The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1896-11-29
TO the Memory Of Mildred,
Only Daughter of Duncan Blair

OiAlJ Laughter Ol duncan Blair.
| Leslie came to an abrupt stop. This
was the grave of some other Miliy Blair.
| Retracing his steps he explained to the
| sexton that the grave he desired to see
was that of the daughter of Alexander
Blair, who formerly owned the manse of
| that name in the town.
Il ken the Teddy ye mean," the man re-
| piled, "but yen no see her grave the day.
| for she's levin an married moo to Sir
| Jeemes Ferguson"
Leslie reeled for moment like a drunk
en- man; but by a great effort he recovered
himelf, crying huskily:
Are you sure of this?"
mae doot O. it," the sexton reioined.
| without ceasng to shovel in the earth.
And who was this woman who lies
there?"
"A puir niece O. Blair's who cam to eeve
at the manse some months ere she deed :"
Leslie turned away. his brain in a per-
feet whirl of wonder. Milly not dead, but
married to another man! Good God! could
| 1t be possible? Was he mad or dreaming?
The thing seemed utterly incredible and
yet there was the testimony of the sex
ton, the words craven on the tombstone.
and had he not already seen a woman,
whose likeness to his love had startled
him so much, riding with Sir James Fer
gusson.
And if 1t were true, what did it mean?
Who was responsible for the falsehood he
had been led to give such utter credence
to-? Was it merely a terrible mistake or
such hellish knavery as only devil could
conceive?
Such thoughts as these ran riot in Les
lies mind, and presently out Of his mental
chaos there grew one clear resolution. He
would know the truth of 1t all, and at once.
Soon he was speeding back to the town,
having ascertaiped that neither Alexander
Blair nor his daughter were staying at
Strathgowan; and from servant at the
manse, where he had got the information,
he had learned that Sir James and Lady
Ferguson lived in Randolph Crescent
On reaching the town Leslie hailed cab,
and soon the aristocratic quarter In which
the Fergussons lived was reached. II was
now a couple of hours after noon, and he
thought It very probable that he would
find her ladyship at home.
Nor was he mistaken. Giving his card
to the servant who answered the door,
he was shortly afterward Informed that
her adyship woui1 see him, and he was
at once shown into the visitors ROOM
And then with fast-throbbing pulse and "A
mind strangely confused he awaited the
appearance of the woman for whom he
had exiled himself, and whom he stih
loved with an insane intensity
Presently a well-remembered face ana
figure glided into the room, and for brief
space there was an utter silence Mil
dren had sunk into an easy chair, her
face white as death, her whole frame be-
traying the greatest emotion. Luckily Sn
James was not at home so that their
interview would not be interrupted.
For some moments Leslies black eyes
fixed themselves on the sweet pale face
before him, then with an effort he man
aged to articulate, in strange, harsh
husky tone.
Your ladyship seems surprised to SEQ
me?"
II am" came the answer in low tremu-
lous accents. for L thought you were
still abroad"
II only returned three days ago. Can
you guess why l came back TO Scotland ?"