The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1886-12-04 00:00:00

LALL RIGHTS BESERTAID4
THE HEIRESS

ATIIERSTONE GRANGE,

BY THE AITTHOIT or

" Allan Thornton," "Effie Baird," "Almost el
Criminal," "Leonard's Legacy," dv.

CHAPTER LIH,
IN THE SHRUBBERY.
What man art thou, that so besereened in night,
Thus stumblest on my counseI?—SnAKEsPEARE.
.014 z the very next day after answering the rector',
letter, Mr. Masters received another by the Australian
it ail from the elder Mr. Temple. There was in it a
great deal of irrevelant matter so far as this story
is concerned, but the remainder ran thus:

"Of courv, I have heard before now from poor
Allan of how his hopes in the voyage he took to
4gland have been annihilated, though I cannot un-
derstand how it has come to pass. Certainly, Beryl
Atherstone has disappointed me very much, never
sending either word or line to any of her old friends
here • and there were many who were very kind to
her 'before she was beyond the necessity of kindness.
You say that you want my son's account of her con-
firmed. I think you might have depended on his des-
cription safely enough; but if it is necessary, I am
Prepared to assert most positively that Beryl Ather.
Itone, who was in my theatre so long, has the darkest
brown eyes I ever remember seeing. For the rest, a
Verbal description is always unsatisfactory, but I'll
litterunt it. Iler face, though not absolutely faultless
in outline, was of a refined type, with well-formed
features, and an expression that I can only describe
bY the word good'—it was emphatically that—honest
lind truthful. And when I last saw her, the day
before she sailed, I believed so thoroughly in her that
I can hardly realise even now how she can have turned
out such a heartless little minx as is the case. How-
ever, I expect to see you soon. almost as soon as my
letter, perhaps, for I have made nearly all my arrange-
bleats for a trip to the old country, which I have not
seen for so long, and then we may arrive at a solution
of the mystery."
There was nothing more upon the one important
lelbject, and Mr. Masters made his way next day to
Allan's lodging.
"Do you know anything of this?' he asked, show-
Ing him the letter.

"What ?"
"Your father's coming.*
"Be is not coming."
"Nonsense. Don't you see he says----''
"Never mind what I said, old boy," laughed the
gentleman himself, coming suddenly out of the next
room, and clasping his old friend's hand. "I am
here."
" You!"

" I-don't look much like my ghost, do I? You see,
the fact is that I was enabled to get away several
Weeks sooner than I hoped for, and I catne over in the
lame vessel that brought my letter."
I With their further conversation just then we have
nothing to do, but that evening, pursuant to Mr.
Rasters's invitation, a little party assembled at his
house to dinner, consisting of the two Temples—father
and son—Bruce Carnaby, Dr. Twist, and Graham
Carson, when a long consultation was held, which
ended in a decided course of action being resolved
npon—a resolutionwhich they all bound themselves to
Carry out.
"It is a horrible affair," said Mr. Temple, thought-
fully, while Allan sat white and still, no doubtremain-
hag in his own mind now. "And it's a terrible respon-
sibility to have such a knowledge upon one's
Shoulders."
"I have had it on mine long enough," said Dr.
Twist, shrugging them up almost to his ears. "And
it hasn't been a pleasant experience, I can assure you.
There was another, too, who could have spoken even
Moro positively than I, if he had chosen. If he could
only open his lips ncw he might be able to tell some-
thing more. But now, who's to bell the cat ?.'
"Government would prosecute, I should think, in
Such a case," thoughtfully observed Mr. Masters.
"Unless the family at the rectory—but they know
hothin g."
"They must suspect by this time, though. At
least, the old man—judging by his letter," Dr. Twist
remarked. "What I'm most particularly anxious to
know is—how will his son take it?"
"Noel Atherstone ?"
"Yes. Poor fellow! It will be a terrible shock to
tam. He is very fond of her."
"Poor fellow, indeed!" broke in Graham Carson.
"It has been the thought of him all this time that
has made me so reluctant to move in the matter."
"Can there be no way of preparing him for such a
Shock ?" said Bruce Carnaby,
"Not without stating the whole facts of the case,"
replied Graham. "And I verily believe he is so in-
fatuated that even then it will be hard to convince
"At any rate, it will have to he tried," continued
truce Carnaby. "But there's one unaccountable thing
to me in the matter."
" And that is ?"

