Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1873-03-14

shortly.
Your Instructions don't include this lady
or mv>elf?' | asked.
Not at all. sir; you are both free to 20
at any time, but the young lady must stay. ''
Where ,"
well. sir, Iln sure there some mistake.
and was SO from the moment saw the
young lady. so if you'll give me your word
not to 60 away, I'll take You into my mouse
out Of the hustle Of the station.
Mrs. Webster went off, and Clara and
went out to the house
What can it be, Unce2''
Cant say, my dear, it viii be something
to laugh at by-anl-by, though its NOT
But about the ring2 Do you think IL
possible, that what mamma said ?''
Possible, my dear, it'~ ridiculous lt',
a hundred wears old. and dare say ii be-
longcI to his mother before he gave it go
y0a.
Il can't think what 1t can be
Don't think about IT, It., a mistake.
that's all it viii all be cleared up in a few
hours. Wen have some dinner. and PASS
the time as well as We can"
do you know. Uncle. / feel almost -lad
Of this it seems like a break in the dul-
ness it puts of my weddings at leasta week.
mamma herself could not press it for to-
morrow, after this
We had dined and got TO De quite cheer
tul and laughing over the hIundrr as we sat
at the window. when rap at the door
startled Us both
Come in.
\ gentleman entered.
Miss Webster 2'
Clara bowed
Miss Clara Webster, he said. reading
the name from q letter
Clara bowed again
lie handed her the letter, which Sne
opened. read and dropped on the floor, cx-
claiming. Thank God thank God O.
uncle, | am so happy and then fell into IA
chair fainting.
picked up the letter and calling the
people of the house, very soon brought her
to. and We We're once more alone with the
tearer Of the note, which ran as follows
"TREDcAR Hall.
Mr.. Francis Tredgar presents his compli-
ments to Miss Webster, and begs to state he
must decline the fulflment of his promise
to make her his wife The unhappy cir
cumstance of Miss Webster's public arrest,
on the charge Of being in possession of
diamond ring stolen by her former lover. viii
at once account for his decision: Mr. Tredgar'~
wife must be above suspicion.
Mr.. Tredgar begs also to inform Miss
Webster that the services of his solicitor. Mr..
Blake (the bearer) are at her disposal"
We'll, Mr.. Blake" said !. '.you see we
shall not require Your services | shall wait
ita nd D.. ala. j IL
employ my own solicitor in the matter.
VIII You present my kind regards to Mr.
Francis Iredgar, and express my own and
niece's admiration ofhis gentlemaulv courtesy
and kindness? | would write to him if
did not consider that correspondence with
such a miserable, cowardly scoundre was too
utterly degrading to be thought off,
Il shall faithfully convey your message.
sir. and allow me 10 assure You that | was
quite ignorant Of the contents Of the letter,
and that it shall be the last time ever bear
one from him and now. as YOU viii not let
me help You as his solicitor, allow ne to
profier my services as a friend
"With all my heart, Mr. Blake come in
here few minutes before the train comes
in, and we shall be glad of your help
Was notright. uncle denr2" said Clara.
as soon As we were alone oh YOU can't
tell how happy ] am; can live now. o
this glorious. mistake its the most fortu-
nate thing that has happened to me in all
my life. Now, you are glad. uncle. aren't
you2' and she came up TO me "With all
Hope torches lit in both he1 eyes. and
kissed me, and would have me speak.
YES. darling, am glad-more glad than
can find words To tell. Your fate linked
to sach man a. this seoundrcl would haye
been living death am heartily glsl.
Clara
CHATTER n--TnE OFFICER.
This way. sir. The young person is in
my hoase , she gave her word not to at
tempt to leave ; the old gentleman ! g with
her
This We heard through the door as the
station-ma-ter came along the Ias-ae e. Our
friend, Mr.. Blake. had arrived some time be-
fore
The station-master entered, and behind
him a tall, hroad-Shouldered ms N. with
bushy beard and moustachc conc, nlinc all
the lower Iait of his face
''Will You have a light. ~ir?" sid the sta
ti0n-maSter to the officer
"Thank YOU, no"
and laid her hand on mine.
Now. my good man, began NJ r Blake,
perhaps you will explain this mat ter YOU
telegraphed down from London to stop this
lady, and here she is. Now. if ye please,
explain"
This gentleman. said to the officer.
is my niece's legal adviser | asst me it Is a
mistake, still we shall he glad oi YOUR ex-
PLANTATION. You are a detective, presume?'
mo, sir, | am not, my name is -"
Herbert Herbert my dear Herbert, it
Is you -
Clara had gone to him, and re was clasp
ing her in his strong arms, W nile her face
was hidden in his great beard
My own my darling my own true dar-
ling She loves me still
Bat why describe the meeting? Mr..
Blake said to me at once
My dear sir, am not tanted here, and
doubt if you are, =" and we left them.
In half an hour We thor .ght it possible we
might be less in the way. and We went in.
They sat on the sofa at "a most suspiciously
great distance from each other. and looked
as happy and foolish as possible.
And now, my dear Herbert. please to ex-
plain to US what has axe you at least half
an hour to make cle:lr to nv niece"
We'll my dear uncle-I may ,sall you
uncle ?'''
"Oh, yes; month sooner or later is of
not much consequen' e.
Don't uncle,' sa id Clara.
You know how | went away with Just
enough to pay fof my tools and outfit and
passage went o California, to the dig
glhgs, and was lucky, got good claim,
worked it, made a little money. took sh.,res
IN IN i machine, orked the claim, impro' ed
the machinery became manager, director.
anu 60. rieh, s. -arted six months ago to come
home for Clars took the fever at Panama
was down ior two months there, not able to