The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1895-06-29
THE STRANGER.

Althea Mearne and were bosom friendH,
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 AIthea coaxed father to let me share
her governesses and masters, and when
Sir Edwin gave 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
it was easy enough to see that Harry Brit
tain 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
it was open secret that Sir Edwin was
anxious fo4 a 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
tIsn't she lovely Gwen? There-look
haired fellow A-the best dancer in the room.
No wonder she doesn't care much about
me-I'm a clumsy dancer-eh?''
My aching feet bore witness to the fact,
but I shook my head.
"You do very we'll, Harry. By the bye,
who is Althea' IS partner?"
willard brought him, " he said, land
ing me triumphantly by the side of my
chaperon. 81 say, Gwen, dye 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. 1 have promised to show
Mr.. Wynne the lake by moonlight, and
you must come 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.
S'This is too eeriei' she cried. ''Gwen,
shall we turn back?"
''No, no, Mr.. Wynne murmured, bend
ing over Althea. 'Be mercifulI 1 have
looked forward to this all the evening
and since you promised to show me the
lake yourself -
81 heard footstep!'' she cried. s'Some
one else bent on seeing the lake perhaps
Let Us wait and make up party"
Footsteps? Nonsense!'' exclaimed Mr..
Wynne, with an indescribable change in
his voice. "You must be mistaken. Come
on, say; come on!'
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.
"Althear' l cried. "Take carel He''-
AS 1 spoke a dark figure glided out of
| the bushes and a rough hand was laid on
my mouth.
''Stow that, missI faint no good
a-trying to screech. What! two on em,
Jim? Which is the lucky bird?''
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
J 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 a crashing
blow that stretched him, unconscious at
| her feet.
It was Harry Brittainl
'Run, Althea RUM" he cried.
My captor sprang forward with a growl
of rage, but Harry was ready for him, and
Althea and I chung to each other during
the desperate struggle that ensued and
screamed for help until the frightened
guests focked down from the terrace above
They found two men stretched on the
ground, one 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.
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 Symes, the noted burglar,
and that the whole thing from beginning
to end had been a carefully devised
"plant." And Althea was equally ready
90 reconsider her opinion of Harry.
HE can't Dance she said, land he
can't make pretty speeches, but he has
risked his life for me, and i love him,
GwenF'-Forget Me Not.