Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1888-02-09

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BEGGING HER To PROCEED.
be apt to hold him aloof, even if he were to
fall in love with her; -perhaps most impor-
tant-their respective homes were in widely
different continents and events might never
again throw them into each others way.
Thus reasoned Madamoiselle Lydia, and
if she reasoned oddly and somewhat diff
ferently from the conventional ways of
precise society, she, at least, reasoned cor
rectly and naturally, and followed not
form, but her own heart. AS Emerson has
it, she had written ION the intels of her
door-pos+, 'Whim.'"
But where was this Fairfax to be foundi
His own family did not know. She was at
her wits end to discover some means to
learn his whereabouts and to meet him, so
that the meeting might appear accidental.
Fortune helped her, as it always helps
those who help themselves.
Ere leaving the village she II ade q part
ing call on the FairfaXes. The family was
in great Joy. A letter had just that mo-
ment been received from the missing son.
Mrs. Fairfax was reading it aloud, and her
caller, taking kindly interest and begging
her to proceed, she continued:
SIT seems Arthur is at Mt. Desert, 'on
little business affair.", he writes, that may
keep me here some time By the way, I am
know here as Arnold Fox. Address my let
tiers accordingly, and '-here he had
heavily underscored the line" please, on
no account, let any one know of my where
abouts or nom de plume Oh. Miss earns
ford'-for such was the name by which
Lydia was known to her-''you will excuse
US, then, for requesting silence upon that
point that we have unwittingly divulged to
you"
OF course Lydia smiled, and promised.
She then returned to New York, endeav-
oring throughout the journey to solve the
problem as to Mt Desert-how to get there,
and what the excuse for going.
At the Windsor Hotel she found the
cards of many callers among whoCi had
been the Gulnares, who left note asking
her to return with them to Bar Harbor,
where they proposed spending October.
She was overjoyed at this simple solution
of her problem. OF course she would go
with them.
Wherever the party went, the observed
of all observers, it is quite needless to say,
was the young Englishwoman. The tall,
finely proportional figure, that clear, white,
brilliant complexion, those wonderful blue
eyes, and her very manner and carriage
never failed to attract second glance
toward her.
On the afternoon of a lovely, calm day
they arrived at Mt. Desert ferry. In the
sunset glow the hills of the island doomed
high, and the waters of Frenchman's bay,
smooth as O mirror, cleaned like FURNISHED
gold. The week was the first of October,
and the air was cool, but not unpleasantly
80. The thin smoke, rising from the CHM
neys of the farm-houses; the clear water,
surging against the roclz-ribbed coast; the
far-off tinlkle of the herd bells, ringing
among the pastures and woods; the sharp
contrast of light and shade; the gun of the
hunter, breaking the stiffness of the air, as
frin nod fhn cce h;r.6G hni
along the shore; the fishing boats, dropping
ona by one into the harbor, and the great
white steamer lying moOred at her dock, all
made a picture that indellibly impressed
itself upon the mind of Lydia.
Elegant cottages dotted the shores. The
GulnareS called Lydia's attention to several
of the more noted of them. Having viewed
those on the Ebay shore'' and in the village,
they next turned their gaze to the ocean
Shores After pointing out several, and
among them Eld-Field and Glen Gore, Miss
Gulnare remarked in connection with the
two latter:
"By the way, both of these cottages were
taken about the beginning of September by
two delightfully."- mysterious characters. At
Eld-Field is sort Of recluse in the shape OF
a young woman, whose name is said to be
Miss Rochefort. Be that as it may, she re-
fuses to receive visitors. A Miss Strong
the aunt of Mr.. Arnold Fox, the other mys-
terious character, who is at Glen Gore-to-
gether with Mr. Fox himself, are about the
only callers ever successful in getting an
interview with her. She frequently goes
out riding. l have often caught fieeting
glimpse of her as she dashes by on her black
horse. She is certainly the most stunEingly
beautiful brunette l have ever seen. Some
gentleman see by the papers-says she
bears a remarkably close resemblance to
the Princess Natalie Radziwill-"
''Ah, indeed" replied Lydia, with marvel
lous self-control "Quite a curious pair
they must be, these visitors at your resort.
hope 1 shall have q look at them"
''Can you tell me- said she. cooliy chang
ing the conversation, ''yyhat is that enor-
nous building in the villagel''
She had thus accidentally learned what
she wished-all she wished. Outwardly,
she was calm and cold, talking with patron
izing society commentator Of this, that and
the other point OF beauty. But her brain
was in a tumult- The worst, and far more
than the worst, was realized. Her present
iment was true.
Upon two things she was resolved. Fair
fax must be seen. Natalie, too, must be
visited.
Ahi but he was clever, that Fairfax
How he had deceived her in all, except the
tell-tale blushl How cunningly had he act
ed How skufully managed his plans
How completely thrown every one on the
track
What did she want nowi Was it re-
vengel Ali Mr.. Arthur Fairfax, here
you are, snugly ensconced in an out of the
way place, congratulating yourself upon
the fact thst you are hidden safely where