"The likeness to the family."
"I think that may easily be accounted for," drily
observed the doctor. "I've been down there you
know, and picked up a lot of information. But that
has nothiig to do with the main point now. Who is
to open the matter ?"
There was an awkward silence for some moments,
knd then Allan Temple spoke in a very low horse
tone.
"I will," he said.
And so it was decided. But there was a great deal
to be considered first, and finally it was agreed that
he and Dr. Twist should lay the whole affair before
the authorities at Scotland-yard, and leave the rest in
their hands.
And thus it came to pass that a few days before the
one that was appointed for the wedding, one of the
keenest detectives in the force was sent down into
Warwickshire to supersede the man already there, and
With instructions to end the drama that had been so
boldly played up to this time.
Not directly, though.
He was to make use of his preaeceesor's knowledge,
if he possessed any, and find out all that yet remained
to a proper elucidation of the mystery. Heap proof
11Pon proof, if necessary, so that there might remain
rlO loophole for escape, and then, upon receipt of final
instructions from headquarters, fulfill their duty.
Jem Stet man came in for a good share of the
officer's attention, and, from the time that he learned
What was going on, his face wore a satisfied,
triumphant look that was quite incomprehensible.
Whatever it was that he had upon his mind, and
Would not reveal before, he had told to them, and not
even he was more anxious for some signs of con-
sciousness in Jack Blogg than they were.
But as far as the Grange or the Rectory and their in-
Inates were concerned, not a breath reached them of
What was going on, till the night before the wadding,
When all things were ready for the morrow's cere-
hiony, Mr. Atherstone was still sorely oppressed by
the harrassing doubts which had taken possession of
him, and yet had no real tangible ground on which to
found them. His wife had forgotten all that was
strange in his demeanour amidst all the bustle and
Preparation for the coming event with which she was
Charged.
Mrs. Dalton remained calm and cold as usual, and
Beryl herself alternated between fear and triumph as
the hour approached that should see the end of both
for her.
The hr i d esm a'ds were all assembled at the
Grange, the breakfast laid, and the servants one and
all in the state of happy flutter and excitement, corn-
Mon to such occasions. Their young mistress had
behaved very liberally to them, and every tongue was
loud in her praise. The school children were to scatter
the usual flowers, and all the inhabitants of Lillington
Were bade to the feast that was prepared for them ac-
cording to rank, so that people for miles round would
lie awake that night, hoping for fine weather on the
morrow, that they might join in the festivities at the
Grange, and many a young heart beat high with hope
and expectation at the thought of the smart dresses
and new ribbons that were to be donned for the
ftte.
Noel had gone over to the rectory with his father,
full of high spirits and joyous anticipations, as was
Patural. He had taken leave cf his bride that was not
to be till he met her at the altar, then to take her, for
better, for worse, and reached home to have a letter
Placed in his hand, which had arrived by that even-
ing's post—a letter which clused the blood to forsake
his chee's-, and froze him like a statue.
Then he tossed it indignantly from him, a con-
temptuous curl upon his lips, only to pick it up again
and, depositing it carefully in his pocket-book, and
take his hat to leave the house.
Where are you going, Noel?" asked his father,
coming in at the moment. "Did your letter bring
3"ou any news ?"
" None at all, in the strict sense of the word;
replied the young man. "But I must go over to the
Urange again."

" ‘Vhat-for ?" •
"To see Beryl. It is about something which con-
cerns her as much as myse:f." -
And, without waiting to explain, he left the house.
" What can be the matter," thought the rector, very
much perplexed. "I wish it was all over and done
With; there seems to me nothing but trouble and
my stay."
That very morning there had been more of the
same. Noel and he -were walking together, and called
to enquire at the Rookery how Jack Blogg was get-
ting on. As they neared the cottage they saw a
strange man by the door, talking to its owner, who
touched his hat civilly when they came up, and
aeparted.
" Who is that, Statman?" asked the rector, looking
curiously after the man.
"Only a good gentleman from London," evasively
answered Jem. "He came to see the lad."
"A gentleman !" said Noel. " He's either a police-
man or a soldier. I'd swear to the cut of his
hair."
" anl if so?' was the sullen reply. "There's
More folks than them as lives about here as would like
to hear my poor lad speak afore he dies—and I'm
thinking as it won't be long first."
But he would say nothing more, and the two gentle-
men left.
Noel had forgotten all about the circumstance till it
was brought back to him this evening in rather a
curious manner.

There was light enough yet, though the evening waS
far advanced when he entered the Grange grounds,
and by it he saw two figures standing near the gate-
way, one of whom he recognised at once as Beryrs
maid. _ _

The other was a man, who hastily disappeared down
a pal h of the shrubbery as he approached, but not so
quickly as to prevent Noel from recognising him at
once for the same man whom he had seen in the morn-
ing with Jem Statman.
"Who on earth can he be ?" he thought, as the
stranger vanished, and Patty commenced running off
in the direction•of the house. "Here, Patty! Come
back. Don't run away like that—l want to speak to
you ! "
He spoke in an authoritative tone, and the frightened
girl turned slowly back, looking very much abashed.
"What are you doing out here at this time of
night ?" he asked sternly, as she Came reluctantly
towards him.
I—l was just taking a little walk, sir," she replied,
slowly.
" Nonsense ! This is no hour for walking. Who
was that person.l saw you talking to jut now ?"

