The Man Between: An International Romance

the fact, declaring that she had been "so bored and so homesick, that she relieved she had cried her beauty away." She glanced at Ethel's radiant fa

e of such a thing as that! I really came to London to

letter. I was expecting you. That is t

oo much, Dora? I have a grea

to be

arries she is

ther. This morning, when I was telling him what trouble I had with my maid, Julia, he actually yawned. He tried to smother the yawn,

. Of all the words in the English language 'h

get married you wi

er a new life through a medium more trying. I am sure it would need lo

magine what

love changes as men do. Not one in a thousand is seen at her best while traveling, and the majority are seen at their very worst. Then there

l. They are dreadful plac

customs, the trunk that won't pack, the trains that won't wait, the tiresome sight-seeing, the climatic irrit

nd yet there have been little tiffs and struggles-very gentle ones-for the mastery, which he is not going to get. To-day he wanted me to go with him and Canon Shackleton to see somethi

d out that the person you like best in the world can bore y

rt. I should have some pleasure in dressing and looking lo

as

Westminster Abbey, and I didn't care a cent about the old place. He says I must not ask him to go to theaters, but historical old houses don't interest me at all. What does it matter if Cromwell slept in a certain anc

all enraptured with its beauty an

e. I have heard all about Rawdon Court. F

he

ll entertain us, and that will be a little

ill you be

o go there. We stayed with the Stanhopes a week when we first came o

dislike t

after they had sung some very nice songs they asked me to play, and I began with 'My Little Brown Rose'-you know they all adore the negro-and little by little I dropped into the funniest coon songs I knew, and oh how they laughed! Even the old lord stroked his knees and laughed out loud, while the young ladies laughed into their handkerchiefs. Lady Stanhope was the only one who comprehended I was guying them; and she looked at me with half-shut eyes in a way

asil wish

d he will take me to places that Basil will not-innocent places enough, Eth

guest there. I have

ow fond you are of me, and how lonely

t newly married people. He would hardly think it possible t

d ask Ba

he can ask you to Mostyn Hall

shall be sure to beg an invitation for you also; so I think you might deserve it by getting me one now. I don't want to go to Mostyn yet. Fred says it needs entire ref

, gloomy-looking place I was going to say haun

going to ask me

It is not my house. I

ays were jealous of Fred's liking for me. And of course whe

to do, and there is not much time before t

ll! Wha

n exceedingly kind to us, and the Squire is going

me about the neig

o be back at five. Our modis

you! Why did sh

London alone? And Ruth did not

sed to be first of all. I wish I were in Newport

ore, you have

to send for m

mise that, Do

und of her sobs. But they did not cause her to return or to make any foolish promises. She divin

ry likely complain that you had always thrown Mostyn in her way, brought him to her house in New York, and brought he

t condition un

e no word

t reticent,

ounds; scattered seeds, from which only misery can sp

o promise

t than that all is wrong. Even if there was the beginning of wron

iden

affairs. We call it accident; it wou

Court in September, and he has even invite

did yo

g again

ou think Mostyn

er. I am sure Dora

rly represent the dominant feeling of anyone. As for Stanhope, his nature was so clear and truthful that he would hardly have comprehended a smile which was intended to veil feelings not to be called ei

d Mostyn with enforced politeness congratulated him on their integrity and then made a hurried retreat. Of its own kind this disappointment was as great as the loss of Dora. He could think of neither without a sense of immeasurable and disastrous failure. One petty satisfaction regarding the payment of the mortgage was his only com-fort. He might now show McLean that it was not want of money that had made him hitherto shy of "the good investments" offered him. He had been sure McLean in their last interview

are with which he had amassed this sum for him, and he tried to console himself with the belief that gold answered all purposes, and t

de said, "I pay my respects to the future lady of Rawdon Manor, and I thank God for permitting me to see this hour. Most welcome, Lady Ethel, to the rights you inherit, and the rights you have bought." It was a moment hardly li

that before that day Mostyn would have left Rawdon, but the hope was barely mentioned. In the meantime he came and went between Mostyn and Rawdon as he desired, and was

he could do in the interim, would look poor and shabby compared with Rawdon Court; so he put aside the proposal on the ground that he could not persuade his aunt to do the entertaining necessary. And for all the irritation and humiliations centering round his loss of Rawdon and his inabilities with regard to Dora he blamed Ethel. He was sure if he had been more lovable and encouraging he could have

g aloud, the regular walking and driving-all the innocent method of lives which recognized they were here for some higher purpose than mere physical enjoyment. And it angered Mostyn that neither Ruth nor Ethel felt any sympathy for Dora's e

ntending its decoration. They were merrily laughing and chatting, and were not aware of the arrival of any visitors until Mrs. Ni

n't get it, I shall say good-by as quickly as I can. Our John Thomas came home this morning and his friend with him

