Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1889-11-22
BERTHA OAL TOH'S TRIUMPH.
THE HISTORY Of AN OPAL RING
CHATTER XYXIY.


On the day previous to the visit of
Lena and Bertha to Mrs LemOnt, st.
Lawrence received a note from Mr..
Riggs soon after Lord AlphingtOn left
him, which in some degree lightened
his anxiety, 1t assured him that all
would be divulged in time to stop the
marriage. so that premature disclos-
ure would be unnecessary.
Time however went on, and as the
hours passed st. Lawrence's anxiety
returned in full force. At last. between
ten and eleven O'Clock, violent ring
came at the household, and Mr.. Riggs,
almost umbling upstairs in his hurry,
rushed into the room.
Its all right" he exclaimed. "We've
got himl'
You have?" st. Lawrence exclaimed,
starting up. "You are sure? l don't
think | could bear suspense nOw," he
added with great gasp.
Mr.. Riggs took off his hat and pol
ished his head.
"Egad, :" lie cried. ''what a relief it is
TO get quit of that COMPOUNDED wigi
Sure?" he went on. Il tell you we've
nailed him! The capture was splendid
ly madel By George. sir, it has been
one Of the finest pieces of business [
was ever engaged in. Give me some
LlllllH w vi lin goAlI ilfftlbli- MI Il Gil
court, and then / am off again"
st. Lawrence brought out n bottle
from the chitfOnier, AID mixed stiff
glass of spirits and water. Mr.. Riggs
drank it standing.
Your health, sir" he said. land
many long and happy days'' and before
st. Lawrence had time to reply the de-
tective was off again.
THANK lIeayenl" exclaimed st. Law
renee, feryently.
About three o'clock in the afternoon
st. Lawrence received a message from
Lord AlphingtOn, desiring his immedi-
ate presence in Magnus Square; and
then, at last, he felt himself quite Sc
cure.
Lord Alphington received him in the
library, where hung the portrait of
EustaCe FancOurt, his father. When
the door closed upon him, Lord Alph-
ington came eagerly forward, but, UNI
able to speak, lie passed his arm around
his grandsOn's neck and wept. Eus-
tace was scarcely less affected - he
clasped the old mans hand.
God bless you, my dear bOyl" fall
tered the Earl, while, raising his head,
he placed his hand on the young man s
shoulder, and held him at arms length.
~ S, the likeness is even greater than
is more of strength in the face. more of
self-reliace. A happier future lies be-
fore you, | hope and trust. Sit down,
EuStace-We have much to talk over to-
gether.n
A long coIloquy then followed, deep
ly interesting to them both. In answer
to Lord Alphington's question as to
why the proofs had not been brought
forward sooner, Eustace sad he could
give no positive infoTmation-he had
never been taken into his mothers con-
iidencc-and that from sOme hints that
had been dropped chiefly, he confess
ed, Ivy his cousin Sedley-he had been
afraid TO attempt To prove the question
of his legitimacy.
- think now that probably my moth
er felt sore that her husbands relatives
never acknowledged her, having no idea
he had kept his marriage secret he
said. ''She was Il woman who held
strongly TO any prejudice she had once
formed, and she was a stanch Republic
can. | can suppose she dreaded might
be taken from her by my English rela-
tlVes, aud brought up III different
sphere than her own. No doubt with
view TO the future, however, she was
always DESTROYS | should obtain the ut
most culture; and, after left college,
she sent me to travel for some years in
Europe, / returned to America when
was warned that her health was fail
ing and she died n few DAYS after my
arrival. When she felt the end draw
ing near, she told me for the first time
about my fathers family, ana placed
the box containing the proofs in my
hands, charging me not to open it till
reached England, and then to bring
the contents ut once to YOU. How |
was robbed on the way during a severe
attack of Illness yOu already know.
LcmoHt was asSiduous in his attendance
upon me. took it for kind-hearted-
ness then, and was glad to reward him
as far as lay in my power, but it seems
now he had another motive"
Did NoH know this LemOat at allp'
Lord AlphingtOn asked
mo; | had never seen him till we met
on board-nor did hear his name, as
III the ship he was called Pierre; but
when Bertha Dalton described him, |
recognized the man at onCe,' Eustace
replied.
From the past they drifted into talk
ing of future plans, ard Eustace, not
wishing to have any secrets from his
grandfather, told him of his engage
ment to Bertha Dalton.
Il guessed rs much, " said Lord Alph-
llCA'Ar StllIlilE. on have lily iull
consent and appreciation. She is a
charming girl-the one | certainly pre-
fer, in spite of her sisters beauty.
Poor Nadelnal' the Earl continued,
his voice taking serious tone. "She
must 10y this time be aware of her dis
appointment; Sir Stephen Langley has
gone TO break the news to Mrs. Dalton.
The shock will he great"
"G cs, poor grill" st. Lawrence was
going to add that she would he suf-
iiciently punished, but checked himself.
Little love us he had for Lena, he had
no wish to throw stones at the fallen,
nor TO prejudice her i'll Lord Alphiug-
tons eyes.
Evening had come on before Lord
Alphtngton allowed his newly-found
grandson to leave him, and then it was
only because he found the young man
was impatient to see his betrothed.
IL Will not keep you from BERTHA"
Lord AlphIngtOn said. Though | am
old and gray now, have not quite for
gotten what ii is TO be young. Come
and breakfast with me in the morning,
and we will then settle our plans for
the future"
So they parted, mutually pleased
with each other. Lord Alphipgton felt
as If his long-lost son had been restored
To him, and st. Lawreuce's happiness
was made complete by finding in him
who was now to stand in the paternal
relation To him one whom he could so
thoroughly love and respect.