Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1890-03-14
"But, sir, there is an east vino; you

The valet obeyed, and Hastings, forti- |
tied with a cigar, was soon en- route.
sudden unreasonable hope had come |
to him. Why. he know not, even while !
Orpen spoke of tho landlady's conviction
that Miss Clavering and her party had |
sailed for ''our antipodes." He ordered |
the coachman to drive fast to the Lang
ham, and arrived there made his way
to the bureau.
"Whcn did Mr.. and Mrs. MacDougal |
leave?" was his first demand
Mr. and Mrs MacDougal?" repeated |
the clerk "They have not left, sir.
They were to leave last month, but one
of the children was taken ill--bad attack
of measles"
ais Miss Clavcring here, too?"
"lfiss Clavering? No, sir. No such
name," turning to examine book,
"Can | see Mr.. MacDougalt"
Not in, sir"
"Then pray send up my card TO Mrs.
MacDougal and ask if she will be so good
as to see me-"
81 believe she is in" An inquiry up a
tube proved his conjecture correct, and
after waiting what seemed to his impa
tience an immense time a grave waiter
brought an invitation to Capt. Hastings
to ascend to Mrs. MacDougal's apart
mcnts Here 4 plump, dark eyed, rolly
poly little woman, in gorgeous MORN
ing gown, came forward to receive him,
smiling pleasantly
"Well, Capt HASTINGS" glancing at
his card, land what do you want
blunt form of address uttered in q strong
Scotch accent, but with an air of "bon-
homie that robbed it of any incivility."
II beg thousand pardons for intrud-
ing on you, but am most anxious to as
certain the address of my cousin, Miss
Clavering."
"Eh? Are YOU her cousin? She said
she hadn't a relative in the world"
Il am sorry she disowDs me-" said
Hastings with u smile. but with thrill
of pain at his heart; "but assure you
am her full second cousin, and as she
has INHERITED a small fortune l am anx-
ious to put her affairs in order"
"Gudencssi she'll no want to come
over the sea with us, then, and it will be
an awful want to leave her behind She
is nice, wiselike creature, only too easy
with the children, I'm thinking"
II am sorry to disturb your arrange
ments, but fear Miss Clavering cannot
accompany you, and -. May l see
herr Hastings felt sudden strength and
life vibrating in his bones Why, in an
other minute Norma might stand before
him.
"Eh, to be sure. What is to prevent
| Al, Il ~, l.
Iii have to look out for another young
person."
young person" How the appella-
ton Jared on Walls ear.
Here's her address," continued Mrs.
! MacDougal, crossing the room to a
writing table, and examining a blotting
book, she produced an envelope Oh which
was written, in a flowing businessli1e
hand, 10 Gothic Villas, Holly road,
Mazda Vale" There" she said, hand
ing it to him, "you Jake Kilburn bus
at the Circus, get ont at Holly road and
| you are within two minutes of the house.
| You see, when our wee Dickie was taken
with the measles we sent Off the other
children and Miss Clavering to lodgings,
and I've not seen them since. | do hope
/ she'll not leave me in the lurch until
| find some one else"
1--WE will do our best to supply her
| place" said Hastings stif1ly. He had
! conceived a sudden unreasonable dislike
| to the good humOred, self satisfied little
woman, as he pictured his proud, sensi-
tive, dainty cousin humble employee Of
such a mistress. 81 shall not intrude on
| 1 Il. E..l
Miss Clavering at home if go at once"
81 don't doubt but you would. Mr..
MacDougal tells me there's a good big
garden, so they seldom go outside"
Thank you. Then L shall wish you
good morning"
Eth, but I'm thinking Miss Clavering
will find more than a fortune when you
find her" said the lady with q roguish
smile. Hastings felt flush rise in his
cheek, but he refrained from any reply
beyond a low how as he left the room.
80 Holly road, MAZDA Vale, and drive
fast" was Hastings command 10 the
coachman.
Some twenty minutes later he drew up
at the gate of a typical suburban villa,
semi-detached, to which he was admitted.
"lll let Miss Clayering know, sir"
said the servant as she ushered him into
neat, rigidly arranged drawing room,
the windows of which commanded a
large common garden looking into some
what desolate fields beyond. Some chill
dren were playing ON the grass and chas-
ing each other along the winding paths
with noisy gee Presently Hastings
saw the servant return from the
other side of the only c!ump of
trees in the inclosure, followed by
lady, a slight, sad looking figure, in a
long straight black dress, who moved
with slow step and downcast head,
"Poor lutte Norma" thought Hastings.
Tracy is right She is marvelously
graceful, and, small as she is, she looks
like captive princess, How blind
have been.
In another moment Norma stood be-
fore him. What pale, wistful face!
10, -t,l 10,