The morning call., 1892-06-17
OXSLIPPES MANOR.

place in Norfolk, only two counties away
from Oxslippes. and [ do not IKE the look
of the man at all. How often / nave en-
treated yonr uncle to keep the silver al the
hank but he always says, What good are
the forks and spoons to us if not in useY
So even roor Aunt Cheyning's butter-dish
and the sconces that were Uncle BOone'S
are out on the sdebOsrd; they will be swept
away one night unless we have bells on the
shutters and doors"
''Do not be frightened, Laurel" said Ella
Tyrrel, handing a cup OF tea TO their visitor,
newly arrived from London, the electric
bells are already ordered, and VIII soon be
mt No. and in future Giddes says she VIII
take up the butteT-diSh as we'll as the plate
basket. when she goes TO bed. l VIII De
responsible for the scOnCeS. and perha S
YOU could look after the silver images-Pan
with his flute, you know, and Diana with
her bow"
That will" said Laurel Kirke, va'iantly.
81 had no idea burglars were IN the neigh
bOrh0od; il viii be quite an adventure.
There is really nothing TO lear, auntle; you
forget have taken fencing lessons, and that
received a prize for gymnastics.
Very much 10 your credit, my dear, re-
piled her aunt. ''but l cannot quite see how
you could save our plate. on would be no
match for the MISUNDERSTANDING stranger
that undoubtedly pT0wls around the manor,
and old Parker at the lodge Is growing too
inirm TO cope with what will probably be
an attack of a savage band OF masked and
violent robbers.
He certainly has a sinister expression"
said Ella. They say there Is a peculiar
kind Of physiognomy attached to the crim-
mai classes. Poor man! perhaps every
thing in life has been against him.
''But why not have him aTreSted?' asked
Laurel iii q suspicious character De pToRl-
ing about OXSlippes?"
''Oh. nv dear" said Mrs. Tyrrel, Eve can
prove nothing but his looks are certainly
against him. Mary nearly had hySterla
when she found him In the Kitchen garden
one morning, and moor Glddes ran for her
life when she came across MIN 10 the sum-
mer-hOuse; she said he was fumbling at
something he held inside bag Oh the arb0T-
table-m0st likely he had stolen a chicken,
but he might have had revolver there, so
she did well to run"
II saw him myself" said Ella, "prowling
among the pigs at Farmer Jebs0n's. No
body knows anything about him, whether he
walks over from St0nebridge, or whether be
sleeps IN barns and outhUuses. Our cOnSta-
bic is on tie watch, but as vet he has not
come across the yagrant; / only hope he has
By this time taken himself of.
"Your uncle will be home on Friday next
that is one comfort" sighed Mrs. Tyrrel
g. Laurel. who privately rather enjoyed the
thought Of an adventure; life had OF late
seemed to this young damsel somewhat
''stale fat and Improbable"
When the girls were left alone the subject
OF the burglar dropped into oblivion. Ella
had many questions 10 ask respecting GER
tain Mr.. Christopher G0Odng, whose name
rumOr had coupled with that Of her London
cousin.
There was nothing in it at all" said Lau-
rel, rather impatiently; please Ella, let
the name in question be forgotten between
MS . cd m lin f0r
while, but we found thai our dispositions
were incompatible and we parted by mutual
consent"
THE fact is, Laurel" said Ella, with the
severity OF approaching matronhO0d, ''yOu
gave y ay 10 one OF your unreasonable fits
Of temper, ana YOU were too proud to make
up the little difference. But there! | did
not mean 10 make you cry; # you really re-
greet the understanding
Il don't regret 1t at all. " sobbed Laurel,
''Ouly / am tired after travelling, and l GER
tainly think. Cousin Ella, you are very I'M
kind. Was he not ten minutes late in meet
ing me at The picture gallery, and was he
not uujustiy offended when l would have
nothing to say 60 him when he did arrive
Ought a gentleman to keep a lady waiting
at an appointment even If the traffic was
stopped by a carriers cart being over
turned?"
You might be grammatical, Laurel, il
pot sensible" replied Ella, strOkiBg the
waYy hair. You silly thingl to treat him
disdainfuly before the rest Of your party
just because bis cab or omnibus happened
TO be delayed. My don't you try and
make It up with him, Laurel? We have
heard him so well spoken OF We quite hoped
be would have been guest at the wedding
next month"
Il can't make it up" said Laurel, "you
YOU don't understand. When we agreed
TO sever, and decided we were not for each
other. Chris disappeared; nobody knows
his eXacl address. but he limited to his land
lady something about KamtsChatka.
often wonder if-if he is yet in this world
below"
'Oh, Laurel, cheer up, dearest OF course
he yet lives, and doubtless your paths VIII
IecrOss at last; if he really cared about you.
he will try his fate again"
After dinner Mr.. COllYer, the curate, paid
visit TO the manor, and was CONSIDERABLY
left TO the conversation Of Ella, his be
tfOthed; Laurel played chess with her aunt,
but the game was OF dlSQuIet nature, mas
much as Mrs. Iyrre was constantly hear
ing noises, and Opining that the maids had
left doors and windows open by mistake.
And Laurel, as she waged the mimic battle,
was thinking Of one wandering peTchance
over Asiatlc plains, driven across the ocean
by cold, unfeelng words and a broken
promise.
The next day was free from alarms, with
the exception Of a vague rumOr that the
mysterious stranger had been observed
crOuehing within an old mill, with gaze
intent upon the revolving wheel; the gen.
eral opinion appeared to be that he was a
harmless imbecile, for, as Giddes said, what
sane man would stare at a millWheel, and
crouch almost on all fours?
On Friday Mr.. TyTrel returned, and, be-
ing free from nervousness himself, he spread
around him a CHEEKY atmosphere, till on
Saturday morning the agitation as to the
VagFant was Tedoubled aud reached its ell
max.
If you please, MASTER" said Giddes, ap-
peaTing while the family were at breakfast,
hes caught, and Hobbs is here, desiring
to see you particular"
"Do you mean the burglar?" asked Mrs.
TyTrel, trembingly. 81 wonder If Hobbs
caught him in the act of robbery I always
said the constable was eleYerer than he
Seems-a nice man, so respectful aud do
INVESTIGATED in his habits On. nv dear
James, if the burglar be indeed in custody,
do not confront him alone, entreat of you
he may be cOncealing firearms, and the con-
sequences are too dreadful to contemplate.
Let me accompany you; will perish with
you, If need be.
'He's handcuffed, and a dangerous char
aeter he is, as I've told you this week past,
ma'am; it's wonder we haven't all Of us
been slain. but I'm thankful TO say the
guilty party viii now be stopped In his evil
courses"
Mr.. Tyrrel. being a magistrate, proceeded
10 the lobby communicating with his library.
where Hobbs and the prisoner awaited him.
The ladies, clinging 10 each other. followed
him. neTYOusly, and Giddes, being inter
ested in the safety of the constable, a
81 ecial friend Of her own, brought up the
rear.
Begging your pardon for disturbing Of
you during your breakfast" said Hobbs, 81
have VentuTed for to arrest the accused as
rogue and vagabond. having found him
with my own eyes a-pTancing round and
about your own prize goat, your worship in
the paddock. which he never could have got
pIGTIIRE0I