The Penn's Grove record., 1884-11-22

condate, looking up proudly at her tall
beautiful daughter.
Tue fsts was drawing to a close Doris
and her mother had hidden farewell To
the last of their few acquaintance and,
while Mrs. Bracondale had gone in
search of their wraps, Doris sat down
to rest in a small salon of the great
ballroom, Believing herself to be
alone. she amused herself in various
ways, looking at her pretty reelection in
| the countless mirrors, CHANGING at the
| pictures, and, with head thrown back
in a luxurious fauteuil, curiOusly exam
lining the ceiling, with It's odd ornament
| tation of roses made Of Grape in colors
of every hue, massed thickly together.
and suggesting an immense inverted
hower-bed.
Half hidden behind a marble pillar.
a ,arcfully-dressed oldish man was scan
ming her intently with a pair of sharp
small eyes, his attitude and expression
suggesting keen interest rather than adj
miration-though Doris, even when she
yawned In the palm of her pretty white
hand, was b~ewitchtng. lie looked
many times alternately from her face
to a bit of pasteboard concealed in his
hand, and at last advanced quietly to
where the girl sat.
Doris started to her feet, frightened
by his sudden appearance, and then
nervously sat down again, wishing de-
voutly either that this stranger would
take himself off or that some Il else
would appear upon the scene-a state
| of confusion which her unwelcOme COM
panion strangely misinterpreted.
What can delay ann 50 long ?"
Doris thought, casting a longing glance
towards the door.
Would madame have the goodness
to assure me that this is a photograph
of herself ? / should not like to be
mistaken" said the intent-eyed person
age, standing before Doris and holding
out a photograph for her inspection.
Doris took the card in her trembling
fingers, and saw, to her establishment,
her own face, with q happy, smiling eK-
preston on it, very different from it
frightened look at that moment.
at is my photograph, sir. May |
ask how it came into your possession ~
she asked, flushing angrily.
Eve will not waste words as to how
| came by madame's likeness | will
only request her to follow me quietly,
and without disturbance of any kind,
to the nearest eab-stand."
.'What do you mean ?" exclaimed
Doris, her knees ready to give way be-
meath her with fright.
Madame Is my prisoner, aud 1t IS
high time that her clever assumption Of
innocence ceased"
''Oh, mamma, mamma, save HE from
this dreadful man - the terrified girl
cried, flying to her mother. wine at that
moment appeared, laden with wraps.
"He is either mad or dreaming
The fur-lined nantes and soft d0wny
head-gear fell In a confused heap on
the floor, while Mrs. Bracondale's eyes
diIated with amazement and anger.
Explain yourself, sirl How dare
you insult my daughter ~
The stranger began to lose his TEN
per.
81 have strict orders to arrest the
original of this photograph yoru So
called daughter"
fSo-called Indeed I" angrily utter
rupted Mrs. Bracondale.
HAS declared it to be hers. and there
is nothing more to be said. For her
own comfort, l advise her to come with
me without further resistance.
"But it is all a mlstakel OF what is
she accused p"-"Theft."
"What theft ; and who sent yoI on
this vile errand ?"
81 have NO time to answer questions.
Madame, l advise you to put on yom
cloak, as the air is cold outside"-to
| Doris.
"Heavens ~ cried Mrs. BracOndale.
1.-THE man is memorable, and there is
not a soul here to whom / can appeal
for help i"
For reply, the keen-eyed little man
actually dared to take Doris by the arm
and draw her gently towards the door
whereupon all Mrs. Bracondale's BRAY
cry left her and, with tears streaming
down her face, she begged to be allowed
to follow, the awful idea of her daugh-
ter being torn forcibly from her coming
upon her with overwhelming force.
They left the salon by a private door,
meeting no III on the way-but an APP
peal to strangers would have ayailed
little, even If they had been allowed to
make it-and got into a close cab, as
silent, uncongenial a trio as ever fate
threw together. They alighted at the
police station in a certain obscure
street, and the two ladies were given
into the charge of a serious-visaged Of
fetal, with many mjunctions muttered
in a low tone from their companion.
The police official escorted them down
a long dreary corridor with stout doors
opening out from each side, and ushered
them into a bare room at the end-nOt
a common prison. cell, but chilling and
comfortless enough TO depress the most
buoyant spirits.
"Oh, mamma, what misery and dis
grace is this that has overtaken us ~
cried Doris, as the heavy door was dou-
ble-locked upon them.
They huddled forlornly together in
the cold, the one feeble candle our
teously allowed them showing their
ballroom inery in CHASTITY contrast TO
their surroundings.
1T is a shame and an outrage which
the world shall know tomorrow ~ eiac-
ulated the elder lady, mingling her tears
with her daughters. 81 have heard Of
the prosecutions which unprotected for
eigners are liable to in this iulq0It0us
country but this exceeds my worst i'm
aginings. Oh, it is scandalous, scan
daious-my heart feels ready to burst
with Indignation You, my precious
child, reared and tended like "a young
princess, To be thrust into a common
prison-cell by the freak of a madman
| am choking with rage at the thought
and am 50 utterly helpless e.
Don't excite yourself so, mamma
be thankful that we are not separated.
Ii Felix we're only here But We can
not hope for his return yet"
Doris was mistaken with regard 10
her lovers return. To his great de-
light Felix had been able to accomplish
his errand in Belgium in half the time
he had believed possible, and had reap
peared in Baden Baden on the night of
the grand ball. As it was late, aud be
was very tired from his long journey,
he had gone directly to his room al The
hotel and slept late into the next moru-
until u card from Gaspey, the detec-
tive, appeared with his breakfast.
"The gentleman has hees -.aiting