The daily Cairo bulletin. (Cairo, Ill.) 1878-1???, 1883-11-11
CHAPTER XII

attacks of govt, which he could only
ward off by attention to first symp-
toms. He was a spare man of temper
ate habits, but he had inherited this
complaint probably from some indolent
and self-indulgent ancestor. On the
day before he intended to 90 to town,
he felt a premonitOry twinge that eX-
perience told him must not be neglect
ed, so his journey was postponed till
Monday, by which time he hoped to
be able to put his foot to the ground
without fear.
Lord Alphington arrived at his town
house in Magnus Square by one o'clock
on Monday morning, and found Mr..
Thompson, the solicitor, waiting for
him as appointed. Fancourt was to be
there an hour later.
Lord Alphington shook Mr.. ThOmp-
son cordially by the hand.
You congratulate me, | am sure. my
good friend" he said. you know what
! have gone through, what my lonely
life has been to me, and now Heaven
has been good to me in allowing me to
embrace son in my old age"
Mr.. Thompson cleared his throat, and
looked as If he did not quite know what
to answer
"Of course, congratulate you, my
lord" he said. Mr.. Sedley, or Mr..
Fanc0urt, as we must now call him, is
still a young man. There is no doubt
he will acquire the habits and manners
of the class with which he will for the
future associate. We must allow for
defective education.
Something in the solicitors tone
made Lord Alphington uneasy.
defective education," he repeated.
81 understood that the young man had
been educated at Yale College, and that
he had travelled much since. He is
surely gentleman?o
Mr.. Thompson coughed behind his
hand.
II believe he was at college, and,
when | speak of defective education, I
don't mean that he is exactly ignorant.
He writes good letter; but what you
term travelling, my lord. | should prefer
to call knocking about the world
you alarm me- said Lord Alphing-
ton; II am sure by your manner you
know something against this young
man. Speak out, pray; however much
it may distress me, it is better that 1
should know"
Indeed, my lord, you take my words
more seriously than they were intend
ed" Mr.. Thompson replied. Il know
nothing whatever against Mr.. Fan
court; perhaps, remembering what his
father was, | felt disappointed. That
is all, | assure you"
''Iie is not like his father them" Lord
Alphington Intercepted, glancing with
a sigh at the portrait of handsome,
misunderstanding young man, which
hung in the library where they were
sitting.
Not in the least; perhaps he takes
after his mothers family" Mr.. Thomp-
son suggested.
Lord Alphington sighed again.
We must not let any disappointment
as to his appearance bias our judg-
ment, said he. Il hoped there might
have been a resemblance, but | have
learned to put my hopes on one side.
Let us proceed to business-time is
creeping on"
Mr.. Thompson proceed to lay before
l.Wd AlphingtOn the proofs that had
been placed in his hands. There was
considerable bundle of papers, all of
which the Earl looked over carefully.
1T seems quite beyond a doubt that
all is as We wish he said. but in a less
cheerful tone than that in which he
had first spoken when he met the solic-
itor. "IIOw | wish all this had been
known years ago. that | might have
had the guardianship of the boy. How
ever, It's useless to regret the past That
opal ring is the only thing missing" he
added, taking up lOcket and eXamin-
ing it. Did FancOurt explain its lOsS?'
"Ile spoke Of having been robbed by
a servant" Mr.. Thompson replied. II
have placed that affair in the hands of
a detective, as you directed-a very
acute fellow, who has been engaged in
more than one case that has come under
my notice. If any man can follow it up,
Riggs can
Lord AlphingtOn was about to reply.
when the door Of the room was thrown
open and Mr.. Fancourt announced
Lord Alphington rose quickly, look
OF painful anxiety upon his counte-
nance. He was about to advance to
short, the eagernesS of his manner
changing to extreme hnlde'r.
FanCOurt, in appearance much the
same as when he had called at Ivy Cot
tage, came forward with an air half
bringing, half presuming. Mr.. Thomp-
son, thinking that the Earl was in some
also rose.
ALLOW me to present to you your
grandson. Lord Alphington," he said.
Lord Alphington waved him back.
Il know" he returned. you have
proved to me that this is Fancourt's
son. as such he will receive every JUS
tice at my hands. Sit down. young
man." he added, addressing Fancourt
for the first time as he resumed his own
seat
FancOurt felt cowed and uncomfort-
able, but, endeavOring to assume a
air, he waited for Lord
to speak.
when | wrote to you to make the
for you to meet me here
to-day, | took Mr.. Thompson's word
for the correctness of the proofs" said
Lord Alphington, i'll chilling tone. Il
have since looked over them myself
and | find them to be as he has stated.
There are a few questions, however,
that | wish to ask you
Fancourt bowed.
You have no recollection of your
father, presume" said the Earl.
None whatever, my lord Fancourt
replied; ''he died when was almostan
infant"
II do not know if you are aware that,
after my sons death some report
reached me he had married and left a
widow and son. | made inquiries. Int