche smiled. 'Perhaps not,' answered she, 'though it doe~ seem to. inc irn possible 4hat any maii who did have a heart, could be thus insensi. ble2 'Jhave a heart,. Blanche I' he e~claiined, in a tone and with a glance that caused her cheek to pale, and her pulses to stand still for a moment. He saw it; and. inwardly cursing the folly which' had so nearly betrayed the secret he was resolved .to confine forever to his own bosom., he Went on rapidly : 'You remind me, very~,~very, strikingly, of one who was-Who must ever remain-the sole possessor 'of~ that heart; and, therefore, .1 am not willing for you to esteem me the man of marble you staid.' Blanche~ face cleared'; sh~ tp'ned with a glance unembarrassed and ~yinpa- thizing, as he continued: 'SQme men are called cold because they do not offer incense at an~ or every slirin.e they pass. But this is unjust. Either they, may find no altar which they ieei~u. holy enoligh for 2the fire that is in. their hearts, or, liyung it upon one, abIde by it forever, though ~he~shrine be cold, the fire go out!' 'I remember a story or a fable, which I read once, of an4Eastern monarch, who, surrounded by all the pride, pomp and glory of his royal estate, sighed yet Cea5eleSSly for one thing which was wanting to fill, the measure of his content. One, thing, not denied to the humblest ~f yes, hut which he, the lord of them all, cquld riot c~mmand-~-the magic of LOYIt. Fair~ faces were around him~seraph forms, and star- like eyes, atid voices of music. But nor face, nor 'glance, uor tone; could waken in his heart a single~ throb of passion. *He turned, coldly from them all, and laid, down for: a time his sceptre, put from his brow its diadem, and~went~ forth a wanderer over- the face of earth, to.~seek the one, the only presence, that I.';., * TIlE STEP*8ISTE1~. 221 / o~~ned for him the so passionately desired spell. In palace,.in hail, in huty lie soughtit I butt long sought he vainly. Crossing oceans, traversing continents, wearying i~ot, nor pausing, he held on his way; and at length he came "to an isl~ in undiscovered seas," a fair ~enchanted land it seemed, so wondrous beauti.. fal it was, and found a gardeii, rich in all, the luxu- riant bloom of the tropics. The air, breathed per- fame; crystal streams flowed sparkling and rippling between banks of floyver-enamelled green; birds, whose gorgeous plumage dazzled tiw eye, flitted and gleamed thrQugh the deafy shades; and there floated upon the breeze, that gently stirred tree and blossom, low strains of music, that seemed at times .biit the lulling monody of Ocean, and again swelled into soft airs of aerial harmony, exquisite' as the music of the spheres I Roving through this scene of entrancing witchery, he approached .a rare and stately pavilion. Silent was alt around, and, with tread that half started at its ~wn echo, he mounted the ~LarbIe steps, and entered the open portals; and, at last-at last~-~ before him was the presence he had been so long s4ekii~g! In a chair of state, under a regal canopy, sat a maiden sweeping; aftd as his eye reste~1 upon her face,. his heart, with a sudden and stror~g bound, started to life !-.--his toils and his weariness were for- gotten!' 'But vainly did he call Qn the sleeper to listen to his voice! Vainly did he clasp the passive band, and riress on the crimson lips .most passionate kisses 1' Not for him would the sluihberer awaked And white he stood gazing with spdled fascination upoh her surpassing lovliness au other step drew hear-an.. I other man ~nt ered the pavilion. As the foot~fal1 of the stranger sounded upon the: threshold1 the sleeper' Stirred. The wanderer watched with jealo us agony ) i page: 222-223[View Page 222-223] 4 ~22 TH~ ~TI~P-8XST~ and e&w the blue e;e8 that had rern0ilied'Sear~ed to * him open noW, With 'a beaming glance I~Asaw the hand that never returned his preSSl~e,' meet that of hi~ rival 1~heard the' lips murmur, as it parted in a 81flh19-' It' 18 of you, then, that I have been dreaming 1" 'lie fled frdm the tight of '~'~ happineSs that but n~ocked his despair I And never aga~I1 did he seek~ or know, the fatal dream of love I' A~ he ceased 5p~aking, Blanche withdI~eW her gaze ft'oxn§hiS face, where it had' been fastened in a sort * of charmed ama~.' He wa~ looking straight before ~jrn~gOr had hi& eye met 'hers, s~mncethe effect of that first impulsive 'e~clani&tiOfl had warned him to put a guard u~po~n~bOth hp and gianCe~ They ro4e orvin si~ ien~i for some time. ' At last she said ~~ftly, * 'And this is your own story 'P * 'With a difference. I, alas, ciXtered the paviliOvi too late! .When the light of those blue eyes first flashed upofl my soul the CQmpreliension of that mys- * tie emotion which we call love, they were smiling in the face of my rival !~for eVe I ever ~aw her, she was predestined the wife of ano~hCr~' 'After along pause he added, with a perceptible effort-' Your face is paler-and the lacks of your hair have a darker shade of gold, than that which ,glittered upon her ringlets; but yet, you are very like to this lost dream of mine, ~Blauc~e. Often when my gate falls J3uddefllY upon' you, ~ start and shrink 'I may seem indifferent, insensiblebut oh, Blanche, ueve1~ 2thi~k me cold I Th~yrel~5P~ed again into silence: Edward wrapped hi deep reverie~~Wb1le ~lanOl18 felt ~~if ~~~dering 1U &"fairy land o~ eneh8jntm~t, lik~ the one described by ~him. ~nY times, ~nd frou~ many lips, had she liee~r~d~ addre0~ed to her WodS of ad~W~tiOu~Of love. But she had always listened with a sense of di5~V' E poiiitmdnt, even inipatience; for in them wa~ no echo from that bright realm of passion and fauc to ~hi~h she ever looked so wistfully-the realm of ~uo- MANCE. But now-it was not ~so much Edward~s words a~ his impas~ionCJ to~ws, that opened to her ~ glimpse of this~ to her, forbidden paradise. ll~ heart heaved; and from its depths there x~ent out av~W cry~-.' Mid I shall never ~neper-heartoneS lik&thes~4 I must be content with the cold commmonplaee. re- gard that knows not a thought;og passsion or of ro- maLice, lie i~ difti~rent, oh! so different, to Frank. A sharp pang of self-reproach here assailed her that sh~ could, even in the solitude of her own heart, blame Frank. ~ut no, she said, in. answer tQ this reproof of conscience, she was not blaming -hipi-~- 2 ~ was only wishing that he loYe(l her' as KE~byai'tV A ~ kwed what he called his 'lost dream' 0 CHAPTER 'XXVIJL CI~o~ VVOM~. Ahunc~ii b:; th~'iai~' c:c~pe lwL~iA nvtie cfb~- grccii;~-kis hs~i~ ~~-KEi ~aVd didinot aga~n c~b &t~te ricte~, lint he ta1k~d fret~v ~f other Things, ~ei~rnin~, by iha t one ~fforf of iC3 ukuess, to have e'mi iiered ~i lUV'St Ciii ii'CI V hi~ V~OVVC towa cdm~ her. k~ much that he said there was a pocti'y and a pathos 1iA~{t~ iuterc~t~d Blanche ox~eedingIy. There ~~as a K ~entlerLe~s and~ timidity ab6u(~ hP; too, th~ pka~ed h~r mv.c1~ ~d hi: ~n~ilc, whi~Th ~he now &a~" ad ese9 page: 224-225[View Page 224-225] 1~ .." '' ~24 '' TWi~ sTl~r4iNT~R. was not a~ very mirthful smil?