The San Antonio light. (San Antonio, Tex.) 1883-1886, 1885-02-11
COMRADES IN CHIEF.


COMRADES IN CHIEF.
Frank Fairfield sat in an office that
was situated in one Of the large thor
oughfares within a couple of hundred
yards of the Bank of England
lie was only junior partner in the
well-known firm of engineers to which
he belonged. and he had obtained this
position some two years before our
story opens, partly by his own great
talent ana industry, but principally
through Mr.. Lilburne's generosity.
To all intents and purposes Frank
Fairfield was a working partner in the
firm; he had been to South America, 10
Russia, and to India, experimenting
the construction of railways and bridges,
and though he had now been in Eng
land some three or four months, he
knew that he might be required to start
OH again at any time with but scant
notice.
The young engineer is only eight-and-
twenty, but he looks much older, for
since he returned from his last journey
abroad his thick wavy hair has become
perfectly white.
lie is seated this morning at table
with plans and drawings spread out be.
fore him.
He is trying hard TO fix his mind
closely upon the work he has in hand,
but the effort required is great one,
and he looks up with feeling of relief
when clerk opens the door and brings
him card.
Roland Ayre," he silently reads
with keen surprise; then he mods to the
youth to admit the visitor.
Mr.. Ayre came in, sad-looking it is
true, but youthful and handsome, and
he started with unfeigned establishment
when he saw Fairfield, for he had been
given to understand that he was man
about his own age.
II suppose l am addressing the per-
son | really came to seeyn he said, tax
ing the seat offered him; you were-you
are acquainted with Mr.. Lilburne, of
Silvertonpn
Fairield's face slightly flushed as he
replied:
Mr.. Lilburne has helped me to the
position | now hold; do you come to me
IRON himg"
Yes, he told me where should find
you, and l should have sought you
months ago, but l have been very i'll in
consequence of a shock received on
Christmas Day."
"A shockl'' repeated Fairfield.
Cd, ybu ndNb uttIu VI tilt 6lTdllpt
disappearance of Mr.. Lilburne's eldest
daughter?"
And as he asked this question Roland
looked keenly at the man who he had
been assured was his rival.
II have had no direct communication
with the Lilburnes for more than a
year." replied Fairfield, meeting his
companions fixed gaze without waver-
ing; be good enough to tell me what
occurred"
Roland complied, and he told his at
tentive listener how when the merry
making was tagging on Christmas
night, Grace Lilburne had proposed
game of hide-and-seek, and how she
had persuaded Kate to join in the game,
the latter having been lost from that
time to the present.
"Ah! then it was Grace who hid with
Kate, he remarked thoughtfully;"what
did she say had become of her sister,"
''She didn't know"
And did she make no SUGGESTION"
and the engineer looked at Roland
sharply.
Yes, it was she who mentioned your
name" he replied with hesitation.
"Ah, / thought so. She suggested
that | had persuaded her sister to elope
with me, supposel"
something of the kind
And may ask, Mr.. Ayre, why YOU
come to me from Mr.. Lilburne? Why
did he not come himself or send for mep
| .shonld have been only too ready TO
obey his CALI
lie ridiculed the idea that you would
harm his daughter; he said you had
given him your word never TO press
your suit with her again, and that he
had as much confidence in your word as
he had in mine"
"Ahln
There was pain, satisfaction, and re-
lief in the exclamation.
a few seconds later he spoke again:
You have not explained your inter
est in the matter, Mr.. Ayre. | don't
understand what Miss Lilburne was to
yOu.n
"She was my promised wife, was the
answer.
Fairfield shranlI little as though he
had received a blow, and his pale face
became still paler but he quickly re-
covered himself, and he asked with
bitter smile on his face:
DO you seriously believe that Kate
Lilburne, your promised wife, would
voluntarily leave her fathers roof to
run away with me?'
Most certainly not was the prompt
reply. ,,
violence, then?p
Good Heavens, mol should not be
here talking. calmly If | believed such
thing possible.
.Then what made you come to meYr
II came, as drowning men clutch at
6traMS To aSk If Won eup M will haln