Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1894-04-12

ture a grass-grown well concealing
in its depths some ghastly secret
If could have laughed the matter
off as dream l should have regaled
Tom and Constance with the story at
breakfast, but I could not bring my
self to speak of it.
by the way, Lester" said Tom,
"we are expecting another guest to-
day-Miss Mabel Saunders. Charm
ing girl, too. "
"And the Oranges rightful mis-
tress, said Constance.
looked up in surprise.
81 thought you bought the place,
Tom, so who could be the rightful
mistress but Constance?"
"Only leased it, old fellow. The
owner, Lee Harcourt, would not sell,
though he is ashamed to show his
face about here 1t is my opinion he
hopes to come back and marry Mabel
when the feeling against him has died
away"
"Tell me this story, Tom asked,
"for that there is a story is evident.
Easily told, Lester. Mabel Saun-
ders is the daughter Of an old army
comrade Of Colonel Denison, the late
owner of the Grange, and when her
parents died, in her infancy, Colonel
Denison and his wife took the child
to their home. She was not legally
adopted, but as they had no children
of their own Mabel was looked upon
a. their heiress, and the Colonels at
torney AYERS that he drew up will
four years ago, leaving the property
to her. Two years ago Col. Denison
was brought home dead from the
hunting field, and his wife, who had
been for years an invalid, survived
the shock less than a month. When
the Colonels papers were examined
no will was found, and Lee Harcourt,
the next of kin, came into possession.
Many Of the Colonel's friends were
not slow to express their belief that
Harcourt had destroyed the will, as
he had been visiting at the Grange at
the time of the Colonels death, but
there was no proof. He wanted to
marry Mabel, probably to end the
gossip, but she refused his hand, and
for more than a year now has been
poverness for Mrs. Stantons three
unruly boys. Now, those Precocloui
youngsters are to have vacation, so
Mabel comes to US. Indeed, We would
gladly give her home, but she is too
proud to accept it. There's the story,
and now for our drive. Here are the
horses. "
A glorious gallop it was in the brac-
ing autumnal air, and visit to the
stables followed, so that ! did not see
Constance again until l came down tc
lunch. Meeting Tom in the hall, we
entered the room together, to find
Constance awaiting US, and by hel
side a tall straight girl with the sweet,
est face had ever seen.
Tom greeted her warmly, and ther
Miss Saunders was introduced to me
extending her hand with some pleas
ant remark.
What she said do not know, tol
on the hand that was laid in mine
glistened a ruby-a ruby held be
tween two golden serpents' heads.
I must have seemed strangely EN-
barrassed for a moment. But saw
Constance look at me oddly, and will
a determined effort l put aside al
speculations for the time being.
That evening in the drawing-room
as Miss Saunders and l were lookinj
over a book Of engrayings, selze'
the opportunity to comment upon tn
ring, saying I had never seen that de
sign before.
The sweet face grew sad as she an
swered: 1T was my mothers rims
She placed it on my finger the da
she died"
By her mother l understood .
course that she meant Mrs. Denisor
the only mother she had ever known
and l almost seemed to hear tn
words: Search for the box In tn
old we'll" Could there be any cor
nection between the missing will an
my strange vision
The days went on, every hour bring
ing me nearer that unhappy day whe
l must leave the Grange and Nab
and return to my Office drudgery.
had often declaimed against sudde
attachments, had often argued thi
love should be a growth, and hel
were all my theories completely sha
+are1 Al a glance from Mabel bll