Los Angeles daily herald., 1886-12-30


had elapsed, Whitaker came into his
masters room one day with startling
piece of intelligence. The ever watchful
clerk had discovered that Capt. Rosse-
ter had purchased for himself an estate
at Stanmore for G7, 600.
cat least he bought it in his wife's
name," explained Whitaker. "But the
question Is where did the money conn
from?''
"Good heavens," exclaimed Mr. Bold
Married, ehl Is he? l heard O rumor
but he isn't supposed to be married
However, as you say, the question ia
where did he get that $1,000 fromY"
81 don't think it is difficult to guess,'
said Whitaker, with grin.
''Pon my word, Whitaker, I'm afraid
it is case of q serious fraud. l know fo1
certain that the man has not 81, GOO of his
own, said the lawyer, getting excited.
81 wonder where the young lady is?''
exclaimed Whitaker.
"We must find out" said Mr. Bold,
energctically. Overland & Co. gave
you the address of the school at Brigh-
ton, didn't they? Well, you must go
down there at once, Whitaker, and trace
her. L feel it my duty to investigate
this matter, for should not be the least
surprised il it transpired that this Capt.
trust money"
Whitaker being entirely of the same
opinion, started off on his mission with
out delay, and was absent about week,
during which time Mr.. Bold fumed with
impatiencc and curiosity. Whittaker's
report, when he returned, was not calcu-
lated to allay suspicious. He had traced
Miss Tremayne through her girlish
career from Brighton to school at
Cheltenham, and from thence to Bath.
At the latter city she had resided until
year or two ago with an elderly lady,
who had died suddenly, since which
event nobody knew what had become of
the young girl or where she had gone
after leaving Bath.
''I'va made up my mind what will
do, Whitaker" said Mr.. Bold, after dis
cussing the situation with his clerk II
shall go and see Capt. Rosscter and insist
upon his telling me where the young
lady is. If he refuses, l shall feel justified
in taking legal steps. My belief is that
tho poor girl is either dead or is being
kept out of her inheritance, or part of it,"
SIT looks blacS-yery black acqui-
esced Whitaker
The consequence was that next day
Mr.. Bold, who was Il plucky and de-
termined little gentleman, and was capa-
BILE of making personal sacrifices for the
sake of justice and principle, journeyed
down to Stannore and presented himself
at the door of the captains newly ac-
quired residence. His object was to take
his adversary by surprise, and to proff
by his confusion, His. design was. par,
r1ary ysuccessrdl, Tor Yfu 'offescoulu have
looked more startled and confused than
Capt. Rosseter when his sturdy accuser
was ushered into his presence.
"bir. Boldp' exclaimed the captain,
nearly dropping the post-prandial pipe
which he was smoking.
eyes, sir,n said the lawyer severely;
and as soon as the door was closed he
confronted his companion and said:
"Capt. Rosseter, have come down here,
as solicitor to the Tremayne family for
many years, and as solicitor to the late
Col. Tremayne, to demand of you in
formation concerning Col. Tremaynes
daughter"
"Sit down." said the captain, not very
politely, perhaps, but with tolerable
calmness.
NO. thank you, Capt. Rosseter," re-
turned the lawyer, in tone which
showed that he did not intend to be
trified with. 81 give you fair warning
that il You don't answer my question
shall invoke the aid of the law to find
out what have not beon able to discover
myself.
Before the captain could reply, the door
opened, and young lady entered the
room. The lawyer, turning round, only
caught glimpse of her as she endeav-
ored to retire, but he perceived that she
was young and pretty. The captain,
however, called after her.
"Annie, my dear, come in. Let me in
troduce you, Mr. Bold, to my wife,
Mr.. Bold bowed stiffly and the young
lady, as though instinctively sryspecting
the lawyers hostile Intentions crossed
over to her husbands S side and laid her
hand lovingly to his shoulder
"Annie my darling," said the captain,
with singular gentleness, ''you must let
me tell Mr.. Bold your lite history. How
your father, my good friend, on leaving
England, laughingly confided his little
daughter to my care. How used to call
and see you at school with my pockets
full of sweetmeats. Syow your bright
face and innocence brought sunshine
into my heart when it was full of dark
ness How you grew up and teased me
and made me realize the unworthiness of
my life. How strOye to be better, only to
learn my weakness. How at length, upon
your old schOolmistress, with whom you
lived, dying, two years back, you volun-
tarily consented to devote yourself to re-
forming"
Nonsense, James, " interposed the girl,
putting her little hand over his mouth
and kissing him impulsively
The captain bore the infliction cheer
fully enough, though his eyes were moist
as he turned again to the lawyer and said:
"The long and short of the matter is, Mr.
Bold, that married this young lady two
years ago, with the full consent OF her
father, Col. Tremayne."
"You might have said so when you
called upon me that day." retorted the
lawyer, feeling smaller than he had ever
done in his life.
At sign from her husband, Mrs. Ros-
setter glided out Of the room, and when
the door had closed the captain retorted:
$50 might, if you had been civil. But
your manner was SO suspicious, and,
may add, insulting
'I'm very sorry,' interposed the law
yer looking shamefaced.
"Pshaw! Never mind, my dear sir,'
cried the captain, heartily. cit was my
own fault-an unpleasant reminder of my
past life. Thanks to my wife, I have
mended my ways, turned farmer, grown
respectable--the least I could do in re-
turn for the sacrifice she made In throw
ing Herself away upon me- There was no
concealment; she married me with her
eyes open, and her father also gave his
consent after had made full confession
of my career lie knew, poor fellow,