for whom he cherished so deep and warm an affection, should have taken such a step without apprising hi

She is more artful and designing even than I thought. She has married my father for

was it true? Might it not be the case that Thorne, who evidently disliked him, had fabricated the story in order to annoy him? There was a gleam of comfort in this, and he felt that he would willingly run the risk of being la

e jumped out. He looked eagerly about him to see if there was anyone of whom he could a

cried, "give me a h

John, in evident surprise, "I d

said Jasper. "I came

for the wedding

per, his heart sinking at this

n't you k

ot much. Tell me about it

clock this

he ho

rch, and were married private like. There was nobody invi

about it," sai

ngs, then-leastways, I mu

not have treated me that way. Ho

e side of Miss Thorne, I'm thinkin'. She

I had be

t, and he did it only because she te

said Jasper. "Ha

feel able to travel, and the governess-I mean your

suppose they will be

ther'll be glad. He sets the

Jasper. "I wish I could have s

late now

again to school without going to the house at all; but I must face this thing, an

rectly. You go up to the house

thoughtfully an

t prec

, but evidently a chronic invalid. His constitution had been undermined years before by a residence of several yea

res. He received regularly a New York daily paper, and the leading magazines and reviews, and barring his ill-health, and occasional seasons of pain, passed his time in a placid and agreeable manner. Circumstances, perhaps, had fostered a disposition to indolence,

ps she took in this direction. It is e

as they sit conversing in the pleas

be at once informed of ou

aste, in my opinion, m

remony. I am afraid the poor boy will feel hurt

dently she had no particula

she said. "It was I who advised it, and

Mr. Kent, to whom this phrase was yet

It would have taken Jasper's attention from his studies, and it might have

still on an occa

alth-of course he should have been recalled. As it is, it is better on a

Jas

es

I not see him?" asked

hat I saw him-it w

o go there?" inquired her husb

tter of my own. Now, since I am your wife, it is only proper that

w at Dr. Benton's

"Poor boy! he has neither father nor mother! He is entirely dependent upon me

you," said her husband, approvi

las Th

son, I suppose

e replied,

is his

as Jasper. Do I venture too much

ounterfeit warm and tender feeling, as she proffered this reque

tion, my dear," said Mr. Kent,

lender purse. She had dreaded the effect of this announcement upon her husband, and finally, as we have seen, thought it best to change the relationship and call Nicho

rd outside. An instant later the door was thrown ope