The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1883-08-17

mere. mere was gravity IN MS race,
an abstraction in his manner, which
augured i'll for Lexis hopes. She was
mot so much to blame for having enter
tanned them. When Mr.. Marquis paid
her his first visit he had an excuse.
That portrait of Mr.. Oliphant had never
been finished, and he wanted a photo
graph to assist his memory in the small
er details. The portrait was not fin
ished yet, and the artist had come again
without even pleading it as pretext.
Now, what was any young lady with q
fair share of natural vanity to suppose.
if not that her attractions were the
magnet which 5'tracted his wandering
fancy?
Il came" he confined. ..impelled by
what l fear is forlorn hope. hardly
need to ask. now that have seen you,
ifyou have had any word from-Dana2"
He made little pause before utter
ing the name. 1t was the first time that
he had mentioned it except incidental
". He had listened in evident sympa-
thy while Lex bemoaned her cousin 5
strange action-for Lex was loyal
through all.
None" she answered, with sigh.
"What has become of Quest?"
THAT is more than | know-more
than care to know" and Lexis eyes
snapped with indignant fire. He
tried to levy blackmail of me, and when
he failed spread the whole, miserable
story which would never have gone into
the papers but for that. 1t was too
bad! don't pity aunt Rose so much,
but it was different with Dana. She
hadn't done anything wrong. and I'd
give anything to find her. They took
me in when was poor and friendless,
and it is absolutely unkInd of Dana to
hide away. as if wouldn't be as gener-
Gus, now that it has come my turn. l
am growing out of all patience with her.
You know that | advertised. and what
makes me angry is that | haven't a
doubt but she has seen the advertise
ment a dozen times, and is tso stiff
necked and proud to answer it.
g 1t was terrible blow to her, said
Gordon, grayely. MIR. ELEPHANTS
death and her mothers flight alone
were enough to crush her. and when
YOU add the humiliation caused by
Quests revelations and Harrington 5
conduct, what wonder that she should
feel like hiding her head from all the
world. He has not been heard from, |
SUPPOSE
The bitterness with which he asked it
was like revelation TO Lex. She an
swered the question with 4 negative
shake of the head: for one moment,
perhaps. she would not have liked to
trust her voice in WORKS. Then
"Idare say we could find Dana readily
enough if We were to put detective on
her track" she said. "but have been
afraid to do it-afraid. lest she might be
with her mother What would they do
with her if they should find her?"
A sudden gloom overshadOwed his
countenance.
L don't think that consideration need
trouble you. Miss Braxton. | know |
can trust YOU. If Dana were with her
mother | would not be here. 1t is be-
causeI know where Mrs. Oliphant is
and that fear she has not much longer
to live that am most anxious to find
her daughter. | have an idea that
Quest would know by this time. but it
would never do to let Quest into the
secret have just told YOU. nor any de-
tective for the same reason. l could
find him by going to Riverton. to those
trustees, perhaps, but if take that step.
Miss BraNton. | must rely upon Your
misleading him as to my object. He
must think that you are the one urging
ME to search for Dana
He shall think it. said Lex. brave
" enough. Il commission YOU to find
her and bring her to me. Mr.. Mar
quis,' with an involuntary lowering of
her voice, III there is money needed.
as suppose there must be. l insist up
on supplying it. For Aunt Rose, /
mean. Sick? Has she doctor?
s.She has every necessary care"
s.Mr. Marquis Lexis voice dropped
still lower: twas it true? Did she COM
NIT murder and let her husband bear
the blame? | never could have be-
lieved Aunt Rose wicked enough for
that. Has she told You about it?
.'She has told me nothing. | doubt
if there is much to tel, nOtwithstand-
ing the reports which have gone abroad.
Whatever her faults may have been. |
am far from believing that she was ever
willfully wicked.
He went away soon after that, and
Lex walked over to apoStrophiZe her
full-length reflection in one of the
massive mirrors.
If ever | saw fool in my life / see
one now. Don't YOU feel little
ashamed of yourself. M dear9 Thought
he was IN love with you. did you9 1t don't
appear to me you're very good sub
ject TO inspire the tender passion. Even
Quest couldn't get up the semblance
of it. much as he wanted your money.
Dana is more TO him"-not meaning
Quest now-.'than yOu ever will be to
any man, and YOU may as well make up
Your mind to it. Lex BraXton, if you
are baby enough to cry about it, I'll
never forgive YOU
She winked away the crystal drops
which were more of modification than
real heart pain.
Mr.. Marquis returned to New York
that evening. The next day he went to
Riverton to pursue his inquiries, and
found. as he had supposed, that the
trustees of Rodney Frances unclaimed
money could supply him with Quests
address.
Brooklyn he repeated with little
start. Mrs. Oliphant WAS there in lodg-
ings of his choosing. Could it be that
the lawyer was on his track. He dis
missed the apprehension after mo-
ment's thought. 1t was only one of
those condolences which are always
happening.
He had an hour to spare while he
waited for his train, and walking along
the winding road which led beyond the
riIIanra he rauSad at the trafe of the