National Republican., 1885-04-25

great rascal, by the way, that porter;
always looks as IL he wanted something,
you know-then the visitors book, and
SO. Yes; it's oil right SO far. There's
tho thing now w-glancing at the old
Leslie's watch chain. 'p'-he went on
that is, my name is Raby, Col.
Raby, and Dear me, yes; must
apologize, ought to have done that
at first, for intrusion, and all
that kind of thing; but really. you
see, - And hero the old gentleman
paused, fairly for want of breath, his pur-
ple checks expanding ard contracting,
while, instead of words, he emitted q
series Of little puffs, and John, while ask
ing him to take n seat entertained rather
strong doubts Of his visitors sanity.
Now" said ho at length, when he per-
ceived signs that the colonel was about to
recommence, "kindly let me know in what
way can be OF use to you"
Bother take the woman ~ calculated
the visitor, rs he recovered his breath
again. "But you sec, Mr.. Leslie, it was
all through my niece. She caught sight
Of that thinR-funny-looking thing, too
on your chain while we were on the Pa
rade this evening, and nearly tainted
away-she did. sir. l do assure you.
In Mrs. Raby's arms, too, sir, and
IL had not got cup Of water from the
drinking fountain, and poured 1t over
her head, there would most likely have
been a bit of scene, sir, and then
We are staying in this house, you know.
"Wo saw you come in just behind US,
and so-of course it's all nonsense, but the
fact is
Excuse me-" interrupted Leslie, who
was growing impatient, but may ask
the name Of the lady-your niece,
mean p
my niece. SIR" replied the colonel,
rather ruffled at being out short, 'is
known as Miss Margaret Drury, aud IL
you will only have the kindness to con-
vince her as to the utter absurdity Of an
idea which she somehow eutertains that
that affair. charm, trinket. or whatever
you may call it, once belonged to
brother Of hers, shall be extremely
obliged to you. for really'-relspsing
again-"whon the women once get hold
Of fad Of the kind, q mans peace 10
clean gone, sir, do assure you."
II am not quite sure" remarked Les
lie, smiling, that in this case at least II
will not turn out to be fad How /
became possessed Of this stone, which l
have every reason to believe once be-
lOukcu w hOE huu WHICH, tnTOuRu
long years, / have held in trust for her
aud her mother. is quito capable Of ex-
PLANTATION, sad though the story may be.
80, sir, 1 shall be very pleased to wait on
Miss Drury as soon as may be convenient
to her."
A tall, dark-robed figure beyond the
first bloom Of maidenhood, but still pass
ing fair to look upon, rose on Leslie's
entrance; and he recognized at a
glance the long golden hair, and calm
eyes of deepest blue, Of poor Drury's oft
repeated description.
Many sob escaped his auditor as he
feelingly related his sad story.
Poor Frsncie," she said at last-"poor,
dear Francie And this Is the old Guam
dong locket gave him as q parting gift,
whom he left for those terrible diamond
fields? A lock of my hair was in 1t. But
how strange 1t seems that through all
these years you have never disco vered
the secret Of opening It, See!p and with
a pnsh on one of the stud heads and a
twist on another, short, stout silver pin
drew out. and one half Of the nut slipped
of, disclosing to the astonished gaze Of the
pair, nesting in q thick lock of gold en-
threads finer than the finest silk, beau
tiful diamond, uncut, but still, even 60
the Impractical eyes of Leslie, Of great
value.
This. then, was the secret Of the
QuandonH stone, kept so faithfully for
so long O time. This was what that
dying friend and brother had tried, but
tried in vain. with his last breath TO dis
close.
1t was little wonder that Leslie's in
quiries and advertisements had been in
efoetual, for about the time Drury had
received his last letter from homo, the
bank in which was tho widows modes
capital failed, and mother and daughter
were suddenly plunged into poverty dire
and complete. In this strait thoy wrote
to Col. Raby, Mrs. Drury's brother,
bringing them from Australia to Eng
land, and accepting them as part and
parcel Of his homo without tho slightest
/ delay. Mrs. Drury had now been dead
some years; and though letter after let
| tor had been addressed 10 Francis Drury
| at the cape, they had invariably ro-
turned with the discouraging indorse-
ment, mot to be found" The Rabys,
it seemed, saved for brief interval
yearly, lived q very retired kind OF life
on the Yorkshire wolds; still, Margaret
Drury had caused many and persistent
inquiries to be made as to the fate OF
her brother, but, till that eyentful even
ing on the Marine Parade, without being
able to obtain the slightest clue.
As perhaps the reader has already
OWNED John Leslie was. after all, moi
fated to go through life's pilgrimage
alone. In fair Margaret Drury ho found
loving companion and devoted wife, and
as, through the years Of good and evil hap
The red light fell about their knees,
| ON heads that rose by slow degreea