The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1889-11-06
SENTINEL WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER

colonel of Herbert's regiment, asking him
to keep the young man at work, like the
very deuce" and to stop all leave on any
pretext whatever-a request which was so
entirely consonant with the grim comman-
! der's notion of what was fit and right that
there was no chance for Herbert of show
| ing his nose beyond the precincts of the
camp for some time TO come.
But there was more serious cause for
dismay before long. 1t was close upon
midnight shortly after the Shepstones'
! ball, when there was a summons to the
outer door, and Louise heard the voice of
George Melitus, her fathers secretary and
assistant. Papa has come back" cried
Louise, joyfully, as she darted into the
hall. There was George, dusty. ragged,
| broken, with unkempt hair, and bandaged
arm in his eyes staring, wild look, and
altogether figure suggesting ruin and dis
aster. At the sight of Louise he flung
himself on his knees before her, covering
his face with his hands. Louise turned
white, her knees shook under her; Nurse
Blake ran TO support her.
Dearest mistress" cried George, in a
broken voice, forgive me that | live to
tell the tale. / would have died to save
him"
"He is dead, then? My poor father"
walled Louise.
dead dead dead !" repeated George,
in tone of agony.
And We killed him, We he-reptile," NUT
tered nurse to herself. but loud enough to
be overheard by Constantia, who was
weeping silently and wringing her hands,
but who, nevertheless, kept a keen eve and
ear for what was passing.
Luigi, too, came forward, bewailing his
masters fate; and in the midst of it all,
thrusting back the pOrtiere OF her bed
room, stood Aunt Irene tall, CHASTITY
white figure, who watched the scene with
wild, unmeaning eyes.
Georges story, when it could be told in
a coherent manner, was plain and short.
Everything had gone well with the expe-
dition the excavations had been most sue
cessful, humorous and valuable objections
of art and archaeology had been recovered.
including many in solid gold and silver. But
the news of the treasure trove had excited
the cupidity OF tribe of Kurds, who had
swooped down upon the camp, murdered
Cornely, the leader of the expedition,
pilaged and carried off every article of
value, and left George among the rest for
dead, over the body of his master, which he
had valiantly defended. Then, after much
suffering and privation, George had
dragged himself home with the news.
CHAPTER II.
An account of the disastrous end of the
Cornely expedition, drawn from the mar
rative of the sole survivor, appeared in the
morning papers, and brought to Louise
many letters of sympathy and regret. But
It brought also visitor, who, disregardlng
the prOtestations of the servants that the
family were in great affection and could
see nobody, forced himself into the hall,
and insisted on an interview with Miss
COrnely.
When Louise consented to see him, he
introduced himself as Mr.. Papyrus,
friend and admirer OF the unfortunate de-
ceased. So great had been his admiration
and friendship that he had advanced to
Mr.. COrnely the sum requisite for the ex-
penses of his expedition. These sums
amounted altogether TO 10000, for which
he held bills signed by Mr.. Cornely, none
Of which had been paid.
Louise was thunderstruck at the magni-
tude of the claim, but she tried TO explain
that she knew nothing of her fathers pc
cuniary affairs, and that her aunt, who
might be better informed, was too i'll to
be questioned on the matter.
"But that will not do for me-" thun-
dered Mr.. Papyrus. He was stout, oily,
middle aged, with beak like a vuture's.
and a manner that was alternately fawn-
ing and threatening. 81 must have my
money, or ii not money, / will have security.
Come, my dear" he said, assuming sud
denly his wheedling manner; your father
was rich, no doubt: he had bonds, shares,
plenty of stuff. You look, my dear, and
find them, and shall have Just what will
cover my debt that YOU owe me. Or, il
YOU do not So" he Numbered, seeing no
acquiescence in the girls face-'yes, /
will have judgment, execution, and ] will
put you all into the street"
Luigi was routed in a moment, when he
attempted to dismiss the unwelcome visi-
tor, and he retired TO the kitchen 10
sharpen knife, which he declared should
reach the miscreants heart. Constantine
advised concession.
LET MS search your fathers cabinet"
she said 1--WE shall find, no doubt, evil
dence of the wealth he has left. We will
show this 10 your Mr.. Papyrus, and he
will be pacifed."
While this was going on, Col Shepstone
called and asked if he could be of any
service 10 the ladies. Louise welcomed
him, and explained the dilemma she was
in.
"Of course the man must 90, said tho
colonel, inwardly congratulating himself
that he had so cleverly put an end TO
Bertie's ENHANCEMENT. And by dint of
judicious frmness, the colonel prevailed
on Papyrus 10 leave the house. But he
went, threatening that he would come
again on the morrow, armed with the
powers OF the law, and sweep them all
into the street.
And the colonel advised Louise to fol-
low her friends advice, and make diligent
search in order 10 discover q will, or some
evidence of her late fathers actual posi-
ton. In the meantime, Colonel Shep-
stone undertook to see the late Mr..
Cornely's bankers, who happened to be
also his own.
''They are all paupers together" said
the colonel, swinging his stick as he went
along. "Would a man borrow OF a
usurer if he had any available funds of his
ownW
Certainly the report of the bankers
threw no light upon the matter. The
colonel returned with his report, and
ascertained that the search among Mr..
Cornely's papers had produced nothing of
any value.
"Then, my dear Miss Cornely," said the
colonel, you must really face the matter
calmly. With your accomplishments and
culture you will find no difficulty In find
ing employment as teacher. AS for your
aunt, should she recover, have some
interest with the asylum for decayed
gentlewomen. Give your servants notice