The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1895-07-10
THE STRANGER. "A

Altheh Mearne and were bosom friends,
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 I 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
heHeighteenth birthday she insisted upon
my being present and managed, In her
own graceful way, to give me a 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 raying about her, but
it 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 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.
Isn't she lovely, GwenH There-look
at her now, spinning round with that dark
haired fellow--the best dancer in the room
No onder she doesn't care much about
nle-I'm clumsy dancer-eh?"
My aching feet bore witness to the fact,
but shook ray head.
You do very well, Harry. By the bye,
who Is Althea's partner"
Willard brought him, he said, land
ing me triumphantly by the side of my
chaperon. say Gwen, dye think she'd
give me one nowf"
/ watched Althea shake her head and
send him away looking so downoast 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'th
found myself alone on the deserted terrace
| with my friend.
Como, 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 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.
"This Is too eeriel" she cried "Gwen,
shall we turn baokPi
"No, no." Mr.. Wynne murmured, bend
ing over Althea. "Be merciful I have
looked forward to this all the evening
1 and Ginoa aad IN, ebnx.
lake yourself"
II heard a footstepl" she cried. "Some
one else bent on seeing the lake perhaps.
Let us wait and make up party"
"Footstepsi Nonsense" exclaimed Mr..
Wynne, with an Understandable change In
his voice. you must be mistaken. Come
on, say; come onr'
We were nearly at the end of the path
and CLEAN Of moonlight fell full upoI
his face, all white and distorted from som,
overpowering anxiety.
"Altheal' cried. "Take carei He
As spoke dark figure glided out o
the bushes, and a rough hand was laid OF
my mouth.
''Stow that, missl 'Tain't no goo,
a-trying to screech, What two on EN-
Jimp Which is the lucky bird9n
Mr.. Wynne made some incoherent reply
and fumbIing awkwardly over the class
of the necklace that flashed In tho moon
light / could hear her stiGed shrieks an
see her determined resistance, and m
heart died within mo at the thought Q
what might happen II the Villains pa
thence gave way.
And while the words were still on hi
lips some one tore his hands from he
white throat and dealt him crashin
blow that stretched him, unconscious, a
her feet.
1t was Harry Brittalnl
run, Altheal Runli1 he cried
My captor sprang forward with grow
Of rage, but Harry was ready for him, an
Althea and clung to each other durin
the desperate struggle thai ensued an
screamed for help until tho frightene
guests flocked down from the terrace allow
They found two men stretched on tt
ground, one greanlng, with leg double
beneath him, the other insensible.
, Aud Harry was kneeling beside Attic,
putting back the disheyelcd hair with a
almost womanly touch and revealing IL
diamonds still sparkling on her neck.
The police were very ready to convint
Mr.. Willard that the pleasant acquaintan'
whom he had brought with him to Il
ball at Mearne Towers was none 9TH
: than Herbert Symes, the noted burgla
3 and that the whole thing from beginnir
: to end had been carefully devist
d plant" And Althea was equally reat
to reconsider her opinion OF Harry.
> He can't dance" she said, "and
. can't make pretty speeches, but he h
risked his life for me, and I love hiI
Gwenl - Forget Me Not.
! RaiIr,aa vp,ndor.