Weekly expositor. (Brockway Centre, Mich.) 1882-1894, 1889-11-14
I 1854.
CHAPTER VI.

Miss Caroline was eminently young
lady of resourse; but she confessed to
herself, as she stood before the glass
thoughtfully brushing out her long
hair, that the promise, or rather the
means of fulfilling it, lay heavily on
her mind. Visions OF detectives and
Scotland Yard rose up before her; but
as she had not the remOtest idea in
what part of London Scotland Yard
was situated or who were the proper
authorities TO consult, these visions
were dismissed as useless.
AS she proceeded thoughtfully with
her toilette, a brilliant idea flashed
across her mind. Mrs. Calender had
said that Noel Cleveland knew actors
and actresses and all kinds of dis
reputable people; surely he might be
able, among his numerous acquaint-
ances, to obtain some news of Antony;
and he was always so kind and pleas
ant that Tessa felt certain he would
help her to the utmost extent of his
power.
Much relieved, she finished dressing
and ran downstairs. She was little
late. and the others were already in
the dining room. On the table beside
Tessas plate, bunch of roses
cream, white and deep crimson-was
lying. Tessa gave delighted excla-
nation as she caught up and
buried her face among the fragrant
blossoms.
"Oh, Mr.. Bevan, how awfully good
of you!" she cried.
"You must not think So Austen
smiled at the girls animated face;
'your friend Noel Cleveland sent
them. He is going from home to-
morrow; and, as he had not time to
call, he sent these instead OF p. z.
c. card"
"Going from homeland Tessa
looked unfeignedly disappointed and
dismayed. will he be away long?"
she went on, after a little pause.
"a month or two. Why, Tessa,
you look quite heart-brokenm Austen
said with a surprised amused laugh.
Tessa colored. The disappointment
was indeed great; she had relied con-
fidently on Noel Cleveland's advice
and assistance, and now the news that
it would probably be months before
she saw him again came like a sudden
blow. She was conscious that her
face betrayed too clearly her disap-
pointment and veXation-;hat Austen
was looking at her with surprised,
and Mrs. Calender with a suspicious
face, and, with an effort, she forced n
smile and careless answer.
eyes, am sorry; he is so anus
ing" she said lightly.
And / think it is quite time he
went" Mrs. Calender said with Sc
we're look.
Tessa flushed angrily--a biting re-
tort rose to her lips; and Austen, see
ing that a storm was imminent, hasti-
ly changed the subject.
Dinner had been served earlier than
usual that evening. There was po-
litical meeting at Pennington to which
both Austen and his sister were going:
Tessa-who had declined to accom-
pany them-had forgotten all about
the meeting, and was delighted and
relieved when Austen, glancing at his
watch, inquired at what time the car
riage had been ordered.
1t was very rarely that she had an
evening to herself; and she deter
mined to make the best use of her UNI
usual opportunity, and endeavor to see
Mr.. Clevelapd, He had told her once
that he almost invariably smoked his
after-dinner cigar in the park adioin-
ing his house. Once or twice Tessa
had seen him sauntering up and down
the avenue as she rode past with
Austen.
There was just chance that he
might be there this evening; at all
events, Tessa decided that she would
try it If fate would be propitious.
IL was past eight o'clock before Tes-
sa reached the Priory ga es. The twi-
light was already gathering among the
trees in the avenue, and there was
stiffness which was almost oppres-
sive over everything; the whole place
looked asleep, Tessa thought-even
the deer scarcely troubled TO raise
their heads as she passed.
With her heart beating little ner-
vously she hurried up the path, look
ing anxiously from side TO side; but no
trace either of Mr.. Cleveland sr his
cigar gladdened her eyes. Suddenly,
however, as she passed narrow
winding path which led behind some
thick bushes towards the fsh-pond, a