The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1882-03-11

her in feeding her birds in the avlary and herl
fish In the fountain, he ever felt the little beau
lty's disdain +
In vain he OILED his hair and concealed his
tobacco BRIDES lovely eyes looked him over
from head TO foot colby. Sometimes, when
she was very weary with dullness and idieness,
she would consent to play game with him,
and she allowed him to teach her to ride
horseback-by the directions taking the most
seauestered roads, and attended also by his
favorite servant, fellow with rat black eyes,
who, riding after, watched her like ferret.
But Birdie did not try to run away, and nobody
communicated with her.
"These rides-l suppose they are safe
enough" said the Honorable Christopher to
his nephew; "but feel obliged to be little
careful Mordaunt Is determined fellow.
When he finds that he has been deceived, and
comes back from France, there Is sure to be
trouble But hope you will have safely mar
ried Birdie by that time. Let pe see--he VIII
ransack the converts in the shortest possible
time, and, you understand, l refused to give
him the name of the school-and will proba'
bly, be back here fierce as lion this fall
Birdie seemed to droop this summer. She
needs these horseback rides, no doubt; other
wise should not allow her outside the garden
walls. No outside communication with her
has been possible for six months"
You have full control of her money, sup
pose?"
"Yes, until she is twenty.one, unless she
marrles before that time. Mordaunt could
take every cent at any time, for she always
liked HIM better than she did me, from child.
But you see if you cut him out"
81 see-I see.'
But Mr.. Rolfe Rathburne did not look very
hopeful ,.
"Well, for heavens sake do get on little
faster!" grieved the fat honorable, who was
privately in misery lest certain little liberties
he had taken with BRIDES money should be
discovered by Mr.. Aubrey Mordaunt.
Rathburne thought he was getting on little
faster next day. A happy smile dimpled Biz.
dies rosy cheeks all day. Though she seem
ed lost IN her own thoughts, and did not pay
very strict attention to her companions con-
versaton, she allowed him to walk with her,
and was far less thorny than usual.
Its going to be a fine night-moonlght,"
remarked Mr.. Rathburne as they went in 70
tea that evening
Birdie assented.
"It's cooler out OF doors, and the fountain
will look very pretty by moonlight"
$50 it WILL" returned Birdie.
There is very comfortable seat-that rus
tic one by the fountain"
Rathburne's heart rose with bound when
Birdie, with dazzling smile, SAID:
"Wait for me there
AT tea he refralned from eating his tavorite
salad with onions. He rushed up to his room,
after hurriedly whispering his hopes to his
uncle, and drenched his handkerchief with
German cologne. Then hastily scribbling a.
letter to pressing creditor, to the effect that
his bill should be settled soon he went down
and sought the rustic seat by the fountain to-
wait fer Birdie.
He waited until the fountain had flung up
and the basin caught hundred gallons Of wa.
ter--until the whip poor-wllls had whlstled
themselves hoarse and gone to bed. Weary
from sitting posture, sleepy and stlli from
the dampness of the heavy dew, Mr.. Rath-
burne rose at last and abandoned his post IN
despair.
Birdie had not come-certainly was not
coming, for (Mr. Rathburne looked at his
watch in the moonlighU it was past ten.
He moved stitiiy along the path, entered
another, stopped to pick up a letter which lay
there. 1t was addressed to Birdie. Rathburne
thought it looked familiar, somehow He had
no scruples about opening 1t.
any DEAR BIRDIE know now where you
are, and am near you. Do not greve any
more. Be happy; all will soon be well. AS
soon as | have taken some steps TO ferret out
wrong which is being done you will take
you out of Brudenels care. A carriage will
wait just beyond the south gate at Ashdon, at
ten o'clock on the night of August Both, to
bear you away with me to become my own be
beloved little wife. | will place you safely in
my own home with my mother, while return
to fight Brudenel IN his own den, shall take
my chance OF getting this to you by asking
the favor of his goou,for nothing nephew to
place it in your hands. He comes counting
I ;rly ha will do In huct
! aubrey"
There came before Role Rathburne avislon
of the fnelookIHg man with big blonde
beard Helooked up, and stood statlng blank
| ly at the open gate of Ashdon. There were
the marks of carriage wheels without, and IA
handkerchief of BRIDES IN the dust.
| lie rushed into the house, to the honorable, S