" Person, sir .
"Yes—the man who has just left you. If you at-
tempt to deny it I shall think you have some reason
to be ashamed."
"Oh, no, indeed, Mr. Noel," she said, eagerly. "It's
not that. I—l---"
And she stopped again with an embarrassed look.
"Does your mistress know that you are out—walk-
ing ?" he asked again.
"N—no, sir."
"I thought not."
"It was so warm indocrs, sir," she pleaded, but
Noel took no notice of the excuse. _ _

_
"Who was the man that ran away when I came up,
as though he was ashamed of being seen ?" repeated
Noel.
"He wasn's ashamed, sir. He was just going."
"Well, but who was he ?"
" A—a gentleman, sir."
" A gentleman 1"
"Yes, sir, from London 7

„
” So I was told this morning," Noel said, drily.
~.But what is his name? That is what I want to
know."

"Lewis, sir. My mistress let him and a friend of his
see the house a few days ago—and he's been stoonintz
in Lillington since."
And talking nonsense to you, eh?" said Noel.
"Oh, no sir."
"I think he must have been, though, or you would
hardly have come out here in the moonlight, so far
from the house, to meet a perfect stranger. I can't
help fancying that the fellow is up to no good."
"I'm sure, sir, he's a very civil spoken gentleman,"
replied poor Patty, almost crying.
"That may be, Patty; but how do you know
that he isn't a burglar in disguise, or something as
bad?" _ _ .

"Oh, air! I'm sure he can't be that," indignantly
cried the girl. "He speaks quite honourable and
fair." _ _

"No doubt; they can always do that when they
find anyone simple and foolish enough to listen to
them. I don't quite think that your mistress would
approve of it, though. Have you told her?"
Oh, no !" said Patty, in evident consternation.
"But, indeed, indeed, Mr. Noel, there's no harm. If
you'd heard every word he's ever spoken to me, you'd
ssy the same."
"Perhaps so; but what was he talking about so
earnestly to-night? I'm not asking from any idle
curiosity," he continued, more kindly. "But from
the way in which I have twice met him lam convinced
he has some secret motive for prowlag about this
place, and that motive is not what he pretends it is to
you. His love-making is only a blind.'
"Oh, please, sir," she broke in, with a rosy blush,
that was plainly to be seen even by that dusky
light. "Mr. Lewis never said a word about such
things—at least—l mean—he was talking to me about
my dress."
"Your dress," said Noel, in surprise. "What, then
—is he a travelling draper."
"I don't know—l'm sure, sir. He had been—"

"Making love, eh?" said Noel, as she, stopped with
some slight confusion of manner. "However, we'll
psss over that for the time, and come to your dress
What had he got to say about that ?"
"He was saying how stylish it was, sir; and asked
me, in a joking-way like, whether I had got it made
up in Paris."
"And you told him no, of course
"No, sir, I didn't, for it was. Not for me, of course.
It was one of Miss Beryl's' and I told him so; and then
he asked me how long I'd had it; and why she gave
it to me when it was as good as new, till I showed
him that a great piece had been torn out of one of the
sleeves when she caught it on a nail, and then he
seemed satisfied."
"Like the fellow's impertinence," thought Noel,
and then aloud, "and so you satisfied his curiosity,
Patty?"
"Well, sir, I didn't mean to talk so much, for sure,"
replied the girl, naively. "But he have euch a quiet
way of getting things out of one—though he never
do seem to lse asking questions like other folk."
"Well, there's no harm done this time," said Noel.
"But the next time Mr. Lewis, or Mr. Anybody else
wants any information about your mistress, instead of
gossipping with him yourself, send him to me. I
won't tell tales about you this time, but never let me
catch you philandering about with strangers after
nightfall any more."
And with that he dismissed the girl, who sped away
towards the house, glad to be released, while he looked
after her with numberless strange forebodings rising in
His mind.
Who could be this inquisitive stranger that had ap-
peared so suddenly in their midst? And what could
Beryl Atherstone affairs or the dresses she wore have
to do with him?
He tried to think as the girl's figure disappeared in
the evening gloom, when and where he had seen Beryl
wear that dress; it was a plain, dark material, but
very rich in texture, and all unsuited for Patty's posi-
tion, though it became her well, and she had probably
put it on in a spirit of coquetry to meet her London
admirer. - -

It told Noel nahing—he could only remember in a
vague sort of manner that he had not seen Beryl
wearing it for some weeks past, though it spoke very
powerfully to Mr. Lewis.
That gentleman, whoever he might be, made his
way to the Rookery with an air of great satisfaction,
which Jem Statman perceived immediately.
"You've found out something," said Jem, at once..
"I rather fancy I have," said Mr. Lewis. "I've
seen the dress—and it matches exactly, though the
little fool who was wearing it had no idea I was
taking stock. There'll be no occasion for him to speak
now.,,
"You think not
"I am sure of it."
"When will it come off?" asked Jem, In a tone of
eager enquiry.
"Not to-night—there are several things to be done
first."

-- ---
16 There's no chance of their finding out up there,
eh ?"

"Not a bit of it. Don't you be afraid, my man. I
know what lam about," replied the stranger. "There'll
be more visitors than they reckon on at the wedding,
to-morrow. See if there ain't.'
(7o be continued.)