-d offering widely fr~ni Frank's in this particular-and, it was not frequent; but it softened and irradiated his face, she thought~, in a marvellous manner. It' was fortunate that 14s slight' prevarication, of speaking of I~r present and former self as two differ- ent individualities, (a prevaricatiou for which he after- wards bitterlyy reproached himself, it being ~th~ first * time in his life that~he had ever, even by the most in- dIrect imphcatio~i, departed from strict sincerity,) had dispelled her su~pici~oii of his~ loving herself. Had she been aware of the truth, not all her affection for and sense-of honor and fidelity towards Frank couN have preserved her from at least a struggle of senti- ment, so strong- an impression had hi~ words made upon her fancy. As. it was', the interest which she now entertained for him was totally unalloyed by personal feeling. ~e admired and' pitied hirrb- thought that - any man who was capable of one such passion as he had describ&t his to have beers must be capable of an~the~-and her wish that he ~rou1d marry Ximena became more lively than ever. They ~oemed forn~4 for each other, she .often.said to her- ~Jf, and to Frank,- and she' felt lil~e quarreling With both of them' for their obstinate blindness to this t~wt. Tl~QiIgh to set out delib~erate1y.with the intention ol 'making a ma'tcb' would have been a shocI~iug. i4ea to her, ~he was, q~it~ ~ncon~ciously, 'endeaYOrifl~ with all her might to' take that' alarming responsibib ity.u~on herself. She talked constantly of Edward * to Ximena, and of Ximena to Thiward. But the only effect wd her eloquence was to. make them more dis- ta~it, than 'they ~would. otherwise h~ve. been - in thou' ma~nner 40 an1iintercour~e with~ ea~&th~r.~,,-. 'My dear Blanche,' Ximena would say langhiflglY~ 'you are laboring that point 'in ~rain, I do i~t doUbt 4- .1 I TUE STEP-SISTER. 4 1' bat that Mr. Cierville -ppssesses aWthe. perfection you have enumerated. He was exceedingly kind4~o. me-' her voice grew unsteady, C and I am and ever shall be very grateful to him, particularly,' she ad4~d. more, cheerfully, C for havin with yourself, but--.-' ~ brought me acquainted 'Well 3' said Blanche, smiling. 'Are there not repulsions-.! mean. is there not such a thing as repulsion, as well as attraction, b~ween certain people?. Frank and yourself were attracted towards each -other; Edward and myself are rePelled by one another. There is not an atom of sympathy between us; and if not ~another man and won~a~n ex.. isted in the world, -we should never fall in love with each other, I do assure your' - 'But why-?' Xime~a laughed. 'I cannot pretend to give you the "wherefore!' of this "why," 'she.answered; 'but pray let me as-k one thing. - I havealways understood that in aff~Ars of the heart it is -the gentleman's place. to take the initiative. h~ it not so 3' - Of course,' replied Blanche laughingly. Then had I not better wait until Mr. Clervii1~ gives sbme tokens of admiration ~ ~before I -~ of a reciprocation. of the ~ntiment4~h~ said arc Ed'ward acknowledged that Mis~ 'Yarassa. w~s very handsome. Beautiful, he supposed, ~he would be considered by any o~e who admired dark, hair and eyes, which he confessed he did not. -B\it he said, ~Soine natures ai~e~lik~e parallel lines. ~. They mayrun Bide by side all their lives, and not be a liair~s hi~eadth nearer e&ch other. - the end than they ware y~hen t~y ~started. .L - thinkLhi~ is the case with your ~ myself.' , -- a ;I~a~ vou~ii.n~i~ b~Jp- 'i1ing~at. - this - 4 page: 226-227[View Page 226-227] 4~* ~'- ~- -r ''~. p I ~j~hshethoU:ght only' a - more gall-ant -re~mdition of ~rep'il~4rn idea. - - - - -' - '~e '1iri~ht7 mooMigiit -. night ~~owards - the tend o~ ~j~t~mber Xhxi~n~ di~ew~ Blanche's arm - within -her * k*~ ~fter'tea, and they walked out into' 'the fioweri ~aMd~x. ~ured ,by the beauty of the scene,:tbey re- m~ined pacii~g tXp and down the wide: 'gravel walks~ f~ra~16ngtime-SOUletimeS silent,: sometimes 'talking- nizt~iLa' ge came -from Fra~ik to B-ianchelnquir-- Thg 'if -s1~e' was not afraid -for Miss ~Yarassa to stay outi G~fv'e Miss Yarassa's comrdixneflt's to Mr. ('lervilie, ~ai4 ~i~eua lightly, 'and tell him - she' -i~ no longam - - - ~t~iu~r~lid to be kept impPisoned in -the house.' '~:A4d tell jiim I ~ay I think he might -ha-ye be.~ ~to'w~d the light of hjs own count~na-~ice upon' us, -in, '~te~- of, s~ndingw~esSage,' added' Blanche. - As the servant 'departed 'with 'this, reply, Ximeno~ - e~id, -~Frauk seems' to have a great~. de~l of- -biPines~ tQ ~a±te~d to ~of late. J~2x~eptjng at' dinner, during- oui~' afVei~~uotrn 'tide; and at tea., I ~iever see him - at ill- ~o4.' :'U~ 4oes -not- seem in -good spirits, either." Have; you -ndt notice this?' ~ axiaweted Blanche with some surprise, 'F ~m~ve 4mot)~oti~ed that he' is out of spirits. That-; ~~ul~1 be yerV Mrange with. him. '-Thrt, he is very bus~t indeed -about some work - he is baying done at Sh~ turned - into a walk that~ led~ straight to the going in 'P said .Ximenp. 'I1~opei~0 *'no~p~ my - There ~~coirn. t&yii~g ~ ~t"thetegt a&~I~O~ IlL -xwime h~sitMed 'a o~o~,944~0u~ ~M4~ -7~ bb it of ~oiii~ ~z~tIy ~ ~ teU~ ~e, ~b4t I * T!rj s~-~xwg~& 2~7 S - it ia an 'involuntary impulse with me &lway~ to'iitt*u4. to any suggestion of his.' '. --il-have observed th~t~- his.word~ ~: your ia#,' ~R& X-i-meua' smiling. '~Wha1t an obedi~nt'w~fe'~yov~ili' make I? *- 'I hope so,~ she answered -seriously. * 'Bnt. I am- not ~at all inejined to' obk~ai~az pre~eut behest, or eominmudj' cried ~i wilful tone. 'I should iliketo s~ay: ' night, ~or at least ~unti1' the~ moon-'wazr.es 4d-~~ies.. t always feel nearer to Heaven at night than in 4ay l4ulepartAoQla.rly under th9 moon and s1ighai~d oii tfre water. '7Djd yow not tell rae, Bita6h~ ~that FrAnk used- to take Kate andyourseif: t~e~rW~byi nio6-ulight a ~great 'deal? I wish' we. could- go4& night There~ he 'comes no ki~ow I have gotten ~so in to ~meet ~i1~ D'~iy~nr the Way~ ~ callii~ ~ '~-Fra~ik;" 'in speaki~ig-vo-you; that'! e±pet~t I itto his face ~om.e day; a~id that wouhi ~b%'~ ah~4k~ as be is -exceedingly 'punctilious in ~d~~izig me, in the mo~t~ ceren~ni'ous manner, a's "-M~ss~ Y*. 'ragsa.". I have been' rather 'surprised at i~as-.~ h~ called me "Miss Ximena" at first.': Before Bi~nehe had time to reply, t'hey-iuet Frank. lie lifted his hat with a grave smile,' ai~d Blancb~ did~no~iceth~his maimer had non~ of its ~ustoin~ a~i~ieniaVease, but was serie~is -and'. digni~ed. were coming in ag you advised,' sb~ said td hitri;Abut the night isl so-beautiful that it ~vsee~ & ~n to shut one's selUwithiu four walls. Can you -not take 118 -~u the river, Frank? It- Would be deliglitM I" ~ isAt~ ~b-4oo. far f '~Mis.g Yara~aa to walk ~t' -"Imust pi~otest against being stiLt co~a*i4ezed 12p*R k4qi~4 i~&~i~enL. ~~e4~hiwW~ea ~h~v~nAte~ regMn~ i4~tre~igth~ :~ ''~-' -"a - - 4- I 57~'~1 '~ 4 ' ~ I page: 228-229[View Page 228-229] -A 'A ~ '~ A A4~4A ' A' 4-' 'A VAt A * " " AA - TIlE sTEP-$I8T~W .4 ~tialf a mile.' is nothing! I could walk twice the 4~iie~witt1Out fatigue. I re&eiv~d. my education as a p~destrii~.n i~i England, and pique myself on my * pQ~iers ii~ that w~y~ 1hav~ often waike~d sii or eight te~itWe least from the exertion,' ~r(~Ii~reu~e;between. th~e climate of thAt~ ~f *ib~*~ said KFrank, ~~tniling. 'ii t1~ib~ I ~h~d better~ order the carriage, ~Th~anehe." Th~y~ both" objected to this, declaring it altogether Ug~.*C~5BS4. ~4Wel1;' ~a44 FrauR, 're~eb~ber I do not' take the re~pofi~ibility of the, affair, if Pr. ~ldridge has to be -au~~oue4 tQ repair the effects of it. I 'till see if :1 v~n fi~d my brother, a~4e will. need his assistance i'~ iowi4g the bowt~; and, young ladies, let me recoin~ men&thi~k~hoes 'for your walk." ~ good idea;' said Blanche. 2Th&yT~U three proceeded to the house. j3lanche au& Zin~ena went for their shoes, whule'Frank sought * '~i4wgd. When. they met again in the ball a few n~ixiut*~s afterwards, Frank' did not offer his. arm to either' of the girls, b'ut,, leaving them' Twalking. to- gether, ~he sauntered at the side of Blanche~ EdWard, by, ~he force of exa~ple., w~s constrad~d' ~to take the '$a~e c~neit Xlniena; and in this order of m~reh they~wended their way to. the river side, scarcely ~ word ngsp~ken from 'the time th4y came t~ where the~ boat they set out until ~"i Frank uufssteued it,~ and looked to see that it WaS pex~fectl~. dry befoi;e assisting: the girls ~o enter. It w~~~We'b~aV he had had" built 'for Kate~ and Blanche ~t ~tI~e t~ ~~4~ey'S marriagO; but in~ the frequent ~u& ~ oft it the summer f&lIow~n~ the mast aud sMI hAd been fbuud t6 be very ~aucU in the ~W&Y~ ~ruk ha4 tt~a~aformed 1t therefore., tQ a row- bo*~t. -'4 VA ' 'A '4 * TJIJ~ 8TEP-818mR. C U * 0 It wa~ ~:light thing, easily managed by one pO'~O~, but with oars for two. Frank turned the prow up 0tream~. 