The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1892-04-22
CHAPTER XVI-Continued

did you ever see this last Lady
Arlington. doctor?" he asked.
''NIany times"
''Was she handsome woman?"
''You shall judge for YOURSELF" was
the prompt reply, "for here is her pho
tograph."
As he spoke he handed Harry the
picture.
He stood gazing at it, struck dumb
with amaZement; for there before him
was the most perfect likeness of the
idol of his heart-his darling Wanda.
"Ah," Forester exclaimed, ''you are
captivated 1t is rather good picture
of her, taken at her best, when in my
opinion she was the prettiest woman in
Europe
Where is she living now?" Harry
asked, trying to conceal his emotion.
''At Wilmington hall in Derbyshire
For some years she has been a con-
frmed invalid and sees none but a con-
fidential friend who shares her retire
ment."
ga lady?"
"Why, no, gentleman; but Lady
Arlington's life is above the breath of
suspicion. Paul Hayter has been a
lifelong friend and is about the last
man in the world you would associate
with scandal"
"Oh, was not even limiting at such
thing, but how on earth can this throw
any light on the antecedents of my
young friend, for you see it was boy,
not a girl, which Lord Arlington ab-
ducted,"
''Wait moment" DR.. Forester con-
tinued, you are more than half in the
dark yet; for see, when the earl disap-
peared with the poor woman's lit
tie boy, meaning, I don't doubt, to
break her heart, she gave birth in less
than three months after his departure
to little girl-the Wanda mentioned
here. Now, when this little thing was
two years old she was stolen as every
body believed by one of the earls
emissaries, and has never been heard
of since, till you bring me news of her
to-day"
You speak very confidently"
81 am confident. And, to show you
how assured l am, let me inform you
that I mean to start for Wilmington hall
tomorrow morning"
''You do!'' Harry could not help
saying. "Why, what business can it
possibly be of yours? I mean" he
stammered, sit seems a good deal of
trouble for you to undertake, does it
not, DR.. Forrester?"
"Trouble!" cried the doctor, excited
ly. "Do you think | consider anything
a trouble which helps me to unlock the
skeleton cupboard of great family?
Besides" he continued, while his eyes
cleaned cunningly, ''there is always a
profitable aspect in literary explora-
tions of this character
''Sir''
"Why," cried the doctor, rubbing his
hands, ''the steward of the richman's
estate is fortunate fellow; but the
steward of his secrets is plutocrat."
'You mean that you would"
"lnterview Lady Arlington lit might
be worth"
"Sir!'' Harry broke forth, spiritedly,
Tin my country the man who trades on
women's secrets is accounted but n very
sorry fellow, Why, I'm not going to
blackmail Lady Arlington."
''Nor |, either. Don't put on any of
these confounded republican airs with
me, sir, for I'm not the man to stand it."
For time he sat glowering on his
guest in virtuous silence. Suddenly his
brow cleared.
bah, how foolish we are to quarrel, ~
he said, with forced smile, ''for our
interests are the same. Each can do
nothing without the other,m
II do not quite see how you are nee
essary to the furtherance of my
projects" Harry declared,
"Do you not. indeed?" the doctor
sneered. "Well, my fine fellow, will
quickly show you. suppose you are
going to Wilmington hall to interview
the lady"
II confess that have that intention. "
Then, let me assure you that with
out my aid You might as well hope to
force your way into Windsor castle as
to imagine you will get beyond the
lodge gates of her residence, You
doubt me! Try It'll No, sir, you cannot
sail on that lone tack-you and must
cruise in consort.'
Harry reflected. So this distinguished
literary gentleman, with the initials of
dozen learned societies tackled on to
his name, was little better than a ghoul,
preying on the secrets of the unfortu-
nate. But, he argued to himself, we
do not regulate the killing of vermin by
the rules Of yenerie, SO little want Of
candor may be permissible in dealing
with DR.. Forester.
So he said:
swell, perhaps you are right, Could
you make it convenient to go down into
Qerbyshire next week, sir2"
rAye, my dear young friend, that
would suit me spleRdidly, Call for me
here on Tuesday morning early"
Then forthwith Harry took his de-
parture and sped in swift hanson to
his lodgings. In ten minutes after his
arrival he had packed valise and was
on his way to the Midland railway
station, chuckling to think how his
learned friend would fume at his precip-
itancy. 81 900 : -
CHAPTER XIX.