The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-07-26

CUTBY THE COUNTY.
A NOVEL BY MISS M. E. BRADDON,
Aueys Mems Shoes ETC.


The Colonel found his god-daughter in her
own little sitting-room very unhappy, utterly
unable to employ herself Lady Darnel was in
the next room. She would not allow Grace to
remain with her. She preferred to be alone.
she does nothing but brood, and do moth
ing but brood" said Grace, who came out into
the corridor to talk to the Colonel. IF we 90
on much longer like this we shall both be IN a
lunatic asylum"
The Colonel patted her gently on the shoulder
but could offer no better consolation. he had
talked confidentially with the doctor on the
previous evening and he had little hope OF MS
old comrades recovery.
"Your Aunt Dora is active enough for the
whole household" he said bitterly.
"She is positively diabolical," exclaimed Grace.
'gThe idea of her sending for a detective, and
worrying poor Lady Darnel with questions
about that wretched money, as if it could do my
dear father any good to find the burglar who
shot him, Or course, l should like the wretch
10 be hanged, but can't think of him any
thing else till my dearest father is out of dan
ger"
II am going for prowl, Grace. l shan't wait
for luncheon, as / want long afternoon
THE house is just shade drearier when you
are out of it." said Grace, with a sigh.
lyon have not had any letter or message from
Nr. Camillacf
mot word: feel convinced that he is dead
that he died Of cold and hunger under some
hedge, but l feel as if it didn't matter. l dare
say shall feel sorry for him by-and-by when
my father is out of danger"
II don't suppose he is dead, Grace. A man of
that age is not so easily killed"
'If he were not dead or dying 1 should have
heard of him before now" said Grace, with con-
viction. ''Why did he come to this place except
TO see mel He was penniless, and he knows
that am rich. What more natural than that
he should appeal to me- He could not go on
existing without money
mo, he could not 60 on without money"
thought the Colonel.
The whole story seemed clear to him. This
Camac had been lurking about the grounds
that night with the hope of seeing Grace. He
saw the lighted windows of Lady Darnels room,
opening upon balcony which was easy to climb
no scaled the balcony. overheard Sir Allan's
talk about the banknotes, saw where they were
put, and made rush for them when the room
was empty. The whole transaction had
grown out of the inspiration of the moment
an unprecedented crime, suggested by OPP
Dortunity. He had come to the house to get a
few pounds from his sweetheart; and he had
suddenly seen a chance of helping himself to four
hundred.
And now for Graces sake, the Colonel wanted
to get this scoundrel out of the way, at any cost
to himself of trouble Or hard cash. He was not
md ba eor1d afford tO SOpp0 q
few hundreds for his favorite The difficulty
was where to find the man. If he had got
clear off out of the clutches of the law, it was
well, and he might rest upon his ill-gotten
gains at distance, without inficting evil upon
Grace; but, if he were hiding anywhere within
thirty miles of Darnel, the odds were that he
would fall into the hands of Mr.. Penwern, and
the whole story would come to light at the next
quarter sessions.
The Colonel rode slowly down the avenue on
bis old bay cob cob that was the very essence
of sobriety and good manners as hack, and yet
when inspired BY view halloa and good COM
pany could go at a tremendous pace in burst
across country. He rode very slowly, medtating
where and how he was to pursue his quest of
Mr.. Camillac. He had already visited almost
every cottage, and explored every copse and com
mon in the neighborhood. Half way down the
avenue he met Edward Colchester on foot
II was just going up to the house to make an
inquiry" he said. amy improvement in Sir
Allan since the mornng9'
The Colonel shook his head
"Fredericson is to be here tomorrow, he said
sand if the bullet can be extracted then there
may be some hope But just at present things
look very bad"
Poor Grace, " said Colchester, how sad it is
for her. I should like to go and talk to her a
Bit, if you think shouldn't be nuisance"
II am sure you would not be a nuisance, and
your society would do Grace good She is in a
wretched state, poor girl If you hurry up to
the house you'll find them at lunch, and Grace
can hardly refuse to see you" said the Colonel,
who was a secret ally of Monsieur de Camilac's
rival
"a thousand thanksr exclaimed the young
squire, starting off at run.
The family were at luncheon. Mr.. Colchester
asked to be shown into the dining room, deter
mined not to be relegated to the solitude of the
drawing room, and to formal interview with
Dora. They could not turn him away from their
table in house famous for its hospitality; and
however dismal the meal might be- it would be
rapture-a sad kind Of rapture of course-to
sit by Grace in sympathetic silence, and admire
the outline of cheek and throat the little rings
of auburn hair which clustered in the hollow of
her neck. the heavy coil of plats, the gracious
contour of the head
Dora Darnel and her niece were seated at the
opposite ends of the table. as far apart as they
could be- Grace sat with an empty plate before
her, the image of despair. She gave wan
smile when Mr.. Colchester came in and took his
seat by her side, unlimited, except by the
servans VINO laid cover for him.
How very good of you to come again" said
Dora, with a faint emphasis on the last word.