The San Francisco Call. Newspaper, March 5, 1899, Page 23

Marchioness of in her own right, were situated atry whic! ounted by he was a handsome woman of knowledged to 1 and still erly belonging to the Dowager world of fa n amon younger als. 1 property it ural that Lord be supposed to keep an e The Marchioness, : west, but to her son she that territory which should one day be his. Char- nd a spirit for the try upon occasion, and was known to have spent a week at the ment to himself. te at interva nto the er his visits were longest and most and then, and be shot at all times; but his the name of eccentricity from the more of t pursuits. It was, for example, egregious Indeed 1d be returning to the castle on a wild January day, 1d of som hs earlier. Even Lady Auriol had spent her Christ I try, though she had fled to town with her retinue about the T anuary; but here was the month drawing to a close, and th master of the district had only just deigned to descend u ST rous amusements abroad ‘ ng miles from the little market town of Lunn, and or m the tiny station at Arraway; yet, as trains to Ly was in the et town that Charmian had a noon of St and cold from his jou waiting at the station, but, giving the man his ore on foot briskly toward the “White Hart,” followed res he brougham. It was now past 3, and he had nothing to eat since breakfast; con itly he lunched comfortably at the inn enjoyed a pl f warm Burg . and toasted his feet till half-past 4 or dl At that hour, recalling unwillingly the long drive, he ri 3 tr paid his reckoning and went out accompanied Ly his ached the landing a sudden out k of rude he stalrs, rea a t him with sy ated. armian; drawing on his gloves. pologetic eyes. “A party Gentleman's been entertair my lord,” ng some “Don’t explained Cotton, with more dignity ing for him, must be very tired.” * sald Charmian airily, “and if there As tha per “but of communicating your sentiments. of ind with a nod he skipped out adows of the falling night. Ere t to follow (as he would natur. v have do pped it to again, an: street in the direction of the li nn The light had gone unexpectedly, and rd or so. But presently after, and d the small b ge, turned into the e that ;- nd was fu unched upon its voyage into rfect hurricane of snow. The peaceful tenor »k the windows of the brougham, and a stream n the road and open fields. Charmian looked able meadows from which the storm w: driv- 4 about the carriage, and he turned complacently into his corner. He put out an arm for a rug which he seat, and to his astonishment his hand came in contact rm and soft. ef is this?” though Lord Franels. Instantaneously ruck a match, and the light fiared and rested on the ndsome; she lny back with her eyes closed, her ns, and (as Charmian conceived) his rug dis- it went out, and but for fear of waking her he As it was, he fank Into his own seat and reflected sant amusement. It was plain that the lady must the carriage; and, now he considered, there returned to ation of old Cotton, and the tale of an unfortunate lady ng on @ merry-making husband. This must be she; and she hdd succumbed to the weariness of those long hours and posed ¢ would on the him the conv who was wai poor creature was delicately enjoying a comfortable slumber in his carriage, and some two miles upon the road to the castle. The idea tickled him. “It would be a shame to wake her,” he thought. ‘“Heaven be my wit- ness, 1 ute enough for that. The world shall see that T can be k to Wi corner and shut his eyes. : . The rage and blackness of the night increased. The horses were brought down to walking pace; the snow encumbered the ground thickly, end the timid animals slipped and stumbled on the treacherous surface. which he folded his arms, cuddled close in his ARE - You, - SiIR?2W down on his knees with a jerk, and the The lddy woke with a cry, and starting finally one of them came brougham lurched and shivered. \ asked “Is it an accldent? I must have fallen “My dear n and it will light a m: vou are than 1 cz The 1 d Charmian smoothly, “it is not Fred, but And if vou will promise not to scream I which will enable you to gain a better notion of where give you made no answer heyond a formless ejaculation; and Charmian struck ¢ nd match. He held it before him, and the eyes of the two met in the light above it. ‘-;\‘ ho are you, s inquired the lady In a low volce, but not without soirit The cfrc assure vou, r but, my d is not he nstances,” contrived by m gently, “in which T find myself are, I It may seem difficult to believe that— - madam, ¢ or this. I enter my carriage, I do not perceive you owing to the dark, and when I make the discovery we are already miles uway from our starting point and T