Santa Fe daily New Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1885-1897, 1895-08-24
THE STRANGER.

although she was an heiress, with the re-
nowned Mearne diamonds to set off her
bonny face, whereas my father was only
curate in charge and / had half dozen
sisters and brothers.
But Althea coaxed father to let me share
her governesses and masters, and when
Sir Edwin gave a grand ball to celebrate
her eighteenth birthday she insisted upon
my being present and managed in her
own graceful way, to give me dress for
the occasion.
She was standing beside Sir Edwin, re-
ceiving her guests-a vision of white lace
and flashing diamonds. And as they
passed her, people whispered:
"Ah she is wearing the diamonds, and
they become her almost as well as they did
poor Lady Mearne."
The men were all raving about her, but
1t was easy enough to see that Harry Brit
tain's fate was sealed from the first mo-
ment that he set eyes upon his old play
mate in all the magnifcence of her ball
room array.
Harry owned the adjoining estate and
1t was an open secret that Sir Edwin was
anxious for q match between his daughter
and the young squire of Brittain's Rest.
He asked me to dance that he might
have the pleasure Of talking about her
"Isn't she lovely, Gwen? There-look
at her now, spinning round with that dark
haired fellow the best dancer in the room.
No wonder she doesn't care much about
me-Im clumsy dancor-ch?'
My aching feet bore witness to tho fact,
but shook my head
You do very well, Harry. BY tho bye,
who is Althca's partner?'
Willard brought him." he said land
ing me triumphantly by the side of my
chaperon. II say, Gwen, I've think she'd
give me one now?"
watched Althea shake her head and
send him away looking SO downcast that
felt out Of patience with her and took
violent dislike to the dark haired stranger
who stood smiling by her side.
1t must have been an hour later that /
found myself alone on the deserted terrace
with my friend.
Come, Gwenny," she said, "the world
Is at supper, but we have souls above ices
and champagne. have promised to show
Mr. Wynne the lake by moonlight, and
you must como with me-"
just then Mr.. Wynne, the dark haired
stranger, came up with light wrap over
his arm and looked oddly disconnected at
the vision of two white dresses instead of
one. 1t was very awkward.
Gwen introduced me- still holding my
arm, and we ran down the steps and
plunged into the shrubbery walk that led
to the lake. Althea shivered.
This is too eerie!' she CRIED "Gwen,
shall we turn back?"
mo- no, Mr.. Wynne murmurcd, bend
ing over Althea. Be merciful! l have
looked forward to this all the evening
and since you promised to show me the
lake yourself"
II heard footstep!' she cried. "Some
one else bent on seeing the lake perhaps
Let us wait and make up party"
"Footsteps9 Nonsense!" exclaimed Mr.
Wynne, with an Understandable change in
his voice. "You must be mistaken. Come
on, say; como onp'
We were nearly at the end of the path,
and CLEAN of moonlight fell full upon
his face, all white and distorted from some
overpowering anxiety.
"Altheap' cried. "Take care! He'--
AS 1 spoke dark figure glided out of
the bushes, and rough hand was laid on
my mouth.
''Stow that, miss! 'Tain't no good
a-trying to screech. What! two on 'em
JimP Which is the lucky birdp"
Mr.. Wynne made some incoherent reply |
He was restraining Althea with one hand
and fumbling awkwardly over the clasp
Of the necklace that flashed in the moon
light. l could hear her stifled shrieks and
see her determined resistance, and my
heart died within me at the thought Of !
what might happen If the Villains pa
thence gave way.
And while the words were still on his
lips some one tore his hands from her
white throat and dealt him crashing
blow that stretched him, unconscious, at
her feet
1t was Harry Brittain
"Run, Althea RUM" he cried.
My captor sprang forward with growl
OF rage, but Harry was ready for him, and I
Althea and / chung to each other during
the desperate struggle that ensued and
screamed for help until the frightened
guests flooked down from the terrace above.
They found two men stretched on the
ground, ono groaning, with a leg doubled
beneath him, the other insensible
And Harry was kneeling beside Althea,
putting back the disheveled hair with an
almost womanly touch and revealing the
diamonds still sparkling on her neck.
y II
The police were very ready to convince
Mr.. Willard that the pleasant acquaintance
whom he had brought with him to the
ball at Mearne Towers was none other
than Herbert SyneS the noted BURGLAR