The Globe-republican., 1893-02-17
49, AE&lWe

|
"Oh! it is not quite desperate. sht
spoke cheerily. Let US 60 over thu
real facts Of the case, Raymond. and be
patient. Here 1 am. nobody, CIR
from nowhere. I seem to have beer
placed at the seminary here at 10 years
OF age, without a memory of earl,
childhood. Miss Chandler says a mys-
FERROUS gentleman brought me here
paid ten years tuition and board in ad.
vance for me, and-that's all.
Not letter since-not a visit since?'
Not even hint. Here l was left
Was 1 an orphan, was abandoned here
or was the mysterious gentleman my
father, who. for lack OF dead mothers
care, placed me here for safe keeping
and going out into the world to forge,
his sorrows or win fortune, died with
the secret Of my identity locked in his
own BOSOM"
And now" murmured Raymond, his
loyal heart beating with renewed sympa-
thy for the friendless girl who seemed
to deserve all the love and care he had
vowed to her.
Now, Miss Chandler says we must
wait. l am virtually her ward. She dare
not sanction our union. Any day my
father, or whoever my mysterious rela-
tive may be, might appear to claim me.
What would he say if he found me mar
ried to a painter who won't paint, an
artist who talks more love than art?"
Wait" calculated Raymond, i'm
patiently. For how long? The ten
years have two to run yet"
Yes, but 1 am eighteen to-day-of
legal age. Miss Chandler says she
verify believes that some word or direc-
| ton will come soon"
1t was an old story gone over now for
the hundredth time, but there was new
interest in discussing it. They talked
of their plans. of their hopes, of the
golden future life seemed to presage.
must go now, spoke Edna at last.
Why! have been here nearly half an
hour. wanted to tell you about the
reception tomorrow evening. Mr.
Brinsley is to take me. He is Miss
Chambers cousin, and want to please
her"
Raymond's eyes showed a rising token
OF jealousy, but he was prudently silent.
If he does not 60 shall write you,
and you must be my knight
hope he does not. Good-by. No! Be-
atrice is looking this way. Be patient,
Raymond, and above all, do make some
progress on that tiresome, never-to- be
finished picture"
She was gone as she had come, like
flashing, dainty sprite. Raymond
Marshall followed her with his eyes,
until the bushes shut out the remotest
view OF her pretty, nodding cap.
"Picture!" he murmured, with sigh,
as he packed UP stool and easel. who
could paint with such a face haunting
every glance and thought? And she
bids me wait! Wait, to be tortured
every time see her in the company of
that fellow Brinsley, or making q con-
fidante Of Beatrice Mercer. How dis
trust her!"
Yes, Miss Beatrice Mercer was a
thorn in the artists side Why, he
could scarcely explain. She was pretty,
young. apparently. devoted to.his fiancee,
but more than once he had caught her
eyes fixed on Edna with latent, bale
full light, upon himself with q passion
ate. pleading expression that mystified,
repulsed him. he knew not why.
But all this would soon end; ali, yes!
it must soon end. The mystery of his
fiancee must some time cease to be a
mystery. 1t was not an unusual case.
1t would probably have a very prosaic
conclusion, with the Iong-lost father
returning, and explaining that he had
placed his daughter In Miss Chambers
charge because she was motherless.
Then they would marry, and life
would be worth living, and all the dis
tressing trifies of the present would
vanish. 1t must be SO. Edna had pre-
dicted that word must soon come from
her mysterious relative.
Her faith as hopeful as his own, Edna
locked her arm through that Of her COM
panion, and did most OF the chattering
the way back to the seminary.
Miss Mercer went straight to her own
room. II Edna had seen her as she
threw herself on her bed and lay con-
vulsed in paroxysm of tears, rage, and
emotion for over an hour, she might not
vainly have guessed at the cause of the
varying moods of this strange creature.
AS to Edna, she studied for an hour
and started to find her friend again,
thinking Of Raymond's handsome face
despite herself, and Raymond's anxious
wish that the obstacles to their union
were remOved-that word would come"
and the suspense Of waiting be allevi-
ated.
"Oh, Edna! Miss Chandler wishes to
see you at once" spoke q FELLOWSHIP
dent, as Edna crossed the hall.
Particularly" murmured Edna, with
q smile.
Very much SO. She sent me for you,
and seemed greatly excited. Something
has happened; I don't know what, but
she acted very much agisated."
Yes, something" had happened, and
Edna Deane knew what, few minutes
later.
Something had happened in a way di-
rectly in accordance with her thoughts
and Raymond Marshall's impatient de-
sires.
Word" had come!
CHAPTER III.
FROM THE PAST.
Edna Deane's heart Quickened its
pulsations as she started for the recep-
ton room. The message brought her