Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1886-09-03

My ucHr MT. tOlthtNIef, am thankful
to know that in good society no one is ever
taken on trust" replied Miss Darnel.
"What could society be like if people
were?"
"Perhaps a good deal pcasanter than it
is now" retorted the rcprobate squire,
who troubled himself much less about the
anteccdents of an acquaintance than about
the pedigree Of n fox hound.
Miss Darnel shrugged her shoulders,
with the air of declining to waste any
more time in argument with n person Of
Mr. Colchestcr's limited intellect.
~ should very much like to see Grace"
he said, getting very red and faltering n
little. "if She is not too bad to see any one"
she may not be too bad to see yOu,' re-
piled Dora. II dare say her tase for hunt
ing will survive the calamity that has
fallen upon us
TRUE" answered Colchester simply.
"She may like to know whore next weeks
meets are to he even though she can't 20
out But | trust in God poor Sir
Allan will pull through quicker than you
expect"
Dora rang the bell and sent servant
/ for her niece Mr. Colchester walked up
and down the room meanwhile, sorely
troubled. and finding no word to say to his
companion.
! ne lbplIlltl N'illl' DftCh ~ say ludl MISS
Grace Darnel sent her compliments to
/ Mr.. Colchester, and was much too unhappy
to see any one.
"Thank ec, ~ said the young squire; and
when the man was gone he added, mood
lily, II didn't think she'd see me. She's
been uncommOuiy rough on me for the
last year ur So And before She went to
school in Paris we were no end of chums
Good bye Miss Darne, shall call again
tomorrow. and perhaps Lady Darnel will
be well enough to see me I have al
ways been one of her warmcst admirers,
you know, and well, it would take
dooced lot of hard facts to make be believe
that her influence upon Sir Allan life has
been anything but a good influence, and
that he isn't as happy as a bird in his mar
riage with her.
And with these words, Mr.. Colchester
departed, feeling more easy in mind after
he had thus expressed himself.
The Wears wife and the doctors old
maiden sister called in the course of the
afternoon full of frindliness and anxious
to see Lady Darnell were she able to re-
ceive II friend. The county sent cards and
inquiries, but offered no warmer form of
sympathy. And 50 the long day
of grief and fear wore on, to
be followed by another sleep
last night, and a dawn of sorrow. There
was no Improvement in the patient. The
utmost comfort Mr. DanverS could offer
was the assurance that he saw no increase
of danger.
Dora and Grace went down to the din
ing-room to breakfast on this second
morning; but Lady Darnel could not be
induced to leave her room.
Grace had anXeties of her own. as well
as that agOnzng fear for her fathers life.
She wanted very much to have few
words with her godfather; and on Miss
Darnel retiring to her daily interview with
the hOusekeeper the desired opportunity
occurred. Grace and Colonel Stukely
We're alone.
Have YOU seen anything more of him"
she asked plunging at once into the heart
of her subject. Have You heard any
thing
"Not n word replied the colonel. II
took ii long walk yesterday afternoon with
the idea that might find out something.
| called AT the inn, saw the landlord, and
asked if he had any strangers lodging in
his house, Not a mortal Then went
the round Of the better class ot Cottagers,
mostly pensioners Of yours ana Lady
Darnels to which you have introduced
me at udd times | didn't put my
questions directly, but let uut our idea Of
a burglary at Darncl, and asked if any
strangers had been noticed about the
place | even walked across to Handle
bury Union, with the notion that it was
just possible the poor fellow may have
had to take refuge there
40, colonel, how utterly dreadful
MY dear child. the Union has sheltered
better men than he. However no such
person had been heard Of there So take
it, Mr., Camllac must have had few
shillingS about him in spite of his wretched
appearance and that he has gone on to
some other place. The mystery is that he
should have come here at all, unless with
the idea of seeing You
~ feel convinced that he came here to
see me, and for no other purpose, and that
he is lying dead or dying on some dreary
common, where the fox hounds are more
likely to find him than anybody else"
said Grace impetuously. 90. what double
misery Victor dying or dead-my
fathers life trembling in the balance 1t
seems as if the world We're coming to An
end
In vain the colonel argued with his god
daughter, urging that in life the unforeseen
is always likely; and that there was no
reason to GricVe for the fate of young
man who had perhaps already fallen on
his feet. Grace was not to be Comfurted.
"To think of me, surrounded by all these
luXuries' she exclaimed looking angry at
the richly furnished breakfast table while
the man who was to be my husband has
not "a good shelter as the stable dogs.
If | were not so anxious about my father,
| would take couple OF dogs and ride
over every bit of waste ground within ten
miles til found that poor fellow
IF that is your idea, Grace, | can carry
I 6, do MI oil " ,nt1 . ha
colonel kindly.
"Oh, my dear godfather, how kind you
are" cried the girl, repenting all her rude
ness. Forgive me for my ingratitude just
now. | hardly know what say. / am
so very miSerabe-about Nictor-about
my father and Lady Darnel most OF all"
poor Lady Darnel; yes, for your
fathers accident is a terrible blow for
her"