WINNIAN'S LOVERS.

Bush Advocate, Volume XI, Issue 863, 25 November 1893, Page 4

WINNIAN'S LOVERS.

CiurTER 111 (Continued) 1 It could never be.' ' Not now,' said the earl, gently. •1 understand. Don't think, my boy, I expect you to give up Lady Sylvia at my wish. Besides, I shouldn't like my grandchild to have only the reversion of your heart. It cannot be. I ara quite aware of that, but ib is a heavy blow to me, Bertram.' \ little silence. ' You will respect my confidence ¥ went on tho earl, slowly. { I will write to Lord Devoron telling him what I am willing to do for you on your marriage I havo Btill soma political influence, and I daresay I could get you a diplomatic post abroad. Anyhow, as Sylvia is portionless, you are quite as good a match as she could expect.' ' And 1 have my Uncle Penhurst's property,' said Bcitrm, musingly. ' Ten thousand pounds. It is invested in a mortgage on some proporty near Dorrington. But I ould call it in.' 'Fifteen hundred a-year,' commented Lord Ncthcrleigh ; ' not far from two thousand, with your pay. Many young couples start on less.' • You don't seem hopeful V 'I am not. Dcvcron is an ambitious man. He has angled for you as my reputed heir, but I doubt if he will consent now.' .; 'I shall go oyer to-morrow.' 1 Do. However ho decides, it will be best for you to have his answer. Anything is better than suspence.' Captain Deney rode over to Deveron Manor early the next day. He took a letter from his old friend to Lord Deveron, clearly setting forth his prospects. The peer read it eagerly, and then went into a towering rage.

' I consider you little better than an impostor I Captain Doney, you luave behaved infamously to my daughtei !' , . * Hardly thafc ; I never told either you or Sylvia I_was to be Lord Netherleigh's heir.' ' You let us assume it.' Bertram's brow, lowered. . ' I offe ; f your daughter an easeful home, a sufficient income, and a man's strong love ; if these do not secure her happiness thero would be little prospect of felicity for us were I ten times master of Castle Netherleigh.' Lord Deveron felt he had gono too far. • I did not mean to be discourteous, but I am naturally disap- " pointed.' ' I will refer the matter to Lady Sylvia. I can see I have nothing to hope for from your influence ; but she is of age, and you will, at least, let me have her answer from her own lips V ' I will do more,' said the impoverished peer, reflecting thafc two thousand a-year and a comfortable married home promised better for Sylvia's happiness than a future dependency on her unknown relations, and waxing generous as ho remembered Bertram had pressed "for an early wedding, and so in case of Sylvia remaining constant, her father would at once be free from her maintenance. ' I will do more than that for you, Captain Deney ; Sylvia shall come to you here and give you her answer before she has seen me ank been pre-

judiced by my worldly wisdom. If she elects for me to become your father-in-law, I will never repeat my expression of disappointment that your fortunes arc so far below your merits. I think you must confess I am not ungenerous.' He rang a bell. • Ask Lady Sylvia to come hero V he said to the servant who appeared. Then Lord Deveron went out by the French window into the grounds as his daughter entered by the door. •What is it, Bertram V when he had kissed her, and stood holding her at a littlo distance from him and gazing into her pretty face. •Do you know I feel quite sure something is the matter V ' Why, sweetheart V 'Because you are so pale and look at me so strangely. Oh I Bertram, does Lord Netherleigh object, and have you come to say Good-bye to me V -y'.'Npfc- unless you send me away.' ' I shall never do that.' •• fAre you sure, Sylvia !' ' 1 Perfectly.' He kissed her. I think at that moment he was as near to perfect happiness as men often reach ; then a word from her brought him back to earth. ' But wbat is the matter V He must tell her tho exact state of his prospects — must explain to her he was not the rich man she believed him. He felt sure it would not chauge her. He would have staked his very lifo on Sylvia's fidelity and disinterestedness," and yet he was loath to say the words which would test both. ' Sylvia,are you afraid of poverty .' The pretty, fair head nestled confidingly on his broad shoulder. He toyed almost unconsciously with the flaxen hair.

' I shouldn't like to be poor ; but oh ! Bertram, why need wo think of poverty — it can't tonch you, you know V He hesitated. ' There are so many degrees of poverty, Sylvia. Yesterday, I thought that some time or other I might be very rich and able to give my wife all sorts of pleasure. I had dreamed of you presented at Court, Sylvia, and having horses and carriages, opera-boxes, and jewels as much as you could wish. I had thought my little love would be a great lady.' She smiled. ' And so I shall be.' ' No, dear ; I have spoken to Lord Notherleigh, and he proposes to give me the Woodlands and an amount sufficient to keep it up ; but there would be no London season, Sylvia, no jewels or opera-boxes.' •It wouldn't matter,' said Sylvia, amiably. 'It wouldn't bo for long.' • What wouldn't be for long, •sweet V ITo be tontiniHd )