Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1886-06-27

| selves. too. with that pleasing pasume
| The rector sighed. Should be ever agar
meet this guilslsss. smiable young wo
mane Maybe NOE. And IL not, VIVA
matter?
The train rapidly swept into the -
ton. Miss Ada eagerly, anxiouslJ
gaxed at the platform, where another
busting, jostling crowd Was scattered
81 sec papa! and Uncle Charles Il
with bim-what surprise !" she cried
CARLY. 81 don't see my maid. o
Bellamy, Bsllamy. how tiresome you
are But am stupid myself; Of course
she mustn't got out till the train stops
Could get out for . minute, aud just
run to see where she is? lam going ia
plsy aprank on papa. Belovesa joke; hs
Is full Of fun. will pretend not to be
myself at all. II will be such fun"
She quickly threw thick brown gos-
samer veil over her bonnet, pulling II
closely over her free; then she whisked
q light gray wrap completely round her
figure.
81 think it would be wisest to stay
where you are. Your father is sure to
see you'll you show yourself. Besides
be will doubtless 60 to all the car.
risges. snd-and your maid will signal
to him." urged the rector.
90, but I must tease him." cried
Miss Ada, who was evidently used to
doing exactly as she pleased, and OBJ
jected to being thwarted in any way
ward caprice. 81 won't risk drop
ping this--do take care Of it for me
only just a minute, you know" push
ing the morocco case containing the
diamond necklace into his reluctant
hands. "There is papa-that tall man
in an ulster. Don't let him see me ;
let me out, quick. 1t is only for fun.
! will ask him to come in here if you
don't mind"
The train stopped, and the lively
young lady, without waiting for advice
or assistance, whisked open the door,
sprang to the platform, carefully keep.
ing her face concealed, and darted
away light as a swallow, to hide for a
moment, like some gay, frolicsome,
thoughtless child unused to control.
The tall gentleman whom she had in
Dictated as her father, together with his
companion, were obviously seeking for
the lovely, teasing girl. They looked
about. scanning every one quietly but
sharply, and then began walking along
the line of carriages. The elderly re-
spectacle maid apparently retained her
seat. She was nowhere to be seen !;
but the rector, watching the lit
tie incident with some amusement,
was obliged to acknowledge to
himself that he had scarcely glanced at
her, and should decidedly not be able
to recollect even the general aspect Of
her prosaic figure. There was an ex-
preston of anxiety on the face of the
taller man, General Marine, as the rec
tor presumed him to be, which was
natural under the circumstances.
The two gentlemen paused at the
door Of the compartment in which the
smiling rector remained seated. The
leader scanned the clerical traveller at
tentively, and glanced swiftly over the
seats, the floor, the racks, then again
at the sole occupant of the carriage.
"Psrdon me-" he began courteously.
Certainly. | think practical joking
is foolish amusement" responded the
Rev. Septimus, with bland politeDess,
commipgled with cordially. 81 may
at once relieve your natural anxiety by
informing you that your daughter has
only this moment run away, out Of
girlish gaiety, to play at hide and-seek
with YOU"
81 don't understand YOU" coldly
answered the tall stranger. "Your
looks are more respectable than your
ways, sir. Allow me-; and, lean
ing in at the window, he attempted to
lay his hand on the red morocco case
lying conspicuously on the reverend
gentleman's knee.
"Most decidedly not" exclaimed the
rector, whipping the costly toy into one
of the outer pockets of his travelling
coat. A rapid surmise led him to guess
that this highly-disting uished looking
stranger was either as fond Of practical
Joking as his beautiful daughter, or else
a daring railway thief. He feared the
latter--yet how emipently sedate and
sober his aspect, while his expression
was open, albeit somewhat stern.
appearances are against you, my
good SIR" said the stranger, speaking
in q subdued tone. {" We have no time
to lose. Ifyou will not permit me to
inspect that case, containing, | under
stand, valuable diamond necklace, |
shall be obliged to request you to &C
company me and my friend here to the
station. m aster's Office"
81 shall do neither the one nor the
other. Unless there is some grievous
mistake your conduct is positively i'm
pertinent. | decline to relinquish this
case. whatever it contains, to any one
but the person who has intrusted it to
me; and l shall most decidedly not
accompany you anywhere" said the
rector haugh,ily, assuming his most Sc
we're clerical air.
1--WE shall see. That necklace be-
longs to tho Countess of Airly you can
see her initials and coronet on the out
side, and"
A sad, Multiplying thought darted
through the Iector's mind. The true
fact of the matter was evidently that
the beautiful girl was young countess;
she was fly ing from home, and this was
not her father, but perchance tyran-
nical husband. Her young life, her
bright future, her tender heart had all
been sacrificed on the altar Of ambition.
What a pitiful story. Perchance she
was guilty-sbe loved another. But
before he could reply the other con-
tinued roughly: "And it has been
stolen"
" Not by me-" cried the Rev. Septi-
mus, utterly shocked.
"That remains to be proved. Lord
Airly has telegraphed that his wife's
dressipg-case was opened at the station
this train has just Quilted"
The Rev. Septimus turned visibly
pale. But-surely-"
81 regret that we should be under