'Are you going up the river?' asked Blanche. "Yes.' Y'ou know it is almost impossible, at this season, to pass the ~hoals at tLie lower end of the Islan ci. 'We can row some distance up stream, and then rest on our oars and float 'back." No one spoke ag~in for a long time, but the thoughts ~of each~ ~one of the four were busy-two with the past, two with the Present. Blanche thought of the niany happy hours she had ~'assed in this boat with Ka~te 'and Frank, when no sad memories had marred her enjoyment of the hour a~n& scene, for her another's god& night kiss was waitiag~~her at home. Jieavy tears 'gathered" in her eyes, so that she saw not the silver light upon the water, nor the deep. black shadows of the banks on either side. Of i~rnsings, too, were sorrowful-..very' sor nights when the moon shone on the iHue billows of the Adriatic.~whenund~r the star.gerniried arching. dome of Heaven, and in the shelter t~f rental lore, she glided through . the crystal streets of' And her eyes, too, grew dim, and dr6ps that parkedd in the moonlight fell on het black i~be. Edward gazed on, the drooping 'face Aof Blanche. T~ie folds of her dress swept against his knee as he sat beside her. . Lie put from him all thought' iof the future, and lived, intensely, ~but in the present. He Was not ha~py,.for hapj~iness is calm; tut he 'gave hit~self up to a feverAream of ecatacy. ~. The e - iression of Frank's face wa&~inerpIi&ible, ~Xiniena bought, as, looking up suddenly , her glance met his.. He turned from The questioning ga~e~or her dark lustrous orbs, and ag~iu dipped' his oats ii~ 2~9 the W~v page: 230-231[View Page 230-231] 230 ?HE BTIP-ST8TIlt. 4 CHAPTER XXIX. A DESPERAT11 O:A.ST. The ne~t daly, brought a shock to ~eve~&i o~the in. matea of Holly~ood. About th~ ~iddle~f the iuerzi. i~g~ the same carriage which. ha4co~ivey~t I~dWard and Xiniena from Seftrsborough, drove once more to th~ *i~Q~pitabl43 ~do~r, and a ~la4~ 'and gei~Vletnan alighted from it. A few minute$ afterwards , Blanche .pr~ant~d. hers ~if to 2~Iimena, in the chamber of the b~t~er,1with a face k which congratulation and regret ~ere~singitlarly bieTndecI~ 7~'What1~the matter?' demanded' Xhnena, looking upfrwnkher bQok 'How strangely you:ioQk, Blanche?' "J~Jza~esomething to tell yow'. 'Well, ~d~ar '1~1a~n~lie, quick!' 'Your undo, General Wa1worth,~. is down Stairs.' Ximeua started, and turned pale. She did not speak--but ~f~era moment's struggle with her emo- tie~, hur8~, hito tears.~ Blanche brought a goblet ~f w~ter and off@r~4 he~-but she put itaside, andleaned her fa& in; sil tir~e. iV ja~te~ upon:her clasped, haud~' for some ought to l~e'gla~l,' she said, with a quive;ring at tempt at a ~miie.' 'Jt was my mot~er'~ wish.. But t~see him will bring back MI he bitterness of grief 7 ~ O~,'I'aui 80 sorry, Ximenaif you hay~ to leave mel ~hat ~sh~1l I d~ without t you? I shall be as ble a~ I was ,when~ you came! Tt~seen'~ sel~fi$11 WI ~to 'keep you from your uucJ~e1 Ibut-~4f '$~u ~ winter with~ me I ~r~uy ho ~ ~ f~Z,4 ~ -. Dear Blanche, I love you so-it will be a great pain to me to leave you.' She rose~. 'I ought to go 4own. Qh, hoWj dread * it! I never saw my uncle but once-when I wae a very ,little child. Did you see him, Blanche? What sort of personis he?' '.N~-L did not see him. Papa came and told me to inform you of' his arrival. His daughter i~ with him.' LAh? Imust hurry.' I She bathed her face, smoothed her-beautiful hair, stood before the mirror, ai~d mechanically re-arraiIg~d her collar and brook, and then laying her head o~ Blanche's shoulder for a moment, i~nurmured~again- 'QhhowIdread it,! ~ou. will think it strange, but I dren4 almost equally my uncle's reminding gmevery much of ~ny ,dear mother,' 'or his not resembing her at all. I{e is only her half brotheiC I You ~ coming down:wj.th me?' 'If you Wish it.' General Walworth, was a fine old gentleman. Zi. mena' s first hasty giance-athim, as he r9se to: meet her on her entrance, reassured the fears she had en~' tertained that ~1ae 'might n9t like him.' His man~ ner to her was. so emphatically and affectionately pa- ter~uM, that she would have been very unreasonable * lw4~sh~-not been satisfied with it; and with his ex- ~ta4iations and apologies foi' his unintentional neg. lect"of her. Mr. Clerville'~ conjecture was correct. lI~had, with his family, been ~absent from home f'Qr th~ summer, ~nd re'c~ived neither the letter of his si~. t~r. requesting him ~o meet her in New Orleau~s, ~or t~1o~e ~d4~essed to him later IbyEdw~r4 au4 2I~fr.U~. * V~ft~A~i~ hirt~r~i in ~ ~ ft~1J±i8 1~t~joi~rue~, b h&baat~d*~ u~V~r V [ * TILE. $TI~P*8ISTEi~. A~ ~ ~ 1~y ~31. # page: 232-233[View Page 232-233] 9 2'2 * the letters inperson-impatieut 'to welcome the yQung irphan to his heart and home'. His' daughter wa~ 1ikewi~ unaft'ectedly pleasant and affe~tiona'~e iii 'her' manner ~to herr ~ousin; so that Ximena feif that she ought to~be satisfied and happy. At the urgent invitation of Mr. Clerville and Blanche, General and Miss Walwortli consented to' remain 'a week at Hollywood, to rest from their two previous journeys, heibre startiAg on their return to I(ent~icky~ whither. Ximena was to accompany them~ Neither she. or Blanche had agitatodThe question of her remaining *~vith the latter-as both felt in~tinctivelythat General Wafrortli would be greatly pained by. such a propo- sal; eVen if he consented to it. .Ahd so, with' many 'promises of'reciproeal visits in the future, they had 'rein otantly resigned themselves to a present sep~ra tion-.'When, 'to their great delectation, Fate, in tho j~erson of'Dr. Jilidridge, obtaiued:fo'r them ~wh~at they 'had not possessed the outage to attempt obtaining ror themselves~.. ~,The Doctor, coming to make one of his occasional friendly visitt, a 'day or two after the General's arri-' val, was. hitroduced~ to that gentleman, and informed of 'the p~proa~hing departure of bis interesting patient, Ximena. ~?he doubtful expression of countenance with which ho heard this intelligence, did not escape the ob~erVatio~ of B1~~~he~ wh~ happened to be pre~ ent~ ' ' ' . 'Yc~ii tnink, Dootor~ ti~at Xim~na otaght not to~~o to soKoold ~t ~liinate 'a& that of Ker~tncky, at this sea" ~she' .a4~ked, quA.~k1y. ~ think ~oyMi~s~Blanehe~ Miss Yarassaha~ a ~ry AS~O9tk6T?~ crtiflmaT 80 ex~re~s ~ysaIt~ A U I f I 1' ' ~*"~" ' TUE 8TJ~P'44ISTETh. the eft'ects of which, sha ha~ not yet, and will not for. sine time recover.' i3lancbe sprang to the ~ide of General ~Waix~orth one of her 'old iii~pu1sive inovex~ieVits, 'You hear, General?' she cried ea~gerly. 'iXow I have not:'said one word before-not even privately to Ximen~-of how much 11 wish her to stay with me this winter. Hut you see the 'Doctor considers it necessary for ~er health--and now won't~ you let. her remain, if ~he will consent? Pray, pray, my dear General ,tell me.. that ~0U Will !~ He smiled at. her earnestness-.but the nest moment looked grave at her request-aRd at the ~pin~on of the Doctor, by which it had been, elicited. 'I wonder if this is not a concerted m~ye~xient, on the part 'of the Doctor and yourself, Miss J~lanche?' he said jestingly.' "' Did ~QU ,not say a word. to him privately on the subject?' No-A assuroyou. ~He will exon~eriat~ me fr~m h~v.. ing done so. But do' say that you wilj consentfor Xi.. mena' to 8tay, if I ~ prevail on her.' '1 must heaP what 'she bag to say about it-~a~4 learn ~why it is that the' Doctor thinks a cold climate would be injurious to her health. ~.. I tru4,' be ~aid, with' a look of grave anxiety, ~'that ~y6u have .sean no, tendency to pulmonary affection in my neioe ?' 