The state republican. (Jefferson City, Mo.) 1871-1896, 1895-04-18

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but then he did not believe Pierce to
be dead.
Griffin, who was thoroughly imbued
with the "untimely end" theory was
when he had finished his
ton with Sir Clement as firmly con-
WINGED that this was Pierce Vaughan's
hat as he had been at the beginning.
Sir Clement told him he would
make enquiries of his man and let
him know the result of his investiga-
ton and they parted, Griffin very
determined on his part that he too
would make strict investigation and
see if he could not induce the police
to have the lake dragged again.
He had suggested this to Sir Gle
ment before the arrival of Sir Miles
Berkeley, who said he thought that
absolutely unnecessary it had been
done once without result and the
same thing would only happen over
again, however if Griffin chose to do
it If course he did not wish to pre-
vent him.
"Do you believe Vaughan is really
dead?" asked Sir Miles, as he walked
along with his horse's bride over his
arm, he having turned to accompany
Sir Miles back to the house.
81 don't know what to say"
answered Sir Clement, turning round
as though in search of something, in
order to keep his face averted from
his companion. ~ am SO perplexed
by conflicting opinions that I feel
quite bewildered.'
"'Nes you seem terribly shaken old
man, but would pull myself together
if | were you. Vaughan will turn up
again like most bad pennies"
''Iou regard HIM in the light of a
bad penny then?'
~ must acknowledge / don't are
for him although he is your cousin.
Still, if he really has died in some
violent and unexpected fashion |
would be sorry"
That's it, Berkeley, if he died in
his bed | should not care. He never
made himself very pleasant to me,
but this constant horror looming in
the air-the suspense is awful and it
will never subSide SO long as Lady
Marcia Foljambe and Elvira Delane
keep up SO much hysterical excite
ment."
exciting, that is what it is. And
when Vaughan turns up he will be
made much of and fooled over until
one almost wishes he would stop
where he is"
Under all circumstances Clement
Dunraven would have smiled at his
friends earnestness, knowing as he
did full well how deeply attached he
was to Eivira, but as it was he only
sighed. The sigh recalled Sir Miles
wandering thoughts and reminded
him that there was a cheerier subject
to be discussed and he plunged into
the congratulations which Griilin's
discovery had caused him for a time
to forget.
eve are going TO have a banquet
tomorrow evening, in the big room
and gardens at the Royal Arms to
which have invited nearly all Cole
shill and my W tenants, of course;
will you look in and make US a
~speech?'
II don't know about the speech, !
am not much of an orator, but | will
look in with pleasure and if there is
anything | can do-command me-
Thanks, Berkeley, you are a good
fellow. will do as much fer you
when the arrival of your first-born
demands a fete."
"Ah, not much chance of that
unless"
"The right girl consents to be
wooed.n
"Precisely, l am not a mar tc
transfer my affections"
"She'll break into harness. She's
only a FESTIVE little hlly."
"Into harness yes--but not will
me. When Vaughan returns"
"For mercy's sake don't mention
that name again, nor let him CONF
between you and your love. Go il
and win the Delane and take it fol
granted he will never urn up"
''If she would take it for granted
too it might be substantial reasoning
but as matters stand | fear it is too
one -sided to be of much avail"
"Elvira Delane is a good heartec
girl, Gertrude is very fond of her
She will not long withstand sucl
devotion as yours"
500 you really think, Dunraven
that | have any chance"
"Of course you have, man. II
get Gertrude to have a talk witt
her one of these days. Itwould Civ
me great pleasure to think you an
she have made a match of it,"
"She has looked very i'll lately,
said Sir Miles.
"She has, so have we all but W
cannot go on for ever at this hig
! tension or we shall all be buried
one grave"
"Don't believe that Miss Delan