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

As Fancourt left Mrs. Dalton's gate,
he found himself suddenly face to face
with a person who was Just about to
ring for admittance.
This was small wiry man with a
elean-shaven face, shrewd gray eyes,
oushy eyebrows, and thin lips slightly
upturned at the corners, giving an ex-
preston to the face as of q perpetual
smile. He was dressed in a plain suit
OF black, neither very new nor very
fashionably cut, and carried in his hand
blue bag. Fancourt would have passed
him without notice, but for the fact
of running against him at Mrs. Dalton's
gate; he took him for lawyers clerk,
and wondered what his business might
be. He was not aware that with
sharp glance the man had photographed
his exterior on his brain for any future
occasion that might arise.
Fancourt had little attention to spare
for so insignificant person. His
thoughts reverted to the house he had
just left, and to what he had heard and
seen there. He did not doubt for
moment that 1t was Julie Lemont who
had personated the widow lady and got
possession of the ring. He ground his
teeth savagely as his determination be-
came more fixed to get rid of this wom-
an who was so dangerously mixed up
with his affairs. To get rid of her-he
did not yet tell himself by what means.
Hehad been struck with Lena Dali
toms beauty when he had met her by
chance in Alphington Park. Now that
he had seen her again, she had taken
complete hold of his sensuous imagina-
tion; and he then and there made firm
resolve to win Lena Dalton and to mar
ry her. An inward voice seemed to
whisper to him that with her the heir
to an earldom need not despair; nor did
he suppose the consent of the mother
would be difficult to obtain. The Young
er sister, he perceived, would be his
enemy-but what of that? What could
she do against a determined will such
as his? He clenched his hand in his
delicate lemon-colored kid glove, as he
sw0re to himself to clear all obstacles
from his path, and to crush all that
stood in the way of the attainment of
his desires.
Sarah had not closed the gate when
the newcomer appeared. Sarah felt
that life at Ivy Cottage passed in more
secluded manner than quite suited her
taste; so she generally took the oppOr-
tunity, when she conducted the visitor
to the gate, of indulging at peep at
the outer world. Sometimes the milk
man might be passing, or a neighbours
servant visible, and thus a few min
uteS' chat be obtained with some one
more lively than old Martha. So, stand
ing with the gate open in her hand, she
also found herself face to face with the
little man with fha hIuo haU
''Is your mistress at home, my dear?"
said he, slipping in through the gate as
he spoke.
What may please to be your busi-
ness?" Sarah inquired, not over well
pleased with the familiarity of the adj
dress.
Just you tell Mrs. Dalton that Mr..
Riggs wishes to see her. She won't
come on Lord Alphington's business"
said the man.
At this name Sarah dropped a cour-
tesy, and begging Mr.. Riggs to proceed
toward the house, she fastened forward
to deliver the message.
ION Lord Alphington's businessl"
Mrs. Dalton repeated, in surprise. "Oh,
! do believe it's about that horrid ring
againl / suppose he must come in.0
She appealed to Bertha.
"Yes, mamma-why not?" said Ber-
tina.
Ask him in, Sarah. Oh, dear, dear,
We shall never hear the last Of it, I do
believed" Mrs. Dalton lamented. II do
wish, Bertha, you would cut that heavy
fringe off your shawl; it will be carry
ing off somebody's purse, or watch, or
no one knows what some day. Pray
come in."
This was in answer to Mr.. Riggs's
Servant, ladies'" as he stood in the
doorway, his hat in his hand.
ITO BE- Continued]