The Penn's Grove record., 1888-10-06

the little ManneringS, but L was sur
prised to hear Edith refer to it, espe-
cialIy on such an occasion.
"We loved him." l said, sin spite oi
his little faults, and 1 understand the
ter tble anxiety you feel. But I must
leave you and begin my work. Be
sure that 1 shall bring him or news Of
him shortly"
How good you arel When shall we
hear?".
"You can expect me very soon, per-
haps within an hour"
"Whatever happens" cried Edith,
do not be later than noon."
I left the house brimful Of hope and
Joy, for, though 1 had been touched by
Edith's tears, I reflected that in pro-
portion to her grief would be her graft
tude when l found her brother.
After weeks of the despair which
had grown upon me as the breech be-
tween us widened, l was. by a happy
chance, about to be set in a place
nearer to Edith than I had ever before
occupied. Had not my heart eason
for its merry leaping IS l reflected
thusp l tripped into the police station
and gaily explained that | had lost a
little boy friend. The story vas lis
tened to with apparent i~ncredulity.
My too happy tone and manner must,
l thought, be the cause Of this disbe.
lief. 1 left after giving what details l
could for the officers to work upon. 1
felt q little sobered and surprised that l
had still farther to go for tidings.
/ walked to the scene Of the boys
disappearance, but there 1 could ex-
tract none of the sought-for informa-
ton.
It's there q conspiracy aioat to baf-
de me-" muttered, "0r has the earth
opened her mouth and swallowed him
up?"
But I will hurry on. L found moth.
ing but discouragement; l did not find
Charley. My want Of success was the
more disheartening for its unexpected
ness. When l made my promised call
at loon should 1 be still without news
for EdithP As the sun rose higher
my hopes declined.
At last l put In my appearances at
II II Villa again. My search had been
quite fruitless, but l made up my mind
not to betray my growing despair. l
must dissemble. I would assume the
same confident tone that l had used
before.
l was ushered into the presence of
Mrs. Mannering and her daughter.
The former greeted me as coldly as she
had ever done. AS l took her hand,
Edith said eagerly, In a trustful tone:
"Tell US, Mr.. LatimerI You have
not CONF without news, l am conf
dent"
swell, you see 1t is so early YET" l
began, not very auently, II a tell
YOU nothing very definite at present.
Later on l expect"
Filth had turned away with a de-
spalring gesture. Mrs. Mannering in
terrupte0 me-
81 see; do not give yourself so much
trouble to explain. You have ascer.
tanned nothing; you have come without
news or cause"
81 am very sorry" 1 said. edith
er-Miss Mannering told me to come
"Very good of you to do so, l am
sure," said her mother, dryly. 'Have
you time to sit DOWN."
I sat-
"Tell us what steps you have TAKEN"
said Edith. II know you have done
your best"
81 have, indeed" I said, preparing
to deliver the explanations ! had ready.
''First, let me tell you, l am going to
have notices inserted in all the NORM
ing papers. I Will show you a copy"
Here I drew a folded slip of paper out
of my memorandum book. "From
what l have ascertained, l think this
will certainly bring about the result we
wish for. Allow me to read it to you"
Mrs. Mannering evidently thought 1
was going on too fluently.
"Wait a moment, il you please, Mr..
Latimer, she SAID. "Will you he good
enough to say what you have already
done. This notice will be a thing of
t0morrow-that is to say. if l pro-
nounce it suitable to appear"
~ hardly think you can d%isapprove
Of this."l said. putting 1t into her
hand. ~ have composed it with care"
Mrs. Mannering bowed stifiy, but
did not glance at the paper.
"Tell US what you did this MORN
ing" said Edith. "Mamma will be
glad to hear, l know"
h4Ioo uAauhCl III tahoo q RiCdU u6hl
for granted said her mother, icily.
''Half an hour ago she was confident
that you would arrive with Charley in
your arN
~ meant to bring him." | said. ~
promised too; though of course | should
not carry him in my arms"
81 said not" said the lady. turning
in a Triumphant way to her daughter.
Edith shrank hastily aside, as If |
had dealt her a blow"
"You said you loved him sol" she
groaned.
~ cannot understand you."I replied
rather sharply.
"You hear that, Ellthp" observed
Mrs. Mannering.
Mrs. Mannering, I am willing to
help you In every reasonable way" l
said, II have tried to do 30, but l
seem to get little thanks. AS to carry.
ing Charley In my arms, it is absurd
to think Of. 1 draw the line at that,
madam"
Poor Edith! A sob, such as 1 had
heard earlier that morning, escaped
her.
Mrs. Mannering wheeled sharply
round at the sound.
"EdithI You forget your dignity.
Leave the ROOM"
Her daughter glided quickly out.
''You hardly wish to prolong this
interview, l imagine" said Mrs. Man
nering.
We both rose to our feet. l re-
pressed my indignation.
THE advertisement" 1 said, mo-
tioning to the paper she held. You
will let me insert it, 1 hope"
1 spoke im%plorlnsly. for 1 remem-
bered that unless l would lose Edith, |
must bring back Charley myself.
III will see what you have written"
remarked Mrs. Mannerlng, stalking to
a window, where she slowly raised
her glasses and held them before her
eyes.
1 stood humbly waiting as she
glanced through my composition, read
ing 1t half audibly:
"Lost-boy-named Charley Man
partnn-nnn haouapafJ