The Evansville journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ind.) 1866-1870, 1869-06-21


He went to her wardrobe and clos
cts, but the bounets. shawls. and man
ties of the Lady Beatrice were all
there. He knew we'll the various
articles Of his daughters wrappings,
but not shawl or cloak that he had
ever seen her wear was missing.
The only evidence that threw anv
light upon the subject was the discov-
cry OF the dress she had worn at din
ner. The crimson velvet robe lay In
a heap on the floor of closet. as if it
had been hurriedly cast there.
Lord Hampton renewed his search,
looking everywhere, but In vain.
: 1t does seem strange that l should
succeed where so many have failed,
assented the guest with a satisfied
look. For the present, of course,
we must keep the fact to ourselves.
That she has taken my proposals into
consideration makes it necessary for
me to declare to you my prospects"
IT. Is not necessary" said the Earl.
l have known you from your boy
hood, Adlowe, and am more than
satisfied with the possibility of near
relationship between us. / know of
no one whom | would so gladly well
come as a son-in-laW."
Thanks; but the explanation
must be made. nevertheless. First, l
am the inheritor Of the title and
debts of my late father" aud Lord
AdloWe's tones were decidedly iron
/ zeal. " / have been somewhat dissI-
pated, and travel and too great pro-
| fuseness of expenditure have some
what cramped my resources. That is
one side of the picture. Contrast
against it the fact that l am the de
clared heir of my Uncle Trevelyan,
and there is a handsome Offset to my
| shortcomings. l am great favOrlte
with Lord Trevelyan, and miserly as
are his habits, he is always generous
to me"
Lord Trevelyan has to fortune
of a prince" replied the Earl. when
you come into the Trevelyan estates,
you will be one of the richest noble
men Ia the kingdom. With your
uncle's wealth united to Beatrice s
fortune, you will have a colossal in
come. [ should like to see the two
fortunes welded"
And so should |, said Lord Ad-
lowe. love Ter, my lord, and |
shall have no object In life save to
win her."
My influence shall be used in
your favor" declared the Earl.
am getting old, and want to see Bea-
trice settled before l die. You are
the first person she ever permitted to
hope for her favor, since Geotfrey
Trevelyan died. and | believe that she
will yet become your wife"
Lord Adlowe's eyes sparkled, and
his face beamed with hope. He knew
we'll enough that the Lady Beatrice
detested him, and that he could never
win her save through her fears. He
saw that he had, in some inexpli'
cable way, touched upon those fears
in his recent interview, else she would
have given him a naughty and cur
dismissal.
To solve the mystery surrounding
her was now his object.
He bod that mystery in his thoughts
as he said, carelessly:
Will not the Lady Beatrice return
to US this evening, my LOrd?"
IL think not" stammered the
Earl, his face flushing. Beatrice
t---4-l. L. -aapa- and she never
likes to be disturbed"
But | understand that she was to
return"
"Oh, that makes a difference" said
Lord Hampton, his brow clearing
" will send a message-no, III 60
myself and request her presence. Ex-
cuse me a moment, Adlowe."
He arose and departed on his err
rand.
Lord Adlowe stole after him to the
door, listened, and then crept half
way up the stairs, from which point
he could hear the proceedings of the
Earl.
Lord Hampton fastened along the
upper hall to a suite of rooms imme-
diately over the drawing room. He
| knocked upon the principal door, first
softly, then more loudly.
No one answered him.
He turned the knob, but the door
was locked.
He called his daughters name
softly, yet In a penetrating voice.
There was no response.
There were other doors along the
hall, opening into the different cham
bers comprised in the suite of the Lady
Beatrice, and at each one of these the
Earl knocked softly, calling upon his
daughters name.
Still there came back no reply.
The EarPs face was convulsed with
agitation.
What is this mystery?" he whis-
pered, leaning against the door. " Is
Beatrice wrapped in the thrall of
some delirium producing drug or
liquor? Is she awake? What Is she
doing?"
Again he listened for a token of
movement within the rooms.
They were as soundless as tomb.
There was no use in lingering
here" be thought. Beatrice will
not make her appearance again to-
night. 1t is always so when she shuts
herself up in this manner"
| He sighed so heavily that the in
spiration was almost moan.
Then he moved from the door
towards the staircase.
Lord Adlowe noislessly fitted on
before him, entering the drawing
room without having been seen.
The Earl descended the stairs, and
paused in the lower hall to command
his features and to repress his agita-
ton. He fancied he had succeeded,
when he opened the door and entered
the presence Of his guest; and GER
tainly Lord Adlowe's unconcerned
manner went to confirm the opinion.
Beatrice regrets that she cannot
join US again this evening" said Lord
Hampton, with an appearance of sim
cerity. " The dear girl was agitated
by her recent interview with you, and
having a headache"
Noapologies are neeessarv infer
rupted Lord Adlowe, as the Earl