can see no other course than to let you have vour sleep 1d to carry you to some place from which you can return in cemfc nd safety whither you will when the fury of the s n is dr ng the ez the match burne e into darkne: nis fingers, and he let it drop hastily, plun “But v t doe all this mean?” cried the lady in bewilderment. “We mu The arriage must turn back.” My de caid Charm 1 soothingly, “it is not a night for a dog to be out in; and though my coachman is only my coachman—" He felt had sat bolt upright Sir, T demand that have the horses turned round,” she com- lea, with an imperious ncte in her voice m. my e your service,” sald Charmian, in his finest ot no further. “Your carriage!” she cried indignantly. “It is my Pardcn me, madam ““Ch, this is monstrou 1 have it that I am - wife next!” madam, is not true.” remarked vour doubts T will 1i He strock it on the am. The lady's d d with amazement s certainly not his. nine,” h erted fir * declared the lad. Sither T or yéu are mad. she added sarcastically. Charmian severely; “and to ht another match nd the two pairs of eyes wandered ahout nd words, the nced with anger triumph, and Char- ~ The brougham upholstered in green, His gaze returned to hers, which was fAushed nd it w and excit A thousand pardons.” par he friends, it begged humbly; “though I have not been juneh is inexcusable. The darkness—the storm me. now, perhaps sir, .I]V with dignity, “you will be good with the same humility. *“The coach- itated “f,h} _h\;; hand on the door. “But u see, if this {s not my carriz 1 road to your destination. MR LR aid she, as if struck by this fact enoug nors: lied Ch: He ] or the first time. *“I had torzotte ““Then may 1 asl ril—T heg ve at & n. with some little indignation, “where that may be?” now quite civilly. ackring.” said she, an groaned. “A g lozen miles from my journey’'s . He braced himse ou will allow me fo rap on fr:‘od'gln‘;; aps T may best aitract the coachman's aticntion that way. e hesit d. and the showing -her hesitation in her wi ¥ terrible nizht,” said she would hardly be falr— SOrls It “Oh, what's fair for him air for me,” said Cha g0, whai'a fair for him “harmian cheerfully. If T might venture to suggest.”” observed the lady mo; - etter come on to Sackring. There Is a good inn there. o qun( vour hushand?'’ he asked suddenly. She paused, stammered, and Charmian would have wagered In th dorkness that she blushed. *Mr. Fletcher,” sald she, wit Bty “will follow, no doubt. P Eeanain Gy, But just at that moment and ere Charmian had time to an: - vitat:on thus amicably offered the carriage came to a stop ak?:lvleprtl‘vheal:d each looked out of a window. Upon either side the white waste of a great moor stretched and rclled into the night. The coachman had come down from nis box and appeared before the door by Charmian, a spectacle of gleaming snow. He turned the. handle and peered in, putting a finger ha mec nically to the snow that was his hat. Beg pardon, sir, but I've lost my way says he. Mrs, Fletcher made an exclamation. “Good heavens! James, you can’t m!sr\clhnt?" =hPl (‘”N‘f( “Where are we?' *“Can’t exactly make out, eaid James in perplexit; we're on the moor, but the ronds have Wne, and from the Way the horses are plunging I fancy we're on a side track.” o You must find the road at once,” commanded the lady in consterna- on. s “Teg pardon, but perhaps master—" hegan James, and 3 getically Intc the corner of the carriage in which he supposed_ Criachinn o be. “(Oh--of course—yes.” stammered Mrs. Fletcher. ‘““Well, y will think it over and.let you know presently.” And then.‘{xpégu{h:n\:.i:;l: drawal of the man, to Charmian- “What are we to do? Whatever are we ? Ha thinks you are Mr. Fletcher.” ‘Let him think 30,” said Charmian promptly. She hesitated. “My dear lady, the first part (and it is of prime importance) is that we should get somewhere. The night is wild; if I am a judge of the sky, it {s beating up for worse; and to lle here twittering about points of eti- quette in the drift would expose us to death of cold, hunger or suffoca- tion. James must drive on.” The decision w communicated to the coachman, and the carriage painfully resumed its jolting journey. Tke lady had grown submissively meek and silent. She began to be alarmed; and only by a start or an exclamation of anxietv at each deeper plunge or rougher jolt did she break the stillness of the Interior. Charmian sat back; he was very cold, and he was very tired, and he saw no prospect of dining. He was out of hatlence with the lady. In this neutrality of silence more than half an our clapsed, upon the end of which the carriage drew up once more and James appearea at the door. “We've got somewhere, sir,” sald he, respectfully