'Not the~ ~lightest," answered the doctorr 8rnilir~g. She is. one of the persons' whon~ I s1~ouId have no hesitation in ensuring against:'consumptiQn-preseflt ~ future~ . 11cr pkyskjue almost precludes the p08$1'a hility of it; But a tropical ~fIo~er does ~iot flourish if t1~an~planted to' a~old texn~erature. ~Sbe would suffer -"'I very~'mneh from:the Eliinate.' ~to~r~fty ~he~a~ e u~4~ee*ii ~ 9 page: 234-235[View Page 234-235] 4 2~1Ifl 8TEP-8I8Tfl. the many years which 'she had spent with helAparents in~iirope, they had always passed the Winter ~6nthe either in Italy 'or Spain. She' said, he sAozd~t'iike to ~tay With Blanche this winter,. as the latter wished h~r to te her. bridesmaid when she was married. 'She is to be married,'is she? .1 h&pe, my dear, that her example will not put the same id~a into your h~'.as' I ~annot agree to giving you up entirely, ~ sff-.after finding you so late. I thought the other ~ when I was thanking young iClerville for his at- teiftion to yoi~, that he blushed very suspiciously,' said her 'unele. 'You need nQt be under the . least apprehension on that account,' answered Ximena, laughingly. 'There is no admiration wasted between Mr. Edward Clerville and myself'. He blushes from dimdence." ~ But he has a brother, has he not?' inquired Miss Waiwortli, archly. 'Oh, yes; Frank. lie is Very different from ~ wardAa' charming person. I am sorry Ire is uov at honie~. as I ~hould like you tO ~'ow him. He' wept d~~n to New 'Orleans owbii~iness the morning you come.' ~"Acharming person? 'said h~r cousin., "'Vei~y.. But there is no danger to me in hiS charms,, she replied , la~ughin~Iy, 'as it is to him thai Blanche .engaged. I shall 'be perfectly saf~ here from ~he d~a1gers you f~ar; uncle.' It 4wa~ finally concluded that she should spend the winter'~ith Blanche, Mr. 'Clerville'promidng to, him- s~1f~ take her Lo'Ke$t'ucky in the ~pring. '~eneraI Walworth' and ~ le'ft' Hollywood before. Frank returned. A letter ~f~om that) he apprisedhim' of their arrival, an4 Bla~ehe: had would hnn~y-home, in~' order ~ ~e'e X~en a befor~', her S '~ 2' S departure Expt~cting him to attend to this request, Blailehe did not write again. Consequently hewas ignorant of the, later decision by which Ximena re~ gained. Blanche nt~et him in the hail, with beaming face. ~ His own manner vaswarmer than it had ever been to her, as he drew her into the sitting-room, Which was vacant, pressed her almost passionately to. his heart, and kissed her repeatedly. 'Are you really so very glad to see m&?' she cried,, laughingly, 'thin why Aid yo~ stay aw~y~ so long?' ~ Oh, Frank, I have such delightful news for you!' 'Ah.?' he said, smiling.. 'But first you must tell me what I wish to hear more than any neWs that you could devise.' He lifted her lefthahd,' and put o~ the third finger a ~m~saive riiig.' "When am I to place this here at the command of Father Lebrun, Blanche?' 'You said in December, did you not ?.' 'Why wait so long?' He drew her to a sofa t~ spoke, and .sitt~ng down, still holding her hazt~ with the ring upon. it, he continued: 'I am wear Blanche., Qf this life we have been leading lately. I want you to b.c all my. o~wn. He started as if a scorpion h~d stung him, as look- ing. up at the sound~ of a footstep , 'he saw Ximena, who~had ~been about to enter the room,'retreating hastily.- '- 'You are surprised to see her, are you not?' ex# claimed Blanche, in a joyous ~toiie:" This wa.s the news Lhad for y&u. Only think'how charming! ~he is tQ spend the, winter with' us. The doctor said positive~ th4 she ought' not to go to that ~old climate,, and so' her~unci~ agreed for her to stay until spring. ~ut~ow strang~ly you look,. Frank! Are you uoti glad? I thought you would be "as pleased a~ I am.' 'Of course I am pleased that ~QU are pleased,' he page: 236-237[View Page 236-237] U TIlE 8TLEP-8JST~R. ansWerd' with a forced smile, but I told yoi~ once b'3~ fore that I was jealous of Miss Yarassa. I see so littl~ of you~noW Blanche. I came home expecting to fin~l 'you ajxrne, Ihinking that w& could take our rides and walks together' as formerly;' and you must forgive me if I could 'not repress a slight seu~e of disappoint- ment when I learned my mistake.' She looked distressed. 'Dear Frank;' she said ~tf. feetionately, 'you know that Ximena's society, or ,that of any one else, cannot ~onsole me for the 'loss of yours. I 'will stay' with you any time, -as much as you 'wLsh. Andi tell y~u how we- can manage about riding together, without interfering with our present arrangement fQr the afternoon. If you like, I will get izp:veryearly, and we can have a nice privateride before breakfast eve~y morning~i '~ If it isnot too great an effort to you,"h~ anawerod sbiiling, 'I should like it.' 'Very ~eU' she replied, in a lively tone. "But I have something else to tell you.~ More pleasant news. Dare * and Lucy M ill be here to-morrow, instead of the last of the month, aswe expected; and- 4te and Henry the day after.' Frank looked ~iiicerely glad to hear this. ~ Alas for the transitorinesa of earthly joy! tFirst the, coming of the Wal~worth's, and then the visit of hi~ relatives, broke in upon and destroyed the deceitful happiness with whic~i Bdward had ~uffered himself to be begtailed for a time. No more entrancing r~d~es with B19nehe forihim! If he obtained one smile du- ring the .twenty4oiir hours, he thought himself sin- g4darly fortunate, engrossed, as she, was, by his sis 'ters. And then he had learned from Frank that their marriage would take place in~ December, perhaps even sooner. lie suddenly resolved to return' to Mlexico. ~ud his father, farfroxn opposing, encouraged him in 0 * I TIlE 8TEr-sISTEI~. thfs d~sigu, believing that his health required change ofair, and that it had been much impr~ve4 byhis.Iat~ journey There. But he stipulated that instead.of. set. ting oi~ at o"ce, as Edward 'fain woul& have d&ne,'. he should wait until the' season was. more adv~nc~d. Blanche was n~t disappointed in h~r expectation that K~te and Xixnena :would be p~rfeetly fascinated with each other.. Li~cy,~too, was delighted with the yoi~ng Spanish girl, and agreed heartily with her sis~ ters in their wonder and injiignation at Edward7a ob~- tuse indifference to such rare charms. Their visit of three weeks was~drawing t6a~lose. It had passed very pleasantly, except, a~ Kat~ con- stantly complained, that they saw almost nothing of Frank, who s~en~ hi~ whole time at Everona, his own plantation, sometimes Dare-Devil, an~d soinetimes iLorimer, being his companion. He ex~iised himself by saying how very busy he~ was with some final work he was having done; but Kate thought he might have deferred it'until after they were gone. The night before they were to' sLart home, Lucy, after a lengthened feminine conference with Blanche and Kate, in the room of the former, retired to her own. chamber, to find Dare walking up and dow~j tb~e~ floor in a very disturbed manner. He turned to the door as she entered, and telling her, that he was going to take .a smoke with Pranl~, hurried aw~iy. He did me- ch~nical1y take 'his cigar~case froni his pocket, as he ~walked quickly down the passage, and half open'~d it. But he put it back again whew he reached the door of Frank's room. There 'he paused, and stood. still for a little time, and his stout heax~t qu1ailed.; as, a few years later, it piailed ~not, when he led 1~is regiment of Louisiana boys through many a day ibf bloody battle, for it ~as a desperate cast he wa~ abo~t 227 page: 238-239[View Page 238-239] TUE 8T~R'8I8T~. ike. Re knocked, but wit~wut waitingfQr afli'~. ~$tMio~ to~ e~t~zy ~rued the bolt,~ and wont in. tr~pk1~~ sta~di~g MA~open win~o~. Be looked iwi t~soi~ndof the oj~ix~g deer, dseaingwho s~ 1~tr*$~r w~s,~g1anc~4 again oiit upon the mo~rn. 1i~ht Pej~3~e came to Iris si~e. ~r~k,' ~o ai~id,~IJ~uj~I4J,, MJV~ 85W rn~u~ to ~a very rsh,4 & very wrong. ant; what w2uld 'R~x~nBtrate,. ~ud try to prevent it, of course.' re~ :i'~W~hl,. iVi~ fQr thi~~that I have. ~come to you now. Have you fuiiy~estimate& the f0lly, not to say *crimi. o1 the act yei~ are 'conempL~tiiig, Frank?' The latter looked at him; startled~ ~onsciene&. rigen. He did not an~wer. 