Mexico weekly ledger., 1890-05-22

quiry in that direction might lead up to
a discovery of some of Persons sur
roundings, which might help them to an
understanding of how Templeton. Foun-
tain and Pierson were connected. And
so it was that Holbrook was treading
close upon facts of great value without
being conscious of it.
However, satisfied that Mrs. Temple
ton could tell him nothing that could be
Of value, he dropped the subject, and
turned the conversation in another chan
mel.
But Annie, who was sitting at the win
dow engaged in embroidery work, and
making a very pretty picture as she sat
there, remarked that she was glad the
search was being continued, for though
they had heard little about it recently,
they were greatly interested in it.
Holbrook, who thought there was
something of gentle reproach in the
words, said:
"The truth Is, Miss Templeton, nothing
has been accomplished. For ten days we
have been under the impression that we
could lay our hands upon the man, but
this morning we discovered that the
man in question could not have possibly
done the deed. We hardly dared to adj
NIT to ourselves u suspicious, and I
should have been greatly to blame had I
raised false hopes in your breast or had
pointed to a suspicion that could not be
justified Rest assured that everything
is being done that can be done to I'M
cover the mystery"
"Ohi" said Annie, covered with con-
fusion and blushing very prettily, II had
no intention of complaining. Indeed we
are really o much obliged to you for
the trouble you have taken in affairs
to criticise or to complain"
During this exchange Holbrook had
moved from his chair in the middle of
the room, where he had been conversing
with Mrs. Templeton, and taken a low,
easy one near the window where Annie
sat.
Mrs. Templeton had turned to the
table and had resumed the writing Of a
letter she was engaged upon when Hol-
brook entered.
The young lawyer was already on such
familiar footing that he was regarded
not as a stranger to whom the most
| scrupulous attention must be given, but
| rather as an intimate who was best
| treated when received with informality.
In answer to Armies reply to him he
said:
81 do not think. Miss Templeton. that
anything which might concern you OF
yours would be too much trouble for
me-"
The blood crept up into Armies cheeks
| again, and bending over her work she
said nothing.
Holbrook himself had nothing to say,
and he sat for some time toying with
the end of the embroidery falling from
her knee. Finally he said:
DO you know that l have experienced
great pleasure in my calls here-pleasure
| of a kind it has not been my lot to ex-
| perience for several years.
Annie looked up wonderingly.
81 sincerely hope you do find pleasure
in your visits here, and it is pleasant to
hear you say SO, but / do not quite In
derstand you"
"Why mott"
"Oh, your words seem to convey a
meaning they do not express clearly"
Perhaps they do. You know, of
course, that / am a bachelor. Well, /
have, ever since / came to the city,
twelve years ago, lived in a hotel. 1t is
now eight years since my mother died,
and the home of my childhood. to which
from time to time Returned, was broken
| up. Since that time, this household has
been the only place I have visited where
| I have been treated with that informal
| fty I crave, and where the occupants
pursue their work as my mother used to
| do. 1t is eight years and more since
l have been permitted by any woman to
sit so near and play with her work as /
| do now, and as l used to do sitting be-
side my mother"
Annie was provoked with herself as
she felt the bushes mantling her cheeks,
for she had noted the tone of tenderness
which underlay his words. To blush was
to assume that this tenderness was di-
rected toward herself, when his words
conveyed nothing of the sort. and when
without doubt only the recollections of
mis- mother and his home had been stirred
by entering their domestic circle. She
made an effort and replied:
sit is a pleasure, then, at a very small
cost, / am sure, Mr.. Holbrook."
"a pleasure I duly appreciate"
"Was your mother a widow
Eyes. With but two children, a sis
ter and myself. My sister is married
and lives abroad-her husband occupies
a diplomatic position"
"It is hard to lose ones home. 1t
must be. l do not think I could content
myself to live for all time as we are
now. 1 want a home of my own, which
I can deck and beautify my own way"
81 think you, yourself, would beautify
any place however bare, and make il
home, Miss Templeton."
This was direct enough, and the blush
swept up again over her face. Hol-
brook did not wait for a reply, but con-
tinued:
at is oma who makes the home.
Men may erect a house, fill it with cost.
ly furniture and beautiful works of art,
yet it is only an abiding place. Until
some woman graces it with her presence
and her life it does not become home"
Annie looked up archly and said:
"If you appreciate a home so mucn,
Mr.. Holbrook, why do you not obtain
one for YOURSELF"
Holbrook looked at her steadily, and
with not even the suspicion Of a smile on
his face, replied:
Sometimes the heaven we most de.
sire is not attainable. But I propose tc
attain mine if l can by earnest endeavor.
1t is only within a short time that my
heaven has been shown me, and when
the time is meet I'll put my fortune to
the test"
Then without permitting reply hs
quickly said:
Come, Miss Templeton, the day Il
fine, the air good and you have beer
much housed of late-come with me fol
a short walk. I'll bring you back to you
mother in time for dinner"
Annie willingly acceded, and ran away
to prepare herself for the walk.
AS she walked and chatted with hin