Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1891-06-14
CHAPTER XV.

distant spires OF kAoUAhE -
the morning sun.
CHAPTER XIV.
Mr.. and Mrs. Earl met US at the station
OF the Southwestern railway in London
and we were driven at once TO their home.
Hester came 10 breakfast with us, but Mrs.
Earl would not let her go to Liverpool that
day, shipworn AMI fatigued aswe all felt
after the voyage.
You res em6le your father, sir, when he
was of your age" said MIR. Earl addressing
my cousin as we were eating. but you
are larger, much larger. than he was
"You were my fathers friend when he
was a Young man. believe" said Rayel.
YES. he and his brother were my best
friends in those days. tried TO induce
him to study law, but he was more inclined
10 medicine
Rayel had founda man quite. after his
liking, and the two were on the best OF
terms at once. Indeed he seemed to talk
with nv benefactor "a freely as he ever
talked with me. | found Mrs. Earl very
much as / had imagined my smother TO
have been-a full-taced, ruddy-cheeked
woman, with q sweet voice and gentle
manners. She greeted me Us If ! were her
own son returned from long journey,
and when we sat down TO talk after break
fast, felt the JOY aud peace, OF one VINO
has tOuD1 a NOME dLltI mum NoAlH'A 4AF
/ spent the afternoon with Mr.. Earl in
his library and he listened with deep IN
forest TO the complete story of my lie since
the night we parted in LIVERPOOL.
He had many questions to ask me touch
ing the attempt upon my life, and my re-
plies were jotted down in his memoran--
dum-book. After had told him all that l
was able TO tell he sat for some moments
thoughtfullv turning the pages of the book.
stonnipo nov and then TO read some of the
memoranda.
1T looks pretty bad for them. doesn't
itpr said he. calmly looking up at me over
his spectacles. But we'll bring this mat
ter TO q climax very soon" be continued.
I'VE haven't seen the last act OF the play
vet. You need not have any further fear
for your safety-I will look after that. You
MAY feel quite free to go and come as you
PLEASE in this part of the city. Above all
things we must avoid letting them know
that we suspect ANYTHING. IL might defeat
me IN getting hold of the last bit of cyl
dence that IS necessary to complete our
case.n
nodded and waited for him to proceed.
LET US 90 carefully until we're sure OF
our ground" he continued. Your step
mother knows you are in London. OF course.
You must 90 and see her. Take your
cousin with YOU, and-well, you Will know
how 10 treat them. After all, You must
bear IN mind that in the eye OF the law
every man is innocent until he IS proven
guilty. Adopt that view of the case your
self. You needn't fear anything from Cobb
or his wife Only be reasonably prudent"
"pye no fear that they would Try TO DO
us any HARM" said l.. and would rather
enjoy the experience of visiting the old
house. Perhaps we could 20 tomorrow
THE day after You'd better 60 down
TO Liverpool tomorrow with the young
lady and return by the night traln.'
That day saw the beginning OF deep
and lasting friendship between Hester and
Mrs. Earl. When we left next morning to
go TO Hester's home in Liverpool she
promised TO return soon for long visit.
BY 10 O'Clock We were well out OF smoky
London, on the way that j had already
trayersed once before, with cheerful
heart, most creditatle 70 me under the cir
cumstances. Mrs. Chatfin was waiting for
us at the gate when we alighted IN front Of
the old wood-colored cottage, that haven
of weary legs IN days gone by. Phil (who
had heightened noticeably in the service OF
Valentine, King 4 Coz was there, too, and
all the rest OF the Chaifin household in
their Sunday clothes. Mrs. Chatlin was
quite beside herself with JOY.
"Dear-a mel" said the good lady after
the salutatiOns were over. " Dear-a sakeS
How you've growed! / didn't think you'd
SOM arm ID come to We when We went away
an Hester"-- .,
Mammal" exclaimed Hester, with re-
proving glance, don't tell HIM"
Pm that fidgety don't know what I'm
sayin'. The Lord bless US, but We must be
hungry" said the good woman. as she
spread the table for dinner. She had
guessed rightly, and Hester hustled about
helping her mother get the dishes on the
table with a critical eye to all the arrange
ments. Rayel was much amused by the
children, tie Youngest of whom had
climbed upon his knee and was taking lib
critics with his eravat. He was wholly I'M
accustomed to the pranks of children, aud
we frequently rallied TO his defence. tie
seemed 10 enjoy them, however, and was
soon involved IN a spree at which both
Hester and laughed heartily.
This herring amt extra good, sir, but
'ope il won't 20 agin We, said Mrs Chaftn
10 Rayel, as we sat down to the table.
He seemed in doubt for moment as to
what II would be proper to say IN reply to
this well intended remark.
Il have never eaten herrin, madam.
said he, grayelY, but have no doubt 1t
will be good
II 'ope so, sir-indeed, 'ope so; but
dare presume TO say that II will taste bad
enough TO the likes Of you"
Mrs. Chafin good soul) had evidently
concluded thdt my cousin was nan entl-
tied to extra polteness. Hester had
adroitly side-tTaoked the herring question
and started another train of speculation,
when her mothers fHisgivings were again
excited respecting the tea which Rayel had
just tasted.
"Murky, sir?" she asked, with glance
of alarm. Il 'ope il don't taste murky."
hrs. Chafhn's solicitude respecting the
tea and the herring reminded me of the
first time ] had stretched my tired legs
under that hospitable board at Phfs inyi.
tation; OF those big, wondering eyes that
stared at me across the table; OF the songs
and stories which beguiled the evening
hours.
The candles were lit before dinner was
over, and when we rose from the table il
was 70 gather about the warm FIRE and ex,
cnange memories, while Rayel listened
wlth deep interest. Phil had been pro
hnoted trom pair of legs to pair OF
nanos and was now third book-keeper FOR
the hrm. Our carriage came for US at {
O'Clock. Hester had decided 10 stay a day
OF TWO with her mother, but il was neces
sary tor hayei and me 10 return TO Lon
oon that night as we were 10 make an i'm.
portant call the next day.
CHAPTER XVI.
Iata IN The II.