Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1889-12-05


meals in his own room we saw very lit
tie of him.
''It's too bad" Lucy said to me. 81
did think Mr.. S5ormont would have
been an exciting element. l hoped we
should have the house crowded with
nurses and brain specialists, and that
perhaps he would have gone suddenly
mad, and you would have restrained him
in some heroic manner. Instead of
which he is as humdrum as possible. At
least, he might have gone little crazy"
''Well, he may yet" said l. "He has
only been here week to-day"
That evening johnson demanded an
interview of me.
swell, Johnson said to this old
and faithful domestic.
''Im not easy about Mr.. StormOnt, Sir
Francis" said Johnson, carefully look
ing over his shoulder, though he had as
carefully closed the door behind him
when he entered.
"What about Mr.. Stormont?" in
quired.
Hes an uncommon queer gentleman,
Sir Francis replied Johnson. ''Sev-
eral nights I've found him wandering
about my pantry, and yesterday he
frightened Mrs. Rowe out of her wits by
coming in when she and me was holding
confidential communication in the
housekeeper's room. Mrs. ROwe's heart
is weak, Sir Francis
couldn't help smiling, for it was no
secret where the weakness in Mrs.
Rowe's heart tended.
what explanation did Mr.. Stormont
offer?" l asked.
None, Sir Francis" said Johnson.
HE put his hand to his head and looked
bewildered, and then went off. He's
been caught upstairs by the girls just
the same, and Jane met him at your
dressing groom door. And it makes it
worse because he walks so soft. We
amt none of US angry with the poor
gentleman, Sir Francis, but we think
he's stark mad, and we think there'll be
murder if he amt looked sharp after ="
81 hope not, johnson" / said. This
is just what Mr.. Arrowsmith prepared
US for; his words were: He goes moon
ing about the place, and wandering into
rooms where he has no business / can't
turn my brother-in-laws's friend out Of
my house because he's odd"
Il hope nothing may come of it, Sir
Francis" said johnson, solemnly.
Il trust not said l. ''Mr. Stormont
will go soon. Meantime, don't let any
one brighten her ladyship. There is
nothing murderous in tendency to
poke into strange places
Nevertheless, felt somewhat uneasy,
and watched my guest narrowly. But
there was nothing in his demeanor to
warrant my apprehensions, and L pres
| emily forgot Johnson's revelations, and
ceased to lie awake at night listening
for sudden shrieks.
StormOnt had been with US fortnight
when we went to ball at the Duke of
Bengal's. Lucy donned her diamonds,
and thought she looked very beautiful
in them, and told her so. l was just
kissing her when we suddenly found
that Stormont was in the room. Lucy
blushed prettily at being caught in her
husbands arms, and 1 daresay grew hot.
1--WE are going to ball" | stammered.
81 was just telling my wife her diamonds
became her"
$50 l heard said Stormont. "May l
look at your diamonds, Lady Dennis?"
He approached and gazed admiringly
at her necklace and earrings.
beautiful he said, several times.
Diamonds of the first water. 1 know
something about diamonds; my great
uncle was diamond merchant"
eff you were going with US, you would
see far finer diamonds than mine" said
Lucy. THE duchess has diamonds that
are absolute priceless, and such quanti-
ty! She has them sown on to her dress,
and two detectives always close to her.
Il wonder she dares walk about in
such precious things" observed Stor-
mont. AT large parties it is impossible
to say what bad characters may not slip
in"
''Well, as matter of fact, she doesn't
walk about" said Lucy. "A few years
ago she hurt her spine out hunting, and
she is always on the sofa"
Wouldn't you like to come with US,
my dear fellow" said l.
Thank you, l think not" he replied,
plaintively; Il should like it, but 1 fear
the noise and heat would hurt my head.
Thank you, Lady Dennis, for letting me
see your treasures. Ihope you keep them
carefully?"
80, yes. Frank keeps them in his
strong box, and when we travel they 60
to the bank, she replied. Frank will
lock them up tomorrow as safe as a
church
''To-morrow!-not till tomorrow" ex-
claimed Stormont in a Mortified voice.
No" said she; why should he tire
himself? Nobody could take them out
of our room"
At this moment the carriage was an
nounced, and carried Lucy off. 1t was
a good ball, and the duchess lay in state,
covered with superb diamonds and
watched by acute and intelligent func-
tionarieS. In the course of the evening a
gentlemanlikes stranger, with long, fair
beard, and rather long, fair hair, ad-
dressed me. and asked if / could point
out Sir Francis Dennis. l told him that
was the gentleman in question, and he
bowed courteously.
You will excuse the liberty took, /"
ne said; but 1 believe my old friend,
George Stormont, is staying with you.
l only heard of his whereabouts to-day,
and atcockcrow start for the continent,
or l should have called to see him. Per-
haps you will say that you met Colonel
L'Estrange."
was pleased with the Colonel's man
ner, and we entered into conversation,
and after a time he begged me to present