Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-02-18

At first Fernald's heart beat high with ioy
for the tone and question only that suitable
| toa servant but he presently reflected that a
| man did not usually take charge of such arti-
| cles rs crochet needles and the like and he be-
gan to suspect that the question was put to test
the reality of his slumbers. He resolved, there
fore still to feign sleep for awhile. The car
rage went very slowly. for they were come to a
mountainous region. where the road assembled
woody hills. and then plunged into deep valleys
The horseswent apparently with great difficulty
| and as the carriage no longer ratified Fernad
could hear distinctly each word spoken upon
| the box.
The position cracked his heavy whip in vain
the horses strained every nerve. but could 60
| no faster; finally he said with an oath: What
cursedly heavy baggage
You only have three passengers and two
trunks, replied Lippman; Il am sure that Is
| not much.
"No, not much" answered the position.
| but they are heavy enough"
Then you cannot be accustomed to carry
much baggage?"
Il am not accustomed to carry such; they are
very rare, said the position, with short dry
laugh
! What are rare? Such trunks as ours?'
| Why. YES. A man does not often see one
| exactly like that screwed on behind u.s." said
| the position. knowingly.
CURLY.
This conversation forced upon Fernald an
| unpleasant discovery; namely. that the driver
knew the contents OF his trunk 1t occurred to
him that he would have preferred that this
misunderstanding person who drove him
| through this solitary and thicgly wooded region
should not have known that he had with him
half million OF money. His thoughts, how
ever, were so taken up with Nine. Bernard and
her servant that this only caused him moments
uneasiness.
The carriage stopped SO that Fernald felt
oohGed to awake suddenly, and saw the postil-
ION and his companion aiight that the weary
horses might have less to carry. Soon they
fell back and commenced talking earnestly and
rapidly. Fernald wondered if theywer con-
! versing about the trunk, perhaps having some
plot, and he regretted most heartily that he
had exchanged his own trusty servant for this
detestable young man. Involuntarily his hand
fell upon the two loaded feyolyers in the pocket
| OF the carriage; then turning to his companion
he commenced an animated conversation She
now appeared at ease, and more like herself
| than before, and as he met the glance Of her
beautiful eyes and listened to her clear voice
! he felt truly ashamed of his doubts.
| After the two men had resumed their seats
on the box long pause eusued. Presently
Fernald observed that Lippman wrote some
thing In bis pocket book, and, tearing out the
leaf. folded it into the shape of a note and
| placed it ir his glove.
'Ah." thought Fernald, his wrath rising
anew, "a billet-doux for Nine. Bernard, As
soon as l turn around it will be thrown to
herr
He felt redoubled hatred toward Lippman.
| II gendarme had been near he would have
given him into custody, but no such person
was to be seen.
Soon they arrived at the next stopping place.
On the way tnither Fernald had reasoned with
himself. and said revenge was ignoble; he would
not disgrace Nine. Bernard. but he would tell
her that he had discovered her deception-had
seen through her trick. and that he would mag
unanimously protect her and her lover through
any danger. Still, he found it very hard to
bring himself to this generous act; he. who
loved her SO madly. was, against his will. the
party to her elopementi It was a despicable
affair, but he was resolved to carry out his
noble intention.
They had now arrived at the little village,
wnere they we're not only to change horses but
to dine 1t was highly picturesque. but very
miserable place where they were Obliged to
wait-an old inn, with large, old-fashioned
courtyard, with arms cut in the stone gateway.
They alighted and were shown by the rosy
hostess INTO large room on the first floor.
While Fernald was ordering dinner he
watched Madame Bernard closely. in a mirror
that hung opposite to him. and found that he
had not been mistaken; Lippman, in passing
her, imagining himself unobserved, slipped
something into her hand.
She took it quite as il she were accustomed
to such condolences, and walked to the bay
!
/, heart throbbed violently with jealousy and
grief. He walked rapidly up and down the
| room In the greatest agitation. A horrible
thought had crossed his brain and he could
not rid himself Of it. Who had told him that
this was Nine. Demands lover? If she had
planned an elopement, what need had she of
his p-otec<ion? Was she not independent and
free to marry her servant, If she wished? And
Lipprnan was no servant. That he could see
with half an eye. Nc, no; far more likely that
Inf vo1 -t-g
not the position know its contents? And verv
probably half Frankfort knew the object of his
journey. How many times had he heard of
even titled swindlers? He felt himself the
| helpless victim Of a fiendish conspiracy. But
no, he would not believe it; the idea was too
monstrous, too terrible. Fernald was ashamed
OF his thoughts, but conld not stiffe them,
when Nine. Bernard suddenly turned and
,, asked him some question concerning their
future journey.
He answered her as CURLY as possible
"Do you know" she said smiling ..that Won
look very cross. and might say fierce besides
| having been remarkably silent for some time?
Confess, now, that you regret having taken me
for travelling companion, and wish me at
! Jericho! Do you not?'
This was said with the most artIess manner
| and the sweetest of smiles, but neither had its
usual effect upon the unhappy man.
himself, grimly. .Madame,' hs answered.
| somewhat brusquely, ~ need not assure YOU
that your company is agreeable to me at any
time, but [ must confess to you that the
presence of Otto Lippman is far from being SO.
The man is no servant, his livery is q masaue-
rade, and while on the one hand your want Of
confidence wounds me to the quick on the
| other ! have reasons of my OWE for being very
| watchful and suspicious of strange COM
| panion."
At these words Nine. Bernard turned as pale
as ashes. She looked at him in silence, as if
| stunned, and approaching him half whispered:
"Have you, then, discovered this?''
Il have perceived it; and must ask you, de-
cidedly, for an explanation"
You are right-quite right" she answered
quickly. Il have treated you unfairly but
Heaven knows it was not my fault. have the
| most perfect confidence in your nobleness and
generosity, but my brother wished-he re-
CURED it, OF should at once have told you,
Herr Fernald."
''Your brother wished-required?'
ct is of my brother that you were speaking"
she whispered, in the greatest excitement. II
will confess all to you. 1t is right that you
should know the whole
us tho young man your brother?" cried Fer
nald joyfully.
"He is my brother" replied Mme Bernard.
but why is he thus disguised?"
"This disguise he was obliged to take in con-
| sequence Of his mad folly, in which he per-
| sisted, deaf to all entreates. He is a student
| in his first year at Heidelberg, and came here
| a take mart that on thraak tho ,,o