The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1893-04-15

"telllgence III Store Ior nlulSeH NJ tue
hands OF the parson, and the reverend
gentleman's sister, Paul Meredith saun-
tered along the avenue, casting his eyes
hither and thitheT, as il he were either
renewing his acquaintance with the
spot, or was on the outlook for some
one.
The young fellows heart was throb-
bling with q gladness he had never ex-
perience before bidding Salome fare
we'll Deeply as he had loved her then
his affection had mol passed into the
state OF alteration, which marked II at
this moment. A few months absence
from her side had intensified and
strengthened his love for the lovely lass,
and as he swung along the red drive
which vas barred at every stride by
rays Of sunlight and patches Of shadow,
he cut at the grass with his stick,
tugged at his light beard with his left
hand, but thought OF scarcely anything
save the holy pleasure OF meeting his
sweetheart once more,
Presently, as Paul went towards the
house, his keen eye caught sight OF the
vicar, who was seated on the big rustic
seat under the wide-spreading elm on
the edge OF the lawn. Mr.. Madison was
busy with the morning paper, and he
never noticed Meredith's approach I'M
til Paul cried pleasantly:
"Good morning, Mr.. Madison, How
are your A magnificent morning, isn't
it?"
"God bless mo, is it your" the vicar
exclaimed, as he dropped the newspa'
per and stared at the other through his
glasses. "When did you come back p
"This morning only" Paul SAID,
laughingly, as he hold out his hand. The
other took 1t quietly, and the young man
added, ~ thought l would not write,
but would give you all a pleasant SUR
prise. OF course, Wrote to Sir sydney,
Surely you are glad to sec me, Mr.. Nal
lison?" Paul questioned, for he thought
the wears attitude towards him q little
singular. ~ know l have turned up
before the stipulated time, but under
the circumstance, | nun justified, as l
think you will admit when you hear
all."
"You will pardon mo, Mr.. Meredith"
the clergyman said. apologetlcally, III
my name seemed strange. But l was
not thinking Of that at all. Have you
seen the ~CarslandsT'
mo, l came straight on here because
l supposed they would be in London"
"They are, But have you not even
been to tho hallP"
mo. But I have walked from the
station right on here. But where Is
Salome? Out, l daresay, somewhere.
How is she getting along with her
studies2 All right, l know, for she Is
wonderfully intelligent. Give me an
hour OF her company, Mr.. Madison, and
after that l will run away again for a
year."
Thus the light-hearted, happy lover
ran on and the parson did not attempt
to stop him. He had realized that Paul
knew nothing as to Salome's disappear
anCe and he was wondering in what
way he should break the news.
"Haye you heard nothing, Paul? ;"
Madison asked sympathetically, as he
laid his lean white hand on tho lads
shoulder.
"Heard nothing! What do you
mean ?" Meredith cried, with question:
ing eyes. "About Salome do you mean?
What is wrong? Tell me! | can see
there's something amiss."
''She has gone away"
"Gone away-whenT Where? What
for"
Paul's face had suddenly blanched as
he blurted forth those terse and preg-
nant inquiries, and the elder mar an-
swered:
"Slt down, calm yourself, my lad, and
l will relate the whole OF the miserable
business sc far as l know and under
stand It."
The muscles of Paul Meredith's mouth
set themselves rigidly as he sank upon
the wooden bench encircling the elm
and prepared to listen to what his com.
panion had to state.
shortly after you went away" the
minister began, "a small parcel came to
the vicarage addressed to Miss Barring
ham. 1t appears the parcel contained
quite q collection Of most valuable jew
elry, some OF which Salome wore ocGa.
sionally. l and Margaret thought, Of
course, that the gems were a gift OF
yours, but 1t appears now that they
were the proceeds OF a robbery perpe-
trated on Sir Sydney Garland many
years ago."
sand Sir Sydney recognized the
trinkets salome worel" Paul broke in.
"No; II was Lady Carsland who did
80, and subsequently it came out that
the whole OF the towels in Miss Barring
hams possession-which were worth
many thousands Of pounds-were the
identical jewels Of which the baronet
was robbed"
~ thinkSI understand" Paul said,
lowly, but with a meaning in the words
the other did not miss. "And this
frightened her awayT"
So suppose 80. She refused absolutely
to reveal whore the jewelry came from,
and | believe Lady Carsland threatened
to prosecute her unless she told. She
gave up all the jewels at once, but re-
fused in the most emphatic way to give
the name OF the man who presented
them to her. 10 avoid prosecution she
fed"
"Where did salome go?"
II cannot tell you'll knew nothing OF
all this till che disappeared. When she
was missing one morning | went to the
Hall and heard the whole story from
the C%arslands."
"You have never heard of salOme
since"
"Never, although l took Il upon my.
self to advertise in the papers for her"
Have you any idea where she would
None"
do you know Of any friends salone
possessed in any part Of the country 2'
Not q single one except those she
used to live with at Marsh Green"
"Do you think they know where she