The Sunday morning news. [volume] (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1886-1891, 1889-08-18
LOVE IN AMBUSH.
(Continued from Seoond Page J


Alice Patterson stood at the window,
and watched this little scene. She was
very pale, and one hand clutched convul-
sively at the blind cord. Presently her
fixed gaze attracted the principal actors,
and they looked up. Anna sprang to
her feet; the other flushed up to his
temples, but still kept her hand in his.
Sand 30, Miss Rogers, suppose !
must congratulate you. Are you going
to marry this gentleman asked Alice.
'Miss Rogers has done me the honor
to accept me-" said the young man
ha,ightily.
"Do you really intend TO marry him"
persisted the girl, paying no attention to
his interruption.
eyes" said Anna, In low voice.
sThis shows me the true worth of
your valuable affections" Alice con-
tinued, turning now to her quondam
lover. 81 am Tilted; absolutely jiltedr
'Stop this farce" interposed the
young man roughly. 81 have been
intending for days to explain to Miss
Rogers the absurd situation you have
placed me in. p His sentence
was destined never to be completed; a
knock at the door, and masculine voice
demanding permission to enter, inter
rupted him.
Alice went quickly to the door and
opened it. A stranger, a stout, middle
aged man, entered the room; he took
Alihe's hand and pressed it warmly be-
tween both of his, saying, 81 have only
just arrived, and hastened at once to see
You. You received my letter."
"ItSwas delayed, and only reached me
half an hour ago, but am delighted to
see you," replied Alice. II must intro
duce you to Miss Rogers, the lady who is
kindly travelling with me; also, to Mr..
Mayne, the gentleman Miss Rogers is
about to marry"
.tWhatw exclaimed Anna, starting for
ward. "Mr. Maynel and who is Mr..
Vanbruton?'
The stout stranger smiled and bowed.
my name is Vanbruton, John Van
bruton," and noticing with surprise the
generally disturbed air Of the little party
he had 80 suddenly appeared amongst,
continued: Perhaps / had better find
out my rooms, and return later"
every WE'LL" assented Alice. "Mr.
Mayne, do go with MIR. Vanbruton and
look after him."
The new conner hardly appeared as if
Inc required looking after, but the young
man obeyed, and the two left the room.
"And now will you explain what all
this meansf" cried Anna, with an air Of
great bewilderment.
Willingly" said Alice" and seated
herself ut the table, and, resting her
elbow on it, shielded her face with one
hand, SO that she could watch her COM
paiion with her own countenance half
hidden.
''The evening we arrived here, fort
night ago, I accidentally, really acci-
dentally, met this gentleman. Mr.. Wayne,
who was once very great friend of
mine, but whom I was forbidden, for
certain reasons of my mothers, to be
any longer friendly with. On the spun
of the moment made up plan by
which could enjoy his society for at
least few weeks before we parted,
probably forever. Very few of my
friends are acquainted with either Gerald
Mayne or Mr. Vanbruton, 80 proposed
to the former that he should, as sort of
joke, you know. take the name of the
latter, just while in our company; you
may have observed that have never in
troduced him to any casual acquaintance
here. impressed upon him that If you
knew who he really was, you would report
his presence to mamma, and then adieu
to all our fun at Lucerne. He agreed
he generally did to anything chose to
to---and introduced him to you as my
fance. OF course, 1t was all very wrong,
but meant it as sort of practical joke,
a bad one, perhaps, especially as l soon
found my lot was to play second fiddle,
and VOLTA toutr'
THAT was not ALL" Miss Rogers said
slowly. 1T was not all joke; there
was something else"
There was silence for minute or two
between the two women. and nothing
was heard but the gentle splash-splash
of the lake; then, with visible effort.
Alice said, in hurried and nervous
voice:
Eyes, you are right; there was some
thing else. You remember the day you
came to Haythorpe? I fetched your
handkerchief from your room, there
was an unfinished letter on the floor
(Which you read" Anna interrupted.
"How honorablel How truly honor
able!''
''You need not gneer so,'' retorted |
Alice. sit was hardly honorable on
your part to purpose doing your best to |
marry my intended husband. was re-
placing your letter on the table, when
t. or three words arrested my attention, |
and read it through. then twisted it
up and let it blow away out of the win
dow. You see, it was / who did evil |
that good might come. I have not lost
my husband, and you are engaged to be
married to the man you profess TO love.
No harm has been doDe, and / suppose
all parties will be satisfied"
Sand how do you think the real Mr..
vanbruton win enjoy this little comedy?'
asked Miss Rogers quietly.
II dare say it may amuse him, If you
think it absolutely necessary to tell him."
replied Alice careiessly. "But he will |
hardly think much of the part you have