AN ALTERED CASE.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXI, Issue 44, 2 March 1894, Page 11

AN ALTERED CASE.

(From an American paper.) CCbnchided.)

It was a month later, that throughout her guardian's home there wm a pleasurable excitement, which seemed silly to Winnie. The idea of ouch a fuss being made over the entertainment of an old woman and htr son at dinner? They were not even strangers, either ; for Mrs Neames was the widow of her guardian's former partner, and still retained a share in the business, and Ambrose, the •on, was his confidential clerk, Winnie descended to meet the guests with an air more befitting a dismissal than a welcomt. She found a stately and weighty dame with colourless, almost livid complexion and aggressively-rolled white hair ; and a demure young man, brown of hair and eyes and moustache. With the mental comments, " Virago " and " Ninny," she gave hsreelf up to hospitable cares. Her companion at dinner doubtless thought her taciturn, but then his mother famished a ready excuse, The old lady was discursive, and on a subject, too, which might have proved embarrassing to a more resolute appearing young man ; but Ambrose merely smiled affably. She disconr ed on the tantrums of his childhood, the misdemeanours of bis youth, and the failings of his maturity, and ascribed great credit to her watchfulness, that he was no worse than he was. "I keep the reins pretty tight yet," continued Mrs Neameß. "No night-key, no cigars and cards. A strict reckoning of every cent expended." 11 But we all lean on Ambrose in the office," ventured Mr Grantley. " I know. We talk business over every night, and I tell him what to do. Winnie studied the young man beneath her glasses. Was he not ashamed, when even she, a stranger, could blush for him. Apparently not all. He seemed to glory in his subjection, now and again agreeing: 41 Yes, mother, I don't know how I could get on without your advice," all the while doing justice to the viands. What insensibibility I What ignorance of the rights and privileges of glorious manhood ! Alas, there were no longer any men, or, if there were, they came and disappeared like veritable g >da. The anxious mother kept her eyes sharply engaged with her son's conduct. When champaign was served, she cried out to the butler : 11 Mind, only a half-glass for that boy," and then, " Fill it with water, Ambrose," and Ambrose smilingly obeyed, while the bntler nearly dropped the cooler in consternation, and Winnie's highly-intelligent nose expressed its highest degree of contempt. A singular young man. surely, noticeable on account, of bis defects. Well, it was remarkable for a modern young man to even attain distinction in this Hoe I Why didn't he talk? Because she was reserved? That didn't excuse him from his obligation. But no ; he seemed thoronghly content to smirk and gorge, and say, " Yep, mother," and "No, mother," like a round-about having an outing. At length, Mrs Qrantley's signal gave a welcome relief, which faded before a shock. For as Ambrose Neames bowed and drew back his chair, he whispered to Winnie, with an undeniable air of tenderness : "Only fora few moment*. Our memories share a responsive •hord, you koow, wbicb will draw me to you " Was the man daft, or simply and naturally insolent 1 Winnie's head was proud, indeed • her dreamy eyes fUshed angrily. ' " Cord 1 " she repeated, flippantly " 'tis apron string you mean."

In the drawing-room, Mrs Neamep, to further exemplify her strength of character, went to sleep without any dissembling. This gave Winnie a chance to gratify her curiosity, which, regardless of her influence, had become exigent. " Toll me, Auntie," she asked, " why does that young man, why Joes every one defer so ridiculously to her 1 " " Hush, my child," said Mrs Gran' ley. " Why, don't you know f She is liable to heart stroke, and must be eased from any excitement. Such filial submission in a great strong man Bfemß noble to me." After thiß explanation Winnie retired to a corner and pondered ; nor did she emerge therefiom un il the guest aroused with a aUrt aad forthwith talked vociferously, as if continuing an animated conversation. Then she sprang to the old lady's aide and attended upon her with surprising gentleness. Mrs Neames, however, did not make such responses as this consideration merited. She seemed preoccupied. Her gaze was fixed, fixed with a glare on the young girFu hand. Finally she spoke, and her voice might have embellished any one of the Fates. " Where did you get my son's ring ? " she asked. '• Ring. He left it with me that is I borrowed it," stammered the discomfited Winnie, as she incontinently retreated into her corner, How her cheeks burned and how her heart thumped, evtn as it had during that terrible race. She felt as if every eye rested on her with suspicion. Ob, what should she do? Surely they, surely he, would understand that she had not known that her intense grip had removed and retained the ring. She would explain, but how would she dare face him after her disdain ? Ah, there lay the sting I Granted that she was near-sighted, a blind person of any discernment must have recognised at once bis grand personality. There were pleasant sounds of laughter, and the men entered. Winnie watched Ambrose Neames with eyes of adulation. How gentle, how gallant he was, so considerate toward his mother, so courteous toward his entertainers. Ah, modesty was the only panoply befitting a knight without fear or shame 1 A great gratitude swelled within the girl, and overmastered every other emotion. He had risked his life to save her, a stranger, from worse than death ; no conventional scruple should restrain ihe expression of her appreciation. With a gesture which seemed imperious, because it was impatient, she called him to her side. "Shall we sound that chord, Miss Driscoll?" he began gaily, "Or do you think that so dull a slave can have no thoDght nave of Blavery ? " don't! pray don't 1" Winnie pleaded. "Forgive me, I didn't recognise you Oh, you were so good I " "I am the ont to worship, to worship you forever, Can't you feel, Winnie, don't you know that from the instant I saw you I have loved you ? "' At this juncture there was a sharp, discordant interruption. " My son, rasped Mrs Neames ! voice. " that young Miss there has your grandfather's ring, which you said you had lost." " Yes," whispered the girl, " I have your ring, and -I'll keep it if you like."