The Madisonian. (Virginia City, Mont.) 1873-1915, 1896-12-12
CHAPTER XVI.

When Edith Grace came into the little
sitting room in Grimshy street the morn
ing after her flight from Ethan House
she found her grandmother had not yet
appeared. She went to Mrs. Grace's door
and asked if she might bring the old wom-
an her breakfast. To her question she re-
ccived a blithe answer that Mrs. Grace
would be ready III Il minute. The girl
came back to the room where the break
fast was laid and sat down to wait. She
Was standing at the window absorbed in
thought, when Mrs. Grace came into the
room and took the girl in her arms before
Edith was aware of her presence.
"Ihank heaven, you are here once
more, my darling. To see you makes even
this place look like home. Oh. what a
miserable time it was to me while my
child was away. 1t seemed an age. Short
as it was, it seemed an age. darling. OF
one thing, Edy, | am quite certain, that
no matter what is to become of us. we
shall never be separated again. never,
darling, never. That is, II you are not
too proud or too nice to be satisfied with
what will satisfy YOU old grandmother
The girl sobbed her long-pent torrent of
chaotic feeling away. the old woman
stroking softly the dark glossy hair with
one hand and pressing the head to her
bosom with the other.
In a little while Edith recovered her
composure. and stealing out Of her grand
mothers arms, turned towards the Win
dow to conceal her red and tear-stainnl
face. The old woman went and busiel
herself at the table.
"Edy," she said. "here is a letter. I
have not my glasses with me. Will Won
read it to me, dear?
The girl turned round, took the letter
and went back to the w~indow-for a bet
ter light.
ut is signed Bernard Coutch,' said the
girl in a low voice.
"Well go on, child. Let us hear what
this Mr.. Coutch has to say. Breakfast
must wait. Nothing grows cold in such
lovely weather. l hope this Mr.. Coutch
has good news"
"Dear Madam-Mr. James Burrows.
solicitor, of Lincoln's Inn, wrote me a few
days ago. with a view to ascertaining
some facts regarding the Graces of Grace
dicu-"
''Wait a minute, Edith" The old WON
an rose excitedly and came to the win
dow. Il must tell you, dear, that when
first Mr.. Burrows wrote me to say the
bank had failed, and that your money
and mine We're gone, 1 went to him, as
you know, and got no hope of ever saving
anything out Of the bank. But l did not
tell you then, for I was ashamed Of being
so weak as to mention the matter to Mr..
Burrows, that l told him all l knew of
the history of the Graces Of Gracedieu,
and of the old story Of mysterious money
going to the runaway Kate Grace fifty
years ago. 1 asked him to make what
inquiry he could, and let me know any
news he might pick up. 1 was foolish
enough to imagine, dear, that something
might come to you out of the property of
the rich Graces if We only knew where
they are, if there are my Now go on,
dear"
Edith recommended the letter:
Dear Madam-Mr. James Burrows.
solicitor, of Lincoln's Inn, wrote me a few
weeks ago, with q view to ascertaining
some facts regarding the Graces OF
Gracedieu, near this place.
Il regret to say that l have not beer
able to find out much. Gracedieu is a
small. residence about n couple OF miles
from this. E.ar..y in the century the
G-aces lived in this tow. The family