When she returned she found Mrs. Nicholas helping Ruth and the Squire to arrange the large s

ed at the Ambassador's house. A fine affair enough, but it bewilders me this taking up marriage without priest or book. It's a new commission. The Church's warrant, it seems

the young men are home in time for o

I came for the two lads." Then she looked at the girls with a smile, and said in a comfortable kind of way: "You'll find them very nice lads, indeed. I can speak for John Thomas, I have taken his measure long since; and as far as I can judge his friend, Nature went about some full work when she made a man of him. He's got a sweet temper, and a strong mind, and a straight judgment, if I know anything about men-which Nicholas sometimes makes me think I don't. But Nicholas isn't an ordinary ma

good Sabbath at home. Ethel read the Psalms, Epistle and Gospel for the d

another to match him in the whole world, and the old feeling about church-going i

han serving Him on co

hings cleaner and more respectable. Well, Squire, you have silver enough to tempt all the rogues in Yorkshire, and there's a lot of them. But now I've seen it, I'll go home with these bits of paper. I shall be a very important woman to-night. Them two lads won't know how to fleech and flatter me enough. I'll be waited on hand and foot. And Nichol

e doubt as to the weather. She brought the shining sun with her, and when he set, he left them with the promise of a splendid to-morrow-a promise amply redeemed when the next day dawned. Indeed, the sunshine was so brilliant, the garden so gay and sweet, th

tic Britannia in white liberty silk and old lace," whispered Ruth, and Ethel looked up quickly, to meet her merry eyes full of some unexplained triumph. In truth, the proud mother was anticipating a great pleasure, not only in the presentation of her adored son, but also in the curiosity and astonishment she felt sure would be evoked by his friend. So, with the boldness of one who brings happy tidings, she pressed forward. Ethel saw her approach, and went to meet her. Suddenly her s

flashed with recognition, and the blood rushed crimson over both faces. She gave the gentlemen flowers, and listened to Mrs. Rawdon's chatter, and said in reply she knew not what. A swift and exquisite excitement had followed her surprise. Feelings she could not voice were beating at he

dly. "You didn't know the Tyrrel-Rawdons had a branch in Ameri

ppearance-that all-overish grace and elasticity which comes only from the development of the brain and nervous system. His face was also marred by the seal of commonness which trade impresses on so many men, the result of the subjection of the intellect to the will, and of the impossibility of grasping t

are the ea

man was

sees it sees in a flash of understanding. But at that time she only answered her impressions without any inquiry concerning them. S

plums and golden apricots were beginning to brighten a southern wall, and there, moodily walking by himself, they met Mostyn face to face. An angry flash and movement interpreted his annoyance, but he immediately recovered himself, and m

emplated making Ethel his bride, and though the matrimonial idea had collapsed as completely as the political one, the envious, selfish misery of the "dog in the manger" was eating at his heartstrings. He did not want Ethel; but oh, how he hated the thought of either John Thomas or that American Raw-don winning her! His seat at the dinner-table also annoyed him. It was far e

he mere loom-man two. And though he attempted to restore his self-complacency by devoting his whole attentions to the only titled young ladies in the room, he had throughout the evening a sense of being snubbed, and of being a per

only illustrating the old saying, 'Since I wronged you I never liked you.'" After indulging such thoughts awhile, he resolved to escort the ladies Aurelia and Isolde Danvers to Danvers Castle, and leave Mis

py family dinner John Thomas made the startling proposal that "the portrait of the disinherited, disowned Tyrrel should be restored to its place in the family gallery." He said he had "just walk

ting-field," mur

o bad, sir, as they who sin for money. I never heard worse of Tyrrel Rawdon than that he loved a poor woman instead of a rich woman-and married her. Those that have gone before us into the next life, I sho

dge, who immediately indorsed the proposal. One after the other rose with sweet and strong assent,

for him when I say to-day, 'Make room for me among

the wall, and books of wood lore and botany, and dress suits of velvet and satin, and hunting suits of scarlet-all faded and falling to pieces-stood the picture of Tyrrel Rawdon, with its face turned to the wall. The Squire made a motion to his descendant, and the young American tenderly turn

l lying on a table, and, impelled by some sudden and unreasoned instinct, he offered them to her. Not a word of request was spoken; it was the eager, passionate command of his eyes she obeyed. And for a few minutes they were speechless, then so intensely conscious that words stumbled and were lame, and they managed only syllables at a time. But he took her hand, and they came by sunny alleys of boxwood to a great plane tree, bearing at wondrous height a mighty wealth of branches. A bank of soft, green turf encircled its roots, and they sat down in the trembling shadows. It was in the midst of the herb garden; beds of mint and thyme, rosemary an

till i

e of woven gold and opal-tinted beads, and held it in his open hand for her to see, watchin

under

It is

urs. It is

d you g

om the old man

u know him?