'Is~it eit1~e~r kind or~ ju~t.;to Blanche tO marry her, wiieia~ you love another woman?' continued De~ille, inti*w: di nctpV~0L~e~:' 1$ . A *~threw h-i~~ face down upo~ hi~ hand; and did ~ot4~ok up for several~ minutes. When he finally his head, flare Awas almost shocked at the ex pr~ssien~of his~counteuance. A kY~ou;haye~: seen it.then,?h he muttered. ~I:1iave seen it,. ~nd am surprised, .an~azed~ that y~u can suffer yourself to be so ~deJud~d1~ya~ s~en~e Gf false generosity; it must he this whipbj ~i~Ouences yOU~.5S. to doA~ great a wrong to Blanehe2~. A. it 1~a wrong to her?' '4re yori ~o bli4de& by pa~siou a~ to d~iht it?~ 'Yies, Dare,' he answered, in a tone ~f- powerfully ~uppre~sed emotion, 'I am. so blix 4. pa~sio*a, $0 ezhausted. by .tli~ strugg s&,~h.e. stOpj~4. 'I cannot think,' he added; 'I only; feel ~ ~. 'Listen to me then,.~aud: do~not;~o 1i~th~z1n-" A4 What can I do?'. interrupted . e~spoke i~i ?RE~' ~TBP'8I8ThL & tone of despair. 'Like an idiot; aa I was, I Mm2oSt force& .Blanc~he into thisA eng~geinent~: .AgMtPa~ad sgai~x she expressed .d0nbtwheth&it A~47~74 ~?i~ght for us to marry, ~vlien itA~wa~ b~tn. ~si'~ff~c~ tion, no~ loVe,; that we: entertMined ~r 'e~h ~thb~. And when I talked, like a f~6l,:of Vhe beingne ~as* &ion in Iny*~atare~ ~he ~aid perhaps it ~as ~b4~tdor- mo~nt, andy might :awakeu her~afve~, whew ~ her words were prophetical! But can I now, wIieu~- urge4 against het Will intO the e~gag~taen6~ she has taught herself to love~ me--can I-o-4mpo~sible! It does riot matter what I suffer.! I wiW be 4rue to faith and hoao;! 1 will keep ~iy troth to her!' 'Would it be true: to :act and utter & fa1s~ho~dA? Be merciful to ber; and~ do her not4his injul'y ?.'~. ~ It shall not be au ii4ury 1" he exclaimed, vehe.. rie~itiy;~-'SE0 shall cnevor knowp never ~et1-~ 't~ isitile to say this~ iuterposed~ DeVlll~. & Strfre as you will, it is impossible thaV~-6u cin~on~aPthe truths from. her.- Sooner or later ~sh~ will disto~r it.. you seenv to forget the moral wrong of Which you would be guilty. And1 4~tr~ther, do~ y~u not kno*' that she wouldwish you to ~i~al truthfi4ly with hex~? It is by reversing~ ~ ~ that ~e caa b~tj~dg~6f it. ~n~pose yo~sejf to be in h~r pl~e :i'~h~ if she loved another? Woi~ld yOU desire to pos~ese ~ .band, when her heart sli k;froiu you'?' Frank strode :up and~&own the ebamber s~eraI' times with very disorder~.: ~ Theti A throwing himself ~into a chair, he .said?~g~in; in a vio&Wbich seemed hopeless: I. 'What~can Ide?' 'Speak to Blanche With entire ca~4o?-.' 'Impossible L impossible V 'You ~u8t do this, o~ violMe th~e 'p e4les of both I~A 11: * page: 240-241[View Page 240-241] IL "~ '~ 4' ', " - THE STEP-k~X8TER. 241 I 1' 240 '~t7t~o-n~. Her~ happiness 'i~ to me the most ~aero~~f ~att1ily 'considerations. The mast sacred of eartbi~ coin~derations I~ he repeated. ~ Then dare no~t to trifi~ *ith if by the cruelty you wopos~. Wb~t' woubi be the paiWWhich~thi8 kuow.~ ~4ge eoidd iufli~~t on her now,. to~. that. which. ~h:e would 'suffer if, as awife, she madeth~e discovery, as ~he ~st surety would!'; ' madfolly of mine; it is too 'violent laSt .1 ': Q~Q~ PIanche is my wife-' ' Fr~nk~, sjie never will be your wife4 , Your s~ns~ d rig~it may be dimmed momentarily; but I:know yowbetter than, you know yoursel.fl.jmBtixiow) if you th~uk you could commit the weakness and criw'e of ee1i~gkefore god's altar to -perjure your soul. No! at the veryfoot of the altar, if not before, Truth would wring from you the confession. Do. not wait' until .the~i"'to' niake it I The longer delayed, the more- diffi~ cult will be the effort.. Sj~eak ~-to Blanche at once. To...morrowrif possible, after we leave. You' 'think' he c&ntinuedpi~esently, 'that 'she loves you?' - Frank's~pale eheek flushed.- 'I think tW4,Jorced by my importunity into the,~ engageme~t,'she taught herself to love i~ie'., You look as if you doubted ii'. Why?~ * 'I am sure that, if married to you, her 'head WQUId nevei~ stray from' its, rightful allegiance; but I 'do be-" Move, Frank, that, though ~herself iuwonscious of it; ~he is, at this moment, morein tove with Edward than -~~ith you.' 'prank did not utter a word; but, in an astonish- ,mt3~t too profound for~ speech, gazed in DevilWs fM~, while the latter~cont~nued: 'I:saw pl~i~ly-two~ears .ag~, 'what 'E~ward'~ se jm~nt~ ~ ~ ;~e we~t to Mexico then ~Lo avdid ' her'; -at d I-~ ~ it 18 tQ' escape' seeing her become youv wife 'thd4Ae i~ 9 9 Till 8ThP-8I8TE~. 0~ going again.' I do not know-tha~he is aW~reof lirs paSSiOn now ;- (I think she aaw it ;forni~erly~) but&i have observed her particularly, and for this, or ~soi~e other reason, she evidently pities and admires h1m"~ Frank again bent his face .on~ his 'hand, while thought, like an electric light, flashed back' QVer 'the past, illuminating with sudden brightness what had before rested' in unheeded obscurity. All the~si1igu- larity 'of Edward's manner to Blanche was now ex~ planned. He marvelled M his own blindness and that of 'the other~,. in r~ot having comprehended it ~t the. ti~e. He. felt the 'greatest r~~m6rse t6r having, though unintentionally; been the cause of a suffering to his brother Which he. could now fully approcia~te.. Add' Blanche-cotild it be possible that she-but' th~ wild hope' died almost as it started to life. '.No, Dare,' he said, in a low tone, without looking up; 'I beheve 'as' you say, that' Edward' loves her-would to Heaven I had known' it 'in time! b~it she does not love' him, or-'~- h~ stopped.' "she would not wish to' see 'him the lover of- Ximena,'. he was about to go on, b~t shrank from uttering the name of ~the latter. "Whether she loves Edward or net-in fact, I iun confident that, if so, it is unconsciously--it is certain that she would not wish to marry you un4er'the presei~ circumstance~. ~o not defer speaking to he~r,'Frank'1" He ,out his hand. Frank grasped it silentW, and Dare~ leff the room. 'CHAPTER XXX. ~The next morning,:as they parted on bo~rd'tkeho~t; whither Frank had a~'compauied them, Peville again S page: 242-243[View Page 242-243] gave his haud..the strou~ and expressive c~ftsp: with* ~ h~d left bizti the night before-a &ilent re- mh~der of the -counsel he had then pressed upou him. 1frw~ ~i~oBt: ~iiie&syYat Frank's look&. The 1p~tter b~& obviously not slept. at all the night before~,and *s~-.p~l0 an4 haggard, 'that-there had been a geii~ exclamation ~round the breakfast table that ~or~h~g; at his ~ppearan~ee. Lorimer a~n4 Kate urged him .wi~rmly:to go. home with them. He half prom.~. ised to follow them~ in -a few days-but said he could not go just then ~ and laughed at the idea' of, any ap- .p~ehen8iofl5 being: entertained' as to his health. *1'Th~orn the ~-1andtng he tent to I~vez~ona-sending wdAo' Bla~xche that he would not-be at Hollywood u~n~il. the ne~t day. Blanche was 'very uncomfortable iziconsequence; a~ ~he wished to persuade him to - consult l)r., -E~ldridge about his health-and more- over. had felt no slight remorse lately at seeing~ him -so seldoni. True. it wa&-not her f~,ult-as besides the ~ec~sifr she had. been under of devoting her 4ime to LueycK~ute, 'a~nd-Xime~a, his constant absence from. * ho~1e\pL~ecluded the possibility of her .s~ii~g him oftEn. But still her 'heart smote her,; as she remembered whathe said themorning ofhis return-from New Or- leo~us. She felt a~ if she had neglected& hhui for Xi. n~ena. II.