The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1885-06-20 00:00:00

BA.TURDAY, JUNE 20, 1885.

tALL ntairrs RESERVED.]
STRIVE AND THRIVE.

'CHAPTER xxvn.

• • AN OLD ACQUAINTANCE, •
1171,4t4., ICEL Mtssis secured a passage for Miss and Master
48.7onliree,rt: in the first steamer for Havana, "con-
themtr to a respectable mercantile house
ht forwarded to Jamaica by some one of the
11°rts. teasels which ply between those island
ferTtille Misses Sibbald, though rejoicing in Eda's good
he tie, were pained at the prospect of parting with
SO much had she endeared herself to them during
Car short abode in their family.
"If Grace could only go with me, ray happiness
w
ks°Ul(l be complete," said Eda; "and yet I don't know
1- ought to wish it, for she would be sure to catch
°l2°e
s
, Iseh islander for a husband, and then we should
40se her altogether."
"That is the precise fate I am fearing for you, Eda,"
Bald Grace, laughing.
be"Io, indeed!" replied Miss Walworth, while her
4:0111 was distended by the gentlest of sighs. "I
nre you I have no such aspirations."
,she 8 spoke earnestly, and then, as if conscious that
;rue was betraying something of the painful memories
ellich had become part of her daily life, she blushed
IghtlY, and added—
it
t I hope it will not be many months before we
110411 again meet, and I am sure that if papa conies
jack well, and—and can get into business again, that
b eau Persuade him to take a small house in this
6:utiful city, somewhere near to you, where we can
each other very often."
I,,Rda Was so fully occupied that the few days which
veer(' to intervene before her departure seemed to pass
• tY rapidly, notwithstanding her extreme anxiety to
see her father. It was arranged that Sally and Grace
Were
to accompany her to the ship, and Miss Mink
toVtgreed to call on the morning of the embarkation,
her good-bye, and to bring her the remainder_of
"e promised money.
4iranda was punctual, and the supply of the
Inaterial aid" which she brought was liberal, even
, profuseness, nor would she listen to any demur
Eda against receiving so much.
„ It is really but a trifle to papa," she said, "and
;,'„e. Will scarcely know to-morrow that he has given it.
`ns charities are very large."
g,The Words grated harshly on Eda's ear, but she
fr,-"thed her wounded pride by the reflection that this
'''eat benefaction was in reality conferred upon her
father, who, she knew, would consider it a debt to
tePaid by his future labours, if his health should be
restored.
tee_et Ecla was surprised that during all these negotia-
kin-us she had never seen her benefactor, and she was
befeertain whether she ought not to call and thank him
ef'°N leaving the country. But to some suggestions
this nature her visitor instantly replied-
-11(,,,,“ 011, certainly not; you would not find him at
you went, and it is not at all necessary."
11 a: you considered it proper," said Eda, timidly, "I
hi' thought of starting early, and driving directly to
s bola
, se, before going to the ship, which does not
till noon."
tt,:es'You must not think of such a thing. Besides, the
sei'ls are greatly crowded to-day, on account of some
hoebration. There is to be a great procession, I
te eve, and you will be fortunate if you can even get
t,
vessel in time."
Ise-",frausla stayed until Miss Walworth and her friends
ready to starts'and when she had shaken hands
Iss'" Eda through the :window of the coach which
esttto convey her to the ship, she returned to her own
'age, and started for home. Miss Mink exulted
greas
'Y in the success of her father's scheme, being
p.,-erdent that when she was once the wife of Howard
,I,nont, she could easily ward off exposure in almost
it B,.,llPPcsable contingency, and that if she could not,
ee"Lud not greatly mar her happiness.
ts ° Would certainly have been better satisfied not
ts„"„a‘ve had any direct agency in such an achieve-
but Colonel Mink had not dared to employ any
leset el, nor had lie been willing to visit Eda in person,
hrizSue should recognise in him one of the throng of
i
as °us visitors who, two years before, had called to
Peet the rescued child.
4 erhaps he would have been less chary on this point
tit"cie had known that Miss Walworth had already seen
fr teeegnised him while getting out of his carriage in
°tit f
° s own house on the day that he had called
.1)e-thee the elder Miss Sibbald. But'no suspicions had
heag,aWakened in her mind, because she had never
t" a doubt expressed about young Arthur's death,
404111 to Colonel Mink's right to the great estate.
that Ling, indeed, seemed more natural to her than
the "e should have been one of those who came to see
tie4a4vertised foundling, and she had not even men-
her discovery to Sally, because the latter was
tiellgentl
, pained by any reference to tile tin e great e-
Airkay
ich still weighed heavily upon her heart.
W "'push guilt is essentially cowardly, Colonel Mink
sealis by no means troubled with any serious appelien-
exposure ; but he liked to "make assurance
he • '
