Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1886-12-12

people who have taken the priory %
Lesforc po
"Y.s; strangely enough, I met
them at Wiesbaden."
He seemed . little surprised, and
muttered something to himself that
sounded like {" Is II possibls?"
DO you live near the pr,ory
{" No, not very near; about seven
miles away"
at is = charming old place, is it
not ?" be asked.
Extremely, especially the modern
part; the other is only picturesque
ruin, and said 70 be haunted. I have
heard there arc extensive subterranean
vaults beneath the building"
He started.
"Do sou think they know OF this ?"
Really, I can't say" | returned,
laughing. " Anyhow, ] suppose they
would net be alarmed at the idea"
Had they a lady with them a.
Wiesbsden ?" he inquired.
was on my guard instantly and re-
piled coldly:
miss Dalton was at Weisbaden "
"Ah, tall, handsome girl with
dark eyes and hair 2"
"No; Miss Dalton hal golden
hair" said, rather nettled at his To-
quisitiveness.
He smiled, and turning away, ad-
dressed himself to Manvers.
THAT is 8 curious fellow" | re-
marked to the latter, as wo walked
home together later on /; "who is he ?"
AS you know, my dear Cis, his
name is Derrick Chalmers, though
doubtless be has several aliases. lie
was brought up to the diplomatic SER
vice; was sent out to st. Petersburg
on secret mission somehow got
mixed with the Nihilists and dissp.
peared; was heard of later on in Au.
stIalia-that was some four or five
years ago; since that We all thought
be was dead, but, you see, he has
turned up again. What he is now
heaven only knows"
"He seems q very good sort; shall
we ask him down to shoot, Jack? He
would keep US alive"
Jack acquIesced heartily. sent my
invitation the next morning, and Chal-
mers readily accepted it. lie and
Manvers were to return with me to ST.
Mary's Cray the following week. |
little knew when l asked him Of the
events that were to result from bis
visit, and to overshadow all my future.
1t was September when We reached
England after five months absence, and
glad enough | was to be home again.
| bad gone away an invalid. ! returned
fully restored to health, anticipating
with a keen relish many days tramp
over my own turnip-felds after the willy
partridge, in which Jack and Derrick
Chalmers thoroughly sympathized with
NE.
Ny home seemed doubly welcome to
me: the servants were glad to have me
back again, and we sat down to dinner
that night the cherriest little party pos
siblc. After we had gone to our rooms
remembered ! had left An important
letter on the mantel.shelf in the bill
liard-room, so went down again for it.
Entering, my foot struck against some
thing on the floor; stopped and picked
it opt was Chalmers's note-case. |
knew it, as | had been admiring the
silver monogram on it before dinner.
| found nay letter and was leaving the
room, when my collie, aroused by my
entrance. Jumped against me, upsetting
my candle. In my anxiety to save II
! cropped tho n0tc-cage and some OF
the contents fell to the ground. As !
hastily replaced them, cursing myself
for my carelessness, a yignotte por-
trait Of lady riyeted my gaze.
Could be mistaken:
Was it possible that my eyes de-
ceiyed me? 1t was the photograph OF
Ethel Dalton
How we'll ] knew the turn OF tia
graceful head, the languil droop Of the
deep. contemplating eyes, the curve
of The naughty nostril, the decided
sweep of the mouth and chin starch
at it in silence, aghast at my discovery,
puzzled and surprised, yet with hor-
rible forbodng. AZ length | replaced
it in the note-case aud walked upstairs
to ChalmeTs's room; entering, gave
it to him, merely saying where and how
| had found it.
lie favored me with one Of his Curl
ously keen. scrutlnlzing glances, but |
was quite equal to it, and again wish
ing him good. night, retired, but not
to sleep. for ! was haunted by terrible
misgiviDgs, which | could not shake
off, in which Derrick Chalmers and
Ethel Dalton were closely interviewer.
The next morning nothing was
thought of but shooting; we were up
betimes and out with our guns before
the early fieshnessness Of the day had
departed.
Before starting | wrote short note.
informing Miss Dalton of my return,
and was sgreesbly surprised to tind
upon reaching home in the evening,
after frst-rate days sport, an invita-.
ticn for myself and friends to dine -
the priory the following night, which
we gladly accepted.
hsd purposely avoided mentioni1e
Cbalmers's name in my letter, as ! was
anxious to see the meeting betWeeo
himself and Ethel, for | was quite coo-
WINGED that some secret understanding
must exist between them.
The priory was fine old buildips.
the ruined part being in the rear Of TIE
house, and approached by bridge and
an ancient gateway thrown across whst
was originally a moat, but was nov
filed in and levelled, and formed
most perfect tennis.ground. The hal
was q large one, containing a billiard
table. 1t was decorated in the modern
antique style, and with, old brocades,
embroidered screens, palms, and Girl
entail hangings, certainly looked 3
charming resort.
Miss Dalton came forward to meet
US as We entered the drawing-room
seemingly more lovely than ever. She
returned nv pressure of the hand