~rspirit~ were so dull diiriri~ the rest of the d~y that th~Edw&rd and Ximena Were infe~te4. by - the sombre irifhience. Ximena was depressed ; -iBd~ ward 'despairing. He had flattered himselff that their guests all out of the way, the rides h~e had enjoyed so much would be resumed. It-~-was an exCO8SiVe di~ ap~peintmeut to him that this expectation W&s flOt f~ilfiIled. - -. - - - sat The -foilo~Ving 4~y, t~r l4akfast, as Il~uch8* alone drawing, 0h0 heard -Frank'~ step &ppro&Chulg the Bittiug room. - She :t~w. ~ - h~r ~zi@ll; Md started .up~ eagerly to meet him. After a~isw~eing h~r~ qitesti:ns as to his h~aIth he eto0d by. tier taMe in 'What is the matter with zclaimeda **~ YOU, dearest Frank?' she uxiously. You hare- not lookederg~erne4 at all like yourself for some time past;. Here-sit down by me and tell me what ails you!' I / Her tone of affectionate solicitude struck him with a sense of intolerable self-reproach. Instead of~orn- plying with ~her request, he asked-' where are they all this morning? My father, and--Kdward.' 'Papa is out riding, of course-and' so isEdwar~, I think' Frank watched her as she spoke.-but~perrm ceived not the slightest embarras~nfent. Xin~ena has ah~adache, and is trying to sleep it off" she added. 'Then we shall n6t be interrupted,' he ~said,~with an air of relief. . 'Oh, no.' . - 7 He-sat down beside 'her-but almost immediately ( started u~ restlessly. ")~me 'with .me to the- library, l~lanclie! I do not like this rdom. jt ~is i too li~bt.~ She looked surprised at his manner ; almost appre.. I hensive; but ~she. rose 'in~tantiy; and they wentto the library. Sitting down tOgether on a sofa, Blanche plated .her-co~l~hau~l on his forehead, saying inla tonp of earnest entreaty-...' Tell me what is the . mattet-, l'~rank dearest! I am sure that you are worried-aboijit 8Oniething-~..and is there, any one whomyou ought-to t trust ifuot myself?' am- indeed suffering, Bianche-suffering groat to ~h,' he-replied- in a quiet Voice-' and~ thou~k' t~lI you the cause this will be an additional tor- ttire to :ine, it must be done.- But first, Bl~,1icbe, ~ that you 'will 'not ~Xeny a, re~ quest-ax eztreaty..4hat I' shall' make to you 1.~ TUI~ 8TEP4I8TI~R. TBZ 8TZP-~i1MThfl. page: 244-245[View Page 244-245] r, '6' { ~44 . TIlE STEP-SlSTEU~ Blanche had become very pale-7and she ixow looked ~ in his lace 'with an expression ofdoubta~id terror, ~s sh~ansWered-~ What, need is there of a promise, Frank, when you know you have but to express your wishes for me to fulfil them if I can? What could you ~k that T would .notgrant! But if you prefer it, I promise.~ certainly~ dear Frank! Go on-tell me what it is that. troubles you! bJ would give my life to spare you- a moment's pain, I never knew how I loved y~u, until I see you, for the first tim~ suffering.' He groaned. 'Pray tell me 1'~- shecontinued, in an. excited voice- 'You d.o'not know how torturing this suspense is! Nothing you can say' will be worse I What is the m~ter, Frank! Tell me! tell me I' - Every shade of 'color left his face, as he gazed steadily in her eyes for a riaoineut, and then suddenly threw himself on his knees before her. She *as in~ e~pressibiy shocked by his look, and this act, and tried to raise 'hita. ~"No-4n this-attitude letme confess the wrong I have done you V he said. oeed~d,-speaking quickly and~with effort- She looked 'aghast and bewildered-while he pro- '~ Blanche, remember your. promise! U shall hold you toAt.' Blanche,'J persuaded, I almost constrained you into promising inc your h~ynd-~--this hand-" h~ grasped it convulsively-" I thought I loved you as much. a~ I w~~s capable of loving-I have iisep~ ered my .mistake~another-a frantic passion has taken possession of my soul! I 'have struggledd against' it-wi'th the 'very strength of desperation ni B~t~ as yet'~ vainly? And I dared not, ~BlanChO, acceptt your' hand at the ~1tar, with this sin On iDY ~oul!~ ~The promise' I' exacted, is tlwt you 'will 'b~r With inel--tbat you will forgive this involuntary i~ 4 I fidelity -to the faith I ow~e to yot~ alone !-.-that you will' not utterl-y despise me !-but' when I have con~ .queredfh'is i'flsftfle 'passion-a~s conquer it, I wikl V.- when I 1iave crushed it out of my heart-trampled upon .itt'-.--he spoke with convulsive vehemence., though in a tone scarcely above 'his breath~~r' that you will let me then~ claim this hand-and devote. every hour of my future existence to. making that happiness---your .happiness-which, I swear to you, Blanche, is dearer to me-dearer far to- me--than augliLandeverything on earth!' With another groan of bitterness, his .head sank upon the hand which he. still clasped. BNnche was so overwhelmed with pity at -eight of his intense an- guish. that she bent over him for a moment literally unable to speak. It was a moment of agon~i to hi-rn. lie' dared not look ~p, to meet he knew not whatA'oom 'in her ey.es; but 'at last he felt' her tear& falling ltpQn his bondedneck, as The murmured in music tones of - love and soothiug-~My darling Frank V-my own dear brother Frank! lock up, and read 'in my face' that there is no cause for this remorse and. suffering I'-~ he lifted his head, and, glanced quickly, fearfuUy. at her-~.--' Rise, dearest Frank I' she went on--'. I ear~uot' see you thus! Here !--' she made him sit down again beside lier--and pushing the hazel curis~back from his brow, she drew it towards her, and pressed a sism ter's kiss upon' it. ~he was smiling through the, tears That rolled in 'crystal. drops over her .fitish~d cheek. Frank wound his arms around her, and 'laid his ~'ace on het' shoulder. 'Oh, how terribly you~ have. frightened me!' ~he ~x~laimed, with a hysterical sound 'between a soh and a laugh. '.1 could not imagine what the matter was.. Yoti are not a person~ to g~t into scrapes;: but the'only idea that occurred to me hi-a confused and S I 240 page: 246-247[View Page 246-247] Ta~ 8T~T~ q i~gue' ~ia~n~er ~ 'that you must' 'be inte'~idi1~ to fight luei,~ or-' she 'laughed outright~-~ have beeb gaming de~eratelY, and lost your whole. fortune. ry'~ri4iCUl0'~~ was' it' not? But now tell me, darling brother, that you are ~04onger~Uflh&pPY~ and let me~be the first to'~i~h succ~SS to your love t' 'BhfliChe t~ he cried, 'in a tone of extreme em0tiofl, ". ixiy ~heart is racked by' a' conflict of passiOfl I Do not ~pealt to me so. Rem~Uiber your promise. I ~Ad3TOU tlvat what I ask is for~ivefleS5' She ThAd her 'hand on his lips. 'I scarcely can for~i~Ve you for having endured such a martyrdom as yrni 'h~v'e' been enduring, instead of ti~istiUg me at QUCe, andy ~j~solYiflg ~ur eng~geTfl~flt.' 'But ihis '.~hought is intolerable to me I I love you ~0r&~m~re, I veri~y'tbi'flk, then I 'ever ~did' before! Atud. that the tie 'between '~ should be sundered! BfrL~ChO, pity me~4~Car '~ith me'!' '~'Djd Enot' alway'S~tell you' that our love for eaeb oth~r' was that 'of brother and sister, P~ank? I know ~ou'loVe nie.-aS I do you~with inexpress'ibi~ aff~c~ ti~iI. But, to satisfy any farther misgivings YOU may * hav~; I ~. will' c6nfe5s ~o you, Frank, th4 'I 'never wanted to marry y0u--~Ot even when our bridal ~day was SO neat-When I' thought I should so soon be' yours. I did not shrink, as I gh~~ld from inarrYiX~ one 'to W1~om I was indifferent, but I' felt that I had ~ther 'remaiafree.' 