Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1884-06-08
CHAPTER XXI.

CHAPTER XXI.
VIII the reader kindly pass over four
years:
During that time nothing happened at
either RystOth or the Farm that would be
OF interest to one not Immediately con-
cerped.
BERTHE had fallen almost entirely into
his fathers practice; and Ruth had be-
come the careful mother OF two bright
eyed children-Olm a Shady three-year-
old, and Lois the baby.
LOIS and Robert made Independent
once more by the death of the old Scotch
man, had enlarged the cottage, and were
rejoicing in the health and buOyant
spirits OF q son and heir. Robert Maxwell
Conway, whom Robert, 10 Lois intense
dissatisfaction, had at once nick-named
'-BeX" in accordance with the fact that
he ruled the house.
Atthe Farm life had moved on so smooth
VI that no note was taken Of its progress.
No changes were to be chTOnicled, except
that Mrs. Werner had been laid away uu-
der the spreading Water-Caks where the
sea mOaned its eternal requiem; and that
Lesley and | had been blessed with one
wee baby-girl, whose dignified name,
Charlotte, had been sOftened into Lolita"
Every year of these four we had been
The old Duke had been pleased to regard
her with favor; the Russian climate had
been as new life to her; and, from the pic
lures of herself which she had sent us
from time TO time, we could see how she
had developed INTO the striking beauty
which her childhood promised.
McRhea had been over twice. And,
just when the story is again resumed, we
were gathered in the library at the Farm
awaiting his third arrival.
1t was early in January. The Hey
wards-Berue's family, L mean-and the
COnways had not yet returned to RysfOth
after the Christmas holidays.
''Liska has not written in n very long
time,' Lois said. 'sDO you know | cannot
help but look for her with Olin."
Il do hope we may be so jOyfully sur
prised,' l added, earnestly.
i cannot bring myself to think of her
as quite a grOwn-up woman. And yet, IN
that last picture, she is the Yeritable Rus
sian Princess in velvet and sables."
Il hardly think her granduncle would
consent TO the winter voyage" Charlotte
began, when DIR. Craig exclaimed:
BY JOye! L wonder if she knows
thisg"
lie had been reading his Paris paper.
which from some cause had been DELAYED
several weeks.s
"AlOntani died in Paris in November"
"And now it is january Bob said.
YES; 1 guess the child knows it.0
"HOw did she come to her death, Well
bOrnW Charlotte asked.
.'She had spent the day with a party of
friends at Versailles. She returned to
Paris in time to fulfill an engagement to
dine. The party separated at a late hour.
She dismissed her maid immediately after
her return to her apartments. In the
morning she was discovered dead on a
divan in her bOudOir in complete dinner
toilette. An autopsy revealed heart dis
ease"
Pm sorry that I can't feel sorry Ruth
said. slowly. sit makes one feel quite
hard-hearted TO be glad at a death, doesn't
it,"
At which there is a subdued smile upon
all our faces.
1t is a very terrible death" Lois be-
Terrible or not. I certainly feel re-
heved; and l agree with Ruth
But BOb's words are brought to a sud
den stop as wheels were heard coming up
the avenue.
Ruth sprang to the window.
"Redding has returned; and he has
brought Col. McRhea, and Upon my
wOrdi~
There were no questions asked. We
followed the impulsiye little woman in
body.
Il knew yOu would cOmew Lois cried.
Selling the tall girl in her arms. And
oh, am so glad''
For a time there was confusion con-
founded. McRhea stood by, looking on in
amused silence.
Il guess you can find a word for a fell
low. Bob" he said. following the excited
family, and extending a hand to Robert,
who had succeeded in getting to the front
parlOr door.
DO pardon me. Col. McRhea!r Char
lotte exclaimed, hearing his words. But
It was such a surprise to see Liska."
"kor which you should be grateful to
me" he began.
"And we arer' Ruth interrupted. ssIn
token whereof take the seat of honor in
the cornerr'
"A most comfortable seat!" he eX-
claimed, sinking into the easy-chair near
the fire. isn't it unusually cold here?'
GLOW did you manage to get the Duke
to let her Gomez Lois asked. as she as
sisted Liska in diyesting herself of her
heavy wraps.
Il don't know really. l think the victo- /
~ belongs to Liska."
Indeed it doesn't" she answered. with /
a slightly increased foreign accent. ''The /
Duke is as clay in Col. McRhea's hands" /
Lesley and exchanged quick glances. I
In times past 1t had been .'uncle Nc /
Rhea.
But to run the risk of a winter voy-
age" Ruth put in. "YOu are very brave, I
Liska."
ooh, not all. 1t was quite a pleasant
voyage. Really no roughness to speak
Of"
'-Liska has become an accomplished
traveller, you must remember" McRhea I
said, 4 found her in every respect a
bon cOmrade.' Her visit is somewhat af-
Ter the order OF a reward Of merit,v he
continued, laughing. "She made her
debut into st. Petersburg court circles
with so much eclat that the Duke himself
became her slave, and promised to grant
any request-tO the half Of his kingdom,
yOu know. Whereupon she asked for
America
BLESS your HEARTH Ruth cried, with
impulsiveness. sTo think
she could turn from all that splendor to
come back TO us-po0T, ordinary republi-
cans that we a(e!7
1--WE been hOme-sick all along" Liska
said, gently. Il have wanted so often to
see yOu-and Herr Werneri~ she ex-
claimed. ssWhere is Herr Werneri'
She had grown very digBi1ied and state
II, with the unmistakable ''grand air''
about her. The long curls were tucked
up, and a heavy coil was wound about
ler head. Her travelling dress Of dark
blue cloth, with its queer, foreign trim
ming of rich fur, served to bring into
rraafar Ynofica tho hriUhf color and tho nv |