Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1894-10-25
CHAPTER NIL
A RAPID TIIAW.

Sir Cyprian Dayenant had ridden to
Toteridge several times after his dis
covery Of Mrs. Walsingham's connec-
tion With the village rs tenant OF that
small and unpretending house with the
green shutters, glass door and square
plot of garden. 1t was his habit 10 put
up his horse at the inn, and go Tor u
stroll while the animal rested after his
midday feed, and in these rambles ne
hal made the acquaintance OF the
nurse and baby Mt the unconstitutional
house.
The nurse was German girl fat
faced. good .uatured and unintelligent.
Sir Cyprian won her heart at the out
set by addressing her in her native
language, which she had not heard
since She came to England, and in the
confidence inspired by his kind man
ners and excellent German she freely
impaired her affairs to the stranger.
Mrs. Walsingham had hired her in
Brussels, and brought her home as
nurse to the little girl, whose previous
nurse had been dismissed for bad con
duct in that city.
Mrs. Walsingham'5 little girl?" in
CURED Sir CYprlan
NO The darling was an orphan,
the daughter of poor cousin OF Mrs,
Wasingham who had died in Vienna,
and the kind lady had brought the
little one home, and was going to bring
her up as her own child.
Sir Cyprian heard and was doubtful.
He had his own theory about this baby,
but a theory which he would not for
worlds have impaired to any one. He
got on quite fami liar terms with the
little one by and by She was u chubby,
rosy infant of about fifteen months old,
with brown eyes and fair complexion,
and hair that made golden-brown rings
upon her ivory forehead. She made
frantic efforts to talk, but at present
only succeeded in being loquacious in
language Of her own
She was quite ready to attach her
self to the wandering stranger, ia CT
mated by his watch-chains and seals
What is her name?" asked Sir Cyp
rian.
CLARA, but we always call hel
Baby"
Clara? That's only her Christian
name. She has surname, | suppose"
The nurse maid supposed as much
also, but had never heard any sur.
name. nor the profession of the little
dcar's father, nor any details of the
(ather and mother. Mrs. WaIsingham
was u lady who talked very little, but
she seemed extremely fond of Baby,
She came to see her twice week, and
sometimes stayed all day, playing with
her, and experimenting her dinner
and carrying her about the garden.
On the morning after that interview
with james Wyatt Sir Cyprian rode
over to Totteridge and put up his
horse, as usual at the inn, The nurse
had told him that Mrs. Walsingham
was to be at the cottage to-day, and he
had srec al reasons for wishing to sec
that LADY, He might have called upor
her in Half-MoOn street, of course, but
he p eferred to see her in Baby es
adjustment. if possible,
1t was noon when he walked up anC
down the pathway before the cottage
waiting for Mrs. Walsingham's arrival
bright winter day, with blue sky
md west wind. He had exchanged
greeting with Baby already, tina
young lady saluting him from the nur
sery window with vivacious llourishe.
Of her pink arms.
The church clock had not Ions
struck twelve when Mrs. Walsing ham
neat b ougham drove up. she opened
the door and let herself out, and haC
scarcely stepped into the pathway whel
she recognized Sir Cyprian.
She turned very pale, and made ;
little movement, as if she would hay,
gone hack to her carriage, but Sir Cyp
rian advanced hat in hand, to gree
her.
You have not forgotten mo I hope
Mrs. Walsingham?"
Sir Cyprian Davenant, think"
Yes [ had the pleasure of meetin,
you more than three years ago at tn,
Star and Carter"
81 remember per 'ectly. You hav
been in Africa since then. | hav
read some notices of your adventure
there, | am glad to see you o littl
the worse for them. And now | mus
bid you go d mo ming have to Sc
some PEOPLE lie e. You can wait a
the inn, Holmes, to the coachman.
w ~ } Ou give II y Hull al llOuI
quarter Of an hours conversation
Mrs Westinghouse" asked Sir Cyl
rian.
She cooked at him uneasily, evidentl
puzzled,
Upon what subject"
"ULon u matter of life and death.
You alarm me. Have you com
here on purpose to waylay me?
thought our meeting was accidental
"Waylay is disagreeable word; bl
certainly came here this morning @
purpose to see you. am going
make an appeal to your heart, Mr.
Walsilgham. want you to do a mob
action"
81 am afraid you have come to I'll
wrong quarter for that commodity
she answered, with bitter smile, b,
she seemed somewhat treasured |
this mode Of address.
Shall we walk" she asked, movir
away from the garden gate.
The wide high-road lay before ther
destitute of any sign OF human life, IL
lealless lines and chestnuts standing |
against the winter sky, the far-oif hill
purple in the clear bright air. The
would be as much alone here as with