'Wnat a xndfl~ter of ~se1fishfleSS I, have' been ~?' he murmured. ~'$'~, Ieare8~ Yraiii~, only a little' blind. And God Iia~ 4eared your viSiOU in time9 how 'grateiW' we ouglittoWel'' '" ' ~ ~ since I' was about tQ do you ~so ir~eparabl0"'~' wrong ~s this' forced ~~rriag4~' 'Oh,' iuterri~ipted she,.' we ~ have been very U 9 4 I 2 t Ap * I u 247 THI. ;j;j - happy, I am sure, had the irrevocable vows been spoken! Now smile. Let me see you' yourself i~gain !.' * He lifted.. hi~ face and obey~d, but there was a glit~. tearing. moisture in his eyes. * 'Thank, satisfy me by one word. I tremble to hear it-but no, I cannot be mistaken It is Ximena, is it' uot?' Involuntarily she lowered, her, voice, soft a~' bad been its tones before. The crimson flush' that suffused his face answer& the que~tion. p 'How very, very happy this makes me! Of course it is impossible to judge,' she continued, in reply to his eager, interrogating glance. 'She likes and ad- mires you greatly. She has often told me so. A~id yesterday she said "you were ther on{y man she ever~ saw in her life whom she could fai~cy a hero of ro. manee."' Frank blushed like a giff. 'But, oh! you ~ieed not look so alarmed! i[ was only going tq add that all this was uttered as innocently as possible, when she considered you an engaged man. I do n~a kziow what she will say to you 'as a lover. You hare made one great mistake, however, !eV me assure you !'- 'What is that?' he inquired apprehensively. 'You shoubf have let her se~ the struggles of 'your passion; 1nstoa~l of concealing them as you did 1' Blanche answered jestingly. ' Then she w~uld have pitied you, and thought you so interesting" Frank smiled his own natural smile for the first time that da.y~&she s &id, in something like his usual manner, "Do you speak from experience'?' 'Erperience? I do not know what you mean. No, Id~ not pity yei~vone hit; for if you do not win Xiinena, I shall consider it your own fault. You page: 248-249[View Page 248-249] 'A ~ob~ta1se?' S '~'~ 7 ~'~' K" S '24$ mm h~tve a clear field 'and a disengaged fancy. She lever has kee~n in love2 'Are you e~re of this'?~ he asked'quickly6 She nodded her head. He was holding her left hand, and began abiently to bend. th~ tapering alabaster fingers. Blanche pointed to the engagement ring, t~nd said with a smile, 'Take it off, Frank.' I(e ghu~nced~at he~r-his face agaiii clouded With pain. 'Can you, Blauche,~break th~ tie that ~as so long bound ~us together with indiffer~nce-~WithOUt regret? I cannot. After what you have said, I will not ~p~s5 yoi~, farther; but it is exqliisitely painful to me to thiiik 'we are no longer betrothed. Do you not feel it to be so?' Tears ~gusJied to her eyes, but she answered cheer~ fully, "There is a sort of pain-of regret; but I4hink 4 is oxd~r. the passing pang which the. word "fare~ well '~ always inflicts. We' shall not love each other less than heretofore.' 4 As Fr.a.nk had not removed the ring, she herself took it~6ff1 and slipped it in the pocket of his vest. 0 "No,' he said, "you must keep it as a sow.'ernr of our engagement.' 'He looked at her thoughtfully, as he proceeded, 'Blanche, I want ,to ask you a qti~s~ tion?' 'As nkaliy as yoii please, she answered smiling. 'Did you ever suapectthatEdw8.rd loves you?' f~he blushed deeply~'. 'I ~o not think you ought t~ 'b*we asked me 'this,' she replied gravely'~, 'but leSt yoii~ should misi~te~&pret this provoking blush that 1 f~i ,o~v 4y face, I ~i1I ~eknowled~e that 4W0 years *~ wheu~ ~ ~ t~ 2I~MlXWOOV she iigked, l~k ~ ir~d me.; ~ I )io~Y0' ~ S You look very much disappoint ted, ~ said ~ hghing. 'Yes, a mistake. His manne~, which iu~ 'duced me to tak~e up this idea, was caused by my re. semblance to some one else. iBut, Frank, I really feel as if I had betrayed his confidence in telling ~ou thig. Pot mercy's sake never let ~im p~rceivc that you know it. I positively ought not to have mentioned it.' 'And sq Dare was wrong F exclaimed Frank. 'Dare?' 'Yes!' He repeated what T~are had said of E& ward, but~ not hi~ conjecture about herself. 'And you4hink it was only your resemblance to another person which caused the manner fhat deceived b~th Dare and yourself?' 'I know it.' 'Yonder he comes now. it will go and meet him. But tell me again, Blanche~ that you do not think m&-.J. 'A jilt?' she erie 4 lan~ghingly. ~Iake yowr con~ ~eienee perfectWeasy. I am just as glad to be frce as you are, or nearly as glad~not cjute~ I sup~o~e He laughed. and started up eagedy to go an& ~eVi his brother. Blanche caught his arm~ an~d detained him.' 'Why should you say anything to Kdwari just uow of this affair ?~ 'Ia it not natural that t si~u1d telL Liui ab~t it Aiid7 by t way~ I riius~ ~ IT~3tC0~ ~wIed~. ~.h~&he, V~at it is ~ ~ ezhortati~us. t~ai~ I ~W~Q flky delWe ce ezu tQrttLre~ ef r~e~ I b~e~in~ I ~u1dkLaw~ ~t~e.met~thi~ ~ i~t~Au ~ II ~ 7 ner~ m ~ aff~rt '~v~a~ s~nc* I ~ea ~d ~ ~' ?UZ 8TMJwSI8T~R, page: 250-251[View Page 250-251] 4 2T~O TH1~ imiuediate confession to you, I should have delayed it to the last p~~~ibl~ moment, I fear.' 'Dear Dare! Write, Frank, immediately, and tell .himwhal a good angel to. us he was. A will add a postscript to your letter. But do tell me how he came to notice. what~no one else did.' ~You know he never approved ~f. oui~ engagement. He told me nearly a year ago that I had made a notable mistake in the matter-that Fate never in~ tended you for my wife. I was i~ot aware at the time ~hy~ he thought. so. He w81s io~king. to Edward's interests, it seemS.' ~ Then he made quite ~as notable a mistake as your. self,' stiid Blanche, blushing. am not auxe of that, your impression not~th. 8t&ndiug.' - . 'But it 1~ not my impression; it is what Edward I~I~ ~~:Id Frank, with ~ provoking si~iile, Well, we shall soon. tell when he hears that you are free,' Bl~nche looked distressed. Why this cons~iousne5S a~ud blushing, if yu~i really - believe that he is not attached to you?' 'Hecause i~ am afraid you will let him see your ~uspiCiOfl8,"~ she answered, looking up jugenuQusly, 'i~nd I always am ashamed to remember the i~auity whieb rgade me entertain them myself once." At this mozne~it, Edward's step passed through the haU and eppxoa~bed the library door. Blauc~e started uPtole~Y0 the room, but Frpuk held her h&fiflflly, t~detMUiUi~ her, s~i he to4 ro~ and, ~ta~dIng by - ~ ~4~Le, ~zrne4 8~ ezpe~taut~a~e t~~W~4~4P thO O~ of bis brotI~e~ B4 d~i4~ft4 iiAlOP~tY * ~~M*1~ o~t~f t ~p~ndu~ he did ~ot~ ~tW ~be~4* rwo~ ~oei~e the~ un~t~l b~ h&1 TUU 8TZP4ISfl~. approached very ijear to where they stood. He turned pale, and would have retreated, but was arrested by Frank's voice. 'Edward, you are just in time to offer us yours con. gratulations," be exclaimed, gayly: 'I thought the time for that ceremony was past, or yet to come,' answered his brother, with a miserable failure in the way of a smile. 'No; it is now that we claim them; hut not on the event you would naturally suppose. Rianche and myself have just dissolved our engagement t ft i~ the recovery of our liberty~" that we eTall for your felieit~tions.' 'You look incredulous,' pursued Frank, as I~dward stood Perfectly silent, amazed, trans~x~d, it seerr~e4 by expected intelligence. Blanche has had the barbarity to tell me that she never did want to marry ma- 'After he was S~ .obhging as to inform me that he coi4d not accept my hand,~ interrupted she, with an emh~rrassed attempt to he lively and at ease. But there was that in the expression of Kdw&rd~s face,, as th~ glances ot both now rested upon it, thak rebuked and stilled their haif~earnest, half affec ted mirth. Prank ~uade a step to hi~ side, put his ~arm around his shoulder, and said, in a tone of deep feeling: K8eWeve me, my dear brother, I had not the slightest et~nceptiou, ui~tiII within two days past, of the ~ pines l~ l~av*~ unintentionally eaus~4 yon L~ ~Re, turned and hurried out of the rs~u, shu~ttiug th~ door' as he went. Blanche, witbox~t I R4war~i, ru~de a hasty moveniei~t t~w~rd~ th~ ~. 