quiries, and this porter told me where he lived. I went there and bought this purse from h

u noti

as singing. I have never fo

ade you

impulse; perhaps, indeed, you

all

urs in a moment's greeting. It was a promise. I knew I should meet you again. I have loved you e

my secre

n your hands. You can make me the gladdest

t escapes words; but thus it was that on this day o

gs come by f

unconquer

lt way, of the love and joy that had just been revealed. A wonderful humming and buzzing filled the hives, and the air vibrated with the movement of wings. Some influence more swift and secret than the birds of the air carried the matter

d excuses, but both women no-ticed her radiant face and exulting air. "The garden is such a heavenly place," she said ecstatically, and Mrs Rawdon remarked, as she rose and put her c

the plane tree watching the bees. Th

he young lady bees are just as inexperienced as a schoolgirl. They get lost in the flowers, and are often so overtaken and reckless, that the night finds them far from the hive, heavy with pollen and chilled with cold. Sometimes fath

uth. "Pray, how did the ladies of

about the poor, silly thing, and I shouldn't wonder if their stings were busy too. Bees are ill-natured as they can be. Well, well, I don't blame

take a chaperon with me, the

first woman found in a garden and a tree had plenty of sorrow for herself and every woman that has lived a

Judge Rawdon, and Mr. Nicholas Rawdon were all standing, evidently just finishing a Conservative argument against the R

servative, republican, democratic, socialistic, but if it isn't a CHEAP government, it isn't a good government; an

o our hands, John Thomas? No wonder t

nderful day for all, but perhaps no one was sorry for a pause in life-a pause in which they might rest and try to realize what it had brought and what it had

antly for six hours. She has felt all she said. She has frequently risen and walked about. She has used all sorts of ac

is dinner, and then lecture or lead his Musical Union, or conduct a poor man's concert, or go to 'the Weaver's Union,' and what he calls 'threep the

't discuss th

ow what Tyrrel said t

overs will say them evermore. You shall tell me in the morni

iced his mood, and as they sat smoking in Tyrrel's room, he reso

hink of Ethel

She has also the most sincere nature, and her high

it jealous of me. It is easy to see you are in love, and I've no doubt you were thinking of the

was, cousin

have to be on the ground all the time, and then I should best you; but I picked out my wife

elighte

ht you w

the youn

. And he is a great scholar. So is Lucy. She finished her course at college this summer, and with high honors. Bless you, Tyrrel,

is sh

see a beauty-face like a rose, hair brown as a nut, eyes that make your heart go galloping, the most enticing mouth, the prettiest figure, and she loves me with all her heart. When she says 'John Thomas, dear one,' I tremble with ple

ay. It's a situation to make a man coin ne

gh father sulked a bit at first, mother had it out with him one night, and when mother has father quiet in their room father comes to see things just as she wants

ou like

he was worn out with men that let all the good bargains pass them; perhaps making fun of us because we couldn't manage to get along without strikes. She had no strikes with her hands, she'd like to see her women stand up and talk to her about shorter hours, and so on; and father would look at me sly-like, and as we walked to the mill together he'd

the news Ethel brought her, for though the lovers had been individually sure they had betrayed their secret to no one, it had really been an open one to Ruth since the ho

ve a quick temper. I expect my husband to stand up at a mom

reply to her timid suggestion of temper, "you can strike fire anywhere with him if you try it, but he has it under control. Besides, Ethel is just as q

ire feel about s

may be another month before all is finally settled; but the Squire has the secret satisfaction, and he was much affected by the certainty of a Rawdon at Rawdon Court after him. He declined to think of it in an

noblest of men. How soo

th. Are you tir

. There was a letter from Dora this m

w anything

polite farewell we

nk he went

e no statement as to his destination; he mere

. There is a little delay about some leases and other matters. In

arming and romantic, and, as they believed, appointed from afar. As the sum-mer waxed hotter the beautiful place took on an appearance of royal color and splendor, and the air was languid with the perfume of the clove carnations and tall white August lilies. Flu

as becoming idealized. The birds were then mostly silent. They had left their best notes on the hawthorns and among the roses; but the crickets made a cheerful chirrup, and the great brown butterflies displayed their richest velvets

s turned their faces to their pleasant home in the Land of the West. It was to be but a short farewell. They had promised the Squire to return the following summer, but he felt the desolation of the parting very keenly. With his hat slightly lifted above his white head, he stood watching them out of sight. Then he went to his organ, and very soon grand waves of melody rolled outward and upward, a

t. I KNOW IN WHOM I have believed. Joel, sing that last sequence again.

mountains were brought forth, or ever Thou hadst formed the world, fro

rations. 'Unknowable,' Thou hast been our dwelling-place in all generations. No, no, no,