EVE'S CRUEL SISTERS.

Bush Advocate, Volume XII, Issue 1756, 5 October 1899, Page 4

EVE'S CRUEL SISTERS.

+. . Chapter V. (Continued.) 1 Sentimental nonsonse 1' ex- ! claimed D'Arcy, in contemptuous fones. ' You aro only wghteen years old, and your talk shows it. ) You will come down from your , heights and marry in time just like any other girl.' j ' I shall not marry if 1 lire to be a hundred,' Eve returned solemnly. D'Arcy did not like her young sister's tone or 100k — each impressed upon her the fact that advice or admonition at the present time would bo worse than useless. She therefore contented herself with remarking — ' Oh, you'll marry, never fear ) But, if you live to be a hundred, you'll never meet with a better chance or a nicer young fellow than Sir Gerald.' When her water had left her, Eve begin to overwhelm herself with reproaches. She felt as if she had committed some crime in not foreseeing and guarding against the event she so regretted. How troubles and sorrows had multiplied of late in her life ! It waß difficult to > believe that she was the self-same girl who had told her lover that day on the sunny lagoon that she wt.a ' the happiest girl in the whole wide world'— she who was surely now tSllyBXJIfe miserable ! , ■"""OiTthe following day the travelling party were on their way across the Channel. The ladies had retired to private cabins, as tb.e sea was a bit choppy ; but Staunton and Drayton were pacing the deck unjoying the fresh brnoze and having ft confidential Ulk. ' So you think as highly of her aa that, Drayton ?' Sir Arthur was saying. ' Tastes differ fortunately, the elderly Baronet went en- ' No-v to my mind, she can't hold a candle to her sister Adela — hasn't half 9neugh ' go ' in her, don't you know.' 1 1 am sick of women with ' go ' !' returned Sir Gerald, a trifle curtly. ' So I perceive, dear boy ; but all the same, it's a valuable possession (or a woman. It holds a man,

whereas placidity is apt to have the contrary effect.' ' Perhaps you are right ; but it all depends upon the typo of men.' ' Granted. 1 ' Now I, for inatanoe, would never cease to warship a woman of that gentle womanly type ; her ' placidity,' as you call it, would grow only more precious to me with the years.' ' I Why you talk like a fellow in love !' exclaimed Sir Arthur in assumed surprise. • Well, and what if I am ?' returned his companion. ' Come— you don't mean to say, Staunton, that you haven't noticed how awfully sweet I am on that little girl?' ' Now you put it to me, I did notice that you were remarkably attentive ; but how could I tell if you were really ' ' In earnest ?' Gerald interrupted. ( Well lam ! And I want to aak you a question, if you won't think me a desperate ass. You have seen us a lot together. Do you think, as an unprejudiced observer, that I've made any headway with her of late ?' ' Heavens, bul that question is a poser ! He is a magician indeed \v ho can read the thoughts of such quiet retiring girls.' I 1 am afraid I have not made a favourable impression — she is always so distant,' said tha young man despondently. ' I am almost certain there mu«t be another fellow in the caso. Did you ever hear any rumour of that sort ?' Stauntou hesitated slightly before replying. ' Every pretty girl has a rumour of that sort floating about her,' he said. ' Ah, there is some one else, then ? Who ia ho ?' cried Sir Gerald. ' There was another, I believe,' , ' There was ! Then he is dead ? That accounts for her sadness ' ' No — not dead ; but he is quite out of the running.' I How is that ?' -' There is madness ia his family.' ' And he loved her ? Poor beggar !' was all Sir Gerald said ; then to himself - ' She must have loved him too ' The thought was a bitter one. He put it away from him quickly. It might have baen worea for me — eh, Staunton ?' he questioned, with renewed cheerfulness. ' Certainly, my dear bey ! The coast is quite clear. You have only to go in and win, it seems to me. There is no doubt about -the facts of the case. I had them at first hand the other day from her sister.' 'sister, but he made a shrewd guess His hopes wore strengthened considerably by his companion's words. Presently the two men ware interrupted by the appearance on deck of Adela, with D'Arcy ia her wake. I 1 really could aot stand that stuffy cabin any longer, and as I felt all right, it was no good mewing myself down there !' cried Adela, addressing Sir Arthur and ignoring D'Arcy, with whom ahe was angry for having insisted upon accompanying her. To he continued