The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1892-10-23
CHAPTER V.
A FRIEND.

The members of the household of the
Hall, or rather the quartet concerned in
this history, did not meet together until late
in ths evening.
Sir Lawrence was obliged to show him
self downstairs, for it had been no idle ex-
cuse that he had made to Royal that the
house would be full that night. Nearly all
the visitors hidden TO the feast on the NOR
row, on account OF the length of the jour
ney from London, were invited to assemble
on this the dav before
For this same reason they did not put in
an appearance Uutil late, and the baronet
| found his hands full in his position Of host
with receiving and looking after their COM
fort.
However at an early hour, the serv-
ants began to make the necessary prepare
tions for the morrow, which was sure to be
tatiguinR day, to say nothing Of the hor-
rible thought OF having TO be up and dressed
at an early hour, a general exodus to the
bedrooms was agreed upon by common con-
sent.
Nellie had not been with her father
She always shrank from being With a lot
OF people, when of necessity she felt her
| affection the more, and particularly when
they were, as in this case, nearly all straug-
ers to her. She had begged very hard 20
he allowed to go alone to church, to be T. =
lied with just her father and Leo.
But much as the former would have liked
TO have compiled with her wish, he felt it
would not be wise to do SO in this instance.
The fact OF mis- daughters existence being
unknown until her appearance, had forum
ately merely provoked but little comment
owing to the lucky circumstances that be-
ing hazy in the matter of any such relations
into which his cousin might have entered
tie Rat had always replied very circum-
specify to the few questions addressed to
MN on that point, for very few but felt
that his attliction must have put suoh an
idea out OF the question, Though to be sure
more than one old maid tried her last chance
in the matrimonial market by setting her
cap for hlm-his reputed wealth atoning for
all his deformlty)-whilet the added fact of
Nellie's blindness entirely settled the matter
But all the same, Sir Lawrence deemed it
best that the marriage should not lack any
thing in point of ceremony and display,
such as belonged to his position.
So Nellie had given way, not, however
without many fear that she should feel
terribly nervous at making her first and
last appearance in world with 80 much
eclat.
She had begged her father 20 excuse her
the ordeal Of helping to receive his guests
TO which, owing TO the lateness of the hour
OF their arrival and her known affection, he
had consented
''AAN opuhN VIC 6NGu1uk ku6TtlOT6 quietly
~ her own room, only regrettinR that the
seclusion she had imposed upon herself de-
barred her from some precious moments
with her tlance, whom she had not me
since parting from him in the garden.
She had not forgotten her twofold won
der ut that and at Madge l5randon's strange
manner latterly, but she was quite content
10 wait until some opportunity made itself
for her TO question her lover.
On quitting Nellie in the garden Leo had
gone at once to Sir Lawrence to ask his adj
vice IN the new and terrible dilemma that
had suddenly opened in his path.
The baronst was surprised and not a little
concerned at his having learned the news of
Mr.. Ferrets arrival, which he had arranged
TO Keep secret until the very last possible
moment.
Nothing had been further from his
thoughts than to have forced a meeting be-
tween father and son. but he had been led
INTO 1t by series Of circumstances which
mad given him no reasonable chance Of
escape without appearing to behave at oncs
strangely aud rudely.
lie had chosen distant cousin to hold the
Office of mother tn Nellie In the matters
which she could not arrange for herself, and
was only too happy to escape from, who
upon the sudden and unexpected resignation
by the mayors pretty daughter of her office
OF bridesmaid, had written off to another
distinguished society belle-Mi Hetherinc-
ton, Mr.. Ferret's niece TO FIJI the vacant
place, without consulting the bsronet, who
WAS unluckily away at the time.
On his return he was most annoyed at the
arrangement, since TO ask Miss Hethering-
ton was ID of course make it impossible not
to invite her uncle also, and he tried 10 get
things altered.
This, however, was not to be done, at least
not well, for Miss Hetherington had already
accepted the office, and ordered her costume.
The invitation of Mr.. Ferret had there
fore to be dispatched the baronet devoutlv
praying that it would not be accepted, in
deed counting not little upon such an
event, as the famous detective had been
given very little festivities Of late, since the
strange disappearance of his son.
As luck would have iU, however. Mr..
Ferret's reply was to promise to be down, il