4 ~ but ~e~progr~s~ was ~t~d ~y aa ir~ tM ~4wa~d himself ~a& ~ ~.d4~et~rher 4 page: 252-253[View Page 252-253] 252 4 TU~ aTEP~8i8TEit. love' tho~t w~a in his heart, such ~a world of expression was there in that single utterance as it fell ~from 'hi~ 1i~s. SAnd for a moment he said nothuii~imore; but he had taken the hands.of ~Blanche in both hi~ ~nd looked up in silence. Reluctantly her eyes fell aiid met his. It Aeemed to her that he was trans- formed; his face was literally radiant. %F No, Blanche 1' he .exclai~ned, in a hushed tone' of 'intense passion, as sI~e averted her eyes~ and, tried to withdraw her hands,.' do not hire me I hear me at iea~st I' ' Rjse,' she sai~d, softly. '~ You do notwant to give me peAn,'Edwttrd ?'~. H~e roSe?' in~t~nt1y, but without releasing the lin. pi~kso~d'hsnds, 'led her to the sofa which 'she had left en~h~neti~ ~he ~aiik into a~eat, and replaced himself by~ her side. . - "Blau~h*y ybu can not but, be aware bow long~, how * passiouttely, how hopelessly'I have loved you! From theifirst moui~emt' in whieh' your voice sounded on my She turned to him ~ look of astonishtn~iit, as ~he ni armored,' told me that I reminded you of-' 'Forgive me, if,' from amomentary impulse 4o avoid ~MningyOu by a J~nowledge of the truth, I wn~s gtllty~ of~ a slight subtei'fuge.'. He drew from his bosoni a gold l~cket~case,, and, bending close 'to her side,. held it befo~'e her as, he touched the spdrvg. It ~fiew op~n, ~a1id she? saw ~vmmaiatUre, which had been copied 'from the i~iis~in~' 4a~ierreetype. 'Wheti' X thottght myself doomed to behold you anoVl~4r'~,' I tried to 4is nnec~ the Blaxiehe of the present *om the Blanel~s I headfirst~ loved-I I poured allthe passion of my nature upon th~ mute ~bade of ~thM #likh I deemed could never be to me ~ reality! Po von remember~ Blanche, ~h&V it wa~ you ~i.id1 ~lOn whatever 'that day. She returned to her chamber '-4 .0 t '4' 9 THE 8T~P~&8T~t. when you laid your hand on my arm, that first night in~ the ~hall? "And thisismy bther brother, Rdwa* is it 7" L had lever even dreamed of love before, or given the most passing thought to the charms of wo~ man I but 'my heart leaped awake, 'Blanche, to the first tone of your voice I and it has ~never, slunzJ*ered. aince! And all this waking time has been such~ a wearine~s-such a to$i~reI With never, antil ?this x~iomeut, one sing 'gleam of hope I Blanche presumptuous in $o. hope 'new?' - i)ull.iw~The vision- age, so far as matters entiment m~ conceivedd. Mr~. Clerville noticed nothing peculiar in the manner of ~is sons and ~of Blanche at the dinner4able'that~ day~but Xi~ena did. Blanche was flushed and agitated; ~tar4i~g when spoken to; and ~ '~ '~minded. Edward, too, had much more coI~thau usual,, and his face betokened ~. state of rop?~sed beatification., And as to talking~ he and. Fraz~k had decidedly changed characters. For the first time *te addressed Ximena with cordial and familiar manner; paying her all those little attentions which hail never before seemed to come within the range 4ff his recoUec~ tiOb Qr eouuprehen~ion. Frank had overtaken her as ~he was about to descend the stairs, on being sum~ uoned to' dinner-had inquired ~bout her headache, and walked beside her to the dining.room. But after that, he had been so. unusually silent, that she -was surprised'. 'As they rose from the table, he asked her it' ~1ie would ride that afternoon. Some peculiarity in his voice and look while speaking induced h~r to Buppose that. he made the invitation merely as a mat. te~r~ of courtesy, and she, therefore, declined going, Buying that she' thonglatit would be wore. prudent not to risk bringing bank the headache h~ anv~xe~ I '4 I page: 254-255[View Page 254-255] 4 ~RJ-~. ~~ortly s~ftetWaraB, and he ~vas left tO' eier~iSe ~e ~i~t~0 ~ ~pMiCU~ u~le 4~o~wardS sn~et, ~wheu ~he 4o*een~Ud to the ~raWi~g.tOOm ~ith ~h~i~h8. Bhe ~ ~db*U~ in ~ a Ch9iI~ by a'i win&0W~ th'roilgh a fl~~d- 4 ~oldexi lights was~ 5troi~irii~g~ ~nd ~ back car4e$SIY, as she~ rested -her eibO'WOU. Vhe ar~ ~f the ehair, began to trifle~With -her fa~n-~ ,Vizriin~ ~nftirliflg &u1 ~P~y~~git, with ~ e&uA~&ted grace of a Spai~i8h ~ 1~rauk watched ~er had flesh orn~b~ beeil ~ ided ;iflt0 h1~e~ of ~ e~qwiSit~ be~itY~ ~. - ia~Che. i~tMd flO&T her ~ he ~prG hed~§Wh~1 she ut~red *Wu~y44 ~ii1Br~PreBS1~ your. fa0ecWea1$Vi~~r4 %Wh9~t~ a ~n~- i~s h eye~restCd~~ ~t~with th~itis ~UOVO? d1GUS to Vhiukifl~ of; hut t #h~1iid ~ to ~now~*ha~1&ur ~i~o igbW&Th JUSt 110W 1 ~5il:*OWt~ me ?'- she eonchided, ~jth a ~~~~juatiflg ~~QSt Wfl~j:ngty,' ~Ji~ replied, as 4ie 'drew. nearer ~nd ~ JJt~L (jfldiIL~* ~ (~ZC11S*~ my j~i~erruptiug y0ii,..bUt cpray 8itAOWfl1 iti is..sO1W'~' rnore~ eomfOi~bab1e~~~hau ~~~u1ding.' She -a l0w~0ttO~~ tflW4idB '~b.im.9 Frau~d1~4 si~ ~dowu~4~Ut he+b8UtOI~e Ki~ ton ~f ~rlfler4tab!~ N 256 R 4, * ~.s ~ 6~ reBtiesSneas :&f, passion in his nature. Thi~was ~pe~ ei8Uy exemplified: in his ~ He had admiredpas~in~iya g~56d many wo~ien ~ b~~t he had never: been what is ~aIied~ 'in love' looked upon the passion of~ lo#e, con~equex~tly;~s *&. fever from which this peculiar constitution of c~ara~ ter exempted him. 'There was one-w 1ad~ friendd ~ hi~ she~r&~~~. whom jie. admired v~r~ ~*xch~ liked ~id' estee~ie~L He was not~' in lo ~' with h~r ~ ~ did not profess 1i~rself to be so i ut h& a4infr ~her, as I sa~d~was attached to her~ ~Wor~& ~ his hand~an4 pre~ va4led o'~ her finally to accept it Their engagementt continued for some time.-4he nia1~riage having ~beea delayed more than on~ by some accidental £ire~imm stance; when fortunately,~or unfortnnately-youshidl j~dg~by~the sequel of they story~which ~t wa~ i~he metiwith. another r wo~n~n,,and ~er h~did love. Despite his ~resumed insezsibi1ij~y ..-1~is ~tta&~hment t~bor who held his troth.-(an&he did entertaig f~r her a sincere affection!) the resistance he opp~sed4o the first ~'aint emotions of his passion.'.-and the ~t~a efforts he continued to exert to subdue it,~ he ~loved like 8r mad.quanj'. 'Imagine, if you cant Missy Yaras~aA4~will not 3jt~ tempt to depict~his~s~tt~gg1es ad~d~.h~ agonie~ I Af~ 4~tlen, bonor,.gratitude, gftnerqsity,~bbidirtg hi& t~ h~trothed V-hut, opposed ~to these, a-passion tba~ rnmedirresistible !-~,that, like the torrent of~ mi~ht~y ~ swept away, ~ ~tra~s~a~d feather , evezy re~ page: 256-257[View Page 256-257] 4 ____ - ~ V If ~ 1* UIy Lt$JUJIVI eyes f0jj n"ith 0h~~ gaze; and glancing down at a book 11 pon the table, tie continued nteritv 'Urged by'a sense ~ g~ ~1~and en§duraged the con~sels of a friend--he went to his affianced and frankly avowed 1~he truth. Implor~I Ther to forgive his inVoluntary, error V .to~pity, if she could not love him still V-and to bear ~1th him patiently until lici uhi. conc~ier his frenzi~paSSion, and give her again ~ undivided heart. Do you think this was ~elfish~~ ness. 'T~ather a noble e&i~rage, that dared to do anything but deceive.' Frank could "not, for a moment, command his voice to proceed, and she exclaimed with impatient in &erest. And what said his affianced?' '8he released V gladly from an engagement into xVhi~h she had enteiod reluctantly, and from which The rejoiced to be free. ' Necd I say that he hastenefi t~ lay his heart at the b~tt of her who had been it. uncontrollable choice! Ilow do you think- she rc eeivcd his h6inage? ~ught the circumstance ~T h~.. former engageiineflt fo have w~g1ied with her against hhn thiuR ~u rely ixot;' ~xri~wered. Xiinena innocervt iv. I ) lie t~id her of his iove~---~ -of his ~tru~gies I He aAplored liCs to grau~ - hiw~ that hwnd, ~jth~id die ~pqssessicn of which, life w~id be to hura but ~ wcarx n'e~s and burden~ 'And w was her revAy,?' I do noV~b±~w,' he said1, lifting iA~ eyes s~dden1y~' ~" ug~ full KK~ 't'~er ~ 'I wait ~o hear ~ I ask buu thh~ ~ th;~ vm~ W;*~~m- * '~ A 4 'S REPRODUCED FROM THE COPY IN THE HENRY E. HUNTINGTON LiBRARY FOR REFERENCE ONLY. NOT FOR REPRODUCTION
