Litchfield enquirer., 1869-06-24

nity of escape, With emotion which botl the gentlemen mistook, and which boih in terpreted favorably to her snitor, she glid. ed quietly from the room.
 CHAPTER II. A srARTlINa DISCOVERY.
 Happy are they that hear their detractions, Ana can put them to mending. l SHAKESPEARE. Lord Hampton and his guest drew thei, chairs closer to the pleasant fire, prepara. tory to confidential conversation.
 II entered rather inopportunely, Ad- lowe, said the Earl smiling. s.I saw, by your face and Beatrice's manner, that vol nad been renewing your proposal of marri- age to her, and fancied that she had not given you decided rejection. You are right in your fancy" respon- ded Lord Adlowe. sThe Lady Beatrice has promised to consider my offer, and to give me an answer whenever I shall ask for it." F
 The Earl was delighted.
 Why, that is positive encouragement of your suit!'' he exclaimed.
 Certainly it is," said Lord Adloye. i The Lady Beatrice meant is as such."
 ''I scarcely know what to say, I am so astonished," declared Lord Hampton. sBe- fore you came in this evening, spoke to Beatrice about you, and she declared, as she had done thousand times before, that she should never marry. Only last week, she refused the Duke of Landlord, one of the best matches in England. And now she encourages you to believe that she will become your wife,"
 "lt does seem strange that I should sue. ceed where so many have failed" assent ed the guest, with 8 satisfied look ''For the present, of course, we must keep the fact to ourselves That she has taken my proposals into consideration makes it nec- essary., for me to declare to you my pros-
 "It is not necessary" said the Earl. q have known you from your boyhood, Ad- lowe, and am more than satisfied with the possibility of near relationship between us. know of no one whom I should so gladly welcome as a son-in- law"
 Thanks; but the explanation must be made, nevertheless. First, I am the in- heritor of the title and debts of my late father; and Lord Adlowe's tones were de- cidedly ironical. ssI have been somewhat dissi pated, and travel and too great pro- fuseness of expend1tnra have somewhat cramped my resources> SSnat is one side of tho picture. Contrast saiQhst it the fact that l am the declared heipf of my uncle Treyelyan, and there is handsome offset to my short comings. I am great favor 1te with Lord Trevelyan. and miserly as are his habits, he is always generous to me-" =
 'Lord Trevelyan has the fortune of 8 prince, replied the Earl. ''When you come into the Trevelyan, estates, you will be one of the richest noblemen in the Kingdom. With your uncle's wealth uni ted with Beatrice's fortune YOU will. have a colossal income. I should like to see the two fortunes welded"
 s'And so should |" said Lord Adlowe. sT love her, my lord, and shall have no object in life save to win her."
 My influence shall be used in your ia vor," declared the Earl. q am getting old and want to see Beatrice settled before die. You are the first person she ever permitted to hope for her favor, since Godfrey Treyelyan 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 en ough that the Lady Beatrice detested him, and that he could never win her except through her fears. He saw that he had in some in. expIicable way, touched upon thos> fears in his recent interview, else she would have given him naughty and curt dismiss sal.
 To solve the mystery surrounding her was now his object.
 He had that mystery in his thoughts as he said, carelessly.
 "Will not Lady Beatrice return to us this evening my lord?"
 s1-I think not" stammered the Earl, his face flushing. Beatrice has retired to her room. and she never likes to be dis turbed."
 ...But understood that she was to re- turn"
 .Oh that makes difference" 1" said Lord Hampton, his brow clearing. 'I will send g message no, I'll go myself and request her presence. Excuse me moment Ad- lowe. ;
 He arose and departed on his crrand.
 Lord Adlowe stole after him to the door, listened, and then he crept half way up the stairs, from which point he could distinctly hear the proceedings of the Earl.
 Lord Hampton hastened along the up- per hall to suite of rooms immediately over the drawing room. He knocked up on the principal door, first softly, then more loudly. @ sAsf No one answered him. a
 He turned the knob but the door was locked. n ~ e9a a He called his daughters name softly, yet in penetrating voice. ,ra
 There was no response.
 There were other doors along the hall opening into the different chambers com prised in the suite of the Lady Beatrice, and at each one of these the Earl knock ed softly, ealing upon his daughters name. ss4 aA sF- 2s
 Still there came back no reply.
 The Earl's face was convulsed with agi tation. ssa8 9 sssHs s-tlss
 "What is this mystery?" he whispered, leaning against the door. '1s Beatrice wrapped in the thrall of some delirium producing drug, or liquor? Is she awake? What is she doingY'
 Aga.n he listened for token of move ment within the rooms.
 They were as soundless as tomb.
 ssThere is no use in lingering here," he thought. ssBeatrice will not make her ap. pearance again tonight. It is always so when she shuts herself up in this man ner."
 He sighed so heavily that the inspiration was almost moan.
 Then he moved from the door towards fhe staircase.