Rocky Ford enterprise., 1896-08-20

misery was to be our lot. NO wonder
! began to wish to postpone the knowl-
edge of the worst!
We went to a hotel in London.
was moody and miserable-a cherries
companion to the man to whom now
clung as for support and strength.
Somehow, Eustace Grant seemed to be
the only creature to whom could turn
In my trouble for sympathy and aid.
He was very good to me In those days.
He was more than friend. more than
a brother. But, in spite Of the COM
passion which I knew he felt for me.
no word which encouraged the faintest
hope passed his lips. sympathy Is
precious, but wanted hope.
The days went by until I guessed
that Viola's departure must be near at
hand. grew nervous and sleepless.
wild thoughts Of flying back to France
and seeing her once more shot through
me. To see her. touch even her hand
once more. before I learned the fatal
secret which had by now brought my
self to believe would part us forever.
when does she sail?" asked Grant
abruptly one night.
1.-THE day after tomorrow"
From where?"
From Havre."
In forty-eight hours she would be
gone. In forty-eight hours I should
know why she had left me.
"Eustace," said. before learn
what there is to learn there Is some
thing should like to do. Viola is my
wife. Whether she has acted rightly
or wrongly. 1 shall soon know: but I
must make provision for her future"
YES" said Grant. THAT you should
most certainly do"
"Come with me to my solicitors to-
morrow. will give him instructions"
Grant nodded; SO wrote at once and
made the appointment.
resolved to do all had purposed
doing before Viola left. By this act I
could at least show her that, whatever
the pending revelation might be, I
loved and trusted her. I told Grant
of my Intentions and wondered that he
expressed SO little surprise at what,
under the circumstances, might be we'll
called generous, II not Quixotic.
"It will be Just and fair" he said
quietly. "Do 1t, as you suggest, at
once"
The next afternoon found us at my
solicitors. The large tin box. labeled
Julian Lorraine, ESQ.," was pulled
down, busted and opened. The notes
which, two years ago. had been taken
respecting the settlement were looked
UP and produced. It was arranged that
Grant should be one trustee. and my
solicitor, in whom I put great faith,
the other. All was to be done with as
little delay as possible. I smiled sad
ly, perhaps bitterly, as I thought It
was to be done for the sake Of one who
was eager to put thousands OF miles
between us.
I was looking through some papers,
among which found one endorsed.
Copy of Julian Loraines will" I
drew it out. opened 1t, and held it to-
ward Grant. "See," I said, there is
my title to all l possess. What diff
ference those few lines made to me at
he time! Now, little good, after all.
.hey have done me-
Shortest will I ever read, Mr..
Grant" said the solicitor. "If every
,ne made so simple a will as that law
5ers would starve."
Grant, without much show of inter
sst, took the paper in his hand and
IAN his eyes over it. Suddenly he
topped short and stared at 1t like one
Who sees ghost. Never before had ]
Ieen a mans face and bearing 80
changed in single second. was pos
lively frightened.
"What is the matter?" I cried.
He turned to the solicitor. "Will
rou leave us alone for one minute?'
ae said: "only one minute?"
The solicitor looked surprised at sae
brusque request, but, nevertheless
sourteously vacated the office.
Grant seized my arm with a grip Of
iron.
"What does 1t mean-this?" he asked
In voice full of wild excitement. A!
he spoke he laid his forefinger on the
words adopted son."
Mean! 1t is English. 1t mean,
what it says"
"You are not that mans son?"
mo more than you are. I have al
ways passed as such and neve
troubled to correct the error. Perhaps
as my origin is humble one, wa
ashamed to do So" I added with
faint laugh.
He took no notice of my self-depre
citation.
"Tell me all about yourself-as shor
as possible, but pass over nothing"
So in few words I told him tn
story which, years ago. Julian Lorain
had told me.
How 1 was born in mid-ocean, and 1
curious way established some sor
OF claim on Mr.. Lorraine. My tai
was but half finished when Grant lei
me, and heard him In the outer Of
fee shouting for telegraphic forms /
q way which scandalized the decorou
clerks. He wrote two MESSAGES ran