Daily Republican., 1888-07-18


"You forget Lyell, Lolita"
81 do not; 1 worship him. What
other man would have proven him
self ~ true as he has doneP But |
never shall marry him, never, unless
this mystery is cleared ur, and our
good name vindicated."
"That will never be, Lotta.'
"Then, if you believe in Harry's
guilt, why blame Major Keene for do
ing the sameP" returned Lolita, with
flashing eyes.
Estelle made no reply, but her
cheek flushed to deep, dark red, and
seeing this, Lolita caught up her gloves
and ran hastily out of the house; and
a moment later her sister saw her hast
ening in the direction of the swamp.
The slow tears gathered in Miss
UnderhilPs eyes.
Dear little grill" she unused. "How
strong still is her faith in Maryland
yet, how could her sorrow be as great
as miner Lyell clngs to her still, al
though our neighbors and George, too,
believe our brother to be thief"
Yet Estelle Underhill almost be
lieved In the truth of that which she
had banished her lover for believing.
All her little world knew that it was
GeorRe Keene's carriage and horse
that Harry Underhill drove away with
30 gayly three years ago thai day; and
since that time, neither Harry nor
horse had been seen.
All the village knew, too, that E5-
telIe's wedding cards were out, and
that George Keene was the intended
bridegroom. And then came the ex-
element of Harry's disappearance, fol
lowed by rumors Of horse thieves,
who from time to time had made dep
relations around Swannaloa. And
George had not believed in Harry. He
had not been murderad, he said; the
gang had enticed him to some West.
ern city, where they had their head
quarters,
Whit was more likely9 The lad
had been chatting under the restraint
\ of his two sisters rule for long time,
and his admiration for the life OF a
Texan cowboy had been loudly de-
clared.
That ended it with Estelle. Major
Keene was thought OF as an enemy.
Lolita declared that she hated him.
Estelle intended to speak with him to.
day, for the first time in many weary
fmonths, and now she summoned all
her fortitude, put on her wraps. and
oounted over onoe more the five hun
bred dollars she had saved during the
three years of her trouble-the value
OF the carriage and the fine animal her
brother Harry had taken away with
him.
1t was at the door of the finest man
sion in Swannaloa that she paused, hall
an hodr later, and inquired for the
master of the house. She was shown
into the library, and tall, fine look
ling man arose to receive her.
"Estelle" he exclaimed in sur
price.
~ came, Major Keeue, she said in
a cold voice, 30 hand you this money,
as payment for the horse and carriage
which my brother drove away iron
this place three years ago"
"Esteller' he exclaimed again, and
very reprOachfully.
iThe amount is five hundred dol
lars, believe" she said, laying thu
money down upon table near him.
"Estelle," he cried, coloring angri-
lily; "you insult me by offering me tina
money. | am not to blame for al
this; was not the first to believe tina
Harry had been led astray; it neve
affected my feelings toward you In thu
least, but you"
"Good morning, Major Keene," re
turned Miss Underhill, with dignity
"Estelle-Estellel he cried, spring
: ing to her side. "You shall not leav
me sol Time after time have you re
fused to see me. My darling, hoV
could you allow such small thing t
! part us, when l loved you sol"
"a small thing-my brother
IhonorW taltered Estelle, relentin
from her stern anger for the first tim
lin the three years.
'Oh, Estelle, would | not gladl
. have shared your sorrow3 Forgiv
, me if my bluntness wounded you.
= did not think OF your feelings, or th
3 words had never been spoken. Oh
!. Estelle, Ieinstate me in your ate'
/ tions-giye me back my old plat
Iagainl"
"George, have not changed towar
Iyou; but to resume our olden relation
Iwould be impossible while this myi
Itery is vet unsolved-while the wher
abouts, even, of that poor boy are III
, known"
"Estelle, once RETAINED frol
Icalling in detectives to assist me
finding your brother. 1t was for YOU
sake that | did go. Would it pleai
you now IT were to find him2 Wou
b It bring me any nearer to your
"If / kneW-yes, George, l VI
!, say it frankly, even if you found th
>. your suspicion was correct. l shou
Of be happier than am now"
"And together we would forget Il
Il past2"
N await" she said, holding up one
W W her white hands, but there was such
at dewy softness in her eyes that
~ could not resist the impulse to IL
prison it between his own brow
palms and kiss it fondly,
She drew it away quickly al
= rlided from the house, while he sal
& hack into his arm chair and reflect
- upon ways and means by which
" discover the whereabouts of the a
" sent youth without attracting !
n notice of the villagers, and Estell
a roll of bills still lay unnoticed up
the table. r,m -