The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1885-12-26
DECEMBER 26, 1885.

1 had persuaded her sister to elope with
me, l suppose?"
Something of the kind.
"And may I ask, Mr.. Ayre, why you
come to me from Mr. Lilburne? Why
did he not come himself or send for me?
l should have been only too ready to obey
his call"
"He 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"
sAhp'
There was pain, satisfaction and relief in
the exclamation.
A few seconds later he spoke again:
"You have not explained your interest
in the matter, Mr.. Ayre. don't under
stand what Miss Lilburne was to you"
"She was my promised wife, was the
answer
Fairfield shrank little as though he
had received blow, and his pale face be-
came still paler; but he quickly recovered
himself, and he asked with bitter smile
on his face:
"Do you seriously believe that Kate Lii
burne, your promised wife, would volun-
tarily leave her fathers roof to run away
with me ?"
"Most certainly not" was the prompt
reply.
"You think 1 carried her away by vio-
lence, then"
"Good heavens, no! [ should not be
here talking calmly if l believed such
thing possible"
"Then what made you come to me p
II came, as drowning men clutch at
straws, to ask if you can, or will, help me?"
was the eager response. "Nobody else can,
| feel convinced 1t is for Hates sake,
rather than my own, that ask you. The
mystery that surrounds her fate maddens
and appals me. love her SO truly that if
it would be for her happiness | would rather
see her your wife, than have any doubt as
to her safety or welfare"
"My wife !" repeated Fairfield with
mournful bitterness; "the woman is not
born who will be my wife. But you ask
for my help, and perhaps [ will give it to
you. | must think the matter over, how
ever. Will you call on me three days
hence, or, better still, give me an address
where | can write to you.
'"And you will write to me?" asked Ro-
land, as he gave him his address in town.
ayes, | will write without fail
Then Roland reluctantly went away.
He would have liked to ask several ques-
tions, but he felt that if he did so the en-
gineer would think he doubted him, and he
estimated the mans character with sufficient
accuracy to feel convinced that only by
treating him with perfect trust and conf
dence could he win his cooperation.
But as Roland Ayre walked away from
Fairfield Office it was with the disagreeable
conviction that the latter had questioned
and cross-questioned him, and learnt all
that he had to tell and told him absolutely
nothing in return.
''The fellow is as close as an OYSTER" he
muttered, ''and yet [ like him; there is
something firm, and strong, and massivein
the mans character, while he gives one the
idea of possessing certain amount Of lat
ent power which only exceptional circum-
stances will bring into action. And how
he loves Kate Surely together we ought
to be able to find her alive or dead.
1t was with some Impotence that he
waited, day after day, for the promised
communication; but whole week elapsed
before brief note came from Fairfield
asking Roland to meet him on the follow
ing day.
The appointment was kept, and when
the first brief salutation was over the engi-
neer said:
of you are disengaged to-day [ will take
you to see my mother. You know she was
Miss Lilburnes nurse ?"
eyes, have heard she was her foster
mother"
Fairfield inclined his head as he contin-
ued
"My mother was as much devoted to her
as though Miss Kate had been her own
child, and she is is in great trouble about
her now. l promised to take you to her.
Perhaps you can help each Other"
"But how can help her? Does she
know where Kate is?
i'She will explain everything to you her.
self" was the evasive answer. 'Do you
feel disposed to go with me to my mothers
house,"
Certainly; my time is at your service.
Where does your mother live?'
"About twenty miles this side of Silver
ton Castle" was the reply, "and fifty from
London; but we shall get down there in a
couple hours.
Then the two young men went off to-
gether, Fairfield leaving word at the Office
that he should not return for the day.
1t was late in the afternoon when they
reached Reechcroft, and Fairfield remarked
that they had still three miles to walk or
ride.
"Let us ride, said Roland impatiently,
II feel as though every moment We spend
upon the road stands between me and my
meeting with Kate"
Fairfield looked at his companion in
startled surprise, and he said with a sigh:
"You are anticipating too much, You
must prepare yourself for something the
reverse of happy. What made my hair
turn white in a single week can bring you
no comfort nor satisfaction.
"Was Kate the cause of your white
hair?' asked Roland in unfeigned sur
prise.
ayes; last Christmas Eve l was as free
from grey hairs as you are Now look at
me"
"Rut how did it happen? Why are
you SO mysterious? Why don't you deal
Frankly with mo 2'
"My mother will tell you all that you
need to know was the answer. Il only
warn you to anticipate evil rather than
good
Roland felt a chill come over him. 1t
was not the keen air of early spring that
made him shiver, but the cold feeling of
dread and anxiety that Fairfeld's words
caused him.
For, despite all reasoning to the con,
trary, he had cherished the hope that when
he reached Mrs. Fairfield S cottage he would
clasp Kate Lilburne to his heart
When he glanced at the white hair of
his companion, however, and heard what
was the cause assigned for it, he felt only