Zula Part 26

"Certainly. Come and talk as long as you please," June answered.

"Then dry your eyes and see if you cannot be as brave in this trouble as your brother."

A half sad smile pa.s.sed over June's lips as she said:

"Oh, I shall never be brave like Scott; few people are."

"I wish I were like Scott."

June's lily white face fairly blazed with crimson, and Guy, seeing her confusion, begged her pardon.

If Mr. Linton were just like him, she thought she could have received his attentions with a great deal more pleasure. Mr. Linton had written to her that he should see her in New York, but she hoped he would remain at home; she had no desire to see him now, especially since the unpleasant affair of the elopement.

"Guy," she said, glad of the opportunity to broach a new subject, "I have been thinking of asking your sister Carrie to come and spend the remainder of the winter with me. I know she is lonely without you, and I am lonely, too."

"Not without me, certainly," Guy said in a mocking way.

"Oh, no, certainly not; but I shall miss Rene, even though she was not a bit suited to my taste," and here again June's eyes filled with tears.

"There, you are losing your courage again. If you wish me to use my influence to have Carrie come, you must be sensible and stop that crying."

Guy took his leave, wondering if in all the world there was such a dear, sensible girl as June Wilmer. He had no remembrance of ever having seen more than one, and she was the pretty little gypsy-like girl his Aunt Platts had adopted, and though she was quite as sensible, she was not one bit like June, and with all her apt.i.tude, she lacked the polish that gave that brilliancy to June's character.

He wondered what had become of her.

CHAPTER XX.

MR. LE MOYNE OF PARIS.

Guy found Scott in his office, and he fancied that he looked a little careworn, but he dared not question him in regard to his trouble, lest Scott should think him presumptuous. He really pitied him, but Scott gave him no opportunity to make a suggestion. In fact, he seemed bent on leading him to other subjects.

A stranger entered the office and requested a private interview with Lawyer Wilmer, and Guy, after making known his errand, took his leave.

Paul was busy in an adjoining room, attending to some correspondence.

"Are we alone?" the stranger asked.

"Yes, with the exception of my valet, who is in the adjoining room, busy with writing."

"Is he reliable?"

"As much so as myself."

The stranger, who gave his name as Antonio Le Moyne, was a man somewhat below the medium height. His features were even and delicately molded, and his large, round black eyes beamed with a look of deep intelligence. His beard was black and flowing, and his complexion clear and dark. His air was that of a person extremely well bred. "I will see you again," he said, after a long and earnest conversation with Scott.

"The groundwork is very slight," said Scott, "but I will do my best, and perhaps with what evidence you may be able to furnish, we may find something to start on; but of course the utmost caution will be necessary on the part of both of us."

The stranger bowed and left the room.

"I believe I have seen that face before," said Scott to himself. "If not, I have seen one very much like it."

"Who is he?" Paul asked, stepping into the room.

"A gentleman lately from Paris--a Mr. Le Moyne."

"He is a good English scholar, I judge, from what I heard of his conversation."

"As good as you or I."

"The correspondence is all finished," said Paul, "and if you have no further use for me I will go home."

Scott replied that he no longer needed him, and Paul took his leave.

He did not hear all the conversation which pa.s.sed between Scott and the stranger, but he had heard some remarks which set him to thinking deeply. He reached home, and sitting down before the grate, fell into a deep reverie.

"It is strange, very strange," he said. "Good heavens! But pshaw, what a simpleton I am! How I dread the time when it comes. But I must be brave, like--Scott. How very brave he is--a very G.o.d in heroism. The woman who cast him off for that hollow headed villain is a fit subject for the lunatic asylum, and her companion a knave of the deepest dye."

Paul sat for some time in deep thought; then he went to seek June. She was in the parlor entertaining a lady who had called.

CHAPTER XXI.

PAUL AND SCOTT.

The week pa.s.sed away, and it had been decided that Carrie Horton should spend the remainder of the winter with June.

A light tap was heard at Paul's door, and Scott entered the room. He seated himself at Paul's side, and leaning back in his chair, his eyes rested for a moment on Paul's face. Then he said:

"Paul, what a handsome boy you are getting to be."

Paul blushed like a schoolgirl.

"Am I?"

"Yes; but you need not blush like a woman. Had you been one I never would have told you so."

It was the first time Paul had ever heard him flatter anyone, and he hardly knew how to accept it.

"What was it you wished to speak with me about? Is there anything I can do for you?" Scott asked.

"No, sir; thank you. But I have decided to make new arrangements, and I wanted to tell you that you will be compelled to look for another valet."

"Why, Paul, what do you mean?" Scott asked in surprise.