The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1873-12-27
Wouldn't it be romantic if our stranger anC
.....,,,., 80. ;.,. ,r,r, i1nntipol

"Do you feel much pain?' inquired Angus
TIA. II really cannot express my SORROW al
having been the author of your accident 1t
is very strange you did not hear U.S.
~ was asleep, madamCiselle," he replied in
low voice with just enough OF the French
accent in it to establish his nationality
\ half hour later and the sisters were sit
ting beneath tree. and LOUIS Bernicr tcllin:
them the story his life.
In one of the houses at the outskirts OF Her
ford, Louis Bcrnier found temporary nome
with a stout yeOman named Perry hawks
There were very many reasons why hcuesircu
obscurity at that moment, and not the least OF
which was 10 keep ms father, the Count, IN
ignorance of his whereabouts. lie therefore
gave an assumed name when occasion requlr-
ed it, and had not Augusta boldly charged
him with being the son Of Count Bernicr, and
having to fly his country, it Is not probable he
would have revealed himself. But the posi-
tive and unexpected manner Of Augusta Tip
ton had taken him at disadvantage, ana he
Surrendered at discretion, only STIMULATING
that if they ever met in the presence Of others
they should know him by the aamc of Mr..
Lewis.
Shortly after the event just narrated a.
Young man by the name of Mr. Lewis appear
cd at the bank of Mr., Upton and deposited
several thousand pounds, at the same time
his London friends who spoke Of Lewis as
| the son Of distinguished gentleman resid-
| ing abroad.-The banker offered Mr. Lewis
| the hospitality of his house, and invited him
to dine.
Lewis complexion was habitually pale, but
upon the present occasion it was whittier than
usual, and the newly healed seam across his
forehead was still visible in u crimson line. |
His introduction must have caused Augusta
and CoCIy some secret amusement. BE that
as il may, they never by look or sign bctray
ed the thoughts that passed through their
minds
Every small community seems to be aiilct-
ed with one or more persons whose business
seems to lie in discovering facts regarding
their ncighbors hitherto unknown, and them
without loss OF time, proclaimng them 10 the
discontinue Of those concerned. In the per
son Of Tom Dclong, Hereford had one of
those cntcrpryiag individuals. Moreover he
was the nephew CT Sandhurst Upton. The
had for years set his face against the nephew
and his manner Of life, but as blood is thick
or than water" he could not cast of his dead
sisters child SO Tom lad carte JloacLc to
his unclc's house, where he never failed to
disgust his aunt and her husband By his slang
of the racc,coursc and prizering-in his csti.
nation two Of Englauds most valued insti-
tutions.
Mr.. Upton was sitting in his room at the
bank when Tom entered.
"GOod.day, unClc,' he said, flnsing him.
self down carelc,sly on a sofa.
Mr. Upton raised his eyes and welcomed +
his nephew in a commonplace way.
"Who was that fellow you had up to the
house at dinner the other day."
Il am not aware that | had any fellow"
answered the banker with a somewhat sever.
ity of tone.
"Oh, you object to the term do you ?" re
piled Tom; "lct me qualify by calling him q
chap"
Quite as Objectionable as your previous
expression" responded his uncle. at you
refer to Mr. Lewis, who deposited in this
bank, and who brought me letter Of intro
ducton from my friend Colonel Branford,
l request you to speak Of him with more re-
spccL" I
Crawford, Branford " repeated Tom, why
that's the name of the shooter who used TO
stop with you so often few years past. by "
JOvc | knew | had heard the name some
where Did you sec the notice Of his death
in the POST"
Mr. Upton started from his seat end grasp
ed the paper. Sure enough, Colonel Bran u
ford had fallen dead at his club, Verdict, n
apOplcxy. SO Sudden was the news that the =
banker felt sick and was obliged to swallow
some wine. Branford aud himself had been ;,
in few days he was to have "
seen him. u
"What was You going to say regarding Mr. l.
Lewis Thomas" asked the banker. II
IL was simply gong to state that l have 4
GOOD reasons to doubt that he is what he rep. ~
cscnts himself, and perhaps if give You my ~
'easons you'll come down from that high n
morse you are on and listen with more atten- r.
a., hat | ia tal =
he day that Mr.. Lewis, ~ you call him, dincd i
with YOU" In
Let me sec" replied the banker, runningltn'
over the days in his mind-"It was last Fri "
day week"
"Friday is an unlucEy day to bet on IL u
horse, whatever it may be on a man. Friday 3
week, hay: Wei, Uncle Sand, for week /,
Or two previous 80 his Introduction to my Y
cousins, they had met him every day, and as -
tar .Sihey were concerned don't think an ,,
introduction was at all necessary "
How dare you make such an assertion" b
cried the banker, sprincinC 10 his feet and Iii
his nephew with face alternate @,
ly white aud red Id
Because | interrupted the meeting my II
SELF replied Tom, with the utmost coolness O
and dare 10 assert anything know to be II
iEle, bus !! You don't believe il, why, of r
course, it tJuI make any difference to me. ! 4
Gyoluy.' and he arose 10 leave +
stay. responded HE uncle, tell me all il
about b." 7
Tom seated himself again. and gave de 2
tailed aEcDHn, oi tho timcs hc had seen Au. 4
gusts auI Cec.Iy meet Lewis Zach time they !
met near the scene Of the accident by the Il
wood. Tom never heard any conversation |
between them hr xas up among the trees /
getting grub, % 20 asa.Ig r
Mr Upton leil the bank earlier Than usual q
tina; day, and 90 arriving home hi. daughters c
we're summoned ~ HE presence and request. |
cd to give an explanation II their previous 4
acquaintance with leHi. la
In d short, decisive gay, Augusta related !
tho accident that occurred On her lcapin- the t
hedge and frankly admitted thai both her t
self and Cecily had mot Lewis even a. Tom I
Dcong had reported. s
Then why did yOu not mention 1t: AtIa
least, why did you let nc suppose sou we're