The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1885-03-28
IN LUCK AT LAST.
BY Walter Besant.
CHAPTER XIV.
TIE HAND OF FATE.

At the first stroke of noon next day Arnold
arrived at his Cousins house in Chester
Square. He was accompanied by Iris, by
Lala Roy and by Mr.. Frank Farrar
pray, Arnold, what is meant by all this
mysteryr asked Clara, receiving him and
his party with considerable surprise
Il will explain all in a few minutes, my
dear Clara. Meanwhile. have you done what
you promisedf
Eyes. wrote to DIR. Washington. He viii
be here, expect. in a few minutes"
"You wrote exactly in the form of words
you promised mer'
''Yes, exactly. asked him to meet me
here this morning at quarter past twelve,
in order to discuss few points connected
with Iris's future arrangements. before he
left for America and wrote on the enve-
lope, Immediate and important
Every we'll. He will be sure to come.
think. Perhaps your cousin will insist upon
another check for fifty pounds being given
to him"
"Arnold, you are extremely suspicious
and most ungenerous about DR.. Washington,
on whose truth and disinterested honesty /
thoroughly rely"
'We shall see. Meanwhile, Clara, l desire
to present to you young lady of whom we
have already spoken. This is Miss Aglen,
who is, need hardly say deeply anxious to
win your good opinion. And this Is I.ala
Roy, an Indian gentleman who knew her
father, and has lived in the same house with
her for twenty years Our debit shall
soon be able to say your debt-of gratitude
to this gentleman for his long kindness to
Miss Aglen is one which can never be re-
paid"
Clara gave the most frigid bow to both
Iris and Lala Roy.
"Really, Arnold, you are talking in
enigmas this morning. What am TO under
standi What has this gentleman to do with
my appointment with DR.. Washington"
"My dear cousin, | am so happy this
morning that l wonder | do not talk in
conundrums, or rondeaux, or terra rima. 1t
Is n mere chance, i assure you. Perhaps |
may break out in rhymes presently. This
evening We will have fireworks in the square,
roast n whole OK, invite the neighbors, and
dance about maypole. You shall lead or
the dance, Clara"
pray go on, Arnold All this Is very in
applicable"
This gentleman, however, is a very old
friend of yours, Clara. Do you not recog-
nize Mr. Frank Farrar, who used to stay at
the Hall in the old daysf
81 remember Mr.. Farrar very well, :"
Clara gave him her hand "But should
not have known him. Why have We never
met in society during all these years, Mr.
Farrarf
IL suppose because have been out OF So
ciety, Miss Holland" said the scholar
when man marries, and has a largo
family, and small income. and grows old
and has to see the young fellows showing
him out at every point, he doesn't care
much about society. hope you are well
and hapsy"
81 am very WELL and ought to DO happy,
because / have recovered Claude's lost heir.
ess, my cousin, Iris Deseret, and she is tho
best and most delightful of girls. with the
warmest heart and the sweetest instincts of
a lady by descent and birth"
] IShe looked severely at Arnold, who said
nothing, but smiled incredulously.
Mr.. Farrar looked from Iris to Miss Hol.
land, bewildered.
=" And why do you come TO see me to-day,
Mr.. Farrar-and with Arnoldr
" Because | have undertaken to answer
one question presently, which Mr.. Arbuth-
not Is to ask me- That is why am here.
Not but what 1t gives me the greatest pleas
ure to see you again. Miss Holland, after s,
many years"
"Our poor Claude died in America, you
know, MIR. Farrar."
Z" So have recently heard"
And left one daughter"
n" That also have learned" He looked
ct Iris
She is with me. here In this house, and
has been with me for a week. You may
understand, Mr.. Farrar, the happiness feel
in having with me Claude's only daughter"
Mr.. Farrar looked from her TO Arnold