vY Sure. All All that Eda knew, he believed might
(he ,
ulged without even casting suspicion upon his
Pr gritY' yet he felt a little more security in its sup-
essieh
Thi •
Eche s Consideration, as well as his matrimonial
• tllll e* ineaenced him in sending Miss Walworth out
4hl
e eesse°s,lilltrY, and in his determination that neither
teen -,er father should again reside in New -York, if
e lavish expenditure could suffice to
lietePy tvirli-?.r7l.aw nloray.
eon. iat particular means their continual expatria-
the Ovas to be effected he had not decided; but that
he ral use of money would accomplish his purpose
Apol not doubt.
tlri,less Mink's prediction in regard to the difficulty of
e.erifineF, through the lower part of the city was fully
Nl•he`4
n Eda's carriage reached Broadway, its further
liseTiess was impeded by a procession, and by the
`Sas el'owd which such a display calls out; and she
irepate2Mpelled to remain for nearly half an hour an
bent witness of the passing pageantry.
th' If Eda and the Misses Sibbald were at first vexed
the sici,elay, they soon found ample compensation for
Rake Isg.nt annoyance in the pleasure which the show
they, Frank, whose noisy demonstrations of joy
s„„Were compelled repeatedly to check.
tthe ",e,ral Irish societies with their handsome uniforms
ti. their tasteful national devices were in the pro-
and among the crowd which blockaded the
Cheto there were not a few of the sons of Erin, who
%vset'ehtl lustily as these emblems of their nationality
c,
tive 'lied away by his enthusiasm, and by his exces-
lamanirnal spirits, Frank snatched his cap from his
tiny 'and, swinging it out of the window, added his
sVoice to the shouts of the crowd.
liet•ark to him, there! the youngster!" said one,
out the boy. "It's a swate lad intirely!
04 lessings of ould Ireland and of St. Patterick be
h. ,
e ire
SiPeral of the Irishmen turned and looked at Frank,
as, at the ladies; and immediately afterwards Eda
his °lie of them, who was much better dressed than
eree,carriparsions, was forcing his way through the
and approaching the carriage.
lieilhe came near, she was sure that his face looked
Zar to her, and she supposed lie was some labour-
he I'lll who had been temporarily in the employ of
de,,,,,ather. But when he stood at the carriage win-
are/,ohat in hand, his broad face wreathed in smiles,
ii l-le light of joy gleaming from his eyes, she could
keo tiger mistake the good-natured face of Hugh
atin.
134,riC1:13:11..;:,,,totregiyotten me, ye have, Miss Wallyworth," he
selfsettPt venturing to offer his hand to the lady, but
patting Frank on the head; "but I'm
lei's' to see you and the boy."
r(1.",7, Rugh ! Is it possible ?" exclaimed Eda, in
" tremulous accents, and instantly seizing his
?` ad / and and shaking it cordially. "How very, very
til 5e,,10 to see you. This is that brave and faith-
?stzrantitl of Mr. Belmont," she said, in great excite-
Misses Sibbald, "of whom you have so
lipZard me speak, wko assisted his master to save
`tish4;,alid but for whose help we should all have
liless her
Ut it
wl
_.d, Tmate lips for saying it . n
!"
and
Hugh;
e • s little enough that I d me on a
-
,}1()01r the while, while Master Howard and the
It' I ! I,"rs were in the water up to their neck. Ah
,Nvrts Les well that I remimber that same, Ah-ah-h !
f0;'4113, nn-readful time, intirely."
th. a Zlla Grace both shook hands with Hugh, and
"ealcityc, moments almost all the excited party were
I 1,17 simultaneously.
him now ! I know him !" said Frank.
x‘4l ! It's Hughey Where's Carl, Hughey!
?"
110 Ighim time to reply to this question Eda.
te.` Bet h-t'e signs of agitation, asked—
Was it, Hugh, that you did not return
;4 W0111(1 with Mr. Belmont? I did not Sunnose
IS it 1-` ever leave such a master."
hitn,.you said? R-return to England!
cisereat "' (10 that same, after we had been all over
halo behave there's no end to 'em—
ho,4 "led hundreds of wild bastes, and had
lattlware °,urselves by the robbers, which Master
all OhEti;'lt a letter to your fathersafterwards, tellin'
th , out iv,
Lt; Yes
al, otit
Nvii said Eda, smiling, "I know all about
kr at I want to know is, how you came to
,atr,,q Belmont, and to come back to this
rtistes (het lay° h.
s
im, sure.
He'sback hisself !
lia,s been in New Yorrick these two
ttleet tern e
tiati he,cl Pale and red by turns at this announce-
d' „tlee of -2' friends, who could not fail to see the
vreee'Tderilynte agitation, relieved her embarrassment
'3.410rt to ndlug something very attractive in the
leY th • l?ei e‘ngage their attention.
saont
sv,"4 .e Paire• New York !"she exclaimed, chilled
ell,ezlll thought that he could have been so
• e'kegh Y Without seeking her. "Is he—is he
`,„se,‘ "etser •
11:r I ever see him in my life is master
13Z1s :her, /IV he wanted very much to see your
ki ay oft tofirst came, until lie hared that he had
the East Ingees, and then he gave
r.4la•
",•bt the s•
i 'a•st Indi
/ a the es, Hugh. Pa is in the Island of
y I,‘ eel , est Indies, where I am going to join
the J?sfiil this very day, and am now on my

