Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1882-09-21

Bertha made no reply. IL was not
worth while. She was herself afraid
the ring was long past recovery.
The cofee-tray was removed. the
lamp brought in, and the girls settled
themselves to their home employments,
| finding no lack Of conversation for the
remainder of the evening.
Saturday was still q holiday for Ber-
tina. Her lessons were not 70 begin till
Monday. The early dinner finished. she
Joined her mother and sister in the
drawing-room. This was not only the
largest, but the pleasantest room in the
house. the bay-window commanding the
garden and the path up to the house
from the gate. Here the inmates of
Ivy Cottage always sat as soon as the
weather in the daytime was warm
enough to do away with the necessity
Of having fire.
Lena generally chose the low chair
with its back to the window-she was
afraid Of, too much light causing
freckles. Bertha. with a book, sat at
the side facing the path; Mrs. Dalton
was near her work table, as usual.
A sharp ring at the visitors bell was
heard. Lena turned round in some GU
riosity to see who might be coming.
An exclamation of surprise escaped her
as young man made his appearance,
walking slowly up the path, while
Sarah hurried on in advance, a card in
her hand. Lena touched her sisters
arm.
Bertha, do lookl" she said.
Bertha bent cautiously forward, fear
full of being seen, and then her eyes
met Lena's. They had both recognized
their visitor. AT the same time Sarah
came in, and, crossing the room to
where Lena was sitting, gave her the
card.
"A gentleman to see you, MISS" she
said.
Lena took the card; on it were a crest
she had lately become familiar with and
the name ''Mr. Fancourt."
"What an extraordinary thing" she
exclaimed, passing the card to her
mother; ITO see me, did YOU say,
Sarah?"
Eyes, miss; he asked for Miss Dal-
ton, and said it was a little matter of
business he wished to see you upon"
II knowl" cried Bertha. Its about
the ring-I'm sure of it."
"You had better show him in Sarah. :"
said Mrs. Dalton, excitedly.
Discomposed by the mention of the
ring, and yet gratifed by call from
Mr.. Fancourt, in whom she saw the
prospective Earl of Alphington, she
rose as Sedley, who had already as
sumed the name of Fancourt, entered,
and returned his salutation with
gracious smile.
"You wished to see my daughter, I
understand" she said; ''these are my
daughters-Miss Dalton, Miss Bertha
Dalton Pray be seated"
1t was now Fancourt's turn to be sur
prised, for, as Lena rose, and the light
fell upon her face, he at once recognized
the beautiful girl he had startled by his
abrupt appearance in Alphington Park.
Her face, though so casually seen,
had remained in his memory ever since.
The second meeting he put down as an
other instance of his good fortune.
A considerable alteration had been
made both in his attire and demeanor
since that day, but whether for the bet
ter was doubtful. His clothes were of
the best, and his hair and whiskers
had been under the hands of a skillful
halr-dreSSer, who had managed to tone
down their .redness. But the bright
necktie, the coral studs, the flower in
his button-hole, the trinkets dangling
from his Watch-chain, and his lemon
colored gloves were all out Of taste and
out of harmony; while the mingled
awkwardness and swagger OF. his man
ner in his endeavor to appear at ease in
his new position were equally objec-
tionable. :
He cast a glance of bold admiration
at Lena, as he took the proffered seat,
which made Bertha's cheeks burn.
Lena, however, showed no conscious
ness; she sunk back into her chair, only
turning it a little more toward the
light. Lena's was no stately, inacces-
sible beauty. She had a way of sitting
with her head slightly dropped and her
arms folded carelessly, forming a pic
ture Of gentleness and sensibility; her
very calmness and indifference had
something alluring in it.
II took the liberty of calling to in
quire about ring that was lost in a
been told that it was found by Miss
Dalton.n
He addressed himself to Lena, bend
ing forward as he spoke.
"It was my sister who found a ring
LII Silly uldI udIlucI. odlu ICud.
;. "Oh, I beg your pardon! Yes, ] be,
lieve Miss B. Dalton was on the card, /"
he acknowledged. Would you have
any objection to describe to me the per-
son on whose finger you saw itY'' he
continued, turning to Bertha.
No objection, whatever" Bertha re-
piled.
She then repeated the description she
had already given SO frequently of her
opposite neighbor in the omnibus.
"Ah, exactly so,n said Mr.. Fanc0urt,
as she concluded is as ] supposed.
/ know the man. He was once a--sort
of a-servant of mine, y he added, stam-
mering. HE stole the ring"
THAT is just what Lord Alphington
thought" announced Bertha. He was
sure, it was stolen"
"YOu are acquainted with Lord Alph-
ington then?" Fancourt exclaimed, in
some surprise.
MY daughters had the pleasure of
making his acquaintance while on a
visit to a neighbor Of his-Sir Stephen
Langley" quietly interposed Mrs. Dali
ton.
Bertha had drawn back as soon as
she had given the information required.
She did not care to say any more than
was absolutely necessary. There was
something about this man excessively
repugnant to her.
II am happy to congratulate you, Mr..
Fancourt," Mrs. Dalton continued;
Lord Alphington told my daughters
that his grandson and heir had made
himself known"
II have not yet seen Lord Alphing-
ton" Fancourt said; "but I heard from
him."
II understand that Lord Alphington
intended coming to town to-day, e put
in Lena, joining in the conversation.
ut was his intention; but this morn