New-York tribune., 1869-06-19

ae had that mystery his thoughts he said care
| not the Lady Beatrice return to us this evening
Si~i think not" stammered the Earl his face flushing
Beatrice has retired to her ROOM and she never likes 10
" "R9t In Understood that she was to return
"Oh that makes a difference" said Lord Hampton his
brow clearing I" / viii send message-no, I'll 20 my
self and request her presence Excuse me moment
He arose and departed on his errand.
Lord AdlOwe stole after him 10 the door. listened and
then crept halfway up the stairs from which point he
could hear the proceedings Of the Earl
of rooms Immediately over the drawing room He
knocked upon the principal door, first softly then more
loudly.
lie turned the knob, but the door was locked.
He called his daughters name softly yet III penetrat
ING voice.
There were other doors along the hail. opening into the
different chambers comprised in the suite OF the Lady
Beatrice aud at each one OF these the Earl knocked
softly calling upon his daughters name.
Still there came back no reply.
The Earl's face convulsed with agitation.
What is this mysteryp he whispered leaning against
the door, Is Beatrice wrapped IN the thral OF some
delrium drug or hquorf Is she aWaKei What
Again he listened for o token OF movement within the
They were az soundless as n tomb.
"Tiere is in lingering here" he thought "Bea-
always so when she shuts herself up IN this manner"
He sighed SO heavily that the inspiration was almost
Then he moved from the door towards the starcalse:
Lord Adowe noselessly fitted on before him. entering
the drawing-roo without having been seen.
The Earl descended the stairs and paused In tho lower
hall TO command ms i anu Sn NJ bn oee 3b dnr
and entered the presence OF his gues and certainly Lord
Adiowe's unconcerned manner went TO confirm the
Beatrice regrets that she cannot join again this
evening" said Lord Hampton, with an appearance OF
sincerity "Thc dear girl agtated by her receut In
terview with you, and having headacheL 4,
"NO apologies necessary" Interrupted LORD Ad-
lowe, as the Earl instncyey hestated IN his speech
81 should be sorry TO disturb her under the crc9m
stances VIII call upon her after my return from the
country" -, -, -,
perceptions Of integrity and honor to oer these iase
Beatrice win not be visible before three tomorrow"
he said THESE town dlsslpatons tel upon Ier am
going take her INTO the country rs soon as ne warm
weather comes. We shall be your nelglbors then Adj
lowe for Treyelyan Park not many miles distant from
our counry home You will stop at the Park suppose"
sumed his seat and the pursued their conversation
with appearance of interest in but az ihe while the
fathers heart wandered to the mystery or his daughters
strange secuson and all the while Adlowe studied upon
III could only get clue to Bearlces sccret thought
Fate seemed inclined to throw the desired clue into his
The two gentlemen were in the midst Of an apparently
absorbing discussion person OF whom netner
near the entrance door burst into the drawngroom his
face the picture of widest alarm
YOU please my lord" he gasped scarcely conscious
OF what he saying "therc is smoke coming from tho
Lady Beatrice's dressngToom' Something must be on
The Earl leapcd to his feot
81 The room Is on fire !" he CALCULATED.
"Ycs, my lord. I'll give the alarm" 80
"No!o commanded his master, steInly. "Say nothing
to your fello T-seryauts. Stay in the lower hail.
His ofdsmp pushed aside the astonishcd serytor,
dashed up the stairs three steps at time and rushed
toward NJ; daughters rooms. n,. ,oo,.
There smoke in the hall, issuing from ono OF tho
rooms OF the Lady Beatrice. Clearly something was
burning within.
near the door The Earl ordered them away perenpor
rly and they dared not disObcy Hun They filed away
through the various passages towards their own do
Go down stairs, Adlowo," said the Earl "I
going to break the door in"
" will help yOu," was the response
The eyes Of the two men met The Earl did not dare
the door opened He had neither time nor inclination 10
explain. submitting to tho unavoidable presence Of
Come. then; put your shoulder 70 the door"
Adowc obCyed. The Earl lent hs assistance. The
door yielded aud burst open The Two men rushed into
Il was fn Of smoke dense that object within
the apartment perceptblc. Coughing aud choking,
the Earl crossed the foor and threw up tie windows.
I5rd AdloWc quietly closed the door, aud stood against
The apartment cleared rapidly ard the intrudcrs
observed the Of the disturbance ho was burn
ing In the crate and OF the live Goals had snapped
out finding lodgment "a h9 lhieS PIE pun oi HeSSt rug rug
The Earl caught up the rug rolled It tightly, stamping
| ont the nrc aud then nuug 10 from him:
Lord Adlowe looked curiousy around tho apartment.
| IL was a dressug.room ft for an empress
But tho owner OF AL this splendor was not there .
various eouches chairs but the form Of the Lady
| Beatrice did not greet his vision.
mcan 10 see her before leave them"
lie had scarcely made this resolve when tho Earl said:
'Tho fire is cXtugushcd, Adlowe. Many thanks for
your assistance. let u, reIgn to the drawinsroom'
as m one Of ihe other rooms OF course In her bou.
doir or bed-chambor;" and the Earl looked from the
right the left, the dresslne room occupying middle
"she must be suiucatcd with this smoke" persisted
Lord Above adheriug to his resolve Perhaps sue Is
living ON the floor, IN a swOOn.'
The Earl grew even palcr lie looked at his guest lcs
tatiugy. lie was anxious. now mat he stood upon tho
Threshold OF discovery 10 probe the secret Uf tho Lady
beatrice he cOud not bdr0 his heart 90 his daugh
ter's suifor lie Thought moment, then sad
Remain here Adlowe, while look in the boudoir."
He moved toward tho front ROOM opened the door, aud
Lord Adlowe In his bold purpo5c- approached
the entrance and looked into the room IN question.
The sS"r Of Inc Lady Beatrice retreaed as soon as he
made the discovery. while Lord Hampton stood be.
widered under tho cleaning gaSlamps When the Earl
came out Adlowe met him with inquiry 10 the state
"sne is in her bcd.chamber." said the Earl, briefly,
moving toward the lastnamed room.
lie opened tho door, entering q sleeping apartment
The couches uuoccuped and the father approached
the bed, parting tho lace curtains.
Lord Adlowo stood IN the doorway, watching him in
The pretty ace,friled pillows were plump and round.
the white satin bedspread smooth aud straight No form
lay within the dainty, pcriuncd Sheets no impress OF
figure visible any where.
Beatrice bef She must be in her bath ROOM"
lie knocked at the door OF the bathroom No one
| swercd. He looked IN. No one was there.
mot here" exclaimed the Earl, Ia complete astonish
ment Her doors all locked 20 give the Impression
that she here She must have quilted the house But
where could she have gone Aud wheul Aud how a.
He 90 her wardrobe ana closets but the bOnneH,
saws and mantles Of the Lady Beatrice were all there
He knew well the various articles OF his daughters wrap
wear was missing. ..-'@ -
The only eydeice that threw any light upon the sub
ject the discovery Of the dress she had din
ner The crimson velvet robe lay In heap the floor
OF a closet as II 10 had hurricdly been cast there.
Lord Hampton relewed his search, looking everywhere
but In vain
The fact inCOntrovertlbe-tho Lady Beatrice was
gone!