The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1889-04-13
VOL. XXIV.-NO. 20.

Immediately levelled on their faces, showed
the man to be Clarence Lorimer, and the
woman-Diana Dare. An awful oath burst
from Lorimer's lips
ats all up, Bill, . he muttered, addressing
his .faRce, who was struggling fercely, and
making use of the appalling language.
'As neat a job as ever managed, remark
ed the man who had whistled, and who was,
in fact, spry-looking detective from Scotland
Yard. "And we have to thank you Mr..
Lennox, for the capture of a gang of as
thoroughgoing scoundrels as we've had our
eye on for long time-father, son, and pal"
"0h, you're willy one, you are'' one of
the constables was saying admirably to Lori
mer. ''But you're not quite so willy as you
ought to be. We've nabbed your pal, too
You'll find him waiting for you where you're
going"
''Sure, but it's the pretty gurl We make,
Bill, = the other constable was saying with
grin to his prisoner. 'By the powers, now,
I'd almost like to kiss We meself. 1t was
forlorn widow you were the last time, wasn't
/ it?'
Here Lennox, who bad been interehanging
a few rapid words with the detective, turned
to diana" who was regarding him with
painting breath and vengeful eyes.
'My good boy" he said dryly, "spare us
any more bad language. Yours was splen-
did scheme, and admirably carried out--so
far. But, Mr.. Bill Davis, or whatever your
own name may be, merit time you and your
father have any little game of the kind on
hand, let me advise you, merely as precau-
ton, not to discuss your plans in the open air
unless you are sure there is no one within
hearing" Then, turning to the constables,
he continued, ''Take the fellows round to the
hall door, men. | will climb in here and
open it for you" As he spoke he swung
himself mp to the window sill in the semi
darkness, and disappeared into the room.
The eonstables obeyed, and conveying their
prisoners with their precious booty into
the house, watched them with grim vigilance
until the morning.
No words can express Miss Hardwicke's
speechless, incredulous dismay, when she
awoke from her drugged sleep and heard her
godson' tale. Atirst she absolutely refused
to believe in the treaehery of the girl whom
she had loved so warmly, and who now turned
out to be no girl at all. She insisted on ris-
ing at one; and commanded that the prisoners
should not be removed until she had seen
them.
Il won't believe it, Chester she said
piteously, as he gave her his arm down stairs.
II can't believe it, unless she tells me herself
boyr' Historically, ''oh, it is impossible
The ci.derdHt Diana, otherwise Mr.. Bill
Davis, was seated sullerly on the table in the
morning room. At the sight of the handouts
on the shapely white wrists, Miss Hardwicke's
lips trembled.
is it's it true what they tell me?'' the
old lady faltered, looking wistfully at the
handsome, averted face, ''that-that you are
that man s-soas''
There was pause, then the boy raised his
head.
"Yeo,n he answered huskily, sit is quite
true. Eve deceived you all along. We met
the girl, your niece, on board the steamer;
aud the little fool told me all her history, aud
about you. .ahd-yOG know the rest. 0feourse
that day she came here she didn't recognize
me in women's clothes, and-I kept back all
the letters that came afterwards from South
port. You-you'v We been mOrtally kind to me
and-and-" Here the boy stopped, bit
his lip violently, and threw back his head.
"Shut up, you young fool growled his
worthy father.
Take me away, Chester, said the old
lady family.
l viii only add that in the course of few
days the poor little bona.fide Diana who had
gone back to her mothers friends) was
brought by Mr.. Lennox, after many explena-
tons and apologies, back to Dimsford. But
Miss Hardwicke did not take to her, as
she bad done to her clever personator, and
met all The girls halfsay advances with
cold, relunctant kindness, mentally contrast
ing her pale little face and slight figure with
the splendid physique and beautiful though
deeeitfnl eyes Of the other Diana. Nor did
she cease to remind her that if she had not
forgotten herself so far as to 'strike up an
acquaintance er-snch was the old lady's phrase
with strange young man on board
steamer, all this trouble would have been
avoided.
However, ii Miss Hardwicke did not ap-
preeiate her grandnieee, it is satisfactory to
know that Mr.. Chester Lennox infinitely
preferred her to her predecessor Indeed he
showed his predilection so strongly that he
ultimately prevailed upon her to marry him,
from which we may conclude that the attrac-
ton was mutual. But-they did not reside
at Dimsford Manor.