The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-10-25

U
When, on the same evening, Frank Bartlett was
holding the above conversation with Kate Will
Jams in corner of the drawing room, after
dinner, every lady in the room was aware that
Bertha and Mr.. Romney Romney were sitting
tete a-tete in the conservatory downstairs
Presently they were observed to go out together
onto the Lees. They walked up and down TOR
half an hour in front of the sea, and ten min
utes after they came in Mrs. Williams knew
that her eldest daughter had promised TO be-
come Mrs Romney Romney.
By breakfast time next morning the news was
known all over the house. and Bertha was re-
eelving the congratulations of her friends. Miss
Horncastle came among the first Bartlett
came, too and managed to put fairly good lace
upon the ceremony
Now that the blow had fallen Bartlett found
himself undergoing certain revulsion of feeling
towards Mr. Romney Romney, and 1t was not
long before he even found himself hoping that
nothing unfavorable to that gentleman would
come of his letter to his partner. He could not
help seeing what a grievous disappointment IL
would be to the family if their prize should not
turn out to be all it was taken for This view
struck him all the more after he had exchanged
a few words with Kate on the subject
of the engagement During the last
day or two he found himself good deal
in the society of the second Miss Williams. She
was lively, amiable girl-the best of the three,
most people thought-and her mothers right
hand in the management of the house. Bartlett
was quite surprised to find how blind he had
been to her good qualities
Consequently, when Mr.. Romney Romney con
fided to him over their after dinner cigar, that
he was thinking OF taking the Misses Williams
and their mother to spend day at Boulogne,
and invited Bartlett to be of the party, Frank
entered into the scheme without any reluctance
Il see from the time tables that either of the
next two or three days will suit u.s. Romney
remarked; "but Thursday will give us the long
est time there. | shall invite some more people
to join US, and we will have regular big party
in honor of the suspicious event"
The scheme was further mooted at breakfast
time on the following day. Unfortunately for
Mr. Romney- Romney's idea of "a regular big
party, it appeared that large portion eff the
company, consisting Of Mr.. and Mrs. Boxall and
their three children, had already arranged to go
to Canterbury, by coach, on Thursday The
Rev. Septimus Macrony, with his wife and SIS
ter were going with them, and their places on
the coach were already booked. Miss Horncas-
tie, however, after some little persuasion con-
sented on behalf Of herself and sister to honor
the party, always provided the weather and the
sea were propitious. The last two visitors, Mr.
Huntley, mddle-aged bachelor Of jovial dispo-
sition, and Mr. Octavius Prout, vacuous youth
from the Stock Exchange, at present hopelessy
victimized by Mabel Williams, promised to join
the excursion, as a matter of course.
This was the second day since Bartlett had
written to his partner. No answer awaited him,
however; and as time went on, and he found
himself, under the influence of Kate, more
and more interested in the happiness Of the
Williams family, he began to hope devoutly that
he would hear no more of Mr. Romney Romneys
portrait
On the Thursday morning, which dawned
bright and calm, and everything desirable, the
Boulogne party were on the move early The
Louise Dagenar, which was to carry them
for their trip, started at $780, and it was
in order to secure places before the arrival
of the tidal train from London. Consequently,
there rather a scamper over breakfast
Frank Bartlett came in late from his morn
ing swim A note for him lay on the table He
recognized his partners handwriting, but in his
hurry was obliged to slip the envelope into his
pocket unopened. Before he had done breakfast,
carriages came to take them down to the harbor,
and in the hustle of getting away, and the anx-
iety of looking after Kate Williams's cloak and
parasoi, and other small belongings, his letter
for the moment slipped his memory.
They found themselves in capital time When
they reached the boat and comfortable places
had been secured for the ladies deck, it still
wanted twenty minutes to the time of starting.
Mr. Romney- Romney was then seen whispering
to Bertha, and presently he hurried off on shore.
Where has he gone toy asked Mrs. Williams.
ITO get me some flowers" answered Bertha.
plenty of time. Oh, hope he won't be late
Mr.. Bartlett do you think he willp
HE need not" said Bartlett ''There is a
shop just across the harbor He could go there
and back in ten minutes if he chose to run"
Shortly after the train from London came in,
and for the next ten minutes they were all busy
watching the continental tourists swarming on
board When however, at the end of quarter
of an hour Mr.. Romney Romney had not re-
turned, the ladies manifested considerable I'M
easiness. The passengers were all on board;
the pile of luggage on the quay was being rap
idly reduced; and yet he did not appear. AS
the harbor clock struck the half and
the steam whistle roared out Justly, Bertha
80 L. 49, l.
the quay, biting her lip nervously. Then
the last portmanteau came laundering
down on the deck and the gangway was drawn
up. There was an interchange of signals oe
tween the captain and the shore, a shout or
two, and splash as the cables were cast off,
and then a culver ran through the boat and the
quay suddenly appeared to move away and
Bertha dropped back into the chair with a sob
which would not be repressed for they were off,
and Mr.. Romney Romney was left behind
Don't be frightened" said Bartlett, to the
ladies generally. perhaps he has slipped on
board and gone below. l will go and look"
He had not much faith in his own theory, but
he moved away as he spoke and looked through
every part of the steamer. He was soon con-
WINGED that their friends was not on board. At
this point he suddenly remembered the letter in
his pocket. He hurriedly broke the seal and
read as follows:
Dear BARTLETT playing truant yesterday, or
should have answered yours sooner The nortrait
ris, alias "Romany, of the Southeastern Bank case.
have sent the picture to Scotland Yard for furth
er inquiry, and will let you know the result. Mean
while, keep your eyes open, and don't let Mr. Romney
Romney give you the slip He is pretty to know
you. Yours truly, LAURENCE TAPEHAM.
''Confound it all! he has given me the slip. Z"
muttered Bartlett to himself He remembered
Mr. Romney- Romney well enough now, and as
his mind ran over the events of the last few
days, he began to have a general idea that some
thing was wrong, though he was unable to see
however, which crossed his mind led him to go
at once to Kate Williams and inquire privately
who was left in charge of Virginia House.
What he learned from Kate gave his suspi-
James" Mrs. Williams's man-of all work, had
gone out for the day, taking with him Maria, the
upper housemaid, with whom he was keeping
arranged this like the rest of the excursion. He
had made presents to all the servants in honor
of his engagement, and had condescended to ask