She -he-sitid, and then added, with increasing
embarrassment--

"I should have been very happy to see Mr.
Belmont before I go, but I suppose it is now too
late."

"Pshaw exclaimed Sally; "is that the kind of
message to send to your father's friend and the pre-
server of your own life? See here, my man. Do you
hurry to your master, and tell him that Miss Walworth
sails to-day at twelve o'clock, in the steamship Bolivar
Will you remember that?"
"Yis, ma'am."
tB Here, give me a pencil."
rkrace quickly handed her one, and a visiting-card
from her card-case.

" There ; he'll understand that. Givehim that, and
tell him that she would be most happy to see him
before she goes.'9
"Oh, Sally, I cannot send such a word as that!"
exclaimed Eda.

Nonsense ! not to the preserver of your life? That
is a mistaken modesty, Eda, and let me tell you, my
child, that an undue reserve becomes itself sometimes
indelicate, in what it implies."
Eda blushed deeply, and said—
" Very well—as you think best;" and then she added,
aside, to Sally—
"I have not the slighest reason for regarding
Mr. Belmont in any other light than as a friend and
benefactor."

"Then the message is certainly most proper. Go
quickly now, Hugh; and as you will have to abandon
your own pleasures, you must allow me—"
Divil a bit, ma'am! begging your pardon that I
should say so to a leddy. Put up your pocky-book—
I'll not take a cint."

"There are nearly two hours yet to twelve," said
Sally; "and if you know where to find Mr.
Belmont-"

"That's it, ma'am. I don't; but I'll try ; and
then turning to Eda, he said, in a lower voice : "You
see, miss, he's very busy about these days, because—
because—perhtps I ought not to say it; but you're
goin' out of the country, and you're his particular
friend, and the long and short of it is, I think, he is
about bein'—bein' married."

Eda started perceptibly now, and became very pale,
yet compelling a calm demeanour, she said, with a
smile—

"Is it possible, Hugh?"
"Oh, yes, mini, indade, and to a very rich leddy—
worth millions and millions. He's wid her most every
day, ridin' and drivin', and that's why I don't think I'll
find him in time. But I must hurry now. Good-bye,
and may the saints presarve ye."
Eda's emotion was very great; but she was with
true friends, who would not seem to observe the
agitation she sought to conceal, and the still passing
procession furnished an opportunity for a ready change
of topic of conversation. Very soon, too, the crowd
dispersed, and the released carriage pursued its way to
the ship, where, after the baggage had been transferred
to the vessel, it was dismissed, for Sally and Grace had
resolved to remain with their friend until the hour of
sailing.
"Only, if he comes, Eda," said Sally, laughing " we
shall have very urgent business that will call us home,
and we shall go directly after having one good look at
him." _ _ _

"I shall see that you do no such foolish thing," re-
plied Eda. "If Mr. Belmont comes it will only be to
send some kind messages to my father; but I do not
think we shall see him at all."

(7o be continued)