The Ottawa free trader., 1881-01-29
THE BOY IN THE CASE.

"She was the widow Randolph when we
first met, and | thought her then, as | think
her now, the lovellcst woman in the world, "
said Alexander Lane.
"Aha!" responded Ford the senior partner
of Ford ~ Lane-"and SO there was a ro
mancey Sly dog!
The two men-old friends, and rather old
felows-were in that mildly loquacous mood
that follows good dinner, ,md is stimulated
by good cigar and pleasant surroundings
Now there's no cosier spot than Lanes library
nor is there, considering he's past fiity-a
hancsomcr or more genial man than Lane
himself. At this moment he sat staring into
The fire, the cigar held medltatively between
two fingers, and Ford repeated by way of jog
to the conversation, sly dog"
During one of my regular trips to Europe
for the tirm," said Lane, talking apparently u
The fire. 81 had time to spare, and was at Ba
veno, in the north of Italy" Then, after u
pause, There's too much SAID about the seen
cry at the Italian lakes"
'WhyY Isn't it tiney"
Yes; but happen, say, at BavenO, on Mag.
piore, IN the middle of May, and there's some.
thing you can't talk about; there's fervOr
and languor, strength and u sweetness, in
ali nature, in the very air itself, that can't be
told-it can only be felt. The hotel at Baveno
was close to the lake, and boats lay moored
just before the door. 1t was afternoon, re.
member, ttat day-late atlernoon-and ran
into RUSSELL firm of Russell & White, you
know
80 glad to meet an American said Russell
I'm doing the lakes with my wife and sister
in.law, who is widow Come for boat ride
with Us this evening at eight
AT eight Russell clappcd me on the shoul.
AL Inn.
that night; the whole place seemed fairy, un.
real followed to where II boat lay swinging
II little loose from its moorngs On the shore
was Mrs. Russell, whom | greeted politely
but my eyes were fixed on the boat for IN the
stern, wrapped IN something white, like cloud,
sat "a woman VINO was lovely rs a vision.
was fairly dazed, and stood staring, when Rus
sell pulled up the boat and said, Jump in.
Halo, Adelaide; so you're seated. The wo-
man In white Is my sislern-law, Lane Mrs.
Randolph, MIR. Lane, Of New York
"She greeted Inc with, Indeed, Mr. Lane, It's
pleasant to meet people from home-that is.
sometimes, and some people, She was wo.
man of the world, and bit coquettish, yet
with soberncss and gentle grace underly.
ing all.
"How did she look then ~ asked Ford.
We'll, 1t was ten years ago. She was slight
VI UuJ TIE WaTn COlOTeu nalr was the same !;
she had those same gray eyes, with the dark
eyebrows that would lend sternness to any
other eyes, but only frame the softness of hers /;
her cheeks were a shade paler than now, and
fairer, perhaps Well we rowed over to Isoa
Madre. There, under the shadow of the wood.
cd banks, we heard the nigh,ingales sing, and,
in Short" SAID Mr.. Lane with nervous laugh,
knocking the ashes from his cigar, and begin.
ming to smoke before be had done speaking
IN short, resolved that very night to make
Mrs Randolph my wife, or live a bachelor"
Sudden, wasn't ity" limited Ford.
Yes, but times nothing in such matters !;
its--it's--"
Say il in four letters" Ford suggested.
"Well, it's lore: and | was heartily, despe
rately In love. You see / was only forty at
that time.
Next morning | was pacing the turf in
front of the hotel, and met Mrs. Randolph.
She was dainty, fresh, and tender-hued even IN
the full morning sunshine. breakfasted with
the Russell party, and a 'bonne' brought to the
table the prettiest four -year-old boy ever laid
eyes on.
"'My Robbie! my darlingl my blessingr
exclaimed Mrs. Randolph, In motherly rap.
ture, seating the child on her lap. The little
chap shook his head of yellow curls, reached
with both hands over the table, and calculated,
Honeyr
Honey is bad for mammals boy said Mrs.
Randolph, while l, looking at the picture they