The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1894-08-16

FLYING GL1MPSE OF A FAMILIAR FACE.
idea to go to Bellworth. AS you say it is
essential to avoid showing over-anxiety, a
letter would answer the purpose better"
"Of course-you're right. / didn't think
of that. You ought to have been lawyer,
Maurice"
Morley laughed rather forcedy, and they
went to his rooms to eoncoct the important
document
Now it happened that Valentine had prom
ised to meet friend from the country at
Cbaring Cross, and he was strolling about
the station soon after he had left his cousin.
when he caught flying glimpse of a famil-
lar face through the window of an outgoing
train.
"Maurice!" he calculated, "by all that's
queer. Where can he be off to?" Then q
startling idea flashed across his mind " Is
that train going to Bellwortb, porter?"
Eyes, SIR"
Maurice's conduct could only bear one
Interpretation. He had agreed to the part
nership merely as blind In order to be
able to get the picture alone, and Va1en-
tines eyes flashed blue fire as he thought of
the treachery of the man ne had trusted.
However, it was too late to regret his
mistake. All he could do was to get rid of
1y
such patience as he could muster for the
next train for Bellworth
Scarcely had he seated himself when a
lady entered, followed by porter with a
dressing case. She had the bag put on the
rack overhead, tipped the man, and calmly
ensconsed herself in the corner opposite,
with two or three illustrated journals.
A glance told him she was young, charm
ing, perfectly dressed. There was an elderly
person, too but she was qnite an unimpor-
tant detail in the young mans eyes.
Probably il was because he was so occu-
pied in watching his pretty vis-a-vis that he
should have been able TO avert serious ac-
cident. The luggage rack was out of repair,
the dressing case heavy.
A sharp crack, and the structure was in
the act of falling upon her head, when he
sprang to his feet in time to ward it off at
the cost OF badly bruised arm.
"You saved my life" she cried with de-
lightful positiyeness. 20, yes you did.
Didn't he, Aunt Adelaide? / should have
been killed; know should How can l
thank you?"
Her voice was miracle of sweetness, with
an American accent. Valentine blushed
with pleasure, in spite of his aching arm.
She took him into her friendship at once
with the spontaneity of her sex and nation,
and in talking to her straigbtway he forgot
all about his errand until chance word re-
called it.
Then, to amuse her, he told her the story
of the Rembrandt and the fortune depen-
dent on the issue, suppressing only names
aud places.
81 think your cousin has behaved shame
fully" was her verdict. He doesn't de-
serve 10 succeed"
20, it's only in novels and on the stage
that virtue triumpbs. Pm afraid it's the
other way about in the world" he said with
a rather bitter laugh.
"There l differ with you,r she said calmly.
Your cousin will not get the Rembrandt"
"How can you tell?" he said, amused at
her positiveness.
Merely because l happen to be the heir
ess!"
The full significance of the situation
flooded his brain. He had spoiled Maurice's
chance of fortune, but in telling the owner
of the pictures value he had ruined his
own as well.
Yet, strange to say, he was not nearly so
sorry as he should have been.
"You are Miss Donovan ?" he gasped.
That's So" replied the young lady from
Chicago. "But you needn't be sorry you
told me. Do you think i would he so shabby
as to take advantage your confidence-and
after what owe you? You shall take the
picture home with you."
:" / shouldn't have regretted it anyhow"
he said. Il would not exchange our meet
ing for dozen Rembrandts!"
He told her so again in other words just
two weeks later-and she believed him.
They were married at st. Georges, Han
over Sq.-Aasluers.