The state republican. (Jefferson City, Mo.) 1871-1896, 1895-04-11
THE BIRTH OF THE HEIR.

IL ' -"
The bells of Coleshill church were
ringing a merry peal, flags were
flying from several houses in the
town and most of the inhabitants
were standing idly about in groups
gossiping. 1t was evident some
event of much local Importance was
e%ngrossing general attention.
A boy had been born to the house
of Dunraven. 1t was the first time
for eight generations that there had
been a direct heir and
"May he live and prosper" was
the general cry.
The Dunravens had always been
very popular with the Coleshill peo-
pie and the present possessors of
Aboyne Court were not less 80 than
their predecessors.
Lady Gertrude had made herself
quite a reputation for good works
and kindly words and az for Sir
Clement he had always been the
favorite of Sir Louis two nephews,
and there was a general regret in
Coleshill that of late he had looked
so i'll and worn.
"Maybe the comm of this young
ster will gladden. him up a bit.
There's nothing like young spirits
for making old folks gay" said the
mistress of the "Royal Arms to
Brown who was standing talking to
her on her own doorstep.
"Old!n he exclaimed. "Why Sir
Clement is only a boy himself, he
amt thirty yet. 1t isn't age as is
weighing him down"
"You're right, Mr.. Brown, sure
enough. It's awful to see a young
fellow get old before his time.
Whatever's the reason of it? Do you
know, Mr.. Brown"
Brown shook his head. Whatever
private views he might have on the
subject he was too wise to air them
in Coleshill.
''Folks do say" went on the land
lady of the Royal Arms, - "what he
amt happy with her ladyship and
vet she's one of the sweetest Great
ures thot ever a man could hope 10
be mated with,'
''That's a lie, Mrs. Curtis. | can
vouch for hat being a lie. Sir
Clement is devoted to her ladyship.
You should hear him speak to her.
His voice is quite different like to
when he is speaking to any Ii
else.n
Every glad to hear it, Mr.. Brown.
like to see a man devoted to his
wife and she such a beauty too as
Lady Gertrude. But whatever is the
matter with Sir Clement? l believe
ne is a good bit irritated about the
disappearance of Mr., Vaughan"
'P'raps. But he was looking i'll
before Mr.. Vaughan disappeared, -
said Brown, contemplattyely.
"NIaybe and this suspense would
not mend matters. 1t Il worry
Sir Clement to know thar his own
cousin amt been traced nowhere. |
was awake one Whole night thinkin'
about it myself and it amt because |
cared for him. For n sneaker, lore
disagrcvable gentleman | eve had
to do with You was the last per-
son as saw him, wasn't you, Mr..
Browu2''
Gay, And how ne got away that
day is Il mystery as | would give
something to solve. But ! was not
the very last, person to see him for
Jim Glendinning, he says he saw Mr..
Vaughan after me, down by the lake,
and that he ordered him Oft the
properly"
Gle is lying at the bottom of that
there lake. said the landlady ON
c~lusively. Il wonder Jim AIM
taken up. He always was a bad
lot.n
GLOW can they take Glendinning
up? The lake has been dragged and
nothing has been found. Mr..
Vaughan may have gone to America
or kamschatka; he was always a
queer sort OF man, That very last
time as | saw him, says he to me
that it was quite possible that al
heir might inherit that there prop.
erty while Sir Clement was alive
OF course | told him such a thinl
could not be. Fact is, Mrs. Curtis
he gets his head 80 mixed up will
law bubbles and such-like that 1t
does not know what's possible anC
what ANTI
''Lor' bless you, Mr.. Brown, dry
think as he has gone mad?i
ale amt that sort. He's to-
calculatin' like, don't let hisself e
enough. Sir Clement is more like t,
go mad not me. If it weren't TO
Sir Clement | shouldn't mind if Mr.
Vaughan never turned up no more
but Sir Clement seems SO cut vi
about his missing that | feel quit
sorry for him"
"Well, Mr.. Brown, it's only nat
ural, like. They're cousins and wa
mostly brought up together"
"Just so. And look yonder, Their
is Sir clement, coming down tn