but triumphantly. Charmian looked out. and through the strearhing flakes beheld the feeble light of a wayside inn. His heart warmed within him. “Jamez mustn’'t see you,” whispered the lady In his ears in an agitated voice. . Charmian had forgotten. the further door hopped Jightly into the ni| more leisure, and Charmian dodged into tho inn. bustling to the doorway. “A—a lady and I—that {s—we have been caught in the storm,” he ex- plained. “Can you give us fcod?” The landlord gave a phlegmatic assent, his eves observing the lady where she stood, her garments flecked with white ,and her face warm from the thrashing winds, She hung back, but Charmian took her arm and bewed her with stiff courtesy into the coffee-room. The door once shut, Mrs. Fletcher turned quickly round. “Understand this,”” she said, showing a hotter face; ““I cannot dine with you.” “But, my dear lady,” exclaimed Charmian, “we must have food, and we came together; it's plain we cannot dine apart, or we shall raise suspi- cions." “T will not dine at all,” she sald firmly Charmian shrugged his shoulders in despair, while he observed her more nearly.. She was tall and young—some five and twenty, as he guessed she owned a pair of fine eyes, and her complexion was dullcnmlr pink. A spirit flashed in her handsome face, which changed swiftly with the vicissitudes of her el tions. She confronted him now with anger and lution alike conjo d in her features and sparkling in her eye. “My dear Mrs etcher,” he said gently, “‘of one thing I am certain— ou shall dine if I have to walk all the way back to Lurn.” silent a moment, and then—*“But you could never do that, ghe murmured in another tone. “I don't want to drive you away. Yo, see my position,”” she added appealingly; “I don't even know your name. iy dear lady, that has nothing to do with your dinner,” he protested. “T don't agree with you,” she cried sharply. “Oh, well,” replied Charmian, “if it will make any difference, call me Smith.” “Is that “But—but—" “Not he,” he sald cheerfully, and opening t. The lady descended with He met the landlord ur real name?” she asked suspiclously. “Madam," he returned, meeting her look gravely, “in the circumstances erhaps is all that you need know. After this unfortunate incident is over, am sure you would wish to forget the humiliating position in which I have unwillingly placed you, and with it the very name and existence of such a person.’ She ‘dropped her t again. “Bul we shall have to stay here all night! tation. 5 “Jt looks like it,”” confessed Charmian ruefully. “But we can't—we cen't!"” she protested. She wrung her hands. “Hush! hush! here's some one coming,’ interposed Charmian hastily; and rapldiy composing themselves and endeavoring to assume an expec- tant air the two drew up to the table The landlord entered the room. “Beg pardon, sir,” sald he, “but would the lady and she Interposed eagerly “Mrs. Fletcher,” she cried. Charmian coughed. ‘No “Hurry up, hurry up Charmian turned to the la asked, aghast “T'am not ashamed of my name,” she “Heavens! but I have given mine as Smith,” he exclaimed, She turned red. “Well, 1 could not ‘e said 1 was Mrs could 17 “No, of course not.” stammered Charmian; “that did not eccur to me. i together.” eves and fell into a chair; but as quickly started up she exclaimed In agt- He seemed to pause, no, it’s all right,” he sald reassuringly. smissed the fellow with his importunit y. “What did you give your name for? rted petulantly. Smith, But you see, he will think we have run away Mrs 3 aped from Her cheeks were crimson, and becarme her dark e “Oh!"”’ s and hid her face in confusion. “Pray do not take it so ha ded Charmian soothingly. *I will dertake to get vou out of this. U ndeed. - cried the suddenly raising her head and looking at him with an indced, as you have got me into It, you can do no less.” on with spirft shed, but he w jon. It is not so outrageously seri Charm isider the pos “IWell, now let We shall have a few minutes before the dinner is fetched. The qu: is, what are we to be? We must make up a good lie while we're about it Mre, Fletcher was almost in tears. “I can't think of anything,” she said. with a tiny sob. Veil, how wonld brother “J never thought of that.’ beautifully. We could be t s “Why, of course: and we will! waus thrown open and the landlord The meal went pleasantly harmian. es, that would do * inquired ntening; * \id Charmjan decisively, as the door seared with the dinner. frs. Fletcher found her spirits rising, and frem the unexplored recesses of the cellar a tolerable wine was pro- Guced. Presently a litile silence of embarrassment fell upon her now if [ am doing vigh aid haltingly atd Charmian lightly, * ogate facts e part of tic ““You hav no right to = t to me, dening pretti “What?"” “What you said » moralize, and to she said indignantly, and red- y th n in amazement <ked Charm Jlied, in seme confusion. * she re u,” he said; “you refer to the address. “T will not lch we stand. ‘It is a fraternal form of But consider gresch but just Mre. Fletcher dropped her glass and pushed back her chalr; but Jus on vh]o ins v.nhvm—n Charmian had made up ‘{u.n n‘:lnd that he was destined to a little outbreak the door rattled under a knock. “It is James.” she whispered, all her hauteur gone; “I know his step. Oh, what sh do? The 1 misunderstand y the relation in Charmian rose, hesitated and slipped behind the chimney nook. coachman enter cuse me, 'am,” said he, “but I wanted a word with master. ind him anywhere will—I will send him to you presently,” said Mrs. Fletcher hurriedly. “Good-night, James.” When the danger was over Charmian returned and looked ruefully at his companion. She was extremely discomposed. “T don’t know what we shall do,” she cried in distress. to find out, and they will think we have—" “What?’ safd Charmian. “Run away,”’ she murmured shamefacedly. Charmian sighed. *If that is so,” said he desperately, make the best of it and confess we have.” Sir!” cried Mrs. Fletcher, rising, all aflame. £ “For heaven's sake,’ he sald quickly, “don’t let us quarrel. Here's some one else.” And sure enough, upon the words a second knock ounded o the doer was mently opencd. The intruder, an elderly but vigorous man, advancd with an apology. “I am sorry to disturb you, but T am staying in the inn. and T left my—" He broke off suddenly, and in anothér voice saluted Charmian. “My dear fellow, I had no idea it was you, or that you were in the neigh- borhood.,” and he came forward holding out his hand Charmian now recognized him for an old squire living in the nelghbor- hood of the castle, and heartily cursing his fortune rose to meet the prof- fered hand. “Oh, yes, I'm here, you see,” he stuttered. “T was told that a Mr. Smith had arrived.” said the old gentleman, “and—" His puzzled glance fluttered to Mrs. Fletcher. “Oh, ves, of course. Stupid of them,” sald Charmian. to introduce you, Coleman, to—" He made a momentary pause; the truth was that he had forgotten the name. “Oh, yes, T understand,” said old Coleman, exhibiting some confusfon. “To-Mrs. Smith, isn't it? “No,” cried the lady, eagerly ,interposing sister.” Iy—my sister. “They are sure “we had better “Pray allow me in equal confusion—*his feebly echoed Charmian. “Quite so—sister. I beg your pardon,’ said the old gentleman hastily. “A nice evening, madam’’; and then to Charmian, “May I have a word with you after your dinner?” d{ava it now,” sald Charmian desperately, and followed Coleman to the door. Outside the old fib‘ntleman came to a pause, turned the handle delib- erately, and faced the young man. “Liook here, Charmian,” he sald gravely, ‘you have no sister, you know. This won't do. I can make allowances, you understand, but when it comes to being on your own estate, my dear fellow— You won’t misun- derstand me? I am thinking of your interest: “Oh, please leave me out,” sighed Charmian. ‘T haye no interests just now, except to get out of a most unpleasant situation “Tf it is that.” said the old gentleman promptly, “pray command me. I knew it was an entanglement.” ‘“No, no; you don’t understand,” said Charmiai “Tt is all an accident The lady dislikes it a good deal more than myselr. “‘Quite s0,” said old Coleman formaliy—‘'quite_so. be going now, as I have me business to attend to. He hastened away, leaving Charmian with the clear intelligence that he was disbelieved. He sighed deeply, and returned to the room, where Mrs. Fletcher was awaiting him in a state of £ “He knows y¢ she ed. Charmian assented She threw np her ha he think T am Well, I fancy I must nds. “Then our case {s worse than ever. Vhom ' she inquired, after a pause. * stammered Charmian. in a certain relief; and immediately upon that, and But hav g Charmian; ow you have : : n manage- “Does that man k * she went on in tones of growing alarm “I think he doe sald he feebly “Oh!" she cried in dismay, “how could you? You have ruined me,” and hid her face. “My dear lady “I suggested just now that there was only one ed herself and assumed a face “No!" she excla d this to an end. I will not yield of much determination. weakly.” “You encourage me,” sald Lord Francis heartily. “I feel a new man. If that ie your dis tion we shall yet be able to confront the world.” He stopped hastily, feeling that Mrs. Fletcher was regarding him with vicion, But it was his nature to be flip Outside the door rose yund of an altercat vole 1gled with the innkeeper’s, Fletcher in there, “I will see sus the 1 James’ mi that there’'s no Mr. ] tell you,” said the latter, and the voices fell to be inaudible Charmian and the lady ex ed glances of concern, and then James’ I'll take my o ver drove no Mr. Smith her Fletcher gave a little shriek, and ed louder. handle rattled, Mrs volce sour The _door landlord, red and confused, was before them. “May T ask.” said he in his flurry ,“which of you is Mr. Fletche; “T am fd Charmian promptly; “that is to say,” he corrected pre- he isn't here."” AR her of us is; e innkeeper scratched his manner, but withdrew with a sho “T can stand this no lon agitation; and she moved swiftly the interior of the ¥ “What would you d asked Charmian in surpris “T am going away,’ she said firmly, but brokenl stop her she was out of the door and was gone. Charmian made ttle grimace and walked to the window. He threw he sald in a bewildered head of 7 cried the lady, display! to the farther door, W g considerable ch opened into ; and ere he could it open and looked forth. The snow had ceased and the sky was clearing; but it was not on these facts he reflected, for no sooner was the blind up | and his head out than the light from the lamp fell full upon the face of ; Jacob, his own man, sta by his own carriage before the door. ‘ ‘Now, how the devil, wondered, “did Jacob get here?” and called him eagerly. . Jacob advanced, a machine. “Glad to catch you »rd,”" he said, even with a trace of emotion. “How did you g asked Charmion in amazement. “Well, my lord. s like this: Gentleman seized me and made me our lordshlp had— ip didn’t let me know. statement; it was merely a state- I'd known that s—what But your lord re implied in thi drive him. Of co your lordship was There was no cens “What gentleman?” he asked. red his. voice, »“Don‘t know his angry, very angry, my lord— in the bar now, my lord." wered his volce. t him and al rmia Jacob g1 name, my lord very angry, inde inquired Lor: ery, my lorc id Jacob dispassionately; “not what your 11 drunk.” said Charmian reflectively, “good Jacob! Refresh your- dines s he did so Mrs. Fletcher came into the room . and prepared for a journey. She was but- He withdrew his h: fled, cloaked with T £ a glove nervou 1y carriage is o is mine,” ou he crie “3Whj 'Mr. Fletcher has been good enough to bring it. I must tell you that he is here, and—" He hest “1 upderstar “He had no right to follow me like that.” mortification, of injured pride, of humiliation, started to her eyes. “'No man has a right to follow his wife,” remarked Charmian. She eved him with a flush of anger, looking very beautiful. %1 Gon't know who you are, sir,”’ she sald with dignity, “but this I do know—that you have been the cause to me to-day of bitter humlliation and of grave discomfort.” Charmian bowed low gently. “But I have oie 2 of amusement shot into her eyes, and a little laugh which was A gleam : = out c of DAT! nt ran; 1 S il aflow me.” pursued Charmian pleasantly, “T I she sald bitterly, and for a moment there was silence. she broke out, and the tears of ar “T have been tragically aware of it,”" he said tematically tried to make the situation less seri- | “And now, i vill allow me” nk we can terminate the inconvenience e e & plan?: she asked quickly. «It is simplicity itself,” he said. She |>ntsrrog:tnfl him with her eyes. et us embark, each of us, in our respective carrlages I“}l(n”ymn(un Her eyes kindled. ‘‘Leaving—" she breathed. NS Peely. sald Charmian, Their eves exchanged meanings. The shadow of a smile crept over her mouth, but Cha mian's face was grave., O eertainly think it was time we were home,” he murmured. “An& the show will muffle the sound of the wheels.” sald Mrs, Fletcher, A noise was audible outside, as if of some one in the passage. They ‘ one another. looked e I will pay the reckoning,” he whispered, and went forth to he landlord. seelts\vx‘(sid&:”;l inn he found her before her carriage. “Good-b; she sald, holding out her hand. *“James must not see youw.’ aughed a little. z £ She"‘\?-‘élgx. he knows whom he brought to the inn, that's one thing,” sald Charmian gayly. He set her in the brougham, and himself hung in the Aows. i . 2 shadows ughter tinkled pleasantly. “Have you a long drive?” she asked. ‘MY DEAR RRS. FLETCHER, | THINK You ARE A BRICK" “As far as Ca She started. “Then Iy name is Charmi ‘On!” cried the lady Iy dear Mrs. Flet you're 2 brick!" He closed the door with a bang, the horses sts his whip, and the faint light of the stars gleamed for an instant upon a face set in rich furs, smiling from the carriage window. Charmian turned to Jacob. H. B. MARRIOT-WATSON. re— he explai 1 what must you think of me?” mian, pressing her hand, “T < think rted forward, James plied