Baxter Springs news. [volume] (Baxter Springs, Kan.) 1882-1919, 1891-11-21

dre6SerBs had my Dcaru hneVOo Ou'
and wc returned to the abbey, very much
altered for the better in appearance.
Miss Lascelles was much distressed
about Lola, who was still absent. Braces
explanation of her leaving the abbey
seemed reasonable one, but her antipa-
thy 70 Miss Lascelles. which led her to
destroy the things she had given her,
was TO me mystery, to Miss Lascelles
also, believe, and very painful one.
She seemed to feel herself in some in
scrutable way responsible for tho girls
action.
Sir Edmund returned In the evening
from London.
Now, indeed, you look yourself
gentleman" he said. shaking my hand
cordially. He had made Inquiries re-
specting q lapidary, and learned that the
most expert known to the trade was o
man named Carvalho, then occupied 1t
Madrid. With our sanction he wrote at
once, offering this man his own terms, to
come to the abbey, and cut tho Great
Hesper.
At night, the door by which Lola was
supposed to have escaped from the abbey
was left open, and o night-lght was
placed in her bedroom.
The next morning the dairy-maid said
that someone had been at her milk-pans
in the night; there was no other evidence
Of Lola having entered the house. After
breakfast, determined to 90 through
the woods myself In search Of her. Miss
Lascelles wished to accompany me.
ought to have pointed out to her that her
company lessened the chances of Lola
.c-;,, I, ,,,o t< ov,,,VoaN oh hay ha1f r0iIld
not deprive myself the pleasure OF hav-
ing such sweet companion. We saw
Lola ut the edge Of q clearing on the
hillside. She watched us as we drew
near. called to her, but she shook her
head, and, turning her back upon US,
quickly disappeared among the pines.
The forlorn condition Of the girl; her
gesture, which seemed full Of sadness;
the silent fall of leaves; the tristness Of
the autumn woods, overcame Miss Las
celles; and as she walked silently beside
me, with her head bent, saw that she
was crying. This episode made o deep
impression upon me; yet while my heart
ached with sympathy for the poor little
savage wandering alone In those silent,
still woods, an indescribable happiness
stole over my senses. 1t was the awak-
ening Of love.
Sir Edmund had O basket Of food
placed in the dairy, and the doors again
left open.
On the 18th we learned that some
bread and fruit had been taken from the
dairy in the night. Sir Edmund and I
walked through the woods; we saw
nothing Of Lola. Our conversation turn
ed upon his daughter, and he told me
how she had consoled him for the loss
of his wife. bespoke with natural pride
of her sweet and loyal disposition. Later
on, falling upon the subject Of the great
diamond, he asked me how came to DO
q miner. told him Of my loss by the
failure of the Imperial, Of the impossi-
bility of my getting my living as a clerk,
etc. Incidentally ! referred to my moth
er's family. and the name leading him to
make further inquiries, he discovered
the curious fact that my mother must
have been his wife's cousin. How often
do we find wide circles Of friends linked
together in this way! I thought that
Miss Lascelles was greatly pleased with
the discovery Of the distant relationship
existing between us; we seemed less re-
mote from each other.
During our absence Miss Lascelles had
devoted herself entirely TO Van Hoeck;
her sympathy had O remarkable effect
upon this strange man. When / took
him up to his room to dress for dinner,
he asked me to open the windows. and
place him where he might feel the air.
He sat before the open window; the set
ting sun was reflected upon his sightless
eyes. believe he became unconscious
of my presence, and stood there watch
ing the play Of his features. Hisnostrils
dilated, his brows creased together, his
lips parted, showing his teeth closely
set, the whole expression of his face in
dicating extreme dread; then the muscles
relaxed, for o moment his cadaverous
cheeks were tinged with color, the eyes
closed, and the lips trembled as If In &C.
stacy. Again his lids rose, and the look
of dread returned to his face. He shrunk
back in his chair, and blinked his eyes as
though struggling to give them light;
then suddenly he flung out his arms
wildly, and with q smothered cry of i'm
potent rage, buried his face in his hands,
his long, thin fingers pressing the throb-
bling veins which stood out knotted and
hard upon his temples.
what is the matter, old mani" I ask
ed, putting my hand on his shoulder.
He started, and answered impatiently.
Nothing. nothing-a dreamT And
then he asked savagely-"Who watches
you in the nightT'
"This is not the night" replied, fan
cying he was yet but half awake.
isn't it?" he asked, turning his eyes
from one side to the other; then stretch
ing out his hands, as if to heaven, he
cried-"Then what Is the night"
Poor wretch, all was indeed night to
him. tried to engage him in conversa-
ton, but he waved his hand impatiently,
and, getting up, felt his way to the wash
stand.
"Go down." he said; "Miss Lascelles is
more pleasing to the eye than am; she
must be beautiful, for her voice is music,
her touch is like the petal of q rose.
Where do you keep the diamonds it
safe"
"A l.. II