The Placer herald., 1873-09-27

happened" said Tom Rodman; cor Lynn
may have lost his memory over some big
book or other. I'll run over and Zee what
has happened"
So Tom, who had quite forgotten his
fancy for Eunice, and was now engaged 10
pretty girl with little fortune of her
own, hurried away with his gala day cos
tune hidden as well as might be under a
fall overcoat, TO the house on which the
name and title, arthur Lynn, M. D."
glittered in the sunshine.
As lie approached, he noticed that the
house wore an unwonted aspect. The
shutters were all closed, and the gate OF
the door-yard fastened, and there vas no
sign of any human presence TO be seen.
"Missed him, l suppose" said Tom.
"He can't have gone off anywhere"
But, as he spoke, an upper shutter
opened softly, and DR.. Lynn appeared at u
window in his ordinary everyday attire.
"You, Rodmanp he said grayely, and
said no more.
"Overslept yourself on your wedding
day, eh ?" cried Rodman, a little contempt
uously.
"No," said the doctor, with sigh
81 have been expecting some of you. Will
you take message to Eunice? Give her,
if you please, my tenderest love. Tell her
how bitterly grieved l am that this should
have occurred. But that circumstances,
which | cannot yet explain, have forced me
to postpone our marriage. cannot write
to her. must not come to her. No one
must come here. will admit no one even
to that courtyard. Beg her to have faith
in me, and to wait"
"By Jove!" cried Rodman. "You take
my breath away. You must write Eunice
letter at least. This is too myseri
ous."
81 will not write," said the doctor.
"Tell her what have said, and know
she will forgive me, and trust me, and wait
until can come. Do You think any little
thing would drive me to this ?"
"By Jove, don't know what to think p
said Rodman.
Then DR.. Lynn retreated into the upper
room, and the shutters ware closed. And
Rodman hurried back to the brides father
and mother. He forgot the message that
had been given him on the way-that is,
he forgot the words. He rendered it in
the spirit in which he had taken it.
Thus
81 don't know what to say, uncle. ]
found Lyhn's house shut up, and he talked
to me from an Upper window. Said he
wouldn't write; said he couldn't come; said
lie wouldn't let any one In. Isn't i'll Or
hurt; never better in his life. Said he
couldn't be married to-day, and lie knew
Eunice would excuse him. Call some
tire and explain. Couldn't get anything
else ont of him. Cool as a cucumber. BY
Jove, | never heard anything like it."
"Nor J. Tom" said Mr.. May. "My
dear you must break it to Eunice, while |
dismiss the guests. am almost glad
Ralph did not get down, after ALL He
could not take this as cody as he should.
Lynn is a rascal. He is not worth notice
yet he makes my blood boil. Ralph
would shoot him."
And the old man turned away and
walked into the parlor, full of wondering
and silent guests.
In few moments the house was empty
of all but the immediate fatiiH. And in
her upper chamber, the bride, who should
have been, lay sobbng on her bed, while
the mother and bride's,naid gathered mp.
wreath and vest and scattered pearls, and
laid them quietly away.
Eunce lived throug gh it. She did not
even fall into brain fever, and rave of
her lovers Inconsistency. But she was very
miserable.
Tom had not wilfully lied, but instead
Of the sad and serious, though mysterious
message given TO him, he had broaght up
a coarse and flippant one. He had not
begged Eunice to have faith in her lover,
and await an explanation. He had not
given her Artl ur Lynn's 'tenderest
love-"
The impression was that he had pped
out o! his engagement in most brutal and
ungentlemanly manner, and everyone be-
leved that he had left the place, for not a
token Of his presence could anyone discover.
The house was shut up. No one could
even reach the door 10 ring the bell. 1t was
a mystery.
At last woman was found-a milk
woman going her rounds n the morni g
who had seen man descend from a train
of cars with portmanteau in bis hand.
She fancied he was tipsy, for he staggered,
and he had walked up to the platform where
DIR. Lynn stood, and cried;
IL am glad to meet you. You are the
man want ="
And then she heard the doctor cry:
Good Godw
And they walked away together. Who
this man could be no one knew, but com
mon belief made detective Of him. DR..
Lynn was evidently criminal of the dark
est dye.
However, if he had been arrested. he
was soon set free again, for in few weeks
the shutters Of the house were opened. an
I'D man was seen busting and securing,
and DIR. Lynn appeared in bis upper win
dow. rs- .r.e ~a