The morning call., 1891-11-08

OWn age, SIG "dlhtu cIttt, efru WIFI a.
sort of quiet dignity, while from beneath
her shabby shawl cleaned rich tressos OF
golden hair
"Who could they be2 And how" thought
the girl, had they managed to pass the
lodge ?"
That last question was easily answered.
They must have done so while she was
talking inside. Perhaps they were CAROL
singers She determined to accost them.
AT that same moment, hearing her step.
they turned, and Flore was struck by the
loneliness the refinement. and delicacy of
the girls face. As the old woman dropped
humble courtesy, she stepped back. her
large, handsome eyes fixed Oh Florence with
proud, but-as it seemed-a plying sad
ness.
May ask what you wantG" said Flo.
"Yes, miss" rejoined the old women.
again cOurtesying. Its the Squire 1 want tU
see particular"
hour. Shall | not do as well?"
mo, miss, thank you; no one but the
Squire. and fancy he'll see me. miss. At
least. must see himl'
There was a tone of quiet resolve in the
wOman's voice that was not without effect.
Flo wondered, but said:
Il don't know; you must take your
chance. Still, if you come with M, I'll let
the Squire know. Whom shall say wants
to See him ?"
Flo led them up the broad steps into the
spacious hall. where huge fire sent red,
rich igh.S on the Christmas de 'orations,
and disturbing fine deer hound to make
place for them on the rug, babe them
warm themselves while she was away.
Looking back as she left the hall, she saw
the old woman crouching down, her
wthered bands spread to the blaze; while
the girl stood erect her eyes, still with that
proud, sad expression, bent on the fire. Il
was Il strange picture in that place.
Where had the Squire got to? Nowhere
could Flo find him. Growing impatient,
Temem Oering Robert Darrell was fastening
his dressing, she returned to the hall to in
form tile two, who were no doubt there for
charity, that they must wait.
Entering, however, she found the deer
hound once more the sole occupant of the
rug-the two women were gone.
Not run away, surey!" she thought.
perhaps one Of tho servants has put them
in the anteroOm. I'll SEE"
Crossing the oak floor, she opened door,
then stopped abruptly, arrested by the
sound Of the SQuire's voice IL was full of
pain and Indignation, while the words he
uttered were:
Woman, do you know am a magistrate,
and there is jail for impostors? What
mad story Is this you would have me be-
lieye?'
over the inner side Of the door fell a cur
tain Putting out her hand Flo pulled 1t
slightly aside and looked beyond. The
81 uir6 stood by the table erect, yet leaning
on it as though for Sul pert; his aged face
displayed rage and suffering. Fronting him
was Janet SuliIhson, reSOlute, determined;
little back. the girl, silent, mOti0nless, but
her beautiful head bowed on her breast.
1T IS no mad story, Squire; il is truth;
and | don't come here without proofs"
said the old woman, firmly.
''Do You reeollect Susan yelling. the wet
nurse your son engaged for his little baby
daughter? Well, she had brother-my son
Jem-wuo your son had convicted OF poach-
ins and mans laughter, though he was as in
nocent a. the baba unborn"
lie was guilty, woman. He was more
an utterly worthless fellow. safest. best in
prison. | remember nOw-my boy was too
leEieut to him." exclaimed tie Squire.
Yes" laughed the old woman bitterly,
land pIted the sister in her widowhood, so
took her as a nurse to his own motheriess
child. lie thought Susan all sweetness and
humility; but she entered your sons house.
Squire, with the resolve to aVenge Jem. |
have il here"-her hand on her bOSom-''in
her own writing. and she succeeded
Nv Woman, it is false! You cannUt-dare
not-say that this-this girl with you"
cried the Squire.
daughter, while the girl who has been called
So, Squire Maythorne is mine-my Susan
offspring She changed the children"
With cry the Squire dropped into his
seat. but Florence neither heard nor saw.
With dIlated, Mortified ewes, stunned,
dazed feeling. she had fled-tied, white as
ghost, through the Observation-Disclosures hail.
up the oak stairs, along the corridor to her
own room, where she fell. too Mortified TO
lose consciousness, upon the floor She not
the Squlre'S grandchlld, but that old
woman s-she the niece TO a pOacheT-a COLI
Wet,
"Oh, it cannot bet cannot be-" she
walled piteously forth. "Oh. Robert,
Robert-my dear, my darling-you could be
| nothing TO me then.
She stopped, listening. 1t was his step.
He was gong down to the drawing-room.
He was singing in his great happiness. Oh,
it was too terribel She could not bear it.
And Florie dropped down again, weeping as
though her heart would break.
CHAPTER II.
FLORES FLIGHT.
1t was not to be believed! The Squire
could not believe, then how could FloTie
Still, Janet SmithsOn had her proofs which
there was no eainsaying A letter, or rather
confession, OF Susan Yelling on her DEATH
bed, written in her uncertain handmade
more uncertain by the chill OF death-and
signed by her; this could not be refuted
while there YVES the beautiful, delicate girl
! to prove it.
at the Hall that evening. The second din
ner- bell rang. but no one responded. The
| gray-headed butler was perplexed; while
| Captain Darrell, who had dressed in a
| mIraculOusly short space, paced the draw
! ing-roUm, wondering what could keep
| Flo-his darling his betrothed.
The Squire, leaving Janet and the girl.
| ordering them refreshment and biddin &
them at present breathe their secret to none
else, had, in great sorrow and perturbation
If mind, gone to his study and sent for
| Florence. How was he to tell her? How
could he? The message brought back sur
| prised him.
Miss Maythorpe was in her dressing
| room-she was not very well. Would he
come to her? Not well, All the day he
| had never seen her look better. Neverthe-
less. lie complied with her wish. lie could
not have thwarted her that time.
Come in;' how family the words
sOunded-in a voice we would hardly have
recognized as hers-while on entering it was
almost as difficult for him to recognize his
bright, merry, winsOme pet. in the pale
faced, teaTful-eyed, sad-loOkng girl who
was advancing toward him.
Florence" he gasped, in concern.
What is it, my darling? I gu are Ill in
deed"
"Grandpapa, oh. grandpapa," she cried
throwing herself upon his neck with burst
of grief, tell me it isn't true-that it's a
mistake-that it's false-all a cruel deep,
| ton"
What is not true, my pet? What mis-
| take?"
That which that woman. Janet Smith
son, declared" answered Florie. That
that-Oh, II IS too terrible. too improbable
l am not your grandchild. but hers.'
As she ended, she lifted her head. and
| with eager eyes gaZed In to the SQuire's face
| The old man could not meet her glance.
"Oh, FlOrie, Florie, my darling" lie muir.
INJURED piteously, with bowed head.
Then it is true-oh, it is true" she cried
81 am Susan Weliing's child
'She says so-she says :" exclaimed the
Squire, q-ickly; but to say is easy, Flo
She must prove il, dear"
And, .grandpa-let me call you that unit
she does"
Florence, you shall always call me So ;
DO you think She can prove it?" i'll
quired Flo, suddenly growing calm.
My darling, it is difficult to say" was the
evasive response. The story she tells is a
probable one. Susan Yelling" added the
Squire, Indignantly. was vile, ungrate-
full"
Hush, grandpav interposed Florence,
gently. You may be speaking of my
mother. Tell me. have you not already ha(