, 1877-02-02

tack of malignant fever. His worn and
sallow features, his skin bronzed to Ori-
entail swartness, and the scar Of a deep
sabre cut across his cheek, scarce hid
den by a rather ragged beard, bore elo-
quent witness to the perils he had pass
ed through. He had landed in England
but twelve hours before, and had not
lost a moment in seeking the presence
of his darling and her father, for he
was, of course. ignorant of Bernard
/ Hopes death. Mary, too, had much to
tell, and nesting by Geoffrey's side, her
/ little white fingers hidden in the rugged
| brown hands of her lover, which held
them as though they would never again
let them go, she told him of all she had
gone through-the loss of her father,
/ the history of the will, and lastly, the
loss of her little fortune.
/ Il don't understand it." said Geof-
/ frey. 'The man has been playing some
very deep game"
Perhaps he really wished to get
more--what do you call it?-interest
| for my money. daresay it was meant
kindly enough, though it has happened
so unfortunately"
81 don't believe it, darling. If he
had really had your interest at heart, he
would have regarded safety before all
things. 1 strongly suspect that if all
things had gone well, you would have
simply received your three per cent,
and Mr.. Slythorpe would have pocketed
the difference"
so Geofrey, Godfrey I'm afraid
you have come home very uncharitable.
Besides, what does it matter about lot
Of stupid money, now l have got you
again? Unless, indeed, you would have
liked me better for having the money"
There was only one possible answer to
uch an accusation, and Major Howard
made it-that is to say, he called Mary
little goose, kissed her, and dropped
the subject, having taken care, however,
to ascertain the address of Mr.. Slythorpe
and the name of the company in which
Mary's money had been lost. On leaving
her, he took hanson cab, and drove to
the Office of the iquidator of the COM
pany, when, on stating that he desired
to make some inquiries on behalf of one
Of their shareholders, Mr.. Slythorpe, he
was informed, to his astonishment, that
there was not, and never had been, any
shareholder Of that name on the books
of the company. He next inquired
whether, perchance, the shares were
standing in Miss Hopes own name, and
again was answered in the negative.
Utterly bewildered, he drove to Mr..
Slythorpe's office. Mr.. Slythorpe was
at home, and he speedily found himself
in the attorneys presence. Mr.. Sly
thorpe was little nervous. He was al
ways little nervous with strangers till
he knew their business and Major
Howard's announcement that he had
called on behalf of Miss Mary Hope did
not tend to increase his confidence. He
was, however, far from suspecting
Major Howard's identity, but jumped to
the conclusion that he was a hostile
solicitor employed by Miss Hope to call
him to account. Major Howard's next
remarks tended to confirm that impress
sion.
"You stated to Miss Hope, think, a
couple of days ago, that the property
bequeathed to her by her fathers will
had been invested in the Wheal Marina
Company, which has just come to grief.
You are, of course, aware that an invest.
ment upon such rotten security was a
gross breach of trust, for which you are
liable"
Not at all the power of investment
is unlimited, Indeed, shares of compa-
nies are specially included"
You are certain of that?"
"Quite so. / drew the will myself"
Every good. The shares stood, I
suppose, in your own name"
" Ye-es in my name, of course, as
sole trustee"
"Then, pray, how is it Mr.. Slythorpe,
that don't find your name among the
| list of shareholders Of the company ?"
Mr.. Slythorpe's countenance fell.
" Because-because-I may as well
make clean breast of ito tell you
the truth, the money never was in that
company at all. 1t was false alarm,
sir, false alarm"
"Then where on earth is the money
sir? And what do you mean by false
alarm ?"
"I1l tell you, if you'll have little
patience. As a brother solicitor, I'm
sure you won't press harder on me than
you're quite obliged. Miss Hopes
money is in the Wheal Mary Ann, one
Of the most fourishing companies going,
and her shares are worth Just double
what gave for them"
"Then what on earth induced you"
"I1l tell you. Between ourselves,
I've taken an uncommon fancy to Miss
Hope, ind had made up my mind to
make her Mrs. s.; but somehow she
didn't take to me quite as kindly as
could have wished. Now, the other
morning when 1 took up the Times,
almost the first thing caught sight Of
was the smash Of the Wheal Marina, and
the similarity Of name gave me quite a
turn, for just at the first moment