Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1890-12-26
CHAPTER XVIII.

Winter had come and gone; spring was
nearing its end, and London still suffered
under the rigid regularity of easterly winds.
Although in less than a week summer would
begin with the LIST of June, Mr.. Sarrazin was
glad to find his Office warmed by a fire when
he arrived to open the letters of the day.
The correspondence in general related ex.
clusively to proceedings connected with the
law. Two letters only presented an excep-
ton to the general rule. The first was ad-
dressed i'm Mrs. Linley's handwriting and
bore the p0stmark of Hanover. Kitty's moth
er had not only succeeded in getting to the
safe side of the lake-she and her child had
crossed the German ocean as well. In one
respect her letter was remarkable compost
ton. Although it was written by lady, it
was short enough to be read in less than Q
minute:
My Oar Mr.. Sdrrazin: have Just time
TO write by this evenings post. Our excel
lent courier has satisfied himself that the
danger Of discovery has passed away. The
wretcheS have been so completely deceived
that they are already on their way back to
England, to lie In wait for us at FOlkestOne
and Dover: Tomorrow morning we leave
this charming place-Oh, how unwiilinglyl-
for Bremen, to catch the steamer to Hull.
You shall hear from me again on our AZ
rival. Gratefully yours,
CATHERINE LINLEY."
Mr.. Sanazin put this letter into q private
drawer, and smiled as he turned the key.
HAS she made up her mind at last?" he ask
ed himself. "But for the courier, shouldn't
feel sure of Ter, even now?'
The second letter agreeably surprised him.
1t announced that the writer had Just return
N tt,n Init tod Cknko -
dinner that evening, and it was signed Ran
dal Linley." In Mr. Sarrazin's estimation
Randall occupied q higher place than his
brother. The lawyer had known Mrs. Lin
ley before her marriage, and had been pri-
vately inclined to think that she would have
done wisely II she had given her hand to the
younger brother instead of the elder. His
acquaintance with Randall ripened rapidly
into friendship. But his relations with Her
bert made no advance toward intimacy; there
was gentleman-like cordially between
them, and nothing more.
At o'clock the two friends sat Ut Q snug
little table In the private room of hotel,
with an infinite number of questions to ask
Of each other, and with nothing to interrupt
them but . dinner of such extraordinary
merit that 1t insisted on being noticed, from
the first course to the last
Randall began. Before we talk Of any,
| thing else" he said, tell me about Cathe-
rine and the child. Where are they?"
ION their way to England, after resi-
dence in Germany"
"And the old lady%'
"Mrs. Presty has been staying with friends
In London"
"What! have they parted company Has
there been quarrelT'
Nothing Of the sort; friendly separa-
ton, In the strictest sense of the word. Oh,
Randall. what are you about? Don't put
pepper into this perfect soup. It's as good
Is the gras double at the Cafe Anglais in
Paris"
$50 1t Is; l wasn't paying the proper atten-
ton to It But I am anxious about Cathe-
rine. Why did she 60 abroadr'
Haven't you heard from herr'
mot for six months or more. innocent
ly vexed her by writing little too hopefully
about Herbert Mrs. Presty answered my
letter, and recommended me not to write
again. 1t isn't like Catherine to bear NAL.
ice."
Don't even think such thing possible r.
the lawyer answered, earnestly. Attribute
esSs ~AAChSO w suO Ai6us CaucCs xCIIlUlC huA-
ieties have been weighing on her mind since
you went to America"
"Anxieties caused by my brother? Oh, I
hope not"
Caused entirely by your brother-if I
must tell the truth. Can't you guess how?'
us 1t the child? You don't mean to tell
me that Herbert has taken Kitty away from
her motherW
while l am her mothers lawyer. my
friend, your brother won't do that We'll
come back to England In the first glass of
sherry; good wine, but little too dry for
my taste. No, we won't talk of domestic
troubles, just yet You shall hear all about
It after dinner. What made you 60 to Ameri-
ca? You haven't been delivering lectures
have your"
Certainly not I have been enjoying my
self among the most hospltable people in the
world. What Is there left for me to do but
TO try change Of scene, and 60 roaming about
the world, restless creature without an OBJ
ject In life?
. Remember what my life used to be when
: was In Scotland-and look at my life now
No Mount Morven; no model farm to look
after; no pleasant highland neighbors; /
can't 60 to my brother while he Is leading
his present life; l have hurt GATHERINGS feel.
ingS; have lost dear little Kitty; am not
obliged to earn my living (more's the PITY !;
don't care about politics; have pleasure
u eating harmless creatures, but no pleasure