Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1886-09-21
CHAPTER TX.
"LovE WILL HAVE HIS Way

@LovE WILL HAVE HIS WAY"
The third day began, and still no change
In the patient. Mr.. Colchester had called
on the day before. He called again at
breakfast time on this third morning, on
his way home after cub-hunting, apollo
getic about his mud-bespattered boots.
The footmau ushered him into the dining
room, and he found himself face to face
with Grace Darnel before he had time to
collect his thoughts.
$50 glad to see you again; so sorry to
hear Sir Allan Is no better he faltered as
he shook hands.
TWill you take a cup of tea, or may
] give you some coffee?" asked Dora sol
emily
Thank you I should like some tea
above all things"
The butler had arranged place for the
dropper-in at Grace's right hand, and had
put dish of outlets il front of that place,
by way of invitation; so Mr.. Colchester sat
down and took his cup of tea. He was
much too agitated to eat anything, in spite
of his three or four hours in the cold
morning air and his forty minutes across
country.
when do you begin your regular sea-
SOM" asked Col. Stukely, after silence had
prevailed for some minutes.
Not till next month. We shall finish
our cub-huntng this week, and then we
shall have a few by-days. Our first adver-
tised meet is to be on the 5th of October. |
hope all will be well here ever so long be-
fore then, and that-if you don't go to
ltaly-youll be out in full force on that
day." added Mr.. Colchester, looking at
Grace.
6np1t T ho1 bJ1pf
again." said Grace bursting into tears,
and the lord of the manor felt that he was
an undisciplined brute, always hurting
out foolish speeches, and that there was no
help for him
The butler came back at this moment,
with an unusually solemn air. as of one
who only carries messages Of vital import.
He bore silver salver with a card upon
1t, which he carried to Miss Darnel
"The gentleman says he is here by ap-
pointment, ma'am."
"Show him into the library" said Dora,
rising with stately air kindly excuse
me, Mr.. Colchester"
Il am going this instant; ought not to
have stayed so long" said Colchester
apoloSetically, getting up with a hurried
air.
But nobody was thinking about him or
how long he stayed. Grace had gone over
to her aunt
"Who is this person, Aunt Doras" she
asked anxiously; another doctor?"
NO, it is a person on business. A person
whom sent for" answered Miss Darnel.
Il don't think l need make any conceal
ment about the matter. The person is
detective from Scotland Yard"
"A detective, Aunt Dora2 A detective
in this house, summoned by your"
"Why not, child? If you are Indifferent
as to the manner in which your father re-
ceived the wound which may be his death,
if you and Lady Darnel, his wife and his
daughter, are content to sit down and let
the murderer escape, |, his sister. am not
so content The mystery ought to be faith
omed; and as there is no one in this house
clever enough to fathom it, | have sent for
professional assistance"
You may have acted wisely in so do
ing" replied Col Stukely. but it would
have been more friendly to acquaint Sir
Allan's daughter and his old comrade, be-
fore you took such a serious step: not to
mention his wife, who had a still better
claim to be told"
I'm very glad you've got detective.n
said Colchester. "for | believe he'll be of
my way of thinking; and scent a burglar
in this business. Goodbye I'll come
round again in the afternoon. if Imay, lust
to see how things are going onne&
Come as often as you like, Colchester"
replied the colonel, heartily. "Your pres
ence will do something toward cheer
ing US"
Grace shook her head despondingly.
Nothing can cheer us till my father is
out of danger" she said as Edward Col
chester backed out of the room. entanplipp
himself with his spurs, and looking at her
adoringly to the last.
"As this kind of thing is altogether out
of your line. Miss Darnel, think it would
be as well for me to see the detective with
you" said the colonel; that is to say. if
you wish to see him at all. | could spare
you the painful interview altogether. as I
can give the man all the information
necessary. | am not a stranger to this
kind of inquiry"
Il would much rather see the person
myself" replied Dora, with an offended
air. Il sent for him upon my own respon-
sibility; and particularly desire that he
should know my ideas about this terrible
event.
"lf You take my advice you will tell him
no ideas of your own or any one else's.r
nothing but the plain facts, and let him
work out the solution of the problem in
his own way. The detective police are not
heaven-born geniuses; but most of them
are hard-headed, sensible men. and not
likely to go far astray, except when they
are muddled and misdirected by non-pro-
fessional interference
Il do not think you have any reason
to consider me either child or an idiot.
Col. Stukely,H retorted Miss Darnel
pray permit me to manage my own af-
fairs. You can go with me to the library,
If you please"
The colonel did please, and followed the
lady closely, while Grace went upstairs
to her step-mother, who sat by the fire
motionless, apathetic. The dainty little
breakfast table beside her was scarcely
disturbed from the neat order in which it
had been brought into the room.
you have eaten positively nothing
mother said Grace, scrutinizing the
table
Il have had some tea, and a little toast:
I have done very WELL" answered Glare.
and then in a despairing tone she added,
"Oh, Grace, there is no improvement l
spoke TO one of the nurses; She was 60
ing off to her bedroom, with such an Or
derby air, as if life or death were all the
same to her. There Is no diminution of
the fever-the temperature Is Just as high.
He has not spoken one sensible word since