Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1891-05-20

%, Cousin Vincent, where did you
come from: How did yQu get here:" she
cried, coming toward him.
r said Vincent, and stopped to
smile and extend hts hand in response to
Gwendoline Danes rapid greeting, while
even his cool, New England blood tin
gled at sight of the young beauty VINO
was holding his hand in hers, looking
with superb scrutiny into his eyes, with
which her cYn were level, while she
sail hurriedly:
Il see, you got off the train at
Queenstown. Barmore is three miles
nearer, brt how should you know that?
l rode to Barmore, taking an extra
horse. Since you were not there l sup
posed you had not come, and so went off
on long ride. haven't been home half
an hour. But how tired you must be
and how hungry, and how damp. Come
to the fire"
She turned toward the old negro with
gesture he apparently understood.
supper" she said, land fire in ar
Vircents chamber"
The dark cloth habit she wore was not
long enough to interfere with her impet-
uoUs movements. She wheeled a big
| leather chair toward the fire, the dogs
who had followed her discreetly getting
/ out of her way.
sit down." she said to Vincent, in an
| ilnperious way, to which he was certain
/ ly not accustomed, but which he could
not refrain from admiring. so well ii
suited this superb, great, naughty" girl
who claimed his cousinship
| II am ashamed OF such a scant vel
cone" she said, seating herself opposite
| her guest and keeping a light hold upon
| the collars of the two most uneasy dogs.
My visit is purely one of business,
Miss Dane. Ihad no expectation of lay.
| ing claim to your hospitality"
| Vincent had recovered from his mo-
mertary surprise at Miss Danes beauty
| and totally ignorant as he was as to the
nature Of the situation in which he
found himself, was inclined to stand
upon his dignity.
Yes" she said, with little sigh, 81
| had no alternative but to summon yor
as l did. But we will not talk bushes.
tonight. Tomorrow will be soor
enough"
| By this time the supper was served
| The fragrance of coffee with mountain
! cream, the platter of fried trout, the
haunch of cold mutton with salad o.
brook crosses, followed by cakes and jel
| lies, was sufficient to soften Vincent.
mood. His young hostess watched hin
/ and waited upon him with interest min
gled with delicate air of amazement
Evidently she was unaccustomed t.
young and hungry men.
Vilcent's surprise was likewise grow
ing. Was this young princess the only
mem Der of the family? 1t began to seen
SO, since no one else appeared.
Miss Dane" he said as they resumed
their seats before the fire, Il find mysel
here by your command. Now l mus
ask in what way l can serve you:"
You wish to know the story to
| night
i do, if it is your pleasure"
I'VE are distantly related, Mr.. Vim
cent. My grandfather was your grand
mothers cousin. l suspect that he ono,
hoped to be something nearer. But NJ
matter for that He adopted me whe1
all the other Danes were dead and gone
Five are buried on the battlefields
Within the past fewyears he began to tall
to me of our northern relatives. Evi
IDENTIFY he made inquiry concerning you,
whereabouts, for few weeks before hi:
death he told me that when he was gon,
l was to telegraph you, as l did. II,
said you were a lawyer and would know
how to manage the business, and tina
you and / were the only heirs of tn,
Dane estates"